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Lukas Bartels
Published:
11/2021
5 mins
Have you successfully completed the master craftsman's examination, completed all administrative procedures and would now like to finally get started?
...
So that the blanket doesn't fall on your head right now, we will give you a basic structure and have Tips and tricks put together for you. They should help you successfully set up a business in the craft sector.
The first option is to get customers from previous projects. For example, you may still know teaching clients or Work as a journeyman/masterwho were particularly impressed by you personally.
Were these customers very satisfied With the work they have done, they are certainly pleased to learn about self-employment. So first distribute this information about the self-employed person via email/call, customers will then come to you on their own.
But be careful: you shouldn't go over the rails and try to win over all customers from your former company. Here you should check out Individual cases restrict.
It is also possible to obtain orders via Internet portals. Friends here include myhammer.de, fabeus.de or check24. Little effort - lots of impact! Craftsmen are always sought after.
And there is also the opportunity to make yourself known in your personal network and thus obtain assignments through friends, family and acquaintances, for example. The next tip is particularly helpful here: the right marketing!
There is incredible potential lying dormant here in particular. Because it is true that anyone who is visible can be found. And whoever is found receives assignments. And who gets assignments... you know what happens next.
So what opportunities are “hidden” here?
Many craft businesses still have no or an old Internet presence. Here you can really get away from your competition Take off! With simple, modern and simple design...
... and especially optimized for mobile views. That is crucial these days!
Either you know someone who is good at web design or you get involved yourself. There are many tools here that you can use to create a simple yet professional website in just a few minutes. Website editors like Wix.com, wordpress.com, or jimdo.com can help you.
As a young starter, you can use social media to score points simply by presenting yourself. Facebook has a similar status here as Google today, so Customers themselves about your company, opening hours and contact details informing Can.
But today you can simply and authentically show yourself a personal side. Just share your day as a craftsman, show pictures and videos of finished projects and become part of a growing social media artisan Community, e.g. well-known social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook.
What thousands of companies with managing directors over 50 have now discovered is a real home game for you. More and more people are now finding out about these channels, so remember: who authentically is who wins!
A logo is the easiest way to be recognized by customers and your network. After all, we humans are very visual beings. Here you have the opportunity to capture the values of your company in form, color and font.
Do you still need a logo? No problem at all, there is help here too. So you don't have to sit at your desk with colored pencils to create your craftsman logo. There are lots of logo tools out there. For example, the website editor Wix.com also has its own logo editor. A short Google search will already give you many overviews on the topic of creating a logo.
In the end, you decide which software you use. Since there are many, many providers, you should consider what your requirements are!
As a young and modern person, you're probably used to apps and websites like: Netflix, Spotify, or Amazon.
All of these have one thing in common: they are super easy to use and offer a unique and simple user experience. At almost no point do you ask yourself how it actually works here.
Digital processes are nothing new in the craft sector, which is why your company already starts with the following areas slimline and digital implementing should:
Your tax advisor in particular will help you with the latter. Coordinate a clear process with him as to when and above all how your invoices (incoming invoices and outgoing invoices!) wants to handle and book.
From your tuition other companies or the Master School You probably already know craftsman software solutions with which you can handle order processing. Unfortunately, they often look like they were from the last millennium (some of them are too). Here, too, you can set yourself apart from your competitors and become a pioneer in digitization.
It is important to use a solution early on that helps you create compliant documents, manage versions or create data backups. We recommend you here not with Word/Excel or to also work solutions that are unsuitable for craftsmen, such as “Fastbill” or “online-rechnunge.de”, because Potential risks are there!
Here, you are often not GOBD compliant, there are no relevant interfaces and you have to invest an unnecessary amount of time for more complex orders. As your business grows, changing software later can mean a lot of work. So it's best to opt for a solution right from the start that is initially lean and easy to use, but can grow together with you: it should be operable by several users, from the home office or on the construction site.
Try Plancraft for free as the easiest invoicing program for craftsmen or Book a demo with us - we will then see together what would be the best solution for you.
The best case scenario is: Your order book is bursting.
So what happens if you don't see any more land due to so many assignments?
Then you have the chance to grow your business and should hire employees. Now you can take the lead, be a real inspiration, share knowledge and shape your own company. But where do you find the right employees?
Your newly established presence will help you here. The best way to attract employees is to show off your exciting working day or an honest, pleasant working atmosphere online. Sure, ads help, but wouldn't you rather work in a company that looks honest, authentic and like a good mix of fun and success?!
Why not ask former colleagues if they want to work with you? You already have joint work experience, know each other and you can respond better to your needs. Happy employees are the most productive! So just check your network to see if someone is there who would be something for your company.
Educate? Of course, you first have to invest time so that the trainee can really work independently. But here you have the chance to train a future employee so that he fits optimally into your company and offers decent added value. It is a great privilege to train, use it!
You can also proactively search for suitable candidates via the Internet and job boards. You'll be amazed how many potential employees can be found online. And the best part? Someone who is looking for jobs through these channels is an affinity for digital tools. That means you get employees with whom you can also try out and introduce new ways of working in the future. Put together your dream team!
As you can see, taking the first steps into self-employment is absolutely not rocket science. Especially in the areas of marketing and the use of software and new technologies, you are much closer to you as a young entrepreneur than long-established companies and give you an enormous advantage.
So you have the chance to turn this great industry around and give it a new coat of paint - this doesn't just apply to the painters among you!
On this blog, we want to write about topics that interest you and really help you. Tell us what's bothering you: feedback@plancraft.de
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