Considering becoming a self-employed painter? It can be highly rewarding to work for yourself and it puts you in complete control of your business, but there are also a few challenges facing those that want to be self-employed and it is important to know what to expect. Here is all you need to know to start your own business as a painter.
Legalities
It is vital that you get the legal aspect of your business sorted before commencing so that everything is above board. This will involve registering as a sole trader, getting registered as self-employed with HMRC, obtaining any relevant permits and getting your business insured. Following this, you need to make sure that your business is operating legally and that your accounts are kept accurately from the get-go.
Business Plan & Funding
As with any business, it is vital that you carry out market research which will help you to complete your business plan. You can then use this business plan to secure funding for your operation whether this is angel investors, venture capitalists, business loan, etc.
Tools & Equipment
You will then need to purchase everything that you will need to get your painting business running to a high standard. This will include all kinds of items, like a spray gun, which means that shopping at specialists like SGS is a smart idea for getting everything that you need to succeed.
Branding & Website
You will need to create a brand for yourself in order to stand out from the crowd. This will carry over into your professional website which will be used to convert visitors into customers. A good website for a painter will include services, costs, experience, personal information, client reviews, and a blog.
Promoting Your Services
It is then a case of promoting your services and securing work. This can be hard initially but taking on any work even for friends or family can be helpful for developing a reputation (word-of-mouth is key to success in this industry). You can also use marketing and social media to increase awareness about your services. In addition to word-of-mouth, job boards can be a good place to find painting work.
Starting your own business as a painter can be highly rewarding and it can be lucrative work if you are able to develop a positive reputation and you know how to market your business. The above information should help any aspiring self-employed painter to get the ball rolling and build a solid foundation to go on and find success in the industry.
