If you're working from home, it can be easy to slip into a lull of low productivity. It's one of those dangers that is always mentioned about being self-employed. Some people do better when they have a bit impetus given to them. However, it's not something that you can't change. Taking self-employment seriously means getting organised. Thinking not just about securing your income. But treating yourself and your work like a business.
We all need a working environment that suits our needs. For those of us lucky to have the room, we can utilize the space in our own home to make an office. If you can't however, be prepared to look outside it. Be willing to share spaces with others. Not only can spaces like www.hoxtonmix.com give you that professional zone you need. It can even be a motivating environment being around others who are focusing on their work like you.
Early on in a self-employed person's career, it's easy to rely on searching for jobs. Finding those freelancing opportunities and being the bright-eyed contender for someone's custom. If you want to get serious about it, however, you want people to start coming to you. You need to set yourself up with a space that sells you by itself. Usually, this means a website and some sort of social media presence at least. Writing a blog can be a good way to keep your business site relevant and updated, too. It can also draw in potential customers with the right content.
Once you've got yourself set up online, you can also start thinking of more ways to add revenue streams. After all, there are some times when any business is slow and it's a good idea to have income supplementing you in those slow times. For one, you can start thinking of ways of monetising your blog. Some like those suggested at www.americanexpress.com. All sorts of companies are willing to pay for that valuable space you've built. Just make sure you take offers that are only really relevant to what you do. Otherwise, you might be at risk of losing some valuable credibility.
We've mentioned setting yourself up with space to work and space to market. But you also need to start developing some skills necessary in a business. Not just the skills you need to actually do your job. We mean the marketing ability that you need to make your site and your social media really start bringing customers in. The ability to control your finances and separate the business from the personal. Most important of all of them is time management. Being able to set aside time for tasks and organise yourself into the most efficient business you can be.
Environment is one of the keys of being serious about self-employment. You need a place you can focus, as well as a place online to bring the focus to you. Act like a professional, whether you're with someone or not. You'll soon start feeling like one.