Topics include: business identity and branding, legal structure and issues, marketing, networking and public relations, sales, pricing and money issues, and operations. It’s a powerful program offered at a fraction of the cost of doing private business coaching.
Curriculum
Module 1: Introduction
- Overview of course
- Background of “Professor” as an entrepreneur
- Review housekeeping items
Module 2: Business Ownership
- The Advantages and Disadvantages of Self Employment
- Common Causes of Business Failure
- The Entrepreneurial Curse
- The Three Hats of a Small Business Owner
Module 3: Business Identity & Branding
- The Brand Called You
- Identifying your target market and ideal client
- Identifying your USP (unique selling proposition)
- Choosing business name, slogan, tag line, etc.
- Personal vs. Corporate Brand
Module 4: All Things Legal
- Learn about the different legal entities for a business
- Considerations of the structure of a business as it relates to liability, employees, size, industry standards, insurance, taxes, etc.
- Agreements to protect your business
Module 5: Show Me the Money
- Pricing/Fee Structure
- How to set your fees to ensure profitability
- Hourly based vs project/flat rate fees
- How to create packages
- Share fees with public, or hold back until prospect calls?
- How to cross-sell and upsell clients to other business offerings
Module 6: Integrative Marketing and Communications
- Learn how to create an internet presence for your business, and how to use the internet to market your business to the world
- Traditional and online marketing strategies designed to market and grow your business
- Create a marketing plan
- Using social media, blogs and article marketing to establish credibility and expertise
Module 7: Networking & Public Relations
- Learn how to partner with other businesses to grow your referral network and become power partners to serve target markets
- Crafting a clever and creative elevator pitch
- Learn how to create a press kit, and write an effective press release
- Using reporter list serves
Module 8: The Sales Process
- Dealing with Prospects/Overcoming Objections/Closing the Deal
- Effective telephone and in-person consultations (how to avoid giving away the kitchen sink)
- Dealing with and following-up with prospects
- Overcoming typical sales objections
- How to close the sales cycle
Module 9: Blueprinting Your Business: Business Operations
- Developing policies and procedures
- Creating an Operations Manual
- Outsourcing and delegating
- Team members: Independent contractors vs. Employees
Module 10: Course Wrap Up
- Putting all of the pieces together
- Taking action
- Staying accountable
- Parting thoughts
