What do you need to go self employed?

I have been working with a few new clients over the last couple of months that are starting their own business from scratch. I thought it would be a good idea for a post to run through the basics of what you need to go self-employed – go it alone.

Need 1: You need an idea.

I don’t mean this in a cliched sense that you need the next million-pound idea but in the sense that you need an idea of:

• What is your business?
• What it is you want to sell?
• What it is you are offering?
• What problem are you solving?
• What need your are filling?
• Who are your potential customers?
• How will you find your customers?
• How will you get your offering in front of the right people?
• Why will someone buy from you?
• Why will someone buy your product/service?

Why does this matter? Understand the why, what, who and how’s of your business idea are important because business is hard enough even with a solid plan. Entering self-employment without asking and trying to answer these questions will make the journey that much harder.

How to get started? In most cases just sitting down on your own or with others thinking about or discussing the idea will help you get started. I would recommend taking a few weeks to get your head round these answers and come up with a solid idea of the why, what, who and how’s of your business.

Need 2: You need time.

No business goes from zero to success overnight. There is usually a lot of time that has preceded that moment. Usually the road to success is full of pitfalls, ups and downs, and risks. Give it time is important.

Why does this matter? Over time, the self-employed business can mature and with that lots of things change. Such as your approach to the business will change, and your experience of dealing with the ups and downs.

How to get started? Bear with it.

Need 3: You need to graft.

Being self-employed is not easy. You will have to graft for everything. No-one (unless you hire business support) will be there to help you through it.

The benefits of being self-employed are great but the responsibilities for every single part of the business rests on your shoulders, and your shoulders alone.

Why does this matter? Business takes a lot of sweat, blood and tears. Success is not easy to get and as hard to hold on to.

How to get started? If you love what you do, that will be the driving factor for you to put the hard graft in. You could also hire business support, how about us?

Need 4: You need digital.

You need to have a strong online presence, regardless of what sector you are entering in to. From plumbers to nutritionists to comic book shops. No matter the sector a strong digital presence will, without doubt, benefit your business.

Why does this matter? People now Google what they buy during the research and purchasing phases. If those people cannot find you, your product/service, or if your digital presence is weak, then they will less likely convert in to customers.

How to get started? Find a reputable digital agency or freelancer – try us?

Need 5: You need to enjoy it.

The last thing is that you need to enjoy what you do. It’s really hard to wake up early or work late, when you don’t like what you do. Enjoyment is one of the major positives of self-employment (yes, it’s hard!) but it’s also amazingly enjoyable.

Why does this matter? What’s the point if you aren’t happy doing it?

How to get started? Find the happiness in your work (not all of it will be amazing fun) but most of it will be.

I hope those are helpful. I may add to them when I get some time. There are lots of needs for business but remember that hard work and enjoyment can work hand in hand.