Do people usually pay upfront for services?

[BenConway00]

Thanks for that tip! The amount I get each week, is phenomenal! What would you personally suggest for handing out flyers and putting through letter boxes?

 

[2012biz2012]

Ben when I started my business I had substantial experience of what it involved, I carried out my research, developed a business plan, developed a marketing plan I could fund (not all marketing is expensive or has a cost), went on a business course, joined business networking organisations and talked to other people who had their own business. I understood how to commission the suppliers I would be working with and how to set up business systems and processes.

I didn't set up a business I didn't know anything about. If you wanted your business to work you would have set about it properly.

I appreciate not everyone is going to have substantial experience before setting up their own business and everyone starts up on different levels and scales, however why try to set up a business you no nothing about having done little research or planning.

This guy is clearly a very young man who has a lot to learn and at least he is giving it a go. Surely its better he start trying his luck in business however inexperienced than hanging around the streets or committing crimes.

 

[BeMarketed]

This guy is clearly a very young man who has a lot to learn and at least he is giving it a go. Surely its better he start trying his luck in business however inexperienced than hanging around the streets or committing crimes.

Where does this ridiculous notion come from??? The majority of young men don't spend their times "hanging around the streets or committing crimes". The crime figures and prison population back this up. In fact I'd say it more likely that they'd be at home in front of a playstation/ Xbox.

As for starting up whilst it is good to start something, if you have; no knowledge, seemingly no usp, no idea on payment terms and in my opinion a fairly rudimentary and overpriced marketing product then you are wasting your time.

In my opinion he would be better off going to an existing business and working for a few months to see how things like this work whilst improving his skills and raising some start-up funds. Don't take this as an insult I speak from experience having wasted a lot of time for little reward. Working in the "real world" for a while would have doubled my skills and increased my money in half the time it took me to realise this.

 

[Vectis]

........like most people I dont want to spend money on a business that has just been started up!........

Did I read that bit right? You honestly think you shouldn't spend money on a new business you've set up? Certainly don't just throw money at it, but have a business plan and at least allow for having some money to spend on it.

 

[Vectis]

I'd suggest ditching the whole page of terms and conditions. Where did you copy that from? It's not necessary and is really off putting.

Also, put your address etc on the Contact page. Don't hide it away in the terms and conditions. Doesn't look professional. I wouldn't trust a company who are reluctant to show their address.

You should also check the grammar/spelling in your website text. It wont fill people with confidence if they see errors there.

 

[2012biz2012]

Where does this ridiculous notion come from??? The majority of young men don't spend their times "hanging around the streets or committing crimes". The crime figures and prison population back this up. In fact I'd say it more likely that they'd be at home in front of a playstation/ Xbox.

As for starting up whilst it is good to start something, if you have; no knowledge, seemingly no usp, no idea on payment terms and in my opinion a fairly rudimentary and overpriced marketing product then you are wasting your time.

In my opinion he would be better off going to an existing business and working for a few months to see how things like this work whilst improving his skills and raising some start-up funds. Don't take this as an insult I speak from experience having wasted a lot of time for little reward. Working in the "real world" for a while would have doubled my skills and increased my money in half the time it took me to realise this.

Every mistake he makes and every question he asks he learns something new. He will learn more in one month asking and reading questions on here along with the trial and error of trying to win new business than going to work for someone else for a few months. That's a fact.

 

[BenConway00]

Thanks for making my point clearer 2012biz2012 and vectis. The USP is selling the advertising in packages which requires little if not NO input from my client. I used to play on my ps3 for most hours of the day but then decided to get rid of it and get into the real world (if you would excuse the pun)
With £6.99, I have built and launched my website, got 121 visitors on it and done a few jobs. I dont feel it is overpriced since i revised the prices. I have taken all suggestions on board and ALL of them have helped me. With people saying you can't do something with absolutely no knowledge, is a bit off-putting. Clearly I have all the knowledge from this thread and other research I have done. Personally I like 450gsm business cards but from this thread I now understand that the majority of people prefer 350gsm. In a sense this is market research! If I never try the only thing in my life that could go well is winning the lottery or becoming the best ps3 gamer.

 

[BenConway00]

I feel I have an artistic mind and this process will not just help me get back on track. I have a lot to learn, and that learning will go on for the whole time i'm on these forums and doing work for people. Please bare in mind I can't work for free. The average newspaper ad for a 3 column x 2 inches ad is about £150 in London. I also have to design the ads. I don't think £250 is overpriced as the ad is £150 and then i spend about £75 on flyers and business cards leaving me £25 at the end of the job.

 

[Lucky7CompSolutions]

I feel that people who have no experience or skills to do a business are ripping customers off, they expect you to have the experience and knowledge.
That business to going to be s major disaster and your going to come unstuck in places.
People like you end up on rouge traders.

 

[BenConway00]

No we don't, so you expect everyone to start with experience, do you?

 

[BenConway00]

I've worked for advertising agencies and done a few advertising jobs before this.

 

[BenConway00]

I feel that people who have no experience or skills to do a business are ripping customers off, they expect you to have the experience and knowledge.
That business to going to be s major disaster and your going to come unstuck in places.
People like you end up on rouge traders.

I think what you have said is wrong. Most the people on there have been doing it for years and are usually established in the industry. Notice how most are mechanics or computer repair people???

 

[fisicx]

Back to your original question: I would pay up front if I trusted the company. Because you are anonymous I wouldn't trust you so I wouldn't give you my money.

I also question your 'no interaction' concept. If I'm going to engage you create a suite of marketing products then I want LOTS of interaction to discuss materials, finishes, colours, outputs, quantities and everything else.

 

[Lucky7CompSolutions]

I think what you have said is wrong. Most the people on there have been doing it for years and are usually established in the industry. Notice how most are mechanics or computer repair people???

They give us a bad name, I only speak my mind, If you can't see what is wrong with your business then I give up.

 

[Talay]

Thanks for that tip! The amount I get each week, is phenomenal! What would you personally suggest for handing out flyers and putting through letter boxes?

Hands !

Never seen a robot which could deliver leaflets.

Now if you live in an area with terraced housing, you can deliver hundreds an hour yourself but if you live in an area with houses fairly well dispersed, then you are going to be delivering one a minute or worse. Near me some are one every two or more minutes. If you are in this position, personal leaflet distribution is only for the very robust as you will expend huge numbers of hours for very little reward. Better here to cost in Royal Mail Door to Door delivery costs.

 

[Sparx]

Has no one realised yet this guy has to be trolling?

 

[BenConway00]

Are you for real! Sparx

 

[Lucky7CompSolutions]

As you have no experience and skills in this area but are willing to learn on the job at the customers expense, how would customers feel if I started a building business bear in mind I have no experience or skills but I will learn on the job, It may take me a couple of weeks to build a wall but I am sure the customer want mind, wrong.

 

[superdooper500]

If I was the OP and I wanted to gain some experience and learn how to hone my craft, I would take myself off to fiverr and hawk my wares as someone who will write you a local paper advert, design you a flyer or business card for $5 and utilise 'gig extras' for upsells to make a little extra cash. I would use this time to build up a bit of experience dealing with clients, their expectations etc, and fine tuning your product offering. I think if people spend $5 the risk to them is low and so are expectations, and if it takes you a few attempts to find your groove, then there's no real harm done. The upside of this is that you could also potentially earn a few quid to reinvest into a better website, as the one you have now, I would never ever, in a million years buy from.

Best of luck, from tiny acorns mighty oaks grow. Just don't run before you can walk.

 

[BenConway00]

As you have no experience and skills in this area but are willing to learn on the job at the customers expense, how would customers feel if I started a building business bear in mind I have no experience or skills but I will learn on the job, It may take me a couple of weeks to build a wall but I am sure the customer want mind, wrong.

But what you don't understand is that I have worked for advertising companies doing work and now I have decided to set my own advertising company up.

 

[BeMarketed]

If I was the OP and I wanted to gain some experience and learn how to hone my craft, I would take myself off to fiverr and hawk my wares as someone who will write you a local paper advert, design you a flyer or business card for $5 and utilise 'gig extras' for upsells to make a little extra cash. I would use this time to build up a bit of experience dealing with clients, their expectations etc, and fine tuning your product offering. I think if people spend $5 the risk to them is low and so are expectations, and if it takes you a few attempts to find your groove, then there's no real harm done. The upside of this is that you could also potentially earn a few quid to reinvest into a better website, as the one you have now, I would never ever, in a million years buy from.

Best of luck, from tiny acorns mighty oaks grow. Just don't run before you can walk.

An excellent suggestion, risk free for you and if you are making £25 after selling one £250 product on your website, you might find it easier to sell 10 on fiverr at £5 a pop (particularly with the traffic you would get from being on there) than one at £250 which makes you only £25.

 

[fisicx]

...I have worked for advertising companies doing work....

What sort of work?

You still need to publish your contact details on your website. You might nor want to but not only is it a legal requirment but it's also vital if you want to build trust.

And you can't register as a non-trading individual either: http://whois.domaintools.com/stratadvertising.co.uk

 

[Lucky7CompSolutions]

sounding dodgy by the min.

 

[DesignerNick]

But what you don't understand is that I have worked for advertising companies doing work and now I have decided to set my own advertising company up.

Surely if you had worked for them before you would know how clients pay?

It isn't fair for customers to pay for you to learn and you won't get many returning customers.

Have a look into some training or pick an industry you are familiar with

 

[Lucky7CompSolutions]

Nobody noticed that his name on the registered whois is richard conway but his forum name is ben conway suspicions or what.

 

[businessfunding]

But what you don't understand is that I have worked for advertising companies doing work and now I have decided to set my own advertising company up.

Now that would scare me!

I don't think you're trolling (could be made to look stupid here!) but I do think you are confusing blind optimism with ambition.

I still get absolutely no sense of what you are really offering (in terms of what your customer will be buying) or who/how you will be targeting your audience.

My guess is that you are living with parents - which is the ideal opportunity to start very small and learn some relevant skills.

EG get to know the papers etc in your local area, how they are perceived, how they are delivered and target your advertising offering to their demographics.

Ethical PR has put it very nicely, but you and your site currently have zero credibility. The 'About us' says nothing of skills or experience, the contact us says 'you will never find me' - and still doesn't comply with e-commerce regs.

People will help a newbie - but not at the expense of getting ripped off..

 

[Shopping 4 Shelves]

I don't think paying an amount in advance is a problem depending on what product or service you require. If you require something that is bespoke to you then it is only fair to pay an amount upfront.