How to give your Business a Corporate Image
Perhaps 'corporate' isn't the right word. I'm not talking about being a giant, faceless organization that lacks personality and offers a dull service. 'Professional' is probably a better fit - how do you go about inspiring confidence in your (potential?) client before they've seen your work? In the trade industry, there are a few cheap but effective things you can do for your image that may just make the difference between a client thinking your working out of your garden shed and them thinking you're working for a nation-wide reputable company.
Business Cards
This should be number one on any businessman's list. Generating business is all about networking and creating contacts. A good quality business card is much more likely to earn it's place on the right person's desk, than a phone number scribbled on a bit of scrap paper that will only ever get used as a book mark, or get thrown out. There really is no excuse not to have one - many online printers offer a limited number of free business cards, provided you pay postage (and even some that have free postage too!).
Branded workwear
Whether you're an independant plumber or decorator, having branded workwear with your company logo and tagline will make you look the part and make just earn you a recommendation should the client be happy with your work.
Having a website
The web is largely neglected by a lot of the trade industry (at their perol). The internet is an unmeasurably powerful tool for generating leads and finding work and if you're not there to be found, simply put, you're costing yourself money. A 'business card site' that simply displays a bit about your business with contact details and email accounts can be developed for as little as £50 by some firms.
Paperwork
Lets be honest, a lot of you won't be up to scratch with your paperwork - you just want to get the job done. There's nothing wrong with that (mostly), though for some clients it may ring alarm bells. Having printed logo headed paper with proper invoices and receipts will go far - it also serves as a business card should your client need your services again in the future, as opposed to a invoice-template pad from your local supermarket.