It seems like everyone is talking about running a business from home these days. But many people assume it’s an intimidating task. You don’t have to be uninformed about home businesses anymore. The purpose of this article is to assist you with managing and operating a work from home business.
Remember that you can deduct expenses incurred entertaining clients, including things like treating them to dinner during a business meeting. Any such costs are generally viewed as necessary and legitimate business expenses. However, make sure that these meetings are with potential or paying clients. If not, they aren’t tax-deductible.
If you need to do any driving to meet the needs of your home based business, keep detailed records of mileage and save all fill-up receipts. Any business related travel expenses can be claimed at tax time. However, make sure you can prove that the driving is necessary to the business’ profit.
Having trouble coming up with an idea for your business? Ask yourself what service or products you would want in your life. For a product to sell successfully, it must fill a need consumers have that is not currently being met. If there is a product that would solve a problem in your life, it would probably be helpful to others as well.
Provide incentives to your clients or customers when they refer their friends to you. Word of mouth is the most powerful way of advertising because the recommendation of a friend is always more reliable than any flyer that you can send. Incentives tend to boost loyalty from existing clients.
Business Cards
Have some business cards made up. You can usually find many good deals on business cards, and sometimes you can even get them for free. You want all vital information in your business cards, so double check to make sure you have included your website, phone number and email address. Don’t forget to include your website address and your email. The more options you give your customers for contacting you, the better.
Your business’ name must have personal meaning. Purchase your business domain name even if you do not yet have plans for a company website. Many domains cost less than $10 per year, and it’s important to get your domain before someone else does. If you haven’t yet figured out if you want a sophisticated site, simply put up a place-marker that has your contact information and name on it.
The information presented here should have allowed you to form ideas that will help you create a work from home business. This information only helps those who are willing to apply it to their struggles. Go forward and prosper.
There are tremendous opportunities for small businesses and social entrepreneurs to support their communities through community foundations, donor advised funds and other means of giving back. Find the neighborhoods in Santa Clara County where you can make the most impact on the health of the community.