Avoid These 7 Mistakes When Starting a Home-Based Resume Writing Business

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Most folks getting started in the resume writing industry these days are starting a home-based resume writing business. When I started my resume writing business 17 years ago, my husband and I rented an office to work out of, but we moved it into our home 9 years ago, and haven't looked back.

I always laugh at the ads in the home-based business magazines. "Starting a home-based business can be an exciting venture. Get started cheap, and make big money overnight."

Starting a home-based resume writing business can be exciting, and you can get your start for under $1000. But it takes hard work to make big money, and you want to avoid some of the most common mistakes in order to see your home-based resume writing business succeed.

Here are some of the top mistakes:

Failing to do your homework. What's that old saying, "Those who fail to plan, plan to fail"? (One good resource is my "Ready, Set, Goal: Business Planning and Goal Setting For Resume Writers" special report.)  It's also important to research the industry. Here's the link to the results of the 2011 Resume Writers' Digest Annual Industry Survey, which outlines typical hourly rates and average package prices for resumes/cover letters.

Failing to choose a niche. Yes, you can be a "general" resume writer, but you'll be more successful in standing out from the crowd if you ALSO pick a niche. Your niche is what is going to help you determine who your target audience is (and market to your ideal client), and what kind of career services they need. Without choosing a well-defined niche, you'll find it harder to attract clients. (Especially online!)

Failing to legitimize your business. Many people start a business without getting the proper credentials and licensing. Check into what your city, county, and state require in terms of business permits and licenses. Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN), which is your federal tax identification number for your small business.

Failing to know the law. This is especially important if you are planning on offering career coaching in addition to resume services. Some states require you to be licensed to offer career advice. You need to know if that's a requirement in your state. Also, some cities have zoning restrictions on home-based businesses. Research the law in your area so you don't get shut down!

Failing to get involved in the industry. One of the easiest shortcuts to success in the resume writing industry is to learn from your colleagues! This is truly a business that sees other resume writers as colleagues, not competitors. Join one of the professional associations in the resume writing industry, and get involved in the e-lists. Consider attending a conference! (Jon and I will be at the National Resume Writer's Association conference in Chicago in September. I'd love to see you there!)

Failing to market the business. Without a marketing plan you cannot have a successful home-based resume writing business. You might get away with that a little bit with a brick-and-mortar business in a busy mall, but you cannot get away without marketing if you're home-based. If you don't market, prospective resume clients won't know you exist. (Use the search box in the upper-left hand side of this blog -- type in "Marketing" and check out the blog posts that relate to marketing your home-based resume writing business.)

Failing to persevere. A home-based resume writing business can take time to build, and you'll need to actively work on your business each day in order to make it happen. Many resume writers -- including me! -- started by working part-time in their resume writing business before making the leap to full-time.

By avoiding these mistakes often made by home-based resume business start-ups, you're more likely have a profitable business that you can be truly proud to call your own!

Pros and Cons of a Home-Based Resume Writing Business

Starting a home-based resume writing business can be an exciting and profitable venture. It can also be a good lifestyle choice -- for example, if you're thinking of starting a family, a home-based business allows you to be home with your children. It's also a good choice for military spouses (resume writing businesses can literally be run from anywhere in the world), and those who are thinking about semi-retirement. But a home-based resume writing business isn't just for moms, trailing spouses, or those who eventually want to be self-employed.

But it's not for everyone. Having worked from home for the past 9 years, I want to share some of the pros and cons of a home-based resume writing business, from the perspective of someone who can "tell it like it is!"

Pros of a Home-Based Resume Writing Business

• You can get started building a home-based resume writing business in your spare time. Many resume writers get their start this way. Work a full-time job, and write resumes at night and on the weekends. This allows you to develop your skills, build a client base, and get experience without needing the resume writing business to provide all of your income (and benefits).
• Low start-up costs. If you already have a computer and word processing software (Word is the industry standard), you've got almost all the tools you'll need. With free and inexpensive website design/hosting software, you can quickly establish an online presence. Once you start generating income, you can join a professional association in the resume writing industry, and pursue certification.
• Low operating costs. You already pay a mortgage or rent and you already have utilities (and probably, Internet access), so your operating costs really won't change at first just because you have a home-based resume writing business. You may at some point invest in some extras, but you can keep them lean and mean by only purchasing what you must have.
• No commute. Wake up, walk 10 feet and you're at work. No need to drive to work and spending money on cars, gas and work clothing. Because I live in Nebraska (hello, snow!), I love working from home for this reason.
• No childcare. Technically you can work on your business while your kids are playing, napping, or with their other parent. This advantage varies depending on the age of your children and the willingness of your spouse to assist. (I can't speak to this one personally, as I borrow "my" children from their real parents, and then return them when they are all sugared up and I'm worn out.)
• Flexible working hours. This is probably the biggest reason why I am self-employed. Being a home-based resume writer has allowed me to take care of ill family members (including helping my Mom take care of my Dad before he died last year), be there for my niece's and nephew's school events, and follow my favorite college hockey team on the road, while still getting my work done.
• Professional satisfaction. Running a successful home-based resume business can give you the same professional satisfaction you had at a job, only better, because it's all yours. And most resume clients don't care where you work from -- you'll be working with them via phone, Skype, email, Google+ Hangout, etc.

Cons of a Home Business

• You're always "at work." When your work is at home it can be hard to separate yourself from it. You can never really "leave" the office, even if you stop working for the day. This is probably the biggest misconception I hear about working from home. People say to me, "I'd never be able to work from home because I'd just end up in front of the TV all day." For me, the opposite is true. I'll "check my email real quick before I go to bed" at 10:30 p.m, and the next thing I know, it's 1 a.m.
• Family and friends may not understand you're working. Once you're not working a job anymore, your friends and family may often start relying on you to do all kinds of things for them now that you "don't work." It may be difficult to explain to them that you do indeed work. My former sister-in-law was famous for this. My mom came over to watch my youngest niece while my brother worked (from home) and his then-wife taught preschool in the morning. She was supposed to be home by noon, but would frequently call and say she was running late and to just leave my infant niece with my brother to take care of … even though he was on deadline. You have to set your boundaries…and enforce them.
• Undefined working hours. Sometimes when you work from home and switch hours around to accommodate the needs of the family, it can feel like you never get off work, that you're always at work, and it can get quite frustrating. See Cons #1 and #2.
• Lack of benefits. You will not have health insurance, paid vacations, and other benefits that you get at a job. If you want them, you'll have to pay for them -- and that means charging enough to make a decent living…including benefits! You can build in your own paid days off as you generate more profit.
• Loss of social contacts. You'll spend an enormous amount of time alone working from home. You may start to feel isolated. Here again is where your network of other professional resume writers can help!
• Your motivation must come from you. There will not be anyone to force you to do the work and no threat of being fired if you don't. If you're not the type of person who is intrinsically motivated, self-employment may not be for you.

Regardless of the pros and cons of having a home-based resume writing business, the decision is up to you. Any of the cons can be turned into pros with just a little forethought and planning.

Happy Fourth of July, Resume Writers!

Today, we celebrate our freedom ... which includes the right to choose where we work! 

Happy Independence Day to my colleagues in the careers industry!

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How to Optimize Your Resume Writing Business Profile on Bing

In yesterday's post, I emphasized the need to develop an online presence on Bing, the fastest-growing social search site on the web. One of the best ways to do this is through a free profile on the Bing Business Portal.

In the Bing Business Portal, you can list your business details, profile, create your mobile website, upload photos, and even create business cards, QR codes, and more. It's important that you use every aspect of your Bing business listing in order to get the very best search results. Here are some ideas to help you optimize your resume writing business profile on Bing.

1. Consider your target audience. As with all types of marketing, it is very important to understand intimately who you are targeting with your profile. You need to know their demographics, their desires, fears, and needs. If you don't know those things you can't effectively attract them to your profile.

2. Fill out your complete profile. Use every inch of space to fill out your profile. Even if you work primarily with clients online (which most resume writers do), fill out the geographic-specific information too so that it makes it easier for your market to locate you in their search. In the "More Details" area, list your payment method, professional affiliations, when you started your resume writing business, and fill out your tagline. In the Description area, use all the keywords you can think of to describe what it is that you do for your audience.

3. Complete your mobile site. Even if your normal website is already mobile friendly, it won't hurt to fill out all aspects of your mobile site on your Bing business listing in the Bing Business Portal. The more information you provide and the more keywords you use, the more likely you are to show up in the search results.

4. Upload relevant photos. This is a good place to upload photos of examples of your work (before-and-after resume samples are an excellent example). You are able to fill in a caption for the photo, which can describe the photo in a keyword-rich way. This will ensure that your target market can find you and see examples of your work, or photos of your products if you publish information products (ebooks, for example).

5. Check for errors. Always double-check every aspect of your Bing business listing for errors. It's easy to make a spelling error, or a typo, so check to be sure that you have it written correctly and that everything looks the way it should in the Preview area. You can always update it later, but as with any content, it's best to edit and optimize from the start.

6. Fill out the "What I Sell" tab. Even though it may seem like duplication, the "What I Sell" tab is very important as it's yet another chance for you to enter search terms that your target audience will use when they're looking for a resume writer like you.

7. List all your events. Do you offer teleseminars or webinars on career topics? Speaking to any groups, or at a national conference? Whether the events are online or offline, this is a great place to list every event that you have so that when people search for events like yours they can find them easier. Again, this is another chance to enter search terms (keywords) that your target audience is using to find you.

8. Integrate your social media. Within your listing, under "Details" there is a space for your Facebook address, and your Twitter address (with more to come later). Ensure that you complete this area so that your target audience can connect with you on your other social media sites too.

9. Verify your site. This might seem like an obvious tip, but you may be shocked to learn that a lot of people forget to verify their Bing business listing. Depending on how you choose to verify, you may be sent a code via snail mail 7 to 10 days later. It can sometimes be mistaken as junk mail, so be on the lookout for it, because it has a PIN number you will need to enter in order for your listing to go live.

Once you have created your Bing profile, remember that it's not "Set it and forget it." Check back every few months to make sure that your profile is still up-to-date. And remember, the more complete your Bing profile, the more effective it will be for you.