QUESTION: I have approximately 15 years of solid accounting and bookkeeping experience, including various computerized accounting packages and payroll experience. I am also proficient with spread sheets and word-processing. I would like to tie all of my talents together and start a home-based business. I need help with where and how to begin. I thought about targeting small businesses in my area and offering out- sourcing services. Perhaps marketing from the point of view that they will not have to hire personnel or invest in equipment-I would be their virtual office. Please help with any suggestions to get me started. I have a nine year old and an 11-day old - so I really need to keep this business close to home. Thanks. From: Dawn Boone - Clearview1@aol.com

ANSWER: Specialization always helps get you more customers. Niche marketing makes a certain group of people feel that you understand their needs. Of course, you can specialize in more than one area and change your focus depending on where you are marketing.

Small business owners usually know other local business owners. They network at Chamber of Commerce, Lions and other local and civic functions. Once you establish yourself as an expert with one business owner you can ask for referrals from them to others that they network with. Or, join those local organizations and groups yourself and start networking.

Who do you know? Think about it. Contact any business owner that you know who would benefit from YOUR services. Ask for referals if they use your services and especially if they don't use them.

You might choose to write articles in publications read by your target audience. Always give great advice.

Offer free advice on the Internet to attract small business owners, do a Web site with good content. Keep abreast of all the lastest news and information in your field. Announce your online free advice to local organizations and the media.

Find national associations that may have local chapters that you can network with. Here's a good site to start with. Pro2Net Accounting: http://accountingnet.com/

You idea about being the "virtual office" is very good. If you choose to be a "virtual assistant" here are some of the services you could provide to small businesses both on and off line. Some suggestions are: billing, brochures/flyers, client lists, correspondence, data entry, database management, data processing, event planning assistance, Internet research, mail merges, newsletters, project assistance, spreadsheets, or typing/word processing.

A small business marketing book that could provide the help you need is: Getting Business To Come To You by Paul and Sarah Edwards.

One final suggestion. One of the fastest ways to find telecommuting jobs in the area you specialize in is to read the article, "THE DREAM IS REALLY COMING TRUE FOR HOMEWORKING MOMS.

Good luck!

Index of Questions

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