Whether you’re pursuing a freelance career or launching your business as an entrepreneur, the easiest way to do so is to work from home. You don’t need lots of office space or employees, and working for yourself means you eliminate the commute. However, before you hit the ground running, there are a few key things you need to know to ensure you handle this change the right way.
Be Serious About Your Work Day
Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you can roll out of bed whenever you feel like it and take your time getting to work. Many people have tried this and many have failed, so structuring your workday is essential.
While you’re not on as strict of a schedule, being consistent with your hours is a huge part of online business success. Remember, most of your clients will still keep regular hours, so it benefits you to match these hours. Otherwise, you could risk taking twice as long to respond than they expect.
Establish A Productive Space
You also need to set up a productive office space to ensure you can work throughout the day without distractions. It’s tempting to sit on the sofa in your pajamas and watch TV, but this won’t get you in the right mind frame.
Instead, use a spare room or set up a desk in a corner. You should have everything you need in this space, such as your notebook, laptop, phone, and anything else you think is useful so you don’t spend time searching around the house.
Set Up A Virtual PO Box
Although you don’t have a physical office, you can still set up a virtual PO box to make your company look more legitimate. This approach means you can direct all mail to there rather than your home, which could reveal more information about you than you’d like. You can then access any correspondence in person or check scans of your documents.
Use Social Media The Right Way
Social media is a great way to market your new business, but you have to remain professional. This is not your personal account; you are running a business. It’s best to create new accounts for your business to follow friends and family and market your new page.
There is a risk that you could get into some hot water or experience liability issues if you don’t use social media correctly. If this happens, knowing an expert witness in social media can help you avoid potential charges and will help you maintain your reputation.
Don’t Stay Inside All Day
It’s easy to forget the last time you went outside when you work from home. You don’t have a commute and you might have plenty of food in the house so that you don’t go out for days at a time. However, this can damage your mental and physical health. Take lunchtime walks to clear your head and get some fresh air and a change of scenery because no one wants to spend all day staring at their screen.
Online
Online businesses are a great way to establish yourself in the industry and you can save a lot of money in the early months because you’re not renting a workspace. These tips should help you manage your changes and set you up for success.
