Running a business is never a straightforward affair. It doesn’t matter how much knowledge you have within your sector, problems will inevitably occur. Unfortunately, you’ll always run into a few things that you can’t do yourself; accounts and tax returns, marketing and promotion, the drafting of contracts, etc. There are, however, plenty of ways to cut corners and ensure your operation doesn’t suffer.
Outsource specialist tasks
There are certain tasks in business that require specialist training. If you make mistakes in your tax return you could be subject to penalties; overlook part of a contract agreement and you could find yourself with no legal rights if a client refuses to pay, etc. Even the basics, such as having good bookkeeping procedures, is often understated. Outsourcing specialist tasks can actually save you a great deal of time and money in the long run.
The office landscape is very different to how it used to be. Nowadays it’s possible to run an entire operation from home using a virtual office. These custom solutions not only provide a professional working address and phone number, but also professional staff that can be hired on a per-week, per-day or even per-hour basis. Check out this brilliant guide on virtual offices. Most operators will have on-site staff that can do everything from answering the telephone to drafting legal documents. Outsourcing may seem like a daunting and risky prospect if you’re new to business, but it’s the most effective way to take things to the next level.
Easy steps for building your sense of brand
There are a few simple ways you can easily establish a sense of ‘brand’ in your newly established business, and they don’t have to be stressful. For starters, employing some sort of dress code is a long established method of creating a sense of comradery, a full guide can be seen on Aspect Corporate Clothing’s website.
Finding a suitable business address can also pose problems. Contract agreements aren’t cheap, or particularly viable if you don’t have the income to sustain your business for the long haul. In addition you’ll need to consider the location. For example, something in the city centre may provide you with better networking opportunities; however, finding an available space for the right price may not be possible.
Serviced offices can provide a solution to all of these problems. According to Skyline Offices you can purchase an office space on a per-desk or per-square-foot basis, and most contract agreements are available for as little as one to three months. While the costs may seem quite high, the flexibility can be a blessing if you aren’t sure what the future holds, and is another great way to easily brand your business.
Produce viral content
There’s no denying the power of social media. Publishing viral content is without a doubt one of the fastest and most effective forms of promotion; and it’s completely free. If you have a limited marketing budget, perhaps hiring a copywriter to produce content that’ll be consistently shared and liked will be more beneficial than hiring an SEO firm to organically rank your website?
Of course, that’s not to say you shouldn’t tackle other long term projects at the same time. Although producing viral content might help you speed up the marketing process and build your brand, it certainly shouldn’t be your only port-of-call.
While ‘cutting corners’ is perhaps not the best use of words, the advice in this article will certainly help lift some of the burden off your shoulders. Fundamentally, while in-house solutions can be convenient and effective, they can also be a phenomenal waste of money.
Post contributed by Jess Baker
Image credit: Optimus Sourcing
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