Running a business while bringing up a baby is tough. Not only do you have to combine both sides of your double life, but you also have to fight against the way other people see you.
Unfortunately, if you’re working from home as a sole trader or small business owner, it can be tricky to find clients – especially from the corporate world – that take you seriously. Even though you might spend 50 or 60 hours of your week working on your business and are an exceptional talent, the reality is that you have something of an image problem.
However, there is some good news – you can make a difference. In today’s guide, we’re going to take a look at a few of the things you can do to tackle the problem and lift your business image to new heights. Read on to find out more!
Image: RawPixel.com
Change your legal status
OK, so one of the first things you can do to make a difference is changing the legal status of your company. Let’s say you are a sole trader – the reality is that many prospects from the corporate world won’t want to risk working with you. But learn how to register a company and go through with it, and it’s a different story. As a limited company or limited partnership, you automatically look more professional. And even though your work is of the same quality, it’s your overall image that is more attractive to a broader range of potential clients.
Refresh your branding
The only way of standing out to prospects and getting on top of your competition is by making it easy for people to remember you. This process is known as branding, and contrary to popular belief it’s just as important for small businesses as it is for global corporations. With the right brand refresh, you will find more people come to you, rather than you finding them. So, have a think about how you want to be seen by others. Work out your USP and define who you are as a business. It can be a long process – and you may need some help from branding experts. But make no mistake about it, a branding refresh could have a significant and positive impact on your business potential.
Build your network
There is a strong correlation between a successful business and the number of contacts they have. It’s vital that you put aside some time – perhaps every week – to work on building and developing your network. A couple of hours at a local business meetup can work wonders, as can attending industry-specific conferences. You can also network online with authority figures and leaders in your industry. Follow them on Twitter and Facebook. Comments on their blogs. And when the time is right, see if you can persuade them to give your business a shout out, or allow you the opportunity of writing a guest post for them.
These three simple ideas should help you improve your business image by a significant amount. Sure, it can be tough when you are trying to run a business and bring up a baby, but giving yourself a polish can really work – why not give it a go?