The Ultimate Business Blog Citygirlbusinessclub.com
So, you’ve just started your new company. You have a genius idea and you’ve got a business plan to take over the world. However, at the moment, it’s still just you sitting at your laptop. You’re working in your pajamas, sitting on the sofa. It isn’t quite the epitome of professionalism. No matter how amazing your idea is. The trick is to look like a large, professional company, even when you’re not (yet).
First impressions go a long, long way in business. Potential clients will make a decision very quickly based on the way your business appears. Clients want professionalism and efficiency. There are many ways to give off this image without having an office full of workers. A few very simple tricks will help your business seem bigger than it is. Don’t deter big clients with a poor image or reputation for unprofessionalism.
Dedicated phone number and address
Your worst nightmare is a potential client calling, and you answer the phone with “What’s up!” Avoid this by having a separate business phone number. Establishing clear boundaries between personal and business communication is essential for maintaining professionalism. Having a dedicated business phone ensures that your calls are answered with the appropriate business etiquette, minimizing the risk of casual or unprofessional responses. It’s a simple yet effective strategy to enhance your business image and build credibility with clients. When setting up a business phone, explore available business phone plans in Louisiana, or in your region, to find a solution that aligns with your communication needs. Investing in a dedicated business phone not only enhances your professional image but also streamlines communication, creating a more organized and efficient platform for client interactions.
Additionally, consider setting up calling over the Internet, if possible. With this, you might be able to get a phone number that is not specific to any region, and clients from anywhere in the world can connect with you when they like. Some professional sip trunk providers could be able to help you set up this sort of phone number for your business. This could also help you avoid mixing business and personal calls. You don’t want to have your big client on hold while you’re chatting to your mum.
The same goes for the address. You’ll want a professional, city address. Clients will suspect something if your business address is in a sleepy village. You can set up a PO Box to keep your home secret. You can also use a London virtual office service; they will provide you with a London address and receive and forward your mail. It’s a simple trick to appear professional.
Your own domain name and email address
Your website should have a full, personal domain name. Keep it simple and pay for the full domain. A long URL that still has ‘.wordpress’ or ‘.blogger’ in the middle looks highly suspect. The same is true of your email address. You need a “name@yourbusiness.com” address. A Gmail or Yahoo account screams unprofessionalism. Make sure your website has an ‘About’ and a ‘Contact’ page too. They are the first things clients will look for.
Hire professionals when needed
Even though your budget is tight, you should hire professionals to do the work that you’re not confident about. Whether it’s for graphic design, web development, or legal advice, outsourcing to specialists can elevate the professionalism of your brand. For instance, enlisting the services of professionals in facility management can ensure that your workspace reflects a polished and organized image. Green Facilities Cleaning Excellence and similar companies’ reputation is well-known in that regard. Partnering with such experts not only benefits you but also conveys an impression of attention to detail and commitment to quality that is often associated with larger, more established enterprises.
Furthermore, this means reaching out to digital media companies in Chicago or wherever you are, for interactive web design and SEO optimization. You’d also want to reach out to a professional photographer for images that you can put up on your website. These are all things that affect the first impression of your company. They make the difference between a client contacting you or leaving your website.
Thanks to Satomodel for the image.
Business Cards
This one’s a no brainer. You never know who you’ll meet when you’re out and about. Networking is everything. Don’t miss out on an opportunity by not having a business card to hand. Try and have an interesting design (not too crazy though) that stands out and reflects your business. People will remember it when they suddenly need your service. Have those dedicated phone numbers, website and email address on there.
Don’t lose out on good clients with a bad first impression. Those first few clients or customers are the most important, so don’t scare them away. It’s very easy to achieve the illusion of professionalism. It’s all about appearing bigger than you are.