These are tough economic times, but that doesn’t mean you should not try to start a home based business. Jobs are hard to find as companies downsize or close businesses throughout the country. Things may appear bleak, but you can work through it! Read this to learn how to deal with this new Great Depression.
Always deduct client meetings from your taxes when they involve expenditures such as lunch or other forms of entertaining. Meetings with business associates are deemed legal business costs. Make sure, though, that you only deduct expenses that stem from entertaining current or potential clients.
It is important to have different phone lines for your business and home use. Your business will need a professional recorded message for off-hours as well as a company greeting when you are there to answer. Also, you don’t want to run the risk of other family members picking up the phone when customers call.
Send out email messages to everyone you know when you are launching your work from home business. Provide them with some incentive for bringing you referrals, such as a finder’s fee. Encourage your friends and family to tell everyone about your business. People trust the referrals of their friends and family.
Check out work from home business forums online, and join a couple. You can interact and relate to other people in the same situation this way. You can all compare strategies and share your concerns.
Opening a checking account that is only for your business will help you keep track of what you are spending. To be effective, you must ensure that you use the account for all of your business expenses. By doing so, you will never be confused about your expenditures or how much you are making. Also, you should only use a credit card that is designated for the business to order supplies or conduct other business transactions.
Business Cards
It is important to invest in some business cards. Business cards can be ordered very cheaply online. Make sure to include information such as your name, business name and phone number. The URL for your website and your email address should also be listed on your cards. Include several ways your visitors can get in touch.
You can use affiliates to help you get your product out there. Trade affiliate links with other work from home business owners and help each other grow your business traffic. Join affiliate programs, and choose products that complement what you’re already selling. This is a great way to increase your income without having to do any hard work.
Again, we are already suffering an economic depression, with more bad economic news expected just around the corner. How your family will survive may be your top concern right now. Hopefully this article has given you some helpful tips to help you survive this “Second Great Depression.”