Business Sponsorship Needed

[melparkin81]

Hi there, I started my Lingerie company at the back end of last year and at the moment we are growing week on week. We have tried to use the conventional methods of raising finance to take the business to the next level. I am unsure of the best way to move forward now and would appreciate any advice on how to attract a sponsor, investor for the business? I am based in the Stockport area and the business is Lingerie parties, similair to Ann Summers but a lot cheaper. I have a business plan prepared. Thanks in advance!

 

[DannyGillen]

No idea, but I know a lot of my female friends seem to always be organising and attending Ann Summers parties. Never been myself but I've always presumed it's expensive so I imagine if you could offer a cheaper product you'd be doing well. Especially in northern towns like Burnley, Preston, Blackburn etc.

Many of these people who organise Ann Summers parties tend to create groups and put it in their info on their status's. If you did some good digging and did some serious social networking work I think you could expand into new area's for relatively low cost.

Just an idea though as I obviously have no idea how you operate. Good luck

 

[essex_wiganer]

Mel,
Danny is spot on social media is the way forward to grab peoples attention. If people are not searching for your product just yet, then why not search social media sites. You can use tools such as Tweetdeck to check what people are tweeting about, for example 'I'm having an Ann Summers Party,' you can then let them know that their a cheaper option and that next time they can use you (throw in a discount or something to grab their attention).

You may also want to consider LinkedIn. A linkedin profile puts you infront of professionals and even potential investors (its a professional network similar to Facebook but for businesses).

 

[socialmediaworks]

I agree too...

I don't think Business people realise how powerful Social Media can be !!

I suggest you start by creating a Facebook Fan Page and a Twitter account.

Use your Facebook page to promote your parties and products..
use the Twitter account to attract and engage an audience by posting industry relevant news aswell as your own...

As per the above, TweetDeck is a great source to investigate...

Once these platforms are up and running you could then look into other forms of Social Media.. i.e.. Flickr & Youtube to boast your products ?

If you've any problems with creating your Social Media presence, please ask, I'd be happy to help !

 

[tony84]

Hi Mel,

I think one of my friends does the parties for you.

I run a business with my mum as a bit of a sideline, we looked at doing lingerie as a sideline to our site, we even went to an expo in Birmingham - moda i think it was called. We decided not to invest in the stock because the market is too difficult - competing with anne smmers, tesco, primark etc.

Maybe start a website doing wholesale? Rather than aiming for party planners, look to get reps. The good thing about this is any orders will usually be atleast £100-300 rather than £10-20.

I know this isnt really finance as such, but receiving a £300 order would help your finances a little i would imagine. You would probably either need to have the items in stock or know you can get them made within a couple of days.

Good luck.

 

[melparkin81]

thanks for all of the advice guys, i am already on facebook and my group is going well but im struggling to get new "likes" does anyone have any advice on this?? ive set up an account on twitter but im a bit confused with the whole format to be honest, how do you get people to follow you?? also without being really thick. whats the tweetdeck?!

 

[Palms]

To get new likes, I always run a competition.

I have heard that lingerie is a very difficult market to enter. How is your product different? This may give a better clue as to who exactly you want to market to. Once you know that, it is easier to think about how to market the product.