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Christine Todino |
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Steps to start
your business
from your home. |
STEP 1: Get Organized |
Before you
get started, you will need to know the legal details of
starting your own business. You will need the following: |
a) |
A BUSINESS LICENCE: Call up your
Town Hall and
ask for the
department that
deals with licences for businesses. |
b) |
INSURANCE: If you make a product, go to customers’ homes,
or have customers in your home, you will need insurance to
protect yourself. |
c) |
NAME AND
LOGO: You must register the name of
your business with the appropriate authorities. A logotype
for your business is also an excellent idea. |
|
|
STEP 1: Get Organized |
Some
supplies depend on the type of business you choose. Others
are basics that everyone can use, such as
stationery and
business cards, a filing system, and an answering machine.
If you have the space, you may want to use a separate room
as an office.
That way, you may be able to “write off”
(deduct from the income taxes you pay) part of your
utilities or
mortgage.
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STEP 3: Get Moving |
You have to
attract customers, let people know about your business, what
services you
provide, and
what you charge. If you don’t know
what you should charge,
call up similar businesses in your
area and
find out what their
rates are. You may want to make
yours a little less. Then, let people know about your
business. Here are some simple, inexpensive marketing ideas: |
a) |
FLYERS: Print up some brightly coloured flyers that describe
your business. Hang them up in busy areas of your
neighbourhood such as
grocery shops and community centres. |
b) |
DIRECT MAILINGS: If you decide to start a pet-care business,
for example, send letters or e-mails to local veterinarians and
pet
supply stores introducing your business. They may have
customers who could use you. |
c) |
BUSINESS CARDS: You never know when you’ll meet someone
interested in your services. |
d) |
YELLOW PAGES: The yellow pages of your phone book. This is simple to do
and extremely important, it is not free however. |
e) |
WORD-OF-MOUTH: Your very best advertisement is satisfied
customers. Family and friends
can help you advertise, too. Don’t be
shy. Ask them to
recommend you to friends. |
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... and NOW your are ready to begin !! |
Source: New English Digest |
GLOSSARY |
Town Hall:
a government building that houses administrative offices of a town
government (Municipio)
ask for: inquire about (pide por, solicita)
deals with: administers (administra)
insurance: protection against future loss (seguro)
logo: logotype, a company emblem (logotipo)
stationery: letter paper, paper cut to an appropriate size
for writing letters usually with matching envelopes (papelería
de oficina)
that way: by doing this (de ese modo)
write off: cancel or reduce the value (deducir,
descargar de impuestos)
mortgage: a conditional conveyance of property as security
for the repayment of a loan (hipoteca)
provide: supply, offer (provees, ofreces)
what you charge: how much you charge for your services (lo
que cobras) |
call up: telephone, ring up (llama
por teléfono)
find out: search, investigate (averigua)
rates: prices, fees (precios)
yours: your rates (los tuyos, tus precios)
flyers: advertisements usually printed on a pages intended
for massive distribution (volantes, folletos simples)
grocery shops: marketplaces or stores where groceries are
sold (almacenes)
pet supply stores: shops selling supplies for pets (tiendas
de alimentos para mascotas)
word-of-mouth: comments spread by spoken communication (boca
a boca, recomendación verbal)
shy: timid (tímido/a) |
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Click here to read
YOU'RE THE BOSS (Part I) |
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MAS "NEGOCIOS"
FORO
INICIO |
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