Service Based Businesses

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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

Some small business owners have a tough time getting all of their business tasks done by themselves, so they outsource those projects to someone else. 

If you have experience in some of these areas, you could offer it as a service by starting your own business selling your skills. For example, if you have some writing experience and can write well, you can offer writing about a product, program, or service for a fee. 

What skills are needed?

Depending on the type of service you choose to provide to your potential clients, you should have some amount of skill under your belt. It's not necessary to have the educational degrees to perform these services, but clients would like to see that you have the experience to complete the tasks needed to be done. 

Working online doesn't provide the face to face contact that offline companies have when they hire an employee, so trust comes a little harder online. People do want to know that the person they're hiring has the skills and knowledge in a particular field. 

While it is not necessary to have 10+ years of experience performing a service, having done the job before and the testimonials to prove it would help tremendously. 

What tools are needed?

The tools you need will depend on the type of services you plan to provide. The more common ones that most service based businesses should have are:

• Computer
• Reliable Internet access
• Phone
• Email program
• Website

You will probably also need some software programs like word processing program, excel program, and some may need a web designing program. Consider having an instant messaging program (Skype, Yahoo! Messenger, etc.) for those clients who want to reach you ASAP without waiting for a phone call or an email response.

How do you get started?

First thing you want to do is decide on the type of service you plan to offer to clients. Come up with a list or a portfolio to show that you have the experience and skills needed in that particular field.

Next, get your website created. Showcase your skills and experience on your site and provide clients with testimonials from other people who have used your services and were pleased with the results. Provide information on your rate/s and how you run your business. 

Market your sites on the various places on the Internet to get your online business out there for potential clients to find and check out. When clients contact you, be clear on how you will be conducting the business, i.e. task procedure or process, billing, cost involved, 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 till you get too busy to sign up more 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 by working an offline post.

I hope you liked today's feature. Next topic would be on Affiliate Marketing.