Some people who have worked in a specific field for some time begin to feel that they know enough about their industry to venture out on their own. One of the issues people face is finding the time to pursue their dream of owning their own business.
However, if you pick the correct business opportunity, you should be able to find time to grow your business and customer base while working your day-to-day job.
Once you get things established, if you continue to make the right choices, you should be able to build a side income that eventually grows beyond that of your day job. Once you find your business has grown to that level, it might be time to venture out into the world of self-employment.
Get Additional Training
Depending on what field of business you intend to get into, you may have to take a serious look at getting some additional training or education.
Even if you have a lot of hands-on knowledge, many people and companies want to see that you have the expertise needed to handle the job. The only way to prove this is by receiving a certificate.
For example, if you’ve been working as an in-house blogger for a company in an unofficial fashion and feel you have what it takes to take your blogging to the next level, you might want to take some additional writing classes.
If you’re interested in transforming yourself into a public speaker or business advisor, it would be a good idea to get an MBA. If you’re thinking that obtaining such a degree would take a lot of time, you’ll be surprised to know that you can complete an MBA in 24 months online.
Make Contacts In Your Chosen Industry
Making contacts is a very crucial aspect of being a successful entrepreneur. Depending on what sector you work in at the moment, you may already have access to all of the industry contacts you need initially.
Nevertheless, the important thing for you to keep in mind is to make contacts without getting on your employer’s bad side. In some cases, they might see it as you stepping on their toes.
Since a large number of your best contacts will be those who work for or have dealings with your employer, it’s a wise move to establish a close relationship with them. The best way to do this is to work diligently for the company and build a respectable reputation for yourself.
I’ve personally seen friends of mine receive a lot of assistance from previous employers with whom they had good reputations.
Another thing to remember is that superficial business contacts have little impact on the future of your business. Minda Zetlin, the co-author of The Geek Gap, wrote, “Whether a co-worker, customer, mentor, or someone who’s helped you make valuable connections, these are the contacts whose presence in your life is clearly valuable to your career.”
Build a Strong Online Presence
Today, it doesn’t matter what sort of business you’re in, having a strong online presence is a critical part of success. As easy as that may sound, it’s not a cut-and-dry process. Below are some tips you should follow when considering building a website or blog.
- Choose the right social media platform for your business. Social media is a big part of digital marketing but it’s important to get on the social media platform that best suits your purpose. According to Daren Low of Bit Catcha, “When I asked 27 experts their biggest blogging mistakes, a big handful said they regretted choosing the wrong platform and failed to map out the right plan from day one.”
- Choose a website platform that matches your type of business. While some people may only need to operate from social media to land clientele, others will need to utilize a website of some kind. If your business involves selling a product or service, you can skip building a website and sign up for sites such as eBay, Amazon, Shopify, Upwork (for freelancers offering services), among many others.
- Choose a website builder according to your skill level. If your business involves something other than selling a product or service, you can create a site using WordPress (slightly advance) or Wix (more for beginners). Running your own website allows you to have more control of how it looks, add a business email, among other things.
