Starting a small business is a huge undertaking. It's not something that should be taken lightly. There are a lot of things to consider and a lot of things that need to be done in order to give your business the best chance for success.

If you're a freelancer who is considering turning your freelancing work into a small business, there are six steps you must take before taking the plunge. These steps are: creating a business plan, networking, forming an LLC or S corp, marketing your business, possibly returning to school, and getting organized. Let's take a closer look at each one.

Creating a Business Plan

The first step you need to take when starting a small business is to create a business plan. This document will outline your business goals, strategies, target market, and financial projections. Having a well-constructed business plan will improve your chances of success and help you secure funding from investors, if necessary.

Networking

The second step is to start networking. Get connected with other small businesses in your area and start attending local Jerome Chamber of Commerce events. These connections can lead to referrals and new clients. Joining relevant online groups and forums is another great way to network and connect with potential customers.

Forming an LLC or S Corp

The third step is to form an LLC or an S corp for your small business. Both have distinct advantages for small business owners.

An LLC in Idaho offers several advantages to entrepreneurs, including protection from lawsuits, flexibility in taxation and asset division, and increased credibility with customers and investors. LLCs generally have much lower startup costs than corporations, making them an ideal option for owners who want to keep overhead at a minimum. Furthermore, LLCs are relatively easy to maintain compared to other corporate entities since they don't require minutes of meetings or complex paperwork like corporations do.

Likewise, there are several reasons why forming an Idaho S corp may be a good idea for your business. First, an S corp allows you to take advantage of certain tax benefits. For example, you can deduct your business losses from your personal income, which can help reduce your overall tax burden. Additionally, an S corp can help protect you from personal liability in the event that your business is sued. This means that your personal assets are less likely to be at risk if something goes wrong with your business. Finally, an S corp can make it easier to attract investors or raise capital for your business.

Marketing Your Business

The fourth step is marketing your business. You need to let people know that you exist and that you're open for business! There are many ways to market your small business, including online marketing, print advertising, and word-of-mouth marketing. Figure out what makes sense for your budget and get started!

Returning to School

The fifth step is returning to school, if necessary. If you don't have the proper education or training for running a small business, now is the time to get it! Going back to school can be expensive, but it will pay off in the long run if it means having a successful small business. Many community colleges offer affordable courses that can help you get the education you need without breaking the bank.

Getting Organized

Last but not least, the sixth step is getting organized. Running a small business requires wearing many different hats and keeping track of multiple moving parts. Staying organized will help you stay on top of everything and avoid overlooking important details.

These are just six of the many steps involved in starting a small business. As you can see, there's a lot that goes into it! But if you take the time to do things right, you'll be well on your way to running a successful small business in Jerome, Idaho.