- Like it or not, appearances count – investing in a professional image means acing that crucial first impression test with clients.
- Size isn’t the issue so much as professionalism. Proving you can run with the big dogs while offering personalized service is the surest path to customer loyalty.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Use quality business cards, stationery and promotional materials
Nothing says "amateur" like uneven printing on flimsy paper or cardstock. Investing in quality materials and professional equipment or services proves that you're in the game with the big players.I recommend: Overnight Prints and Vistaprint offer fast and inexpensive business cards, stationary, fliers, and more. Epson and Hewlett Packard offer affordable inkjet and increasingly cost-friendly color laser printers.
Craft a savvy Web site
Think of online documents like printed ones: they must be grammatically impeccable and accurately project your company's image.I recommend: Now more affordable and easier to DIY, Web hosting services and domain registration are a snap with services like GoDaddy and DreamHost. GoDaddy even provides a Web design interface for an additional fee, allowing for one-stop registration, hosting, and design. User-friendly Microsoft Front Page software enables users to quickly create a polished Web page.
Borrow office or meeting space
Home-based and smaller businesses are sometimes constrained when it's time to meet. Renting office space by the day or hour means uninterrupted sit-downs and presentations.I recommend: Regus Business Centers provide meeting rooms and virtual offices near transportation hubs in 350 cities and 60 countries worldwide, complete with office equipment and support staff. Officefinder will help you find space to buy, lease, or use by the hour.
Make it Official
Incorporating, registering your company's name, and obtaining adequate insurance will protect your assets and let customers know you mean business.I recommend: FindLaw offers a small business resource center with tips on finding a lawyer, filing articles of incorporation and registering a business name. Also investigate local legal clinics; some offer affordable business start-up assistance.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Get a site-specific e-mail address (employee@mycompany.com) instead of writing from "JoLuvsCats123@hotmail.com." Or use a free service like Google's gmail and use your name or company name for the address.
- Set up a phone system with easy-to-navigate voice mail and a separate, dedicated fax line.
- Invest in reliable, clear cell phone service with broad coverage to avoid missing crucial calls.
- If you don't have or need office space, rent a post office box from the U.S. Postal Service or Mail Boxes Etc.
- Brush up on public speaking skills to build confidence when interacting with customers or clients. The venerable Toastmasters International hosts meetings nationwide (with built-in networking opportunities).
- If considering an all-in-one fax/copier/scanner, go high-end to ensure perfect printing.
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