A Day In The Life Of A Home Based Business Owner

Over the weekend, I received a number of other calls that presented a question that I actually get asked a great deal…”What would I be doing?”

In point of fact, it’s a good question. And one I found myself asking when I was looking into opportunities. So, rather than put this blog post out there as one that seems to market myself and my business, I called a friend of mine who owns a home business and asked her if she would keep a schedule of what her day consists of in working that home business and share that with me. I figured it would give people out there a good idea as to what they would need to do, or expect to do, if they jumped into the home business arena. My friend is a successful business owner, so using her typical day schedule will give those inquiring minds out there a firm grasp of reality into what exactly needs to happen on a daily basis to experience success themselves.

Okay…so here it is:
Upon waking at her leisure, Jan checks her emails and voice mail for the prospects that have contacted her in response to her marketing. She is using a lead management system, so she enters those contacts in that database and makes notes of any important information about the prospects if they have provided a resume or other information. If you are just starting out and don’t have a lead system, or are watching your funds until you can subscribe to one or purchase one, you can do what I did in the beginning of our business undertaking and just take the pen and paper approach. Jan then posts her daily ads. Since she is of the same mindset as I am, she utilizes as many low and no cost marketing and advertising outlets as possible, posting on all the free classified sites daily.

After posting, Jan then reads through her local paper and notes any local events that she could attend and possibly meet prospects at. She keeps a Rubbermaid bin in her car at all times (as I do) that holds her marketing materials such as business cards, flyers, and other handouts. These she places around at any and all businesses she goes to during her day—for example grocery stores, farmer’s markets, other retail stores, etc. If there is a local event, she will attend and share her information with any interested parties. She does utilize car signs and will actually have people ask her at stoplights about what it is. Every minute she is out, she is gaining exposure for her business.

If there are no local events, she will make a point to go get her morning coffee at a local internet cafe and will sometimes even bring her laptop and work from there, responding to emails or even posting her ads. She will also participate actively on social sites. She has received quite a few contacts from people also out for coffee, wondering what it is she does that affords her the capability to be out and about in the middle of the day. Portability is a big selling point for your home business.
Afternoons are spent exercising and jumping on social sites to participate as well. She also spends a little time blogging daily to keep her followers updated and to offer advice and tips. Late afternoons and evenings are spent on call backs to prospects and then she jumps on her team call to get all the latest information about her business and to touch base with team members and exchange ideas and brainstorm.

Is that it? Yes. And with the exception of specific errands and the outings with family, that is pretty much her normal routine. As I do, she loves the freedom. She knows that consistency and continued training are important so will read nightly before bed to learn at least one important thing about growing her business.

If you are considering a home based business and are wondering what your daily schedule and tasks would be, this will give you a rough idea of what to expect. Keep in mind that you will get back what you put in and emphasize that “consistency” factor as well as always presenting yourself wherever you go as an approachable and friendly person. But other than that, you can make your own schedule and find what fits best for you. By all means take advantage of training opportunities that come your way and network whenever possible. The most exciting part of your new venture will be to discover what lies ahead. And before long, you will be on your way to success!