but it is important to invest in the basics. Just because it's just you working out of your home, doesn't mean your business should look like a hobby. If you want to be taken seriously, you need to look like a serious business.

2) You must establish yourself as an expert

If you are a solo-professional offering ser

So you've decided to hang out your shingle as a solo-professional. You've decided to leave behind the safety and security of a steady paycheck in exchange for the thrill and excitement of entrepreneurship.

As you may have already figured out, opening up for business involves more than just being good at offering your services.

You also now bear the responsibilities of managing that business and all that entails, from accounting to marketing and everything in between.

There is certainly a lot you need to know to be successful in business. But when it comes to marketing, there are some basics that can help you get started on the right foot.

Here are the 3 most important things you need to know when marketing yourself as a solo-professional.

1) Make sure you project a professional image

These days it's so easy and cheap to open up your own business. While this is good because the barrier to entry is low, it also has its downside.

Too many people don't project a professional image because they are using free email services, they don't have a professional-looking logo, and they are cutting corners by printing their own business cards and brochures on their inkjet printer.

There are certainly many ways to market yourself for little to no money, but it is important to invest in the basics. Just because it's just you working out of your home, doesn't mean your business should look like a hobby. If you want to be taken seriously, you need to look like a serious business.

2) You must establish yourself as an expert

If you are a solo-professional offering ser

rvices.

You also now bear the responsibilities of managing that business and all that entails, from accounting to marketing and everything in between.

There is certainly a lot you need to know to be successful in business. But when it comes to marketing, there are some basics that can help you get started on the right foot.

Here are the 3 most important things you need to know when marketing yourself as a solo-professional.

1) Make sure you project a professional image

These days it's so easy and cheap to open up your own business. While this is good because the barrier to entry is low, it also has its downside.

Too many people don't project a professional image because they are using free email services, they don't have a professional-looking logo, and they are cutting corners by printing their own business cards and brochures on their inkjet printer.

There are certainly many ways to market yourself for little to no money, but it is important to invest in the basics. Just because it's just you working out of your home, doesn't mean your business should look like a hobby. If you want to be taken seriously, you need to look like a serious business.

2) You must establish yourself as an expert

If you are a solo-professional offering ser

ight foot.

Here are the 3 most important things you need to know when marketing yourself as a solo-professional.

1) Make sure you project a professional image

These days it's so easy and cheap to open up your own business. While this is good because the barrier to entry is low, it also has its downside.

Too many people don't project a professional image because they are using free email services, they don't have a professional-looking logo, and they are cutting corners by printing their own business cards and brochures on their inkjet printer.

There are certainly many ways to market yourself for little to no money, but it is important to invest in the basics. Just because it's just you working out of your home, doesn't mean your business should look like a hobby. If you want to be taken seriously, you need to look like a serious business.

2) You must establish yourself as an expert

If you are a solo-professional offering ser

Too many people don't project a professional image because they are using free email services, they don't have a professional-looking logo, and they are cutting corners by printing their own business cards and brochures on their inkjet printer.

There are certainly many ways to market yourself for little to no money, but it is important to invest in the basics. Just because it's just you working out of your home, doesn't mean your business should look like a hobby. If you want to be taken seriously, you need to look like a serious business.

2) You must establish yourself as an expert

If you are a solo-professional offering ser

but it is important to invest in the basics. Just because it's just you working out of your home, doesn't mean your business should look like a hobby. If you want to be taken seriously, you need to look like a serious business.

2) You must establish yourself as an expert

If you are a solo-professional offering services, one of the best ways to market yourself is to take steps to establish yourself as an expert. That means writing articles, getting yourself quoted in the media, doing speaking engagements, and using other marketing activities that shine the spotlight on you as an expert in your field.

This will help distinguish you from all the other solo-professionals in your field. When given the choice, who do you think people want to hire? A nobody, or someone who has established themselves as an expert in their field?

3) You must target target target!

One of the biggest marketing mistakes I see solo-professionals make is that they try to be everything to everyone. They haven't clearly identified who their ideal clients are and they are spreading their marketing all over the place. Not only does this waste valuable time and money, it won't get you the results you want.

You need to be very clear about WHO you are trying to reach, WHERE they can be found and WHAT you are going to say to them to convince them to buy. And, if you're working on a shoestring budget, it becomes even MORE important.

Your Marketing Step

Take a look at how you are currently marketing yourself. Are you following these 3 simple rules?

Or...

Have you tried to cut corners a