Establishing a Professional Image

A Client's First Impression Will Make or Break the Business

Oct 17, 2008

Now is the best time to ensure potential clients think of you as a professional individual who is fully capable of handling a business.

While most start their home-based business with good intentions of working hard for their clients and acting responsibly, it is difficult to appear professional if the home office is bombarded by noisy family members, barking dogs, personal calls, and irritable husbands waiting for dinner. And certainly any client who witnesses this event will think twice before hiring the new business owner again. In fact, the lack of professionalism in this situation could seriously damage one's professional reputation and the ultimate success of the business.

Equiping the Home Office

A complete computer setup is mandatory. This would include a high end computer, printer, scanner, fax. Purchase an answering machine to use on a separate house telephone line. Use this line only for your business calls with clients. This will help establish your professional persona especially if a client calls and you are not available to answer their call. Plus, the home business telephone line will not be busy with personal family calls.

Supplies

Another way to establish an exceptional professional image is with business cards. The business cards should show the owner's name, business name, title, address, telephone, fax, email address, URL, cell phone number. You should distribue cards to potential clients, friends, neighbors to make it easier for them to contact the business about its services.

And of course suitable stationary is a must have to keep in contact with all clients. Purchase the best letterhead, envelopes and stationary that the business can afford. This is the time to splurge. Professional letterhead will build a positive business image in the client's mind.

The Internet Connection

A web presence is now a priority to further establish any professional business image. Often, a new client researching information on a business will search the web or "Google" the business name. If the business does not have at least a basic website it is at a disadvantage. Set up a one page site to serve as a business brochure the clients may search for information. This will impress and attract new clients. Hosting packages are very inexpensive starting at about $9.95 and up plus many webhosts will supply a domain name for free. With such reasonable prices this is a truly easy way to establish a serious professional business image.

Correspondence

Those who work out of the home might not want a residential address on business correspondence, so establish an account with a local mail center. Most of these mail service centers provide clients with a professional address to receive all their business correspondence.

Establishing a professional image should be simple if one follows the steps outlined here.

The copyright of the article Establishing a Professional Image in Small/Home Business is owned by Beverly Lee. Permission to republish Establishing a Professional Image in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.