Being a solopreneur is so rewarding. You get to do exactly what you want to do the way you want to do it, but it can also be quite hard. When you’re running a solo operation, it can sometimes be hard to compete with the big boys. Sure, you have the personal touch, but they have the money, the multi-million dollar ad campaigns and the recognition that you do not.
If you want to make a good living as a solopreneur, it is therefore important, that you do whatever you can to present your operation as a professional one. Here are some simple ways you can do that, even if you’re on a tight budget:
Invest in Your Website
If you want to attract more clients and you want to be able to charge a premium for your services, then you really need to invest some time, and if you are able, money into your website.
There are few things in this day and age that will make or break your business faster than your website. A website that looks good, works perfectly and has relevant, engaging content will always win out, so you need to ensure that yours fits the bill.
You also need to ensure that you have your own domain name and email address if you want to avoid looking like an amateur. These things will cost you only a few dollars annually, so it really isn’t a big ask.
Create Professional Documents
Whether you’re sending a quote an invoice or marketing letters to customers and clients, it’s important that they look as professional as possible. If you have basic digital design skills, it shouldn’t take you long to create some attractive looking templates, and if you don’t have the skills, it isn’t hard to find free templates that you can use to make your correspondence look as good as those from huge corporations.
Create High-Quality Marketing Materials
A lot of solopreneurs start out by making their own business cards, leaflets and flyers, but unless they work in the design field, these are typically not as good as they could be, which is a problem because these basic marketing materials are what they’re using to try and impress clients. Luckily, you can have all manner of professional marketing materials printed very cheaply online. Even if you’re on a very tight budget, it’s worth doing this if you want to look as professional as you possibly can.
Invest in Your Appearance
As a solopreneur, you are naturally the face of your business, and although they maybe shouldn’t, for most people, first impressions really do count. I’m not saying that you need to go out and buy a designer wardrobe or spend a month’s income on a haircut, but you should make the effort to always wear clean, smart clothing and to keep on top of basic personal grooming. You’ll be much more appealing if you do.
Are you a solopreneur? What do you do to ensure that your operation appears as professional as possible?
