Transcript Yes, We`re OPEN! - Dallas County Community College District

Yes, We’re
The little things
you need to know
to better run your
own business!
1. Opening Your Doors
• Brand Yourself
• Register Your Business
• Get a Tax ID
• Opening a Business
Checking Account
Branding Yourself
• Select a Name (Have 5 options)
• Create Templates of your marketing
materials: Website, Brochures, Business cards,
Stationary, Portfolio/work samples, etc…
• Answer your phone professionally!
– If you use your home phone – forward to your cell
– On-line answering machine http://voice.yahoo.com
– Fax-thru-email
https://www.securepaynet.net/gdshop/email/fte_landin
g.asp?app%5Fhdr=&prog%5Fid=admaso2
• Promote yourself
– Volunteer to work for non-for-profit organizations
– Let everyone you know about your skills/work
– Provide discounts & NEVER start with low prices
Registering Your Business
• Go to the Dallas County Web site
– http://www.dallascounty.org/department/countyclerk/faqassumed.html
• Instructions for Doing Business As (DBA)
– http://www.dallascounty.org/department/countyclerk/asmdn
ame_procedures.html
• Process:
– Decide on the name, search it, fill form, pay (starting $14 +
$.50 per partner), renew in 10 years!
• Request your Tax ID
– http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxpermit/
– Phone (972) 644-4300,
– Address 9241 LBJ Freeway Ste. 200 Dallas, TX 75243
Tax ID and Checking Account
• It is a good idea to register your business
as follows:
– MyBusinessName/MyName D/B/A
• A business checking account usually has a
charge of at least $5 per month
– To open a business account you need
•
•
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Driver’s License
Money
DBA receipt (yellow form)
Other requirements may apply depending on Bank
2. Making it for Real!
• Make it official
– Once you have registered your business, put your site up and
print your marketing materials
• Network and send your resume at least 300 times!
You will get a 1:100 response
– Internet Craig’s List: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/
– Temporary
Agencies:
http://creativegroup.com/
http://www.artsquad.com/
,
• Remember that intermediaries get a 40% mark up average of your
salary, but they also find jobs for you!
– Don’t forget friends and family they also need you
• NEVER PAY A SUBSCRIPTION FEE TO GET A JOB!
– You should never pay a registration (or one-time fee) for
assignments, even if they say it's just for shipping &
handling of materials.
3. Freelancing!
A freelancer or freelance
worker is a person who
pursues a profession without
a long-term commitment to
any one employer.
Fields where freelancing is
especially common include
journalism and other forms of
writing, copywriting, computer
programming and graphic
design, consulting, and many
other
professional
and
creative services.
Pros & Cons
•
Freelancers generally enjoy a greater variety of assignments than in regular
employment, and almost always have more freedom to choose their work
schedule. The experience also allows the opportunity to build up a portfolio of
work and cultivate a network of clients in hopes of obtaining a permanent
position.
•
Sometimes a freelancer will work with one or more other freelancers and/or
vendors to form a "virtual agency" to serve a particular client's needs for short-term
and permanent project work. This versatile agency model can help a freelancer
land jobs which require targeted, specific experience and skills outside the scope
of one individual. As the clients change, so too may the players chosen for a virtual
agency's talent base.
•
A major drawback is the uncertainty of work — and thus income — and lack of
company benefits such as health insurance or retirement pay. However, many
freelancers, journalists specifically, have found security in a new option. Many
periodicals and newspapers have recently offered the option of ghost signing.
Ghost signing occurs when a freelance writer signs with an editor, but their name is
not listed on the byline of their article(s). This allows the writer to receive benefits,
while still being classified as a freelancer, and independent of any set organization.
4. Options and More Options
According to recent studies about 20 percent of contracted
websites, software development and graphic designs
worldwide are made by freelancers. Customers choose
and stay with freelancers because their rate can go as low
as 70 percent compared to industry standards.
•Work from Home
– Local Companies
– Out-of-State Companies
•Work On-Site
– Commute to work it can be one or more locations
The Dark Side of Working
at Home
• Distractions at home especially among workers that leave the office to
be better able to care for small children and the infirm.
• Socially isolated and further job advancement is difficult to achieve.
• Fellow employees resent home telecommuters.
• Risk of confidential data loss and risks to data integrity resulting from
the increased geographical diversity of their network and loss of direct
corporate control over the telecommuter's physical work environment.
• The cost of technology becomes greater. Requirements for remote
access through laptops, personal digital assistants, and home
computers. Use of non-standard software can create problems. Setting
up security and virtual private networks increase the demands for IT.
• Traditional line managers manage by observation and not
necessarily by results.
• Liability and workers' compensation can become serious issues as well,
they should check on local legal issues, union issues, and zoning
laws.
• Information sharing should be considered synchronous in a virtual
office and building processes to handle conflicts should be developed.
Work From Home Terms
•
Telecommuting, e-commuting, e-work, telework, or working from home
(WFH) is a work arrangement in which employees enjoy limited flexibility in
working location and hours. In other words, the daily commute to a central
place of work is replaced by telecommunication links.
•
Telework is a broader term, referring to substituting telecommunications for
any form of work-related travel, thereby eliminating the distance restrictions
of telecommuting. All telecommuters are teleworkers but not all teleworkers
are telecommuters. A frequently repeated motto is that "work is something
you do, not something you travel to". A successful telecommuting
program requires a management style which is based on results and not on
close scrutiny of individual employees. This is referred to as 'managing by
objective' as opposed to 'managing by observation'.
•
Long distance telework is facilitated by such tools as virtual private
networks, videoconferencing, and Voice over IP. It can be efficient and
useful for companies as it allows staff and workers to communicate over a
large distance, saving significant amounts of travel time and cost. As
broadband Internet connections become more commonplace, more and
more workers have enough bandwidth at home to use these tools to link
their home office to their corporate intranet and internal phone networks.
Who Is In Control?
• If a client calls “just to check on the progress of
the work” constantly… Charge client for the
call time. But do advise client that “calls like
such will incur a charge”. Explain that if you have
promised a due date, that you are professional
enough to deliver. That you will call as soon as
the job is ready. E-mail client with samples if you
deem necessary.
• Define all services in the contract, client will
always have extras for you to do with out pay if it
is not defined at the beginning.
Working On-Site
• You can not be in business independently if a client request for you
to work on site most of your time. You become part of his/her staff
• Use proper attire dress one notch more than expected
• Be on time (15-20 min. before requested)
• Pack a snack, for the first day it might be a long one
• Do not rush your work, or they will expect you to work at that pace
all time
• Avoid socializing at the “water cooler”. Avoid getting involve in
“issues”
• Keep busy, look busy!
• Do not personalize your work area. No picture, plants or junk! You
are there temporarily.
• Do not discuss your salary with anyone. State “My
company/agency does not allow me to discuss that information with
others”
• Most agencies does not allow you to return to work to the company
with out their knowledge for at least one year. If a client requests
your presence, ask them to call your contact person or call the
company or agency directly with the information and ask permission
to proceed.
5. Cost of Virtual Office
• Virtual offices please management because they
reduce overheads, reduce office space needs,
increase productivity, and reduce staff turnover.
However, managers (whose roles are varied and not well
defined) in telecommuting roles typically receive fewer
promotions due to the lack of direct contact they need.
From that aspect, telecommuting seems to work best for
professionals such as engineers.
• The cost of doing business stats
http://www.sfgate.com/cgibin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2005/07/11/wastingtime.TMP
Setting Your Office
• Office equipment is necessary if you are going to
work from home
– Computer, Printer, Scanner, Hard Drive
– Telephone/Fax, Internet (High Speed)
– Software (If not available for a specific job – download
the trail version, usually good for 30 days)
– Office supplies (stapler, cds, folders, labels, etc…)
• Most equipment is tax deductible and certain
equipment can be depreciated such as
computers and printers…)
• Your home office space is also tax deductible
as well as electricity and your car if it is
dedicated to your business or just apply mileage
On A Shoestring Budget?
• Office Furniture: Dallas Morning News “The
Week” has a section called “Pass it On” where
people give away surplus, Garage sales,
refurbished equipment stores (Fry’s), company
surplus sales - bids
• Office supplies: Garage sales, dollar stores,
clearance items, coupon purchases
• Equipment:
Garage
sales,
refurbished
equipment stores (Fry’s), company surplus sales
– bids, Ebay
Cover Your Back!
• It is highly recommended an insurance for errors and
omissions usually referred as EO insurance. Your auto
insurance can provide you with a quote
• Your renters/home insurance does not cover office
equipment, please ask details to cover your equipment
• If you subcontract a job, you are responsible before
the client. All problems will be directed to you
• When you quote a job add 2 additional days for delivery,
if the job is completed before the due date, do not
deliver it until the due date. Client will expect prompt
response all times
• If it is a rush job, have someone proofread it or at least
rest and revise again.
• Do not spend your money until you receive it.
Freelance payments can be from a week to six months
normally
Sometimes… I Need Help
• I am not a financial expert so I get help from the best.
Joan Volpi, H&R Block assist me with information to
make sure that I get the best refund each year. (972485-5881)
• I also subcontract some jobs. Sometimes because there
is a lack of time or sometimes lack of
practice/knowledge. When I subcontract I usually keep
about a 20-40% for referral fee, liaison services and EO
insurance
• Or, I will pass the job directly to someone and would like
for that person to reciprocate as well
• I make sure to keep a service directory with the
information of people that I feel comfortable to work with
and trust, based on previous experiences
6. New Client Kit
• Most of my new clients get a kit that includes:
– A Personalized pen with my company information on it
– A Calendar with my business information on it
– A "Working with ME (my business name)" packet that includes
forms, copy of the agreement, brochure, W-9, business card and
other project information
– Client Account information sheet
– Thank you card (mailed the next day to them)
– Personalized Post-It Notes and a few other things
• You don't give W-9's to clients to fill out, you give them to
vendors. You are the client's vendor and by giving them
the W-9 with your info you are saving them the step of
having to ask you for it, and therefore you get paid
faster!
7. Keep in Touch!
• Personally, every year I save a 10% of each
invoice and use that money for Christmas
presents for my clients. From cards, chocolates,
fruits, cookies to gift certificates. Some
companies do not allow this kind of presents, but
when permissible I provide an appreciation gift
to the whole small company or to the department
that I am servicing. Never exceed $50 in your
gifts, do smaller gifts through out the year
• Remember dates, do courtesy calls at least
every 2-3 months if needed.
• Use promotional packages and discounts
7. Beware of Scams!
• http://www.ifccfbi.gov/strategy/11403EmploymentScams.pdf
http://www.fbi.gov/majcases/fraud/fraudschemes.htm
http://www.charlotte.bbb.org/Consumer_Corner_July_2003.pdf
http://www.rileyguide.com/scams.html
http://www.prepaidlegal.com/idt/davidgardner
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/advice/scams/reshipping.asp
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/scamsdesc.htm
http://www.iafci.org/pub_awareness.html
http://crime.about.com/od/scams/
Other Resources
• Buy your domains/hosting and other services at Reseller cost
https://www.securepaynet.net/gdshop/email/fte_landing.asp?app%5Fhdr=
&prog%5Fid=admaso2 or http://www.admaso.com
• Texas Site http://www.texas.gov/
• Create Surveys http://www.surveymonkey.com/
• Cost of Business Stats http://www.sfgate.com/cgibin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2005/07/11/wastingtime.TMP
• Publicity resources http://publicityinsider.com/release.asp
• Copyright and Fair Use – Educational
http://fairuse.stanford.edu/Copyright_and_Fair_Use_Overview/chapter7/in
dex.html
• Lookup information http://www.infousa.com
http://www.hoovers.com
http://www.referencepage.com/referencepage.html
• Forms, templates and samples for your small business
www.smallbusinessformsandtemplates.com
Other Resources (Cont…)
• Quality, Affordable Web Design (Check other people’s work)
www.elitewebstudio.com
• FREE Worldwide Listing of Virtual Office Assistants!
www.eliteofficesupport.com
• Tax Deductions
http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol21/taxdeductions.htm
• Compare Salaries http://www.salary.com/
• Small Business Administration – Great Information to read to
start a business http://sba.gov/
• Free Project Management service http://iteamwork.com/
• Free antivirus for your computer
http://www.grisoft.com/promo/download-avg-75-free-free75cnv/
• Free on line web calendar hosting http://calendars.net/
• Local calendar activities – Free calendar by Zip Code
http://localendar.com/elsie
• Search for illegal copies of your web sites http://copyscape.com/
References
• Terminology
– http://en.wikipedia.org