6 months businessmanship without customers

[Anonymous]

Dear all

They say it is all my fault and I agree to that because I quited my Job as a computer system/network administrator and started my own ITcompany. For six months, I have had very few private customers.

Like every other company, my target is to work for companies
I Started with such a low budget that advertisement was impossible.

How can I get customers?
Do you know of any free but effective way to advertise?
Or do you have a job for me?

thanks in advance
ZK

 

[I, Brian]

Offer free IT work for people. Either that or get some money into that sales and marketing budget.

After all, if no one knows where you are, then how on earth can anyone be expected to find you??

 

[Rob Holmes]

ZK where are you based?

Rob

 

[buying_it]

A simple way to get started is get out there and network! If you are in peoples faces often enough you will be remembered.

If you find networking terrifying (I used to hate it so much I would sit quivering in my car for a half hour before joining the fray!) join a local business club : www.iod.com has regional branches all over the country. You could try the bni or even join a toastmasters if you are worried about putting yourself out there.

After a while networking becomes huge fun! You never know who you are going to meet or where your next new client is coming from.

How are you going about meeting new clients now? What are you doing to meet new prospective clients?

Andy

 

[VeryMark]

Networking is terrifying at first but the adreniline rush is worth it - oh and if you stick at it (and it takes time for people to know and trust you), it produces solid business more cost effectively than anything else.

 

[Essence]

Hi Zehkezehk,

Read the article "What's next? - A Guide to Marketing your New Business", on www.essence-services.co.uk. It provides 6 essential tips for marketing yourself, without breaking the bank.

I hope it helps.

Regards...
Essence.

 

[Johill]

Hi ZK

I have just started to try out some networking - and have found it much friendlier that I expected - after all everyone is in the same boat - starting up or running a small business and so it is a great way to get advice on what has worked for other people.

Some networks have expensive joining fees - but here are some that are just pay as you go - £20 per time. I have found the Networking Plus Business Link events that take place monthly very good - www.bl4london.com. Also, Business Bricks - www.businessbricks.com run local meet ups around the country (not sure where you are based) and these are extremely relaxed and informal and don't cost anything. I am also going to try www.speednetworking.org on May 31st to see what that is like!

It does take time - but a lot of the people I have met at these events say they now get most if not all their business through networking. Maybe you could have some discount vouchers or free consultation vouchers to hand out to people you meet - to give them an incentive to call you up.

Good Luck!

Jo

 

[RSL]

Johill how was the speednetworking? I missed the last one near me as I was away but it sounds like great fun!

Back to the initial post, it really is all about networking. Even if you don't find direct leads there will always be someone who may be able to refer you at a later date or partner up with you on a referral basis.