RE: Starting a business

["Gordon Graham" <gordon -at- gordonandgordon -dot- com>]

> I agree, a business plan is a *must* if you're looking to strike out
> on your own. Not only will it keep you focused during all your
> marketing, promotional and sales activities now, but is a great
> reference document for whenever you decide to re-evaluate your
> strategies... you'll need a
> professional business plan if you intend to get any sort of bank loan...
>
> *Tanja

I don't agree with the "first of all, write a plan" advice.

When I quit my full-time job in 1987, the advice in STC circles was "make
sure you have 12 months salary in the bank." I don't know WHEN I've had 12
months salary in the bank. Do you?? If I'd followed that advice, I would
never have become self-employed. And it was the best thing I ever did.

Over the years, I've realized the only real trick to starting a business is
to GET A CLIENT. Do a fabulous job for them, charge them a fair price,
collect your money, use them for a reference, and then GET ANOTHER CLIENT.

You don't need to borrow money to start a technical writing business.
You need a computer (can lease for $100 a month),
the right software (can buy on a credit card),
email access,
years of well-honed skills,
and a CLIENT willing to pay you REAL MONEY.

And if you're married, a sympathetic partner who is behind you. A line of
credit at your bank is always useful.

Of course, if you have a business partner, you should discuss things like
what to call yourselves, what to put on your business cards (of course you
will make business cards and give them to everyone you know), what to put on
your Web site (of course you will make a Web site and tell everyone you know
about it), and how to split up the spoils.

But you don't need an office outside your homes. Use the dining room for
now. You don't need to go on an executive retreat and develop a mission
statement. Go to lunch, and scribble something on a napkin. You don't need a
strategic marketing plan for the next 5 years. Get out there and network
like crazy. Use your summer holidays to go to meetings and GET A CLIENT.

Then quit your job. And then you'll be like most successful small business
people: too busy and too prosperous to bother writing a business plan to
impress somebody else.

P.S. A great book on this real-world approach is GET CLIENTS NOW! by C.J.
Hayden
or check out http://www.getclientsnow.com


================================================
 See "Just Enough C" and "Understanding System
 Design Diagrams" at TECH*COMM in Washington.
 Visit http://www.gordonandgordon.com
================================================
 Gordon Graham
 Partner, Gordon & Gordon
================================================





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