What changes do you have planned for the New Year?

The Freelance Folder has four things to do in 2008 to change your business. Take a look at each one of them and see what you can apply to your business.

The first tip is to learn that new skill you have been putting off. Learning never stops and you should always be looking for ways to not only grow in business but also in your own personal life. Zig Ziglar suggest reading at least one good non-fiction book per month. In addition see what extension classes you can take whether it's to help you better manage your business, operate your computer software better, or taking better care of yourself.

The second tip is to raise your rates. If you're in consulting like I am you may say that is easy but if you're in a competitive retail environment you may say that it is impossible for you to raise prices or else your competitors will kill you. While it may be impossible to raise prices on existing items, look for new a new item or items to carry that have better margin but still fit into your niche.

Tip number three says let someone else do the selling for you. Their suggestion is to find complementary business that can refer customers to you. Say for instance you sell appliances; you can refer customers to the repairman when they need maintenance and they can refer customers to you when the person's appliances are not fixable.

Tip number four is a fill in the blank. You figure out what tip number four should be.

I am sure you can come up with several on your own. Remember you must be growing not only your business but yourself to move ahead in the future, you never stop learning or growing.