New to UKBF.
Hi
I lost my job last year and cannot find another-(no-one waNts a 50+ BDM)so I decided to keep busy by starting a Fundraising business- not easy as no-one appears to like fundraisers! I have raised money for years for various charities from Womens Aid to Cancer Research, but instead of just holding out my hand for donations- I thought I would sell Fashion Accessories at Markets and Fairs etc.. Its hard going but very worthwhile- all my profits go to charity-I propose to donate to 5 charities each getting 20%.
I find advertising very difficult as it costs so much and every penny I spend is taking from the charities- so any ideas you can give me on the best and cheapest form of advertising would be greatfully received!
A little donation from me- which may help.
I found a site called Brown Book-Any Business can register on Brown book, ad a free company profile web address etc... I have just added my Fundraising Business and it can apparently raise your on-line search presence. See what you think for yourselves.
The site is Brown Book.
Also Free index, upmystreet sites are offering free entries but they dont pull you up the web search ratings, unless you take a paid entry.
Hope it works for you! I am crossing my fingers- as I need all the help I can get.
I presume you want to advertise locally?
Why not try a leaflet in the local free newspaper. They can do the whole job for you. you can also be selective in the postcodes to control costs and target ideal customers.
They can be very helpful in helping you get started - give thema call and see what they have to say.
I think you should consider this from a rounded marketing approach. Don't just think about advertising, which is probably going to be to expensive for you, think about other methods of promotion. I am not a marketing expert, but here is my 2 pennies worth.
A book that will really help is Gurilla Marketing. I have read a few maketing books and this is by far the best. Not massively expensive like many mainstream text books, really easy to read and aimed at smaller businesses.
Cheap Marketing
1. Press Releases.
There are a few free press release websites that you can load press releases to. Also, contact your local paper with interesting things you are doing, new lines of jewelery, other activities. When you have been going 1 year, tell them. You are a charitable organisation, so they are going to be happier to print it than if you were just a new small business. You are clearly a big hearted person who cares for others, doing something other than moaning about your situation, a real can do person. The press will love writing about you.
2. Blogging. Your on the web so set up a free account at blogger.com and start writing about the things you do. Make it personal and interesting. The people you met at the various markets, the new lines of products, how sales are going, are you nearing a target, etc. Once or twice per week if you can. Put the blog address on any offline marketing you do (leaflets, cards, press releases, etc)
3. Twitter - So if you are blogging then try micro blogging. Set up a free account. Follow a few people who are interested in jewellery (search the twitter for those users) and then try to write a few tweets of your own. Be upbeat and amusing. Tweet a few times per day if you can. People will start to follow you
4. Facebook
Again, its free. Set up an account and start a fan page. You can upload photos of your designs and get feedback on them. Also you can profile the charities that you are helping. Everytime an amount of money goes, find out what it does, then blog / tweet / facebook / press release it.
5. Recognition
There may be awards in your area and nationally that you could win. Business people pat themselves on the back all the time. There may be something like the pride of britian awards in your area. If you don't get nominated you may have to suggest it to someone that knows the great work you are doing. I am sure that someone knows about the great job you are doing and if you were nominated for a local hero award then you could sell more jewellery and do even more good.
6. Personal Representation
Try to put yourself in front of as many people as possible. On days that there is no market you might want to try contacting local organisations either on the phone or in person. You could try to sell directly to the people you talk to or ask if you could have a small table with samples that you could sell during lunch time or at home time. Again, make a point of letting them know that this is charitible work, they are more likely to allow it. Maybe business centres with a lobby area or larger organisations with plenty of staff. Have a 6 or 12 month rotation for personal representations.
7. Local Radio
Not to advertise on, see if they can do a story on you. An interview on local radio could do wonders for your sales.
8. Banners
I don't know what your local council is like over putting advertisments on street furniture, but once you get your twitter, blogging and facebook going you might want to invest in some largeish banners. Advertise your brand and where you are on what days. Even smaller signs on a stake in the ground can be effective.
All my ideas are designed to be cheap or free and generate buzz around your busines. The more people talk about your business and how great your products are and what a great job you do for charity the orders will start to come in. You may even find with your can do attitude that you get offered a job.
I really do wish you all the best of luck with this. Let me know if I can be of any further help.
The Following User Says Thank You to Brasso For This Useful Post:
There are loads of free ways to advertise but it is very time consuming - but none the less - its free - if you have the time.
It takes real dedication to not wander off as Well!
Write out your ad copy and save it in notepad so you dont re-type it each time (sorry if this seems a bit obvious) but I had a tendency to re-write until i caught myself on.
There are blogs will give you a list of loads of places on the internet that you can advertise for free.
PM me and I will point you to some of free stuff I use - not allowed to put links on yet as I'm a newbie
The Following User Says Thank You to independentSO For This Useful Post:
I think you should consider this from a rounded marketing approach. Don't just think about advertising, which is probably going to be to expensive for you, think about other methods of promotion. I am not a marketing expert, but here is my 2 pennies worth.
A book that will really help is Gurilla Marketing. I have read a few maketing books and this is by far the best. Not massively expensive like many mainstream text books, really easy to read and aimed at smaller businesses.
Cheap Marketing
1. Press Releases.
There are a few free press release websites that you can load press releases to. Also, contact your local paper with interesting things you are doing, new lines of jewelery, other activities. When you have been going 1 year, tell them. You are a charitable organisation, so they are going to be happier to print it than if you were just a new small business. You are clearly a big hearted person who cares for others, doing something other than moaning about your situation, a real can do person. The press will love writing about you.
2. Blogging. Your on the web so set up a free account at blogger.com and start writing about the things you do. Make it personal and interesting. The people you met at the various markets, the new lines of products, how sales are going, are you nearing a target, etc. Once or twice per week if you can. Put the blog address on any offline marketing you do (leaflets, cards, press releases, etc)
3. Twitter - So if you are blogging then try micro blogging. Set up a free account. Follow a few people who are interested in jewellery (search the twitter for those users) and then try to write a few tweets of your own. Be upbeat and amusing. Tweet a few times per day if you can. People will start to follow you
4. Facebook
Again, its free. Set up an account and start a fan page. You can upload photos of your designs and get feedback on them. Also you can profile the charities that you are helping. Everytime an amount of money goes, find out what it does, then blog / tweet / facebook / press release it.
5. Recognition
There may be awards in your area and nationally that you could win. Business people pat themselves on the back all the time. There may be something like the pride of britian awards in your area. If you don't get nominated you may have to suggest it to someone that knows the great work you are doing. I am sure that someone knows about the great job you are doing and if you were nominated for a local hero award then you could sell more jewellery and do even more good.
6. Personal Representation
Try to put yourself in front of as many people as possible. On days that there is no market you might want to try contacting local organisations either on the phone or in person. You could try to sell directly to the people you talk to or ask if you could have a small table with samples that you could sell during lunch time or at home time. Again, make a point of letting them know that this is charitible work, they are more likely to allow it. Maybe business centres with a lobby area or larger organisations with plenty of staff. Have a 6 or 12 month rotation for personal representations.
7. Local Radio
Not to advertise on, see if they can do a story on you. An interview on local radio could do wonders for your sales.
8. Banners
I don't know what your local council is like over putting advertisments on street furniture, but once you get your twitter, blogging and facebook going you might want to invest in some largeish banners. Advertise your brand and where you are on what days. Even smaller signs on a stake in the ground can be effective.
All my ideas are designed to be cheap or free and generate buzz around your busines. The more people talk about your business and how great your products are and what a great job you do for charity the orders will start to come in. You may even find with your can do attitude that you get offered a job.
I really do wish you all the best of luck with this. Let me know if I can be of any further help.
Hi Brasso!!
Thank you so much for your response- not to mention the time and care it so obviously took you to write this reply.
I am taking on board every one of your suggestions. It all seems so obvious now- probably too busy fire fighting to think rationally. I have already given myself a reprimand!
I love this forum .You are all so helpful. I can't thank you enough, anything I can do for you in future, please don't hesitate.
I presume you want to advertise locally?
Why not try a leaflet in the local free newspaper. They can do the whole job for you. you can also be selective in the postcodes to control costs and target ideal customers.
They can be very helpful in helping you get started - give thema call and see what they have to say.
Thank-you so much for your advice - very helpful.
I am intrugued by your business, and will take the time today to read through your site today.
There are loads of free ways to advertise but it is very time consuming - but none the less - its free - if you have the time.
It takes real dedication to not wander off as Well!
Write out your ad copy and save it in notepad so you dont re-type it each time (sorry if this seems a bit obvious) but I had a tendency to re-write until i caught myself on.
There are blogs will give you a list of loads of places on the internet that you can advertise for free.
PM me and I will point you to some of free stuff I use - not allowed to put links on yet as I'm a newbie
You are so spot on with the re-typing thing- thats exactly what I ahve been doing- I have meant to save the entry but then think I may be able to come up with better copy next time- but I do find myself just resorting to much the same copy each time.
So sensible. I am a newbie too- so welcome! you will love this forum everyone is so nice and very helpful.
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