A service based business is one where you offer some type of service to potential clients. Some of these include:
- Writing
- Web Design
- Accounting/Bookkeeping
- Virtual Assistant
There are many tasks involved in getting a small business started, and many small business owners are having a difficult time getting all of their tasks done by themselves. Therefore, they outsource these tasks to someone else. They look for those who offer the services needed to be done for them.
If you have experience in one or some of these areas, you could offer it as a service by starting your own business selling yourself. For instance, if you have some writing experience and can write well, you can offer that as a service to those who need writing done for their websites.
What skills are needed?
Depending on the type of service you choose to provide your potential clients, you should have some amount of skill under your belt. It’s not necessary to have college degrees to perform these services, but clients like to see that you have some kind of experience to complete the tasks they need done.
Working online doesn’t provide the face to face contact that brick and mortar companies have when they hire employees. Trust comes a little harder online, so people do like to know something about the person they’re hiring and that that person has skills and knowledge in a particular field.
Although it’s not necessary to have 10+ years experience performing a service, the fact that you have done it before and have some testimonials to back up those claims helps tremendously.
What tools are needed?
The tools you will need depend on the type of service you plan to provide. The more common skills that most service based businesses should have are:
- Computer
- Reliable Internet Access
- Phone
- E-mail Program
- Website
There will probably be some software programs needed as well. Each service uses some different programs, but most will need a word processing program, excel program, as well as some web designing program.
You should also consider an Instant Messaging program for those clients who would like to be able to contact you instantly without having to call or wait for an e-mail response.
How do you get started?
First thing you want to do is decide which type of service you plan to offer your clients. Jot down everything you can think of that shows you have some experience or knowledge in that particular field.
Next, create your website. Showcase your skills or experience on your site and provide clients with testimonials from other people who have used your skills and were pleased with the results. Include your rates and any other information about and how you run your business.
Market your site on various places on the internet to get your online business out there for potential clients to find and check out. Post ads on Classified Ad sites and post your business’s profile on sites like Manta.com. When clients contact you to hire you for whatever service they need, reiterate to them how things will go. For example, let them know how they will be invoiced for the work done and how much it will cost, etc.
It will take awhile to build a list of regular clients, so don’t expect to be making tons of money right away. Give it time and keep marketing your service based business until you get to the point where you get some much work that you’re practically turning away potential clients.
Running a service based business is a perfect option for those who already are performing that service at another job. In most cases, you could make more money offering those services online than you can by working a brick and mortar position.
Search Amazon.com for Service Based Businesses
