Whether you’re a blogger, freelance creative, or YouTube content creator, being a solopreneur can be incredibly fulfilling, rewarding, and life-changing. You get to make your stamp on the world and turn something that’s an idea in your head into something other people want to read, watch or even pay for. 

The challenge of being a solopreneur is that you’re all alone, and that makes it harder to make your operation seem like a real business. If you want to get advertisers, brand deals, and more clients, you have to present a very professional front and show that all your things are in order.

This is hard to do with no help and if you don’t have a lot of money, the good news is there are low-cost ways to make sure your solopreneur business looks as professional as a bigger company. 

How to Be More Professional as a Solopreneur

Create a Professional Website & Email Address 

It might seem like a no-brainer to say you need to have a professional website, but a lot of solopreneurs don’t have that in place.

Your website should be the digital home of your operation, where people can find out more about you and even contact you.

Choose a clean and modern design that is consistent with your brand. Your website has to clearly communicate who you are, what you do, and who you serve best. This makes it easy for you to be located by potential clients or sponsors. 

If you’re still using a personal email address, it’s very likely hampering how your business looks in the greater marketplace.

Invest in a professional email address that includes your business name. It instantly makes you more credible and shows that you’re taking what you’re doing more seriously.

Read also: How to Start a Blog: Free Guide for Beginner Bloggers 

Brand Yourself

Branding is all about how the greater marketplace perceives you and your business, and it’s something you shouldn’t overlook. It’s important to invest in professional branding to make your business look more established and credible.

You don’t even have to hire an expensive graphic designer to create your brand, with tools like Canva, you can create branded marketing materials, including your website, business cards, and social media profiles.

Set Up an Office 

One thing bigger companies have at their disposal is the full service of an office. That means someone answering calls for them and forwarding them, a professional mail service, and other features of a modern office.

Luckily you can create something similar for yourself without paying high office space rentals. Paying for a virtual office makes you appear more professional to the greater world and that will be a huge advantage. 

Leverage 

If you’re a busy solopreneur, you have a lot of tasks on your plate. From finances and client communication to looking for new business opportunities and social media postings.

Well, you don’t have to do it alone, and it doesn’t even have to cost a lot of money. You can hire a virtual assistant who dedicates a couple of hours a week to helping you out.

It also makes your business run more formally, and it gives you time you can invest in other things that move your business forward. 

Create Professional Social Media Profiles

If you’re a digital entrepreneur, how you appear online is critical to growing your business.

Social media is a powerful tool for marketing your business, but it’s important to create professional social media profiles that align with your brand.

Use high-quality images and consistent branding across all your social media profiles. Be active on social media and engage with your followers to build relationships and credibility.

Professional Photos 

If you want to show that you take your business seriously, professional photos are essential for every solopreneur who wants to establish credibility and trust with their audience.

In today’s digital world, where first impressions are often made through a website or social media profile, a high-quality headshot can help solopreneurs make a strong and positive first impression.

Professional photos show that you’re willing to invest in your image, and they allow you to showcase your personality as a business owner. 

Professional photos don’t have to be stuffy, you can find a photographer who can help you bring quirk and personality to your photos. These photos can go on your website and social media and if you’re featured on podcasts, they will make you look even better. 

Have a Podcast Pitch 

Speaking of podcasts, podcasts are a very powerful channel a solopreneur can use to reach more people and grow their businesses.

You can start getting featured on podcasts which will make you look even more credible. If you want to get on more podcasts, you need to have a compelling pitch to reach out to hosts with.

This has to include a well-written bio, the key topics you talk about, and other information that makes people want to interview you.

You’d be surprised how many business owners have made a ton of money off of one podcast interview. Remember, you don’t even have to start with the big shows, you can start with smaller podcasts where you have a higher chance of being invited on. 

Use Professional Invoicing Software

Sending professional-looking invoices can make your business look more established and professional.

Use invoicing software like FreshBooks, QuickBooks, or Zoho Invoice to create and send professional invoices to your clients.

Make sure your invoices are clear and easy to understand, with a professional layout and branding.

Offer High-Level Customer Service

Providing excellent customer service is one of the best ways to make your business look professional. Be responsive to customer inquiries and feedback, and go above and beyond to exceed their expectations.

Use customer service tools like Help Scout, Freshdesk, or Zendesk to manage customer inquiries and provide timely support.

As a solopreneur, it’s important to create a professional image for your business to attract and retain customers.

Just because you work on your own, doesn’t mean you have to show it to potential clients and sponsors. By following these tips, you can make your business seem more organized which will bring more business your way.