What every entrepreneur should know

With the unemployment rate at an all-time high in South Africa, more people become entrepreneurs. It is unfortunate that starting a business looks easy enough, until the practical side sets in and we are overwhelmed and don't know where to start.

Here are a few tips on being a successful entrepreneur:

1. Discipline
When you worked for your boss, there were set working hours that interfered with your life. Did your boss set those hours just to inconvenience you? No. It's all about discipline.
- Even if you work from home, you need to follow a set routine and make sure friends and family know your working hours so that they don't bother you with non work-related issues during working hours. They wouldn't do that if you had a job.
- Tempting as it is, don't go to work in your PJs. Dress for success even if you don't see anyone!

2. Marketing
Why do large companies (and smaller ones) advertise? If they didn't put the word out there, clients wouldn't know about their specials and therefore they won't buy from them. You are right now a small company, therefore your marketing needs to be BIG! You need to talk to everyone you know and everyone you meet about what you offer. Put the word out there!

Ways to put the word out there cheaply include:
- Pamphlets
- A presentation file
- An email signature
- Blogging
- Social networking
- A magnetic banner on your car
- TALKING to people

3. Spending time productively
Emailing jokes to your friends, phoning to arrange the weekend's get together and menu planning don't constitute income producing activity.

- Speak to / contact at least 5 people about your business daily (easily done via social networking)
- Do at least one blog a day so that you can become known
- Follow up equals success

4. Find a mentor
Someone who has experience in the field can give you invaluable advice and guidance. Remember not to base your success on their's - you may have better resources or more talent, although their advice will most certainly include information you don't know.

5. Read Books
Books about businesses and entrepreneurship bring a lot of perspective. Good books include:

- Robert Kiyosaki
- Donald Trump
- Anthony Robbins
- Napoleon Hill

Most importantly, you need to have the desire to be self-employed and the motivation to make a success of it. Of course there will be hiccups along the way. Just remember why you are doing it and get some perspective.

In the end, a SOHO (Small office / home office) office is very rewarding!