More Advertising Advice Please

[Emma Crabtree]

Morning from a cold and extremely windy Portugal.

Seeing as the world and his dog are posting messages asking for advice on advertising and marketing, here's mine.

I set up a business 2 business support company about 6 months ago. www.redboxvirtualoffice.com.

My initial target market has been small, indpendent travel companies who come to, or could come to, Portugal. In this respect I would offer them a in-country service to their clients while visiting. Also, I've been offering organisational/logistical services to some companies who already visit Portugal, but could expand their services.

However, I'm also up for typing letters for anyone!

I have 2 major stumbling blocks:

1 - my Portuguese isn't up to business discussions, so I'm not comfortable hawking myself around locally. In my locale, English speaking business owners are few and far between. I'm not on the Algarve or in any real touristy spot.
2 - I don't have a budget for this kind of thing. Nil, nada, nothing.

Any advice gratefully received. To be put in the right direction, given top tips or just to be berated for my lack of drive and ambition would be welcome.

Hope to hear from you. Happy Sunday.
Regards
Emma Crabtree

[clairemackaness]

Why not find a local ex pat who can speak portuguese and pay then a commission on any work they pull in for you.

[creacom]

Hi Emma

I was in a similar situation when I first moved to France. What I would sugegst is this :

Contact the British Embassy and your nearest consulates in Portugal. All embassies carry a lits on Brit run companies and services in that country. If someone contacts them asking for something within your range of expertise they can give out your details. Also they might know people who need it.

Contact the British Council here in the UK. They carry a similar list for ex pats working abroad and have access to a range of directories that you can be added to. I have their details somewhere I will look them out for you.

Mail and then call all the English language schools you can find. I know the likes of Berlitz and Lingurama have schools in Portugal. A lot of their clients are business execs wanting to improve their English. But they also might need help with your type of work too.

See if you can put flyers or business cards in these places if they agree.

Is there an expats magazine or newsletter in Portugal ? See if you can get an ad or an interview in these.

Also, why restrict yourself to just Portugal ? When you are contacting all of the above people do it for the likes of Spain and France too. You work at a distance so the length of that distance isnt important.

I will keep my thinking cap on and come up with somemore ideas for you.

Hope it helps !!

Jacqui :D

[Emma Crabtree]

Jacqui & Claire,

Thank you!

Emma

[creacom]

Also, even though you are not in the Algarve doesnt mean you cant look for business there. I know there are a lot of expats there so I imagine they must have a network of somesort. Try and find out from the British Consulate about that.

My French was terrible when I first moved to France. Luckily my boyfriend is French so he helped me out a bit. I started off doing wome teaching and then went back to my degree - Marketing and Communications. I got a job with a French company and worked my way up. Within 3 years I was head of Corporate Communication for them. It really helped that I was British.

Look at yourself as special in a foreign country and that your native language is a major advantage instead of your Portugese being a disadvantage.

Now that Im back in Scotland I am losing my French. My boyfriend speaks English all the time for work and at home BUT my business partner is French too ( I think they are invading ! ) so we occasionaly speak in French.

Best of luck and dont hesitate to get in touch if I can help you out.

Jacqui :D

[bitsnstuff]

Hi Emma,

Sorry I have taken so long to come back to you - busy and had to have a think about it!

My thoughts would be DO NOT approach Praia Del Rey directly or the Marriot on site as it would be nothing to do with them.

I would put together some form of leaflet/mailshot and would actually deliver through each mail box myself.

For the areas that we were discussing, I would think about approaching individuals and not just business, as most people use the area as an escape away from business, however, as we all know it stills goes on and can't be ignored!

Ideas for you to consider:-

Offer a service to people on holiday as a sort of message centre - as most do not have access to phone/fax/email. Maybe call them on their mobile if the message received is urgent, or alternatively have a specific day on which you deliver the messages by hand.

Offer a service to visiting golf clubs so that they tell you when they will be there and how many visitors and you then arrange an itinerary for them to include tee off times, equipment hire, restaurant bookings, day trips/sightseeing etc. So you would be their point of contact (Portuguese/English speaking) and they would simply arrive to be met by you, itinerary in hand.

If you own a home in Portugal and you rent it out you have to appoint a Financial Representative who files the accounts for taxation (I think its a fairly new rule) - probably amongst other requirements. I do not know the ins and outs of this, but maybe you could approach the Obidos District and ask what is needed as that may be an additional string to you bow.

That is all I have come up with at the moment, but think you would do better to think laterally, as most people will be using the area for leisure rather than business type service specifically.

I have just spoken to my Dad who goes out at least 8 times a year and when he is there he uses his laptop and mobile because of the lack of communication there. Oh and he also, sweet talks the admin centre at Praia del Rey!! :lol:

Hope that helps. If I decide to go out to the house this year, will give you a shout and we could maybe brainstorm a few ideas over a nice glass or two of wine!!

Kate :lol:

[clairemackaness]

Kate can I come ? LOL

[Emma Crabtree]

Thanks for all your hints and tips.

I'm actually about 2 hours drive north from Lisbon, which may slightly hinder on-site services for Praia del Rei etc, but a little trip combined with some shopping may be in order... I also was a little idiotic when we first moved here and didn't contact with local ex-pats as I'm not really into that scene. Cutting ones nose off.....

Anyway, I'm in touch with the Embassy in Lisbon now and the British Council have an office in Coimbra, which is handily located. I'm also looking in to advertising me at the university. Lots and lots of English language students there who could do with a typing hand.

Kate, if you do come out this summer, give me a shout. No hardship to go south! Actually, have a look at my site which I give to friends when they are visiting me http://welcometosobral.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk

[creacom]

Hi Kate

Thats good news. Good luck with it all and keep us posted on your progress.

I will keep thinking about it and if I come up with some brainwaves Ill let you know.

Jacqui