How do I reach you?

[DuaneJackson]

As a lot of you know, my company has a great accounting product aimed at businesses of exactly the size of mine. yours and the majority of others here.

My question is this - what magazines do you read? What websites do you visit?

We are trying to get an idea of the best mags/sites to advertise in order to get your attention.

If any of you are also aiming at the same market, I highly reccomend advertising in the FSB's magazine, it's done very well for us.

[annethedonn]

Hi Duane

Try www.businessmag.co.uk.

Anne

[Whistle Ink]

Hi I don't really read any magazines tbh. But I do check out the BBC website, skynews and sometime the Guardian website. I also have a look at startups.co.uk as well as posting here.

One question I do have - as a I am relativley unexperienced about all matters finance - can you just start using this software mid stream? I mean I assume I would have to put the past years or whatevers invoices etc on to bring me up to date.

Bye

Paresh

[DuaneJackson]

Thanks anne,

Paresh, glad you read Startups.co.uk. Did you see their list of new software for October? http://www.startups.co.uk/YfyYfbBod8_V9Q.html We are number 3 : ) Also got some coverage from them at http://www.startups.co.uk/YeEElwloEYn0nA.html

You don't HAVE to enter all old invoices, but if you did - and also entered your customer info correctly (ie Where they came from (website, referal, etc)) - then you'd get a lot more benefit and insight into your business from the reports sectiont han you would otherwise.

[ChrisSallis]

Duanne try PC mags such as PC Basics home office. That is dedicated to the business side of I.T. I like to read it, its full of usful business tips.

[annethedonn]

No problem Duane. Freelance Office should be featured under the technology section in November's edition!

[Jayne]

Hi,

I like campervan mags, take a break and walking mags...not much use to you though :D

It's easier to put what sites I don't go on..I go on loads of different ones (UKBF my favourite)..do not like Gambling, comp' games and dirty web sites :D

Jayne

[DuaneJackson]

I just thought I'd bump this one up to the top again to incase anyone missed it and I can get some further insight : )

[Cinnamon]

What's FSB?

Niki

[Richard Conyard]

Federation of Small Businesses

[Cinnamon]

Oh great thanks, do you know where I can view information on this, do they have a web site?

Thanks
Niki

[DuaneJackson]

http://www.fsbonline.co.uk/

[Cinnamon]

Great thanks!
Niki

[daveashton]

It is easy to let people know who you are, so I would concentrate on why we should buy your product over major proven software suppliers i.e. Sage!

What is the point of telling the world is the world will not buy?

[DuaneJackson]

The reasons why isn't a problem, it's finding the most cost effective route to reach the targets.

[daveashton]

Wow, that genuinely surprises me. The best conversion rate I have seen for none Sage accounts is more than 1 in 6 and all have a higher cost of sale due to things like the number of client meeting/ contacts.

As for lead generation. because there are so many different forms I would do some marketing testing first before you jump in, especially due to the long renewal/ upgrade time span of over 7 years (I understand this is increasing as well).

PS PPC, online PR, PR target mail shots (data dependant) work well

[DuaneJackson]

At the moment PPC and SEO is generating most of our new business.

Convincing people to use the softyware isn't a problem becuase the end users we are aiming at don't currently use Sage or any other dedicated software. They've tried it and run away screaming and now use Excel or a manual method.

Also, as there is a free, no obligation 60 day trial they get the chance to evaluate the software for themselves. Many like it. Surprisingly we've even had a few that have paid up on day 1 of their free trial.

We're trying out a few different approaches to marketing, it's working out pretty expensive though.

I'm not quite sure what you mean about the upgrade/renewal timesapn - can you elaborate?

Thanks

[daveashton]

Sorry

Accounts packages/ ERP have one of the longest upgrade / replacement cycles in IT.

This means that when company x has bought the software on average they will not upgrade for over 7 years which means that certain form of lead generation do not work well.

Now that I know your TMUP ( or getting to at least)

You can buy lists from company’s house of companies that have started in the last 3 months 6 months 9 months etc.


As for vertical advertising, get BRAD and buy with based on:

1: targeting
2: cost per thousand
3: for trials us RTR's only