How To Turn Your Freelancing Gig Into a Small Business

According to statistics, there were 59 million people doing freelance work in the United States in 2020. If you are one of them, and now you are ready to take it a step further and start your own business, this guide presented below by Freelancer Inn can help.

Sharpen Your Skills

Before you launch your business, it is a good idea to sharpen your business skills. Consider enrolling in an online Master of Business Administration. MBA programs include courses on strategy, management, leadership, and other business topics that can help you launch and manage your business. Additionally, you can learn skills that help you with self-assessment and increase your self-awareness.

Decide How To Structure Your Business

The next step any new business owner must complete is deciding how to organize the business. Many small businesses are formed as sole proprietorships. This form of business is easy to set up; however, it may have drawbacks for some business owners. Primary among the potential downsides is that there is hardly any legal separation between the business and the owner as a sole proprietor. Operating a business under this structure can put your personal assets at risk if your business accumulates significant debts.

Limited liability companies and corporations protect personal assets but are more complex to set up and manage. It may be a good idea to consult with a business attorney or certified public accountant or use a formation service to ensure legal compliance.

Attract Customers

Probably the biggest leap from freelancing work to running a business is that you must learn how to find customers and convince them to purchase your products or services. You can use some of the same skills you used to convince clients to hire you as a freelancer, but you also need to learn how to market your business. 

Choosing the right market to target is a good place to start. For most businesses, there will be a lot of competitors offering similar services. Choose a niche you can excel in and focus your marketing efforts on that niche market. Establish yourself online with a high-quality website and a presence on popular social media platforms, such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Work to build lasting relationships with customers. Long-term repeat customers are usually more profitable than new customers and do not cost as much to maintain. 

Put Technology To Work for You

Many software tools on the market can help you run your business. An accounting package can help you handle payroll, manage inventory, and bill clients. Additionally, consider purchasing software that helps you with marketing, customer service, project management, and productivity.

Outsource

Outsourcing can be a valuable tool for small business owners who usually do not have a large staff to assist them. Consider hiring out essential tasks that are not parts of your core business, such as accounting, payroll, web design, customer service, staffing, and marketing. By hiring freelancers or outside firms to handle these tasks, you can free up your time to focus on the core operation of your business and also tap into the expertise of others in areas that you may not have extensive knowledge in.

If you are ready to take your freelancing to the next level, starting a small business may be the right move for you. These steps can help you get your endeavor off to a successful start.

Image via Pexels

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