All Freelance Work is a Community for Freelance Workers Including Free Portfolios, Job Search, Job Posting, Helpful Articles, Forums, & More for the Self Employed.
HOW TO SET YOUR FREELANCE RATES - A GUIDE FOR FREELANCERS & CONSULTANTSThere are many factors which business owners must consider on a daily basis as it relates to the running of their business. Things such as how to find good help, where to acquire supplies and how much to pay one’s employees are all pertinent matters which must be addressed. There are a few ways to go about figuring out your rates when it comes to how much to charge the customers.Growing Your Small Biz: From Small Potatoes to Big Cahuna!
by Yuwanda Black
"Gosh, I'm so tired of being small. When will this company ever take off?" Sound familiar?
If you're a small business owner wondering if you will ever get to the next level, listen up.Here are three things you can do immediately to jump start your company's growth.
1. Imagine it:
To quote Jesse Jackson, "You have to believe it to achieve it." Seems simple, but you'd be surprised by how many of us stay stuck in small potatoes mode.
Imagine this, you grow up in a family where no one ever travels. Then, a new friend suggests a trip to Europe. You hesitate, make excuses as to why you shouldn't go and wind up talking yourself out of it.
After all, there's the fear of terrorists, people don't speak your language, the food will be different, yadda, yadda, yadda. You just can't wrap your brain around this concept.
Many small business owners run their businesses the same way. Being big is such a foreign concept. Sure, we want to "make it" and are working like crazy, but how far out of our comfort zones are we willing to go to make it happen?Wrap your brain around the idea of success beyond your wildest dreams. Formulate a plan and don't let anyone stand in the way of your "trip to success." It will be filled with unfamiliar things, but if you want it, all you have to do is be willing to board the plane.
2. Sacrifice:
I was watching Cutthroat, an MTV reality show. It showcases rappers looking for a record deal. One participant said something that stuck with me. She said, "My grandmother told me that if you want to make it, you've got to do two things at one time." She worked a full-time job during the day and was in the clubs at night competing in contests.
To get your business to the next level, sometimes you may have to work a part-time job, a full-time job, two jobs to get the extra cash flow you need. Need an extra $300, $500 per month for advertising, materials, supplies? Stop eating out, stop shopping, take the bus, etc.
What sacrifices are you willing to make to get where you want to be?
3. Copy the big boys:
If you want to be big, copy the big boys. Tony Robbins, the best-selling motivational author, has written volumes on the subject of imitating. His books are basically about finding someone who is doing what you want to do and repeating their methods.
What could be more simple?
I was listening to a CNN financial analyst talk about Starbucks' new coffee card. This card is used like a credit card. For example, if you put $20 on it, you use it until the balance runs out. Then, you can refill it. This analyst proposed one more thing. He said, "I think Starbucks should give a volume discount. For example, if you purchase a $20 card, they should give you $22."
That got me to thinking about one of my companies. Since the holidays are upon us, we can implement this concept with our gift certificates.
So, from now through December 1, when you purchase an EthnicHomeDecor.com gift certificate for $100 or more, we automatically add $15. Big company idea used by a small company.
Although you may not have the deep pockets of the big boys, you can play on the edges of their sandbox. Before you know it, they'll be making room for you smack dead in the center.
Here's to seeing you in the financial pages!
May be reprinted with the following, in full:Yuwanda Black is a serial entrepreneur and the editorial specialist behind EntrepreDoer.biz. EntrepreDoer.biz offers writing, editing, copy editing and simple web design services to small- and medium-sized businesses. Projects include brochures, newsletters, Web copy, sales letters, press releases, etc. Visit http://www.EntrepreDoer.biz for rates, deadlines and more. Send questions/feedback to info@EntrepreDoer.biz.
BlinkList | del.icio.us | Digg it | Furl | Netscape | Onlywire | RawSugar | reddit | Spurl | StumbleUpon | Yahoo MyWeb
