You’ve worked very hard on your website. It’s perfect. The copy is crystal clear; your readers will know who you are, why you do what you do and who you do it for. They know what you offer and how to get in touch with you when they read your call to action.

You receive an email or phone call from a potential client and….GULP!! You have NO idea what to say or what to do next.

One of the first things aspiring wedding planners need to work on when building their business is their operating process. An operating process is a way of doing something…the official course of action when something that happens in your business. Writing down the steps and executing them the same way each time, creates consistency and efficiency; two very good things in business.

One of the processes I think should be nailed down first is the customer service process…sometimes called, “the client experience”. Planning for and implementing the steps you take in handling every potential client contact is key to turning them into an actual client. That first “touch” means everything! You know the saying, “first impressions…”? (Your website, ad space, brochure, etc. is really the first step but that’s another post for another day).

You must get this right, so here are a few questions to get you started:

How/why do brides contact you?

What do they ask you?

What are your answers to those questions?

How will you document these calls/emails?

Are there any documents you need to send them in response to these questions? What are they?

What is the next step for these documents?

If you are expecting any of these documents back, what do you do with them?

What is your follow up procedure for these calls/emails?

How can you improve your client experience in this process?

How can you streamline all of these steps in your operations so that you have more time for the “glam” and creative projects?

Take the time now to setup systems and processes for your business operations BEFORE you get swamped with clients.  You’ll be more professional in your approach, it will save you time and money AND it will allow you to delegate tasks to others in the future.  You know…that executive assistant you’ve dreamed about?

Until next time…

Aspire to Plan!

DBA? LLC? LLP? INC?

There are several different things to think about when starting a business. One very important decision is what legal structure you want to operate under. It will dictate lots of other things about your business…especially when it comes to money and taxes.

There are several different ways to set-up your business. Each has their own set of rules, advantages, and disadvantages. Here is a quick overview of business structures to consider.

* Sole proprietorship: You should only have this type of business if it is just you that is running your business and is responsible for its success or failure. That doesn’t mean you can’t hire people to do different parts of your business, but if something goes wrong, or someone else doesn’t hold their end of the bargain, you will be solely responsible for the business and business losses, including putting your personal assets at risk.

* Partnership: Unlike a sole proprietor, any good or bad consequences are taken by both partners, not just you. This allows each partner to be equally responsible for the success of the business. However, this also means that if someone else doesn’t put in an equal amount of effort or makes a mistake you are still responsible. There are limited liability partnerships, or LLPs that decrease this risk.

* Corporation: A corporation is generally what we think of when we hear big business. This is a company that operates separately from any specific person. It pays its own taxes and no one specific is personally financially responsible. This arrangement is beneficial, but difficult and expensive to start and maintain.

* LLC, or Limited Liability Company/Corporation: This is a newer type of business structure, but it is becoming more and more popular. This is a hybrid between a partnership and a corporation. It offers some of the financial protection of a corporation, but is much easier to set up and maintain. It is ideal for smaller businesses that are looking for an opportunity to expand. It also only needs one person to start, unlike a partnership, but does require other people to be involved with running and maintaining the company.

Choosing the right set-up depends on how many people are involved, how much trust you are willing to put in each other, the amount of risk involved in the business and how much you are willing to take responsibility for, as well as the financial and time resources you are able to devote to the company. It may also depend on the laws surrounding these arrangements, which can vary depending on where you live.

When starting a small business on your own, a sole proprietorship is generally the way to go; however, if you have more resources, looking into a limited liability arrangement will help protect your legal and financial situation in the future.

Choosing your business structure is not an easy decision. It takes time and requires careful planning. It’s also a good idea to get some help. When forming a partnership, corporation, or LLC, each person involved should secure their own advice from an accountant, attorney, or both. This will help ensure that everyone is being represented fairly and knows what is going on in the business relationship.

Aspire to Plan!