Things To Check Before Starting An Online Business

So the desire for starting a business online business is calling you. You have some great ideas; have a lot of enthusiasm your ready to start. You’re going to make a large amount of money and be your own boss.  

Well wait a minute regardless of the claims of how easy it is to get rich off the Internet. You will find starting an online business is no different than starting a business in the non virtual world. Maybe you need to consider some things first to make this profitable and mistake free. 

When contemplating starting an online business you need to take an honest look at yourself.  What are your skills? What kind of interests do you have?  Many people stared their online business in the fields that they worked. 

A graphic artist could start a web design company or produce custom graphics.  You will also want to think of the type of jobs you truly enjoy. Do your homework to start your online business.  

Do not make the mistake of putting all your efforts, money and time into a service you want and try and find a market for it. You can not make people like your service or product. 

Instead find out what the consumer would like and then design a service or product to fit that need.  Also just like a real world business there is a certain amount of risk.

  By doing your homework you can lessen that risk by finding something people will buy and for how much. This allows you adjust your costs to make sure of a profit. You also need to study your competition.  Find out what they are doing and what works or what doesn’t work.

The more information that you have in regards to the market and your competition the better chance of success you will have. Starting your online business you need to have a plan and follow it.  

What will it cost to start?  Where will you get that money?  If you are going to ask for a loan you will need to have a business plan to present to the loaning institution. 

It is a good idea to have a business plan even if you are funding your online business yourself.  It will give you some set goals to look at. To get your online business going you will need to make a time commitment and keep it. 

It will be difficult to keep a full time job and work on your new online business. You probably will not be able to accomplish that unless you set a specific time to work on it.  

 Starting an online business and making it profitable enough for you to work full time on it does take some time. 

You have done the required research, taken the time and made the commitment for your online business. You feel that now have a great product that the world wants and priced that they can afford and you make a profit.  You have one more thing to consider marketing. 

Your customers need to be able to find your product so they can purchase it. This can be done online, offline, or a combination of them both.  

 You will need to continually study what works and what doesn’t until you find what works for you the best.  

However, remember what works today, may today may not tomorrow and be able and willing to change your approach to marketing as the consumers dictate. Stay safe and have a nice day.

The Do’s And Dont's Of A Business Party

There is always the holiday time, when Ms. Abby and Manners takes care of our social etiquette, I’d like to share some practical tips for business holiday parties.

Here are some DO’S….

1.  Attend the Event:  It’s an unspoken expectation that showing up may not be mandatory or can it be required, but attending isn’t really optional.  That is if you want to be working there next year.

2. If you RSVP – by all means ATTEND: Many business functions are paid on the basis of the number who attend, and that is calculated by the number of RSVP’s.

3. Mingle, Mix, and Move: Talk to different people and learn something new.  Don’t stick with your usual water cooler pals.

4.  Pay Attention to Start and End Times on the Invitation: This is there for a reason, and you don’t want to overstay your welcome.

5.  Remember that Any Business Party is Really a Business Event: Although it might be outside the standard office meeting and be accompanied with food and beverage, the same rules of conduct apply.

6. Limit Gift Giving:  Colleagues will often feel obligated to give gifts in return for receiving gifts. If you do give, give from the heart and keep it simple, and priced at a minimum.

7.  Dress Appropriately and Professionally:  All eyes are not meant to be on you, and this is not the time for provocative dress.  Lean toward the conservative or classic look.

8. Give Thank-You’s:  When appropriate write either a note of thanks, or if at a private home tell the host/hostess in person that you enjoyed the celebration.

Now for the Dont's…..  

1.Say “yes” to a Blind Date:  You don’t know who the person is or who he/she might know.  Rule of thumb – when in doubt, go stag.

2. Be Flirtatious or Get Frisky: This is crossing the line of appropriate and adult behavior at a business event.

3. Drink Too Much:  it’s not worth taking the chance that you’ll say something you wish you hadn’t.  Rule of thumb is- limit  yourself to 2 drinks.

4. Talk All Business:  BORING!! After all it is a social gathering.  The guests are supposed to have fun, get to know each other, and have a different experience outside of daily office routine.

5.  Prospect for New Business: TACKY!!

6. Assume Everyone Celebrated the Same Holiday:  If you say “Merry Christmas” to someone who doesn’t observe the holiday it might offend them.  Be generic and say “Happy Holidays.”

7. Give Gag Gifts:  This is not the place to risk offending or embarrassing someone.

8. Gossip:  Gossiping in any situation is usually damaging and not a good practice, but it’s especially not appropriate at a business-related event.

Hopefully with these tips under your belt, your appearance at you next business holiday event will go successfully.

The majority of business professionals know these things, but there’s always some newcomers to the firm who may not be as seasoned as some of us.