Patricia Ramirez posted a new question on 11/8/2009
I am trying to design a web page, already have the name and logo, I call myself a graphic designer already but i graduate in may. I'm hoping that by then i will already i have my small business started but I don't really know how to start it.
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Alice Nadin Responded on 11/9/2009
Patricia
The first step is a business plan which contains research on what competitors you will face, what industries you want to target and how you will obtain business. There excellent business plan samples at bplan.com or on Entrepreneur Magazine's website.
And for competitors, you can look at the mass of existing ones online or better yet, look local and study what exists in your PA area. Additionally look to see if there are any freelance opportunities where you can begin to create a portfolio of clients so you have demonstrated content on your website.
Additionally you will need to market your company; no one will be just waiting for you to open your business so you need to be proactive. Again look at those competitors to study how they find business. That can offer you pointers on the marketing approach to take.
Lastly just want to check that you have your Federal EIN number, State Tax ID and local business license?????
Need more help, SCORE has local offices where you can get free business counseling. See http://www.score.org/findscore/index.html , type in your zip code, click and up will pop the closest office - fill out a request for counseling form and a counselor will be assigned to you.
Alice, SCORE Pittsburgh
Patrice Brown Responded on 11/9/2009
If you ever feel the need to hire a Virtual Assistant, feel free to stop by our site, www.keyvirtual.tk we can assist you with online projects that you need help with. If there is anything that we can do from our remote locations, we will be glad to help! Partner Up members get 5 FREE hours too!
Other than that, Ms. Nadin pointed you in the right direction. After getting all the basics complete, look into marketing your site. Social Media Marketing is very big today, and I'm sure it will be able to help you out greatly.
Good luck!
Megan Dorn Responded on 11/12/2009
Maybe you could start soliciting work on sites like PartnerUp or Craigslist. This way you could make a little money on the side and start building your portfolio and client list. Word of mouth is a great way to start spreading the word about your work, but people can't tell their friends about you if they've never worked with you.
Alyssa DeMars Responded on 12/2/2009
You said you were almost done with school? Are you interning anywhere? I would honestly start by getting your foot in the door of an advertising agency or design firm. Get at least 2 years of experience at a well known company. I learned more working in the field then I did in school. That way you will have professional references and your potential clients will be more likely to spend their money on your design services. Also, make sure you have a great portfolio!
Good luck!
Joe Villeneuve Responded on 12/6/2009
You need people to come to you by presenting yourself as an expert at what you do. Trying to chase leads is an outdated concept and a waste of time. You can use all the viral, social, blog, etc...sites to do this, but it needs to be done right and it needs to have a connection between all of them. In other words, it needs to be organized. I recommend you look at this site www.automateyourmlmnow.com. On the surface it looks like a site for marketing MLM's, but it is actually much more. They have extensive training and incredible organizational tools to show how to do all of this, and then they can automate most of the "busy" repetitive work for you so you can devote your time to the one on ones and actual work. I use it for all my online businesses and it started to work within the first month...actually the first week. I've stopped chasing leads...they now come to me.
Joe Villeneuve, President
www.3VEnterprises.ws
joe@3venterprises.ws
