Avoiding the Small Business Cash Flow Roller Coaster

A solopreneur I know disappears from my radar screen for weeks on end when she's actively engaged on a project for a client. During this time she is heads down, totally focused, and immersed in delivering her service to her current client. She works long hours each week, sacrificing her personal life, relationships, and self-care to meet her commitments to her client.

Laudable, but a destructive way to run her business.

After working all hours of the day and night to complete her project, she'll hand in the final deliverables and suddenly find she doesn't have another client lined up. Then she panics. That's when she starts returning phone calls and getting in touch her network, her former clients, and any prospects she might have ignored during her "work period."

She rides the feast-or-famine revenue roller coaster continuously. During her "work periods" she has cash coming in; during her "marketing periods" she has cash flowing out. And she has no idea how long her "marketing periods" will last or how much of her revenue she'll need to live on before she gets her next client signed up.

Does this sound familiar?

Here are the 5 biggest ways to avoid the feast-or-famine roller coaster:

1. Make time to consistently promote your business. Don't be like the solopreneur above and only participate in marketing activities when you are between jobs.

2. Build effective strategic alliances that leverage your marketing resources and enhance your visibility in the marketplace.

3. Get referrals from your current clients. (And that doesn't mean that you ask your client "Do you know anyone else who's hiring right now?" as you pass each other in the hallway! It does mean that you systematically build a referral engine for your business.)

4. Create project-oriented teams to level the workload, leverage your marketing resources, and expand the types of jobs you can get.

5. Work for multiple clients at the same time. Running a business on the feast-or-famine roller coaster is hard on the cash flow aspect of your business and harder still on your nerves. With diligence and determination you can break this cycle.

Copyright 2004, Rose Hill, Inc

____________________________________________

Rose Hill, Founder and Owner,of Biz Whiz Expert (http://www.SoloBizVille.com) and Team Member of Solo-E.Com (http://www.Solo-E.Com) has been self-employed since 1990 - first as a technical writer and publications project manager, and now as a business coach for solopreneurs.

Knowing how to run corporate departments and how to market corporate entities, products, and services did nothing to prepare her for successfully running and marketing a one-person business. That is why Rose created the SoloBizVille and SoloBizU community - to specifically to help solo entrepreneurs jumpstart their business success without all the trial-and-error learning.

____________________________________________

*********** Find more articles like this at http://www.Solo-E.com ? Keeping Solo Entrepreneurs Juiced in Business and in Life. Our team of Solo Entrepreneurs are comprised of small business experts who support others in finding business success with the flexibility and freedom to have a life, too. Network with other freelancers, self-employed and Solo Entrepreneurs in our forums, enjoy our articles and newsletter, and find other online training opportunities. ***********

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Small Business Health Check-Up

If your home business is not performing the way you... Read More

Hard Money Lenders -- No Money Down The Easy Way

Would it help you as a real estate investor to... Read More

Starting an Aircraft Washing Service

To wash an airplane there are many items you will... Read More

Franchisor; Ongoing Support and Ideas

Ongoing support for a franchise system is omnipotent. A major... Read More

Passion Is Key To A Successful Business

Passion. Passion alone can make your business successful. As an... Read More

Concrete Cleaning Discussed at World of Concrete Expo 03

If you are in the pressure washing business and are... Read More

How To Start A Blind Cleaning Business Quickly And Easily

Starting the blind cleaning business is one of the best... Read More

Is Your Business Legally Prepared?

It is imperative to have your business legally prepared. How... Read More

Does Your Business Need a Toll-Free 800 Number?

Should your business have a toll free number for customers... Read More

Franchises Must Meet Legal Definition to be an Actual Franchise

All franchises must meet the legal definition of a franchise... Read More

Top Ten Blunders Business Owners Make

In today's marketplace the words 'job security' have become an... Read More

Mission Statements: More Important Than You Thought

If an organization lacks a mission statement, it is worthwhile... Read More

10 Hiring Tips for Small Business Owners

As a successful small business owner,you're accustomed to long hours;... Read More

Look Out for that Great Accountant

There are many factors to be considered when you are... Read More

How To Ruin Your Business

If you're like the rest of us, you've spent a... Read More

Small Business Failures in America - Cash Flow Issues

We are noticing an increase in the length of time... Read More

Want to Grow Your Business? Make an Irresistible Offer

My clients and many of my readers are small and... Read More

Can Your Business Run Without You?

What would happen if you decided to take an extended... Read More

Choose Your Own Guru

What is a guru?A guru is a teacher. A mentor.... Read More

Equipment Maintenance Manual for Mobile Cleaning Business Outline

Service Cleaning Businesses must maintain their equipment in order to... Read More

How to Curb Antique Shop Theft Inexpensively

If you have ever had your antique shop or mall... Read More

Auto Detailers and Competitive Aspects of Automobile Detailing

There are both fixed and mobile detailers. Consumers often will... Read More

How Most Business Owners Sabotage Their Success

Owning a business is a challenging endeavor. If you're like... Read More

Small Business and Branding ? Why and How?

When we speak of branding most of the time people... Read More

Growing Your Small Business Through Alliances and Joint Ventures

-- Beyond Cold Calling, "Warm" Calling and Sending E-mails --Many... Read More

7 Habits of Highly Successful Small Business Owners

Do you spend every waking minute in your business? Do... Read More

Measuring Your Way to Success

Are you a motivational speaker who consistently gets rave reviews... Read More

SBIR - A Nice Add-on Business

If you are a small business and qualify to participate... Read More

Employee Induction - Are you Inducting your People - A Practical How To

In today's fast paced marketplace it is easy to neglect... Read More

Specialty Advertising in C-Stores

It appears the mini-blimp indoor theme and concept is making... Read More

Australian Workplace Agreements - How They Work For You

The employer / employee relations environment has been constantly evolving... Read More

Why the Over Regulation on the Franchising Model?

Franchising is the fastest way to build small businesses, provide... Read More

Perfecting Your Pitch

Why should you describe your business to others in 5... Read More