Starting a service-based business can be an exciting launch of a new career. There’s a wide range of service businesses, including everything from accounting to house cleaning services. However, they all involve selling expertise and offering something to the client. Rather than selling a physical product, you can sell a particular skill or service to address their needs. Show
Starting a new business can be exciting and intimidating, but the good news about service businesses is that they’re among the most successful startups, especially among the accounting, real estate, and legal services industries. Many early entrepreneurs appreciate the benefits that come with choosing jobs centered around services. Since your main task involves doing something for a particular client, you don’t have to worry about as many startup costs. You also don’t need funding to develop and produce specific products to sell to customers. Instead, you can complete many of your tasks right from your home office. If you’re interested in starting a service business, our guide includes everything you’ll need to know to build your company from the ground up. What is a Service Business?Service businesses identify key gaps within the needs of target consumers and create services for them. You’ll want to find an area where customers can use your particular knowledge and expertise to provide an intangible service. The key difference between a product-based business and a service business depends on whether you offer something tangible. If your offerings revolve around something you do for clients but can’t touch, then you run a service-based business. Entrepreneurs might consider a service business if they have the right know-how. If they have a skill that allows them to provide a type of service to help clients with a pain point, it’ll be a good fit. Many new entrepreneurs begin service businesses because the business requires less funding and startup capital. An example of a service business is a wedding planner. Services provided range from booking a venue to managing invoicing for all vendors involved with the big day. These services remove the hassle of the couple having to do this hard work themselves. How do You Start a Service Business?Starting a service business requires dedication and hard work. Here are 10 steps that will take you through the process. Step 1: Have a Good Business IdeaBefore moving forward, your first step needs to be careful research about your idea and if there’s a market for it. In other words, you need to do market research so that you know how many people will likely be interested in your services, what your competition offers, and how you can make yourself stand out. Market ResearchIf you’re new to market research, here are some affordable ideas to help you:
Step 2: Set Business GoalsOnce you have a solid idea for your new business, you’ll want to test the waters by setting up goals. You can begin a business without making it your sole source of income. Many entrepreneurs get their start by working on their new business idea part time or as freelancers. You can begin building a client base while still working a traditional job. If your goal is to work full time for yourself, set goals for your new business about income rates and which milestones will indicate it’s time to quit your full-time job. These goals can keep you motivated and moving forward. As you test the waters, use the resources available to you, such as LinkedIn and other social media, to promote your business. Step 3: Create a Budget and Save MoneyIt’s not uncommon for new entrepreneurs to barely break even during their first year running a new business. It can be difficult to maintain enough cash flow to cover expenses, much less turning a profit. It can take a few years to build a client base large enough to bring in a good income. This marks how important it is to create a budget. BookkeepingCareful bookkeeping will make up a critical component of this process. Draw a list of expenses you need for your business to operate. Know how much money you spend directly on the business and how much you need to support yourself. Create a budget that helps you minimize expenses during the challenging early years of running the business. Spend what’s necessary, saving the rest to help you launch your new business successfully. PricingYou’ll want to be sure you’re thorough in your research when it comes to offering competitive pricing. There’s a fine line when it comes to pricing too low or too high, so take the time to learn more about effective pricing strategies and consider reaching out to financial advisers for additional tips. Step 4: Create a Business PlanSuccessful entrepreneurs will tell you that a business plan can make the difference between a company’s success or failure. Creating a business plan will help you organize your thoughts and ideas. You’ll record your market research, target audience, ideas for engaging with the target audience, and how you expect to bring in new customers. You can outline your goals and milestones, too. What Your Business Plan Will DoYour business plan will serve multiple roles. First, it’ll help you outline your next steps so that you have a plan to follow. Setting goals increases people’s success because it provides a clear path and direction. Secondly, these goals and projected paths can help you remain motivated, even when running a business feels challenging. Finally, if you need to secure funding through banks or other financial institutions, they’ll want to see a business plan to evaluate if your organization is a good investment. Step 5: Secure FundsEven though service businesses generally have fewer startup costs than product-based businesses, expenses are inevitable. For example, you might need business insurance and some basic equipment to do your job well. Getting FundsThere are several places to look for funding:
Determine the types of funding that will best fit your company’s goals and size. Incorporate your use of funding in the business plan, including the plan to repay loans. Step 6: Obtain the Proper Permits, Licenses, and CertificationsAs you set up your service business, you’ll need to verify that you have the right permits, licenses, and certifications to operate in your area. For example, a hairstylist looking to open a salon will likely need at least a state cosmetology/beautician license, salon retailer seller permit, salon business operation license, and an employer identification number (EIN). To learn more about the permits and licenses you might need to operate your business, visit the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) website. Step 7: Insure Your BusinessSmall business insurance will also play an important role in your success. Insurance protects your business if something goes wrong or a client becomes unhappy with your service, regardless of whether you did anything wrong. Types of Small Business InsuranceNew entrepreneurs should familiarize themselves with the main types of small business insurance so that they can select the ones most applicable to them. These include:
Step 8: Market Your BusinessNow that you’ve established your business, the time has come to promote your services and draw clients. Depending on your budget, many entrepreneurs in service businesses find it easiest to begin with their own network. Let your connections know about your new business. Some ideas to get the word out include:
As you begin to build your business and generate enough revenue to increase your marketing budget, consider taking out some ads or running pay-per-click campaigns online to improve your search engine ranking results. Step 9: Seek Help from OthersBuilding a new business can be challenging. It requires dedication, hard work, and many late nights as you work to get the business off the ground. Reaching out to others who’ve been in the same situation can be an excellent way to build a community and find support. Seeking help from others doesn’t mean working with a business partner or even having employees — it can mean forging connections with others who might have ideas, advice, or even just a sympathetic ear to lend support as you put in the work to make your business a success. Finding Advice and SupportYou can find advice and support from others in a variety of places, including:
Step 10: Go for ItPushing through the difficult times and reaching your dreams is intensely rewarding. Now that you’ve gone through the steps to establish your small service business, the time has come to jump in and see what you can accomplish. Follow your business plan, market your services, and use your expertise to solve your clients’ problems. Start Your Service Business TodayStarting a business requires entrepreneurship with a strong work ethic and dedication. It also requires hard work and many hours, but with the right business model and determination, you can make it work. The steps above can guide you as you begin your business and take the first steps toward success. If you’re interested in building your service business, then learn about running a sole proprietorship and what you need to know about freelancing, time management, and more.
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