Can’t Find
a Job?

Being without a job is scary and it puts your brain into hardcore survival mode. You can use that anxiety to fuel yourself to create your own micro business. With a logo, a name, email address, a website, WhatsApp, a few free tools like Canva, Facebook, Google Business Profile, you can start putting your business name out there and begin hunting for quotes. It’s hard work hunting for quotes. But if you have no option, then maybe this web page can help you a little bit. BE STRONG!!!

To be straight forward, earning money by doing digital work or offering digital services via your phone is very difficult. In contrast, if you are willing to do some dirty work or perhaps you even have skills and tools, and you earn money “offline”, then your smart phone is a powerful tool. There are many resources and options that will make your business look like any other professional operation with lots of satff, expensive latops and even an office. Thats because you can create an online presence witout having to reveal your living circumstances. 

The list below comes from the categories on Google Business Profile. It’s super important to choose the right category and that the service you provide and the business name you choose also has the right “category wording” in the business name. (If you don’t see your business category in the list then copy this url [ https://pleper.com/index.php?do=tools&sdo=gmb_categories] and find your category on that website. There are over 4000 categories). 

Appliance repair service
Asphalt contractor
Carpenter
Carpet cleaning service
Carpet installer
Carport and pergola builder
Cleaners
Commercial cleaning service
Demolition contractor
Excavating contractor
Fire protection service
Gas installation service
Gutter cleaning service
House cleaning service
Locksmith
Moving company
Painter
Paving contractor
Pest control service
Plumber
Pool cleaning service
Pressure washing service
Refrigerator repair Service
Roofing contractor
Scaffolding service
Swimming pool contractor
Tile cleaning service
Tree service
Upholstery cleaning service
Waterproofing service
Window cleaning service
Wood floor installation service

What do all these businesses have in common? You don’t need an office. Clients don’t need to come to you. You go to them. You offer a service at their business or home. All the businesses listed above fall under the heading of a “Service-Area Business”. The difference between a product and a service? A product you have to make and sell. For example if you bake cakes, or make clothes etc. Those are products. Cleaning windows is a service.

Unfortunately, you have to own a smart phone. Without one, its super hard to even survive. If possible, get something like a Samsung A04s. Not too expensive and it’s more than enough to run a micro business with. Managing your data is crucial. For instance, the Cell C Home Connecta option gives 100Gb for under R300 and it’s valid for a month. But you have to go to a Cell C store to buy it. If you are unemployed, your smart phone is going to be the most important thing you own.

Some apps you will already have on your phone by default and others you will need to download. There are some apps and software options on the market that you should avoid. Be careful what you download to your phone! When you Google for answers about what to download, often times you only get corporate sharks offering you junk for free. Don’t be fooled. Be careful. You might think you’re making a good choice, but further down the road it might cost you a lot. Here is a list of smart phone apps and online accounts to strongly consider.

WhatsApp – You probably use this already.
Facebook Lite – Very economical on data usage.
Google Maps – Default app with android phones.
Invoice Ninja – Download from PlayStore
Capitec App – Fantastic app and great rates.
Default Email App – Already on your phone by default.

Unfortunately not everything is free. Some things are worth paying for. You need a Google Business Profile and this is free. But you should get a professional website, with a domain name (website address) and a professional email address.  I offer a website special for R950. At the bottom of the page will be a few examples of R950 websites. Basically the Google Business Profile will get you more clients (if you keep posting photos of work you do on your Google Business Profile etc) and you can access your Google Business Profile via your Google Map App on your phone. Yoour website makes you look VERY professional. Without one, your competition will get more bsuiness.

What does a professional email address look like? Firstly, you need a domain name or what is sometimes called a “website address”. You can buy a domain name from Xneelo. Here is my domain name: “www.thewebsiteguy.co.za“. I created an email address connected to that website address and it looks like this: riaan@thewebsiteguy.co.za. Every time I send an email, the person receiving it sees my personal name and business name. It looks professional.

It’s easy to create a logo on Canva. And you need a logo for your quotes, invoices and your Google Business Profile. However, I recommend you use a nice photo of your face for your WhatsApp and your Facebook Business Page profile pic. Clients will trust you more if they can see your face. And Facebook Groups only allow Facebook Business Profiles with a profile photo of yourself to join and to post on groups. By the way, the best type of post on Facebook groups is your website. Not just photos. That’s because people can tap on the website you posted and learn much more about the service you offer.

As popular as Gmail is, unfortunately it does give the impression that your business is maybe tiny or that you’re not serious about delivering a high quality service (Don’t be upset with me, that’s just what people think).

Don’t list your business on every directory you find online (Yellow Pages etc). There is a strategy you have to follow when using online directories. If done incorrectly, online directories can actually lose business for you.

Don’t combine several services when you post on social media (for example saying you do painting, cleaning, paving, swimming pool repairs and gardening). You’re creating confusion and… you’re making a mess online for your business name and reputation. Stand out from the crowd. Become known for one service. You can add your other services on your quote, your invoice and in person. Everything online must be a single message. Use the same logo with one service you offer and list or post that only.

Get golf shirts for work. PEP has cheap golf shirts. Get your logo embroidered on the left of right chest area of the shirt. The embroidery can be small. The golf shirt with embroidery will make you look very professional.

Get a few business cards. Keep it in your wallet. You never know when you might need to give a potential client your contact details. It always comes as a good surprise when you give a potential client you met randomly and you give them your business card. It makes you look professional.

Be obsessed with learning more about your competitors. Learn as much as you can from businesses much bigger than you. They obviously doing something right. Google them, research them and copy them.