How Can You Give Your Business a Professional Image?

You might think that your business success depends on how well you’re able to do your job, but actually, this is only half the battle. The other half is to do with perception, how your customers — both present and future — see your company. You might be the most talented person in the world, but if you’re not presenting a uniform, professional image, then it’ll be impossible to reach the heights that you could reach. It is the foundation upon which your company will grow: your half a company without it! So how can you give your company a professional image, especially if you’ve just started? We take a look at a few tried and tested tips below.

Take it Seriously

If you don’t take your company seriously, then no-one else will. It’s a bit like on a personal level. However you see yourself tends to be how others see you, too — if you don’t think your opinions are worth listening to, then one way or another, that’ll be the message that people get. Your business might begin as a small, part-time venture, but you’ll want to take it as seriously as any other business, if for no other reason that nobody else is going to. It’s all on you. If this has been a problem, then change how you think about your business, and the words you use when you’re explaining it to others. 

Online Image

One of the best things about the internet — and there are a lot — is that it has kind of levelled the playing field when it comes to small and large companies. It’s not quite equal, but it’s more equal than in the real world. This is because you’re able to do all of the things that big companies can do. After all, it costs very little these days to have a professional, well-designed website, while big platforms like Facebook and Instagram are the same cost for everyone. Since it’ll be your online space where most people first interact with your business, it’s important that all facets of this space are watertight. There’s no space for spelling errors and low-quality images on your website. 

The Correct Set-Up

You might be running things out of your basement, you might be the only member of staff, you might have had just one job. With all this, you might find it hard to present yourself as a bona fide, professional outfit. But you can, by setting yourself up as a Limited Company. It looks a lot more formal and legitimate than operating as a sole trader. To get set up in this way, then visit Your Company Formations Limited, and select one of their packages. Functioning as a limited company may also open more jobs to you, too, since some larger companies just prefer to work with people with this type of set up, for various reasons. 

More Than One Person

We said above that it’s possible that you’ll be the only person working for your company. But who needs to know that? As far as they’re concerned, there could be fifteen team members. But you’ll have to get smart in order to project this image. For instance, you’ll have to refrain from listing yourself as the CEO, and the secretary, and the content marketer, and so on. Don’t explicitly spell out all of your roles. Another way to make yourself seem larger — and more professional — is to hire an outside company to handle your calls. Instead of answering every phone call yourself, you’ll have a de facto assistant who screens all of your calls first.

Dedicated Working Space

You might want to see yourself as a professional outfit, but run into a problem: it’s hard to see yourself as really professional when you’re, say, just working from home in your pyjamas. Thankfully, there’s a modern option to the rescue. Rather than working from home, look at joining a coworking space. You’ll have all the benefits of working in a regular office — including a focused mind and professional vibe — without the boring aspects, such as small talk, colleagues, and having to do what other people tell you. 

Watertight Branding

Finally, don’t forget your branding. This will be a crucial weapon when it comes to the perception of your business. Whatever you’re doing, make sure it’s put thought the screening of your branding before it goes out into the world. Consistency is key. Over time, people will see your venture just as you want them to see it: as a professional company.