* What do you enjoy the most about operating your business? What tasks would you perform even if it had nothing to do with the successful operation of your company?
Blogging. Reading blogs. Helping people set up websites and blogs and teaching them how to use all of the cook technology like Skype or MS Sharepoint to make their lives easier. My husband couldn’t believe that people pay me to blog – "You were doing it for free!" How heavenly is it to be paid to do something you love anyway?
* What is the least enjoyable part of operating your business? Are there any tasks you’d gladly delegate to anyone else, no matter what the price?
Filing and receipts. And budgeting. If I could just give someone my checkbook and tell them what I want and they figure out how to get it for me, that would be great. Since I love technology so much, I spend a lot of money on things just trying them out. As a result, since January I’ve been trying out every Open Source and free software I can.
* What’s the worst advice you’ve been given with regard to building or operating your business? How about the best advice?
You need to advertise conventionally – newspapers, radio, etc. I had a radio ad in Seattle which netted me one whole client. That client had given me a 300% return on my ad, but it was still disappointing.
The best way to get (and keep) business is through personal relationships. I go to networking events not expecting to get a new client immediately, but to get to know everyone. Once they know me, they turn into my sales force. Nearly all of my clients have come from referrals – and that includes my tenants.
Comment Preview