What do I need to start a business as a contractor or freelancer (and what can wait)
When you’re starting out, what you really need is a solution that solves a problem someone actually has then the admin side of things starts, the part that, for many, can feel a little soul-sucking. Here is a checklist to help you out!
What you need to start:
✔ Start from what you know (this is how I started as a Virtual Assistant)
✔ Do market research
✔ Help people
✔ Start charging
✔ Keep going
Now…..
The Bare Minimum OF What You Truly Need
CLARITY
☐ A clear(ish) idea of the problem you solve and who you help
☐ A clear offer (what you do, how it helps, and what it costs - have it dialed even if it is one signature offer)
ADMIN
☐ Create a Simple contract or Service Agreements (use ChatGPT to help you with it once you have the two listed above ⬆ clear)
☐ Register your business locally or nationally (e.g. sole trader, LLC, etc.) - To register your business in BC
☐ Apply for business number in BC
☐ A business bank account
☐ Track income and expenses from day one (this.is.so.important)
☐ A way to invoice (Wave, is a great start point and Honeybook, this one offers a more polished, all-in-one and is great for client workflows - highly recommend)
DIGITAL PRESENCE
☐ Buy a domain (e.g., from GoDaddy, Namecheap, Squarespace - If you’re going to build your website with Squarespace they offer free domain when you sign up for Business plan)
☐ Set up a professional email (e.g., hello@yourdomain.com via Google Workspace)
☐ A simple, clear website or landing page
☐ A social media profile
BUSINESS TOOLS & SYSTEMS
☐ A way to book calls (Calendly, Google Calendar - I use G-calendar, it comes with google workspace)
☐ A way to meet clients (Zoom or Google Meet - included with you have google workspace)
☐ A system for keeping notes and tracking tasks AKA Keeping Yourself Organized (paper or a tool such as Notion - my favorite)
☐ A system for keeping files (Google drive/folder)
….. I absolutely love Google Workspace, it is all-in-on business hub, it helps me to stay organized and allow me to work with my client in real time collaboration.
CLIENT PROCESS
☐ Have a discovery call script or outline ready
☐ Have your contracts ready by now
☐ A onboarding form/questionnaire (can use Google form to start with)
☐ Create a welcome onboarding email
☐ WhatsApp or Instagram DMs to connect with your early audience
What can wait a bit:
Terms and Business insurance
Full brand kit (custom fonts/colors/logo) - use simple Canva branding to start
Full website with multiple pages – begin with a homepage or landing page
Consistent social media strategy – start with 1 platform and grow from there
Email list setup and opt-in freebie – useful, but can come after you’ve nailed your offer
Automated email workflows (Mailerlite, Flodesk)
CRM setup (for full workflows)
Feedback forms and offboarding systems
Advanced SEO or blogging
Hope this helps and remember to start from what you need first and if you need help, let me know :)
