Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months: A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business that Works

by Melinda Emerson, Michael J. Critelli (Foreword by)

Overview

As seen on Time.com, Forbes.com, Huffington Post, and Essence.com

"Become Your Own Boss is a must-read if you're thinking of launching a business of your own." —Jean Chatzky, bestselling author of Money 911 and Financial Editor, NBC Today

Create a successful business this year!

Written by America's #1 Small Business Expert, this essential handbook shows you how to launch your own business in just twelve months. Using her years of experience in business development, Melinda Emerson guides you through the process with step-by-step instructions for developing an effective marketing plan, setting a budget, and maintaining your business once it's up and running. She also offers brand-new strategies for obtaining financing through means like crowdsourcing as well as social media techniques that help build your business—all of which has been updated for today's market.

With Emerson's expert business advice, you will finally follow your dreams and become your own boss!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440584350
Publisher:	Adams Media
Publication date:	01/02/2015
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	193,378
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Melinda F. Emerson, known to many as SmallBizLady, is one of America’s leading small business experts. Her expertise includes small business start-up, business development, and social media marketing. As CEO of MFE Consulting LLC, Melinda develops audio, video, and written content to fulfill her mission to end small business failure. She publishes a resource blog, SucceedAsYourOwnBoss.com, and hosts a weekly talk show on Twitter called #Smallbizchat for emerging entrepreneurs. Forbes magazine named her one of the Top 20 Women for Entrepreneurs to Follow on Twitter. Melinda has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Black Enterprise. She lives in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Foreword xii

How to Use This Book xv

Chapter 1 So You Think You Want to Be an Entrepreneur 1

Chapter 2 Why Does It Take Twelve Months? 11

Part I Get Ready! 17

12 Months Before You Start:

Chapter 3 Get Your Life Plan Together 18

11 Months Before You Start:

Chapter 4 Your Financial Plan 28

Chapter 5 Think Like a Business Owner 42

10 Months Before You Start:

Chapter 6 Create Your Business Model 51

Chapter 7 Line Up a Lawyer and an Accountant 61

Part II Get Set! 71

9 Months Before You Start:

Chapter 8 Niche to Get Rich! 72

Chapter 9 Marketing 101: Eyeing Who's Buying 82

8 Months Before You Start:

Chapter 10 Every Business Needs a Plan 95

Chapter 11 Get Your Financing Together 110

7 Months Before You Start:

Chapter 12 Brand Your Business 125

Chapter 13 Set Up Your Online Strategy 136

Chapter 14 Build Your Online Marketing 147

6 Months Before You Start:

Chapter 15 Cultivate the Market 158

Chapter 16 Setting Up Shop 165

5 Months Before You Start:

Chapter 17 Build Your Team 172

3 Months Before You Start:

Chapter 18 Set Up Customer Service Systems 187

1 Month Before You Start:

Chapter 19 Taking Stock of Things: Is Everything in Place? 193

Part III Go! 197

Chapter 20 Launching Your Business 198

Chapter 21 Handling Cash and Your Bank 204

Chapter 22 Maintaining Your Marketing 214

Chapter 23 Ten Things You Must Never Forget in Business 220

Chapter 24 Final Thoughts 235

Appendix A Sample Customer Satisfaction Survey 241

Appendix B Further Resources 243

Index 251

Editorial Reviews

08/10/2015
Readers may be so thoroughly caught up in Emerson’s enthusiastic and energetic approach to the how-tos of starting a business that it will be a while before they notice there’s less substance than sizzle. Emerson, self-identified as “America’s #1 Small Business expert,” exudes a contagious optimism and vibrant can-do attitude. Rather than asking readers what their strengths are, for example, her question is, “In what way(s) are you a rock star?” And, generally speaking, her advice is inarguable, e.g., “Keep good records.” But that solid advice would be even stronger if accompanied, for instance, by examples of a good budget worksheet or an accounts payable Excel file. Specific examples of strong website copy or a formatted press release would also be useful. Emerson does offer helpful sets of questions, such as what to ask when hiring an attorney, accountant, or employees, and is quick to provide the key components of marketing essentials. Emerson is strongest when offering encouragement, whether telling readers to “Create SMART goals” or to “always fill the pipeline.” For in-depth information about opening a business, however, readers will want to look elsewhere. (BookLife)

Publishers Weekly