So you’ve started a home-based business — your lifelong dream. The upside is that now you can call your own shots. The downside is that you’re no longer part of a big corporation that commands respect through sheer size and reputation. It’s up to you to give your business the kind of corporate feel that will inspire confidence in your clients.
Your first contact with many customers is likely to be over the phone. But if your call is interrupted by barking dogs and crying babies, a customer may question your ability to focus on his business needs. It’s important to establish a procedure that allows for peace and quiet when you’re on an important call.
From time to time, your family members will find themselves having to field your incoming business calls. This can be an intimidating prospect, especially for teenagers. Help them make a good impression by preparing a script with appropriate phrases and responses to questions your clients are likely to ask. If you don’t have a separate business line, put a copy of the script beside every phone in the house. You can also avoid a lot of potential problems by not allowing younger children to answer the phone during business hours.
Visual impressions are just as important. An attractive, industry-appropriate logo conveys the message that your company is established and professional — much as a business suit does for a job applicant. Even if your budget is tight, a high-end print shop can help you create and execute a logo and print you a supply of business cards and letterhead. These simple accessories allow you to present your business with flair.
But the most vital impression to convey to your clients is your own confidence in what you do. This is especially true if you’ve done a lot of “moonlighting” in the past.
Say you’re a gifted photographer who is just starting a freelance business. In the past, you did a lot of discount photo jobs, either as favors for friends or to gain valuable experience. But now that you’re in business, you can’t afford to sell yourself short. Charging market value for your services tells your clients they’re dealing with a professional who knows the value of his or her own work.
Your company’s high-quality products and services are what keep your customers coming back. But since you never get a second chance to make a first impression, it never hurts to make it a good one.
