Making Money Online from Your Skills

As full time “normal” jobs become harder to come by, it is the perfect time to jump online and start to make money from your skills & start your own business in the process! Plus online no-one has to know how old you are, which is perfect for young entrepreneurs…..cos it is all about the quality of your work instead.

If you are like many under 20s who have gone to uni, you have a degree (and are slowly paying it off) but may be finding it hard to get that first “real” job. Or you have made your way through a few contract jobs, which are great while they last but means cashflow is up and down. Or you are contemplating putting off the job search altogether and keeping on studying!

Or perhaps you are like my friend Cristina – she is originally from Venezuela where she completed her under graduate degree in international relations. She then travelled to Japan to study her Business degree while also perfecting her Japanese. Over the past 6 months she has been knocked back for work on over 20 occasions, despite all of her degrees and enthusiasm. But she can speak 4 different languages fluently; English, Portuguese, Spanish & Japanese.

Have you thought about MAKING MONEY ONLINE using your skills? Your language skills, your professional skills from your degree (if you are a lawyer, accountant etc) and even your technology skills……these are quite valuable online!

Quit complaining about not being able to find a job and it is so tough out there….and start being entrepreneurial and use what you already have; your skills!

If you speak languages fluently, think about doing ONLINE TRANSLATION. There are websites that list the profiles of online translators (where you can set up your profile & really talk yourself up!) and people who are looking for translators come to and “pick” someone to work with.
So far I have found:
- Multilingo

- Elance

- Translator Planet

If you have a professional skill, like you are a qualified lawyer, accountant, counsellor, psychologist, mechanic, web design – then you can use all of that knowledge and get paid for it. Answer people’s questions online, and get paid for your time in answering those questions. Here are some sites to check out and use to take your professional knowledge (that you have spent a lot of money to get!) and start to make some money from and of course build profile & experience through as well.

- Just Answer

- Expert Genie

- Find an Expert Online

- Guru.com

- Elance

If you are a really great writer, have just completed studies in communication of some sort, enjoy writing & like the idea of making money from your writing then that is possible as well.Start by checking out these sites….and yep, putting up a profile for yourself and bidding for work.

-  Guru.com

- Helium

- Freelance Writing

Even get paid to write reviews of blogs, books, movies, websites…….on and on it goes!

- Review Party

- Review Stream

….there are heaps of sites where you can get paid to write reviews. This blog post I found is very helpful.

If you are a designer; graphic design, web design, coding, programming etc….then there is a HEAP of opportunity online to start making money. Although all of the coders and programmers should already know that right?! Try these places out….

- 99 designs

- Mechanical Turk

- Elance

- Scriptlance

- Rent a Coder

- Name Pros

And finally – for odd jobs & other ways for making money online try….

- Craigslist classifieds for job ads

- Start up an ebay business selling stuff online

A great tip (I got from an insider who has been making money online since he was 15!) is to get onto forums online, forums where people are discussing your area of expertise. See what questions people are asking about, answer those questions & then offer your services for further help. The more niche the forum, the better quality people you will find.

I have not used any of the above sites myself – so I would suggest some of your own research to find the BEST ones to go with first. Do some research (online of course) and look for recommendations from other “freelancers” about the better sites to post your profile and bid on work through. And also research how to put up profiles on each of these sites that get you results.

But basically, quit complaining about “tough economic times” and “I can’t find a job” and start making money online using skills you already have!

And for ultimate in how to MAKE MONEY ONLINE guide then check out this blog post.

If you know of any other great ways to make money online, good & reputable sites to use…then tell us all about it and spread the good news!

ru an entrepreneur?

Pick me…I am….Pick me!!!

When most of us think of an ‘entrepreneur’ we picture high flying, high powered, business suits driving wheels n’ deals with stacks of cash in their fat, unethical wallets. And trust me, this can be the case – but not always!

Entrepreneurs are people who are ‘enterprising’ – they’re someone who sees a great new idea that could positively impact a business, the environment, or a social cause, and who are determined, daring and energetic enough to make the idea a reality.

So are you an entrepreneur? Take our quick quiz…

• you think a financial crisis or recession is just another way of saying “REALLY BIG OPPORTUNITY”
• you want independence

• you’ve created or invented something

• you’ve identified a niche or gap in a market

• you look at things differently and regularly ask ‘why’

• you have a passion for what you do & for seeing your ideas become a reality

• you want to be your own boss

• you enjoy risk taking

• you don’t know the meaning of the phrase ‘that can’t be done’

• you want to determine how you spend your time

• you want to build something from scratch

• you see economic empowerment and financial independence coming through business ownership

Ok, so if you ticked ‘most or all of the above’ then you sound like someone who could be, or already is, an
entrepreneur!

And if you’re under 35 then you are a YOUNG entrepreneur; by age anyways!
Now there’s lots of pros and cons to running your own biz – long hours, loneliness, frustration, not ‘fitting the norm’
- but if you haven’t experienced it already, the benefits of freedom, control over your destiny, self-expression, and
hard-earned achievement pay off big time.
So what next? How do you get those brilliant ideas you’ve got in your head out into the real world?

Writing a business plan is a great first step but one that can be a little overwhelming. Start by writing down your
responses to the following questions…
1. Got a name for your business or the product/service you’d like to create?
2. Describe your idea in three bullet points.
3. Who do you think will benefit most from your idea?
4. What would you like to achieve by implementing this idea?
5. Why is this idea important to you?
6. What help do you think you’ll need to make the idea happen?

You’re on your way…..check out more articles in GETTING STARTED to move forward with your business

Work experience – why do it, and how to get it!

This is a question probably asked too often by some of us… but if being an enterprising young person doesn’t leave you much time to be generous with, then it’s a question you feel is worth asking.

Consider this though -
Work experience (giving your time + skills + knowledge) = plenty for you in return.

Like that equation? Read on to see how factoring some work experience into your week can help you get places faster!

At FRANK Team HQ we’ve had a fair few work experience students and volunteers dropping in to get some experience and lend a hand. It’s awesome – we get to meet some great young people who are willing to help out, and they are developing their skills and getting some valuable experience to add to their resumes! It’s a win win situation!

So what’s so good about volunteering VS hanging out for the job you want, I hear you say?

There is actually a lot in it for you. It’s not just working for nothing. Read on to find out how volunteering you time through work experience could help you get a head start…

• Experience is sometimes valued over a qualification. So you might have a diploma or degree, but employers like to hire people who have some experience up their sleeves as well, especially now in harder times.

• Put your degree or diploma to work. If you are studying, why not put your learning to use straight away, who says you have to wait until you graduate and get a job?

• You could get a job out of it. If you make a good impression, you’ve got your foot in the door!

• Try before you buy. If you’re considering an industry, but not sure and you don’t want to commit to study yet, do some work experience first – this will help you decide if you are interested in pursuing that career, or if you need to do some more thinking.

• It’s a great way to meet people who are in the industry you want to be in. This can help you get the job you want faster through networking – they will all find out what a hard worker you are. Plus you will be learning from professionals.

• You could find a mentor. You might meet someone in the workplace who inspires you, and embodies who you want to be in your career – support from them will help you succeed.

• It’s an opportunity to develop your skills, and find out what you’re good at. Or use the skills you have to help others – we know we’ve learnt a thing or two from our work experience peeps!

So… you’re convinced now aren’t you?? Here’s how you can get yourself a work experience opportunity…

• Do some research. Find some local organisations, businesses etc who are in the industry you want to work in. Give them a call to see if they have any work experience positions. If they do, ask if you can go in to meet with them and see if you would like to do some volunteering there. If you don’t have any luck, keep searching… or check out the volunteer opportunities @ seek.com

• If you go in to meet with people and suss out an opportunity, put together a resume so you can show you are serious about having a go and you can display some of your assets!
• If you can’t find anyone willing, give us a call – maybe we know someone who could use your help and in return give you some awesome practical experience!

Testing Your Business Idea

So you’ve had an idea! You think it would make a really great business and are thinking about starting up. So what are some “tests” you should put that idea through to really work out if it’s “the one” you should pursue with all of your time, energy and a possible short stack of money? Try these:

• Excitement levels

When you think of your idea and turning it into a business, how excited does that thought make you? Starting and running a business takes a lot of heart and soul to make it truly successful, so if the idea doesn’t fill you with fire in your belly in some way then it’s probably not right.

The most successful business people will always tell you that passion for your idea and business is essential. So really ask yourself right now, does this idea wake me up at night, in a good way? Does this idea fill my belly with butterflies when I think of where I can take it? Does this idea lead directly to thoughts of who you could work with on it, all of the possible marketing you could do to sell it and how much everyone is going to want it? If you answered yes to these, then your idea has passed its 1st test!!

• Outsiders

Have you told anyone else about the idea? What do they think of it? Of course, you may be worried about people “stealing” your amazing idea, so put due processes in place to protect yourself (Memorandum of Understandings or confidentiality agreements or get some legal advice if you’re truly worried), but then get out there and ask everyone you know what they think! Get them to pick apart your idea and ask you a million questions. This will help you to see what research still needs to be done, where the holes in the idea are, where there is more potential in the idea and perhaps will show you if the idea is not right in its current form. Of course, “advisers” have been proven wrong before, but no one has built a successful business without the advice of others.

If your idea has withstood this barrage, you are doing really well.

• Anyone done it before? Why not?

If your idea looks like it will be the “first of its kind” or “too good to be true”, ask yourself, why has no one else had this idea or done something with this idea before. Often the reason why no one has done it before is because it is not a really great idea, or its time has not yet come. Do your research in your industry to really find out why no one has done this before. It could be that the idea is so simple that no one has seen it yet, and it is truly brilliant. Or it could be that others have not seen any value or money in the idea. You need to find that answer for yourself too, to pass this test.

• Uniqueness

Every customer you will get, generally, means you are taking them away from someone else! So what is going to make your idea stand out so customers will come to you rather than anyone else? How well do you know your potential competitors, direct and indirect? Do a SWOT not only on your idea, but also on your competitors. You will learn a lot about your idea with this test.

• Start up costs

How much is it going to cost you, and how much will you have to risk to get it started? Can you put together a 6 month budget to see what you’re going to have to put on the line to start it up? How does that amount make you feel?

Perhaps you can get out and sell your idea (product or service) at cost or for free to test your market. Just starting small is a great test for your idea – selling 1 tutoring lesson, 1 new computer mouse, 1 piece of clothing on ebay – what was the experience like, what was the demand like, get your customer to give you feedback, learn, learn and learn more. This will provide a huge wealth of information that will help to direct your next move in testing your idea further. And by the way, if you do this step you have started your business!!!

• The market

Of course a good in depth look at your industry market and the general economic market and geographic location if you are setting up a physical presence can help to test your idea. How are other businesses doing in your area? Are they growing, stable or contracting? Are there other business like yours in the local area? Why and why not? Get out there and look at trends, read industry magazines, talk to people in the industry, go to networking events – really submerge yourself in the market you are thinking about. You will get a sense of the vibe and energy around your area. Good vibes = good idea!

• The numbers

Now depending on the type of entrepreneur you are and why you are starting, the financial numbers can also help to test your idea. For those of you just wanting to get out there, and get started and see how it goes – do just that, just start now. Others want to see that the “numbers” all add up – that is, that there is going to be profit and good profit in this idea. This will mean putting together at least a 1 year budget backed up with your research of the industry, competitors and market information. Get someone on your team who is really good at all of this stuff, and put your idea up against the toughest test, financial!

• Official checks

You know that amazing business name, or product name that you have just come up with? The one that is so perfect for you and your business? Before you get too excited check it through your state business name registry, and even the Australian business name registry to see if anyone else is already using it.

You can then also put it through the IP Australia registry of trademarks and again see if someone has already “got it!” And then of course the URL, is that perfect website you want already taken?!

Check it through a domain name search engine like NameScout .

You will find that when you sit down brainstorming ideas for business names, products and services, you want to have the internet at your finger tips to do your testing as you come up with the ideas. It can save a lot of disappointment and faster elimination of ideas for names you just can’t have.

Keep in mind key words used by potential customers when searching for your product or service and use those keys words in your business name and URL.

There are many ways to test a business idea and these suggestions are based on our experiences here at The FRANK Team and how we test our ideas as we come up with them – and the tests we have learnt the hard way that you should put your ideas through before going ahead with them.
You need to do your own research and then ultimately it’s your decision whether you think you’ve got a winning idea. Expert business advice from others is advisable as well.

And remember, there is no one way or right way when it comes to business. So what is your great idea? How have you tested it so far?

If you want to learn more about the steps to starting up your own business then The Frank Team has the prefect tools for you. Our Break it Down cards make starting up your business easy, fun and totally practical.

Starting up in business as a young person can be lonely and tough at times. Come and meet other young entrepreneurs just like you and share ideas and stories with the Frank Team’s Young entrepreneurs membership program.

What can teenagers do to start their entrepreneurial journey?

Recently a parent contacting us asking all about how teens who already know they wanna be their own boss can get started. It went something like this:

“I am a 40 year old trade educated entrepreneur employing 13 people. I started my business at 30 so fit your figures perfectly. My 15 year old wants to be an entrepreneur but I find it hard to put him on the right track. I have my trade and sales background and contacts gained in my 20’s. How does a 15 year old get the experience and contacts required to make it? Where does he start? School pushes the kids to trades or uni and he doesn’t want that.”

Awesome question, and we know there is a heap of things they can be doing. So for all of you teenpreneurs out there, get started with these ideas……

Use The Frank Team

The Frank Team has a heap of resources and opportunities for young entrepreneurs of all ages including teenagers.

o Our Young Entrepreneurs Membership program is perfect for teenagers just starting out. Regular newsletters, events & workshops to attend are all part of the program.

o The Break it Down cards are Frank Team’s business planning tools specific for young entrepreneurs. We have been using them for years in our workshops with young people around Australia and you can have your own set.

o Of course this Young Entrepreneurs website is packed with heaps of info to inspire & develop young entrepreneurs from 15 to 35, so start exploring. We always keep the info useful, simple and frank!

o Sign up to our Events list to be kept up to date with our events for young entrepreneurs that we run regularly. This will give you a chance to meet other young people just like yourself. You will learn from others and get inspired.

o Sign up for IGNITE, our monthly newsletter, that is packed with up to date information about programs and opportunities for young entrepreneurs. Everything from award programs, to training & volunteering opportunities.

Entrepreneurial Work experience & Internships

- Identify some awesome entrepreneurs that you would love to learn from (young and old) near you through some online searching, or by contacting us here at The Frank Team.

- Contact these entrepreneurs directly and ask to do some work experience with them. Offer yourself for free for 1 – 4 weeks, or for a few days a week over 6 months. Get the opportunity to hang around the entrepreneurs and learn from them. They will be impressed with your initiative and will love having you.

Young Achievers Australia Programs

- Find out if your school, college or university is running the Young Achievers program. This is a course that puts young people together in teams who have to set up & run a business. It gives you amazing experience and exposure to entrepreneurial issues that are real!

Networking

- Start going to networking events that are close to you. Networking will mean that you start meeting people and creating contacts, you will learn heaps from how professional people conduct themselves at these events, and get to hear from some great speakers.

What is a networking event? It is where business and professional people come together to meet and network (connect and learn about each other).

- Age doesn’t matter at these events! Yea you may stand out as the youngest person there, but that is great as you will have people naturally coming up to you!

- The Frank Team has ongoing networking events for young entrepreneurs in NSW.

- Check out your local Business Enterprise Centre and also through your state government’s business portal for upcoming events. Here is NSW

Read biographies/autobiographies of entrepreneurs

- There are many highly successful entrepreneurs who have been there and done that and then written all about it! Get your hands on some biographies and autobiographies of entrepreneurs and soak up the learning. You will learn all about the highs and lows of making it on an entrepreneurial journey.

- And if you are not a book reader then just start searching online. There are a heap of stories about successful entrepreneurs online, some of them even have interviews with them (audio & video). This will provide knowledge and inspiration. Just think of a company that you admire, then look for the story of the peeps who started that company – you will be amazed and surprised. The google story, ebay, Apple, Harvey Norman, The Body Shop, Sass and Bide…….the list goes on and on!

- A personal favourite of mine is “Loosing My Virginity” by Richard Branson.

Formal Learning

- Doing some formal learning is advisable, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be at university. A business start up course, a marketing and sales program, online learning in search engine optimisation or a TAFE course in financial management are all a great start and heaps quicker than uni! Plus you can do them at the same time as starting and running your own business. Uni courses may be required if technical skills are needed for the business you want to be in.

- Go with topics you are interested in and you enjoy.

Volunteering

- Experience working in any type of team environment and for all sorts of organisations is highly valuable when you then start your own. And you can get this experience for free, while working on real stuff; you do this through volunteering. You can do anything from project management, to marketing to finance and treasury for organisations that need the help and do some awesome stuff in the world. I learnt heaps as a volunteer on my local councils’ youth committee where we organised all sorts of events with budgets of $20,000, it was awesome.

- Some great places to start to find great volunteering experiences:

o IGNITE
o Oaktree Foundation
o Volunteering Australia
o Conservation Volunteers
o Australia and International opportunities

Just Start a Business!

- There is no better way to learn about being entrepreneurial and starting a business than starting a business. Even if it is just small and in your local area, you will learn heaps! Anything from dog walking, tutoring, fixing computer problems, helping with clean ups around houses are all good and easy businesses to start.

- To learn more about Starting Up your own business see our series of articles in “Getting Started”

Let us know if you are a teen running your own business already and tell us what your advice would be to other teenpreneurs. Email us

If you want to learn more about the steps to starting up your own business then The Frank Team has the prefect tools for you. Our Break it Down cards make starting up your business easy, fun and totally practical.

Starting up in business as a young person can be lonely and tough at times. Come and meet other young entrepreneurs just like you and share ideas and stories with the Frank Team’s Young entrepreneurs membership program.

Savvy Networking Tactics

So you’re into business networking? Here’s some savvy tactics to make the most of your time and develop your new-found relationships.

Be Strategic

By now you should have the confidence and basic networking skills for you to enjoy and benefit from every one of your networking experiences. You’ve got some key contacts, and a thirst for more.

It’s time to get strategic. You should now know which type of networking experiences you typically get the most out of. Perhaps you find your professional association contacts a bit dry and boring but love attending a particular event or regular group meeting? Don’t cut the old ties, just focus more on the ones you can see yourself benefiting from (and enjoying!).

Start by planning your year (or what remains of it). Be strategic about the events and groups that you will frequent. Decide on your level of involvement with each of them as well (will you volunteer more time with any of them, perhaps write their newsletter or organise a fundraiser?), and weigh up what spending more time and energy on each will actually achieve. Of course, as well as penciling in these ‘must-go’ networking opportunities, you also need to leave time for those that you may not have heard about yet, such as one-off events or launches.

As well as making these choices and scheduling them into your business and social life, it can be a good idea to start a networking budget. This should include money for events and membership fees, extra money for unplanned or unexpected opportunities that come up, and a small portion of money to spend on your networking ‘weapons’ to make an impact (see below). A budget will naturally make you more strategic in your approach to networking as not only is it a self-allocated source of funds for your activities, but it also makes you think carefully about what you do and don’t want to attend.

Weaponry

Business cards, conversation starters and the ability to quickly identify relationship possibilities are the three pillars of networking basics. But these things are also expected of business people. Go the extra mile by arming yourself with some extra weapons to develop existing relationships and establish some great new ones. These things will also ensure that you’re remembered by the people that you meet!

Here’s some ideas:

Networking cards

* Get some business-card size cards created that explain what you do. This is especially suitable for businesses that often have complicated terms or concepts. Provide definitions of those terms as well as a way to find out more information.
* This is also great if you are a member of a networking group/club looking for members, as it can explain what the group does and provide contact details.

Mini-Newsletters

* Print a small newsletter about your activities to hand out to people who you end up in deep conversations with, especially if they appear genuinely interested in more information about what you do, on the spot. The newsletter should be just that, news. Don’t ever try to sell anything at a networking event.

Referral business cards

* Carry the cards of other people’s businesses you know and trust. If you meet someone and end up recommending one of the businesses you have a card for, hand them a card! It’s a good idea to write on the back of each card, “Referred by your name” so that the person remembers you and mentions you to the business. You always get back what you give out, so make sure you refer professional, ethical colleagues who deserve the promotion and who you either use or would use yourself.

A funky business card holder/case

* Many networkers (and women in particular) carry a slim, small business card case. Turn it into a conversation starter and talking point by choosing a funniy shaped or brightly coloured one. Of course, make sure the case isn’t rude!

Your diary

* This is absolutely essential incase you need to schedule a time for further discussion with a new colleague. They are much more likely to follow up on your discussion if you set up a time right away, rather than if you contact them later (which should be doing with all your contacts anyway!).

Name tag

* Get a name tag made that has your business logo on it. Carry it everywhere. This means you can easily deal with events that do not provide name tags or ones where they may have spelt your name wrong. It also means people remember your tag, especially if its bright and attractive. Wear your tag on the left hand side so as not to block it when you shake hands with people.

Somewhere to put collected cards

* Where do you put the cards you collect at an event? Whatever you do, don’t put them in your own business card case or, especially in the case of men, in the same jacket pocket that has your own cards. It doesn’t look that good to a new contact if you have to shuffle through ten cards before finding your own, so decide ahead of time where to put them.
* Ladies, if you have no hand baggage or pockets, then put them at the back of your card case, and keep your own cards at the front.

The ladies room

* Women shouldn’t underestimate the power of the ladies room! We all know how much gossip and chit chat goes on in there, so use the time spent refreshing your lipstick or washing your hands to casually chat with others. Keep the conversation casual and non-business oriented if you are the one starting it up.

Record Important Dates and Facts

There are many ways to keep in touch with your network (emails, newsletters, etc) but it’s often useful to note down specific dates and facts about each person. An email on each person’s Birthday is a nice idea, as well as Christmas or Easter cards from your business. You may even like to post or email to your database an amusing or exciting snapshot of something you have achieved or done recently (collecting your business award onstage?).

Write down important facts about the people you meet on the back of their cards, and review these regularly.

For example, you might write: “James lives with his brother Mike, a construction worker who is renovating their home. James loves motor cycles and rides every other weekend, and has bought a new bike.”

Next time you meet or contacts James you have some great conversation starters, like “How are the renovations coming along?” and “How have you been finding the new bike?”

Think Outside the Square

Almost every experience you have in your life is a networking opportunity. Of course, you don’t want to become too obsessed with that fact, but nevertheless, take your cards everywhere! After all, how many times have you bumped into someone at the shopping center, in the queue at the bank, at a friend’s place or at social engagement (party, BBQ)?

‘Networking’ events and regular group meetings (professional associations etc) aren’t the only places to network. Be prepared to meet new people (including possible clients and suppliers) at professional development events (conferences, workshops, training sessions) as well as at exhibitions, trade fairs, in foyers and elevators, and at social functions.

And remember, practice makes perfect!

An introduction to networking

Networking can be difficult when you are just starting out in business; and can be even harder if you’re young – especially if you have little or no experience of dealing with people in a business context, or with people outside your regular social circle. It’s important, however, not to be daunted, as networking is essential for your business success.

Networking is about expanding your circle of professional peeps to include people from a diverse range of fields. Essentially, it’s about meeting people, and meeting people can do a variety of things for your business! Networking can result in finding new staff or contractors; learning of new opportunities, services or market openings; forming a strategic partnership that could result in cost-cutting or more profit for your business; meeting prospective clients; and making new friends.

The best way to start is to think of what kind of networking you are interested in doing. There are so many opportunities out there that it’s often best to get your feet wet by first sorting out what kind of environment you really want to put yourself in. Perhaps you are a young business woman and would prefer to deal with other business women at this stage? Or perhaps you would rather network with people within your specific industry, for example, retail. Or perhaps you are interested in meeting only other young entrepreneurs at this stage?

Once you have selected what opportunities you’d like to explore, then start searching for networking events and groups. Events are usually advertised on websites, in local papers, or contact your local Chamber of Commerce. For more permanent group membership, join your Chamber of Commerce; a social/communication organisation (Rotaract, Zonta, BPW) or the industry or professional association do to with your business.

The Frank Team run networking events specifically for young entrepreneurs – so come along and hang out with people just like you! Check out the members section.

Once you’ve experienced a few events or sessions, you’ll start to hear of others ‘through the network’. It’s also important not to dismiss networking opportunities as irrelevant to your business – you need to remember that whilst not every event will be beneficial, you are never just meeting the people at the event – you are meeting their entire of network of contacts too!

Tips

* Practice your introduction and your 30 second sales pitch of what your business does
* Always take your business card, a pen and your diary. If you don’t have a card – make one!
* Be early to the function, to maximize networking time
* If you go with business partner – split up for the event – and make 2 sets of contacts!
* Remember the personal details of people you meet. One idea is to write a few facts about the person on the back of their card. When you meet them again, use those points for conversation (eg. Sheila grew up in the Hunter Valley. She is in business with her best friend Tammy. She is doing a degree in Design).
* Help people out. If you have no valuable service or product to offer the person you meet, tell them about someone else you know who does. Give out these favours and they will come back to you! Referrals are the language of the networking world!
* Ask open questions, ones that can’t be answered with a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. Who, what, When, Why & How are great openers for questions to start conversation.
* Don’t be afraid to start a conversation – you have nothing to lose! Find someone else standing alone and say “hi”
* Really listen to the person rather than waiting for your turn to speak. That way you can immediately pick up on common links with the person and their business, if any.
* Use current affairs as conversation starters, “Terrible bush fires today, aren’t there?”

Administration – the mysterious ingredient

Administration is an essential ingredient to your business, but it’s also the hardest area to pin down.

Often, administration is required across many areas of a business; though in other cases an administration employee will manage all administration tasks, coordinating them across a variety of projects, services or brands.

As a profession, it’s almost always undervalued. But for a young entrepreneur, administration can be essential to your business success.

Administration spans a wide variety of skills and areas, including, but limited to:

* Processing
* Creating and coordinating business systems
* Managing the ‘traffic’ of an organisation (flow of information and documents)
* Project management
* Filing

Yep, many find this uber boring…..but it is also uber important! Setting up systems, or ordered ways of doing things early is advisable. You know when your mum says “put it away in the same spot so you will be a ble to find it again later”? Administration is a bit like that, finding a way and place for everything so that stuff can be found and processes repeated.

There aren’t a whole lot of administration courses that you take quickly and easily. Most private colleges that are business colleges may cover these basic skills, but probably don’t isolate them. The easiest way to get administration skills is to get some work experience. Volunteer as an office junior and get your hands dirty with the not-so-great jobs. Filing, processing, answering the phone and responding to mail may not be your dream job, but it sure will teach you some very valuable skills. You’ll learn about organisation and how important internal business systems are; about customer service and public relations; and about keeping good and accessible records.

The term ‘business administration’ is often used to describe business management, hence the title of the well-known and well respected Masters degree, MBA (Master of Business Administration). ‘Business administration’ generally refers to the management of the operations of a business, whilst ‘administration’ in a business context is often the coordination of information.

Bit confusing, yea we know! But now you know.

How to Source New Opportunities for Your Business

There are many reasons why businesses require ongoing opportunities to come their way. Perhaps the business is ready to expand; maybe the business requires expertise or additional services they are not trained or equipped to provide; or it could be that the business is looking for long-term relationships with potential clients and is happy to spend time with these prospects to develop good relationships.

Finding, creating and making the most of opportunities does not cost wads of money. It is about time, energy & persistence, which you have a heap of we know!

Sourcing New Opportunities

Networking

Networking is a great way to create opportunities for your business. Networking allows you to meet new people, and through them, new organisations. It keeps you up to date with industry trends and in the loop about opportunities your competitors have seized. This is an easy and fun way of keeping your finger on the pulse of opportunity. It is also a great way to encourage the next source of business opportunities, referrals.

Referrals

Referrals can bring in new business for your organisation (and even better – big business and ongoing, repeat business!). Business relationships where trust and loyalty exist are more likely to refer on other people to you, who are in turn more likely to want to establish an ongoing relationship. The easiest way to get referrals is to keep your existing customers happy. This means great service, good prices and going the extra mile on occasion to make sure they get what they want, on time. But all this is expected from a business relationship, so encourage them to talk about you by offering a reward or loyalty scheme; creating awards and competitions; or by simply treating them so well they just have to talk about you (send Christmas cards, ask how they are, send regular evaluations for them to complete about your service, hold social functions or ‘open days’).

Publicity

New business is easily attracted by good publicity, which definitely does not mean any publicity. Get some good quality, accurate media coverage (not advertorial) in a print or broadcast medium that potential clients use. Send regular, newsworthy media releases to your local media, online media in your industry and also to your local Chamber of Commerce.

Get in Front of People

People often like to know the ‘face’ of the organisation they are dealing with, so make an impression for your business by getting out to professional functions. Put a video of yourself on your website. Get on the speaking circuit and become an expert in your field and industry; then speak at conferences, workshops and business functions. If people respect your advice and see you ‘giving it freely’ to your peers at an event (even if you are getting paid), you stand in good stead for picking up some business from your new admirers.

Good old fashioned reading!

Read your local paper, industry publications, emails that come in, business books or websites. You never know where your next idea will come from.

A game a young entrepreneur we know of plays to keep himself alert to new opportunities is he takes all of the emails that come in and he has to think how with each of them(the non-spam ones) he can turn it into an opportunity. Whether it is asking for a meeting, using the information in the email for an idea for an article of your own, suggesting a partnership or forwarding it onto a contact that would find it of interest and use. Try that game for yourself!

The best piece of advice about business opportunities is to be actively looking for them. Opportunities very rarely fall in your lap, and being proactive allows you to be strategic and choosy about who you do business with, as well as when and how often.

10 Step start up guide

Breaking it down to 10 steps to get you to start up….