First few months of trading...

[Marksalderson]

Hiya,

Cast your minds back to the first few months of trading. My Business partner and I are still in the planning stage of our business but all is looking well and looks like it chould fly. During the plan writing we of course have to do a projected sales sheet. So cast your minds back to the first few months of trading, did any of you have issues drumming up customers to start with?

On my initial calculations, we would need 3 customers a week to break even. This sort of sounds small, but then again we would have to have at LEAST 3 a week, every week. I'm just worried about the every week bit, has anyone ever been in this situation?

ta,

Mark

[gapgb]

Mark,

I think we have all been in that situation and many are still in it. What line of business are you planning? This will help people respond better.

For drumming up business with a small budget most people favour:

Networking (face to face and on the internet)
PR - get the good news out to a targeted set of press contacts
A web site - loads of good quality site designers on here who can help with every aspect of design and optimisation
Cold calling - works when done well
Direct mail - as above

PM me if you need any specifc help

[elite123]

If you can try budget so that everything is covered for the first 3 months - this will give you ample time to find your feet and know exactly how things will pan out.

If you need a website let me know as i can get this done for you.

Thanks

Anthony

[MarkPearson]

Hi Mark,

It does depend on the type of business you are running.

For my new business, which which is into its 5th week we have exceeded our first few months forcast sales, tenfold!

I put this down to the media coverage we received at the start of week 3.

But I will never know what would have been without this....

So depending on the product / service it will take off at different levels

Good Luck