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Making Your Virtual Business Appear Larger
By selfemployedblog | July 28, 2006
A few weeks ago, I received a phone call from a client who wanted to refer more business my way. She didn’t realize that I work alone from my home office and thought that my company web site was an actual huge corporation. “Your web site makes you seem like a much larger company.” she said. That is exactly the point I wanted to get across. Here are the ways I make my business appear larger than it really is:
- Web site: A virtual business needs a web site. In my case, it was easy for me to set one up because I’m a web developer. However, hiring a web developer isn’t too expensive now a days, and you’ll be better off in the long run. A professional looking web site will help boost your credibility when clients are able to find information about your services and view your portfolio. It also serves as a “home base” - meaning, clients can always find a way to contact you should they misplace your information. They can also refer you easier by giving potential clients your web address.
- Separate phone line: Working from home means that more than likely you’ll have a home office or a space dedicated to your business. You don’t want to use your home phone number unless it’s all you can afford to do. If not, I highly suggest a separate phone line or cell phone dedicated to your business. Again, this will display professionalism and help keep your sanity because you don’t want clients ringing your home phone at all hours.
- Business cards: Carry these at all times. There have been many times I have given out my business card in situations that wouldn’t seem very likely. Just a few weeks ago, I had my teeth cleaned and my dentist asked for my card so that we could discuss building a site for his new office. Your cards don’t need to be extremely fancy but nice enough to display your key information.
- Customer service: This has to be the most important of all. You have to be there for your clients. They need to know that they can get a hold of you and have their projects completed in a timely manner. It keeps them coming back, keeps you in referrals, and if they don’t realize that you work alone, they will assume you are a big organization which doesn’t hurt your reputation at all.
More than likely, you are not really working alone if you outsource some of your work or have a few employees. The key is to appear large and give the big boys a run for their money. I have a good friend who has been at his virtual business for about a little over a year and is growing by leaps and bounds. Just because you start small doesn’t mean you have to stay that way! In my case, I don’t mind staying small. I’m always trying new things and am still trying to figure out what I want to do next. Staying small makes it easier to experiment.
In any case, it’s all about planning and thinking big. If you think big, you’ll act big, and your clients will be none the wiser.
Tags: virtual company, self-employed, small business, grow your business
Topics: Business Ideas |