Ideas to advertise my business

[Salt&Pepper]

Hi all,

I just set up a catering staff agency. At the moment I am using Adwords to advertise. I am looking at other ideas as well that might be effective. Pls keep in mind that I set up my buisiness with 1k so I can't really pay £200 for an advert let's say in a industry magazine, wedding magazine or similar(well actually I could if I could at least cover the cost).

Are there any other cost effective ways that you would recommend? Any suggestion welcome.

 

[dreamservers]

You could always try facebook, twitter and linkedin

 

[telemax]

Hi all,

I just set up a catering staff agency. At the moment I am using Adwords to advertise. I am looking at other ideas as well that might be effective. Pls keep in mind that I set up my buisiness with 1k so I can't really pay £200 for an advert let's say in a industry magazine, wedding magazine or similar(well actually I could if I could at least cover the cost).

Are there any other cost effective ways that you would recommend? Any suggestion welcome.

Is that advertising for staff to fill vacancies or or the actual vacancies?

 

[Sales Nation]

I will promote your business on our site if you like? It wont cost you anything, just an introducer fee if we send you any paying business.

PM me for a chat but would be more than happy to help you get started.

 

[Salt&Pepper]

@telemax: it's casual staff for functions, private parties, dinners etc. So not for permanent positions. I work mainly with catering companies and private clients, but I am not a recruitment agency.

I am on Twitter, Linkedin and Facebook, but I am not finding them very beneficial at the moment.

I do have a blog, but it definitely needs some improvements.

 

[10Yetis]

Why not find the key journo's from the mags and papers your want to target, follow them on twitter, along with #journorequest and see if there is anything you can help them with so you can get a mention in their articles.

There are many many other things you can do (one: find a company that is not a competitor but has a similar customer base and do reciprocal (chelling speck please) marketing, i.e. you promote their shizzle, they promote your shizzle) but it is Friday and being honest, no one wants to read a load of marketing jizz on a Friday night

Andy

 

[10Yetis]

ps, close your eyes, light a candle and lets think about what your namesakes would do to promote their business...

They would "push it, push it real good".

Thanks, here all week.

 

[SimplyLinkedIn]

Hi,

Linkedin is a great way to promote your business and to find your target market.

Are you actively using it to promote yourself at the moment?

 

[Salt&Pepper]

I am on Linkedin but I am not sure what to do with it.

If you could suggest something that would be great.

 

[smbchamp]

Well I am not sure how much business you will get through blogging (since your niche seems too narrow, but I have no real idea of how big it is. Maybe you can provide some adwords insight). I would suggest connecting with FB and also letting everyone know that you provide such a service.. That is the #1 point. Join local Facebook groups if possible.

Also make sure that you send in a offer post card or something related to the companies that would require your service (in-person is best if possible). Zero down on 5-10 companies max and tell them that you can provide temporary staffing solutions.

Another great way is to attend functions to meet with function organizers or their staff. I suppose your clients are not the hosts, but rather the organizing companies itself.

 

[Salt&Pepper]

I have called called many companies (I need to follow up) and to be honest I have just started (2 months ago).

I am following all my potential clients on Twitter (although there are as many that don't have a twitter account).

You are right my market is niche and very much B2B. And the only way to make my business viable is to get a partnership with a catering company or large corporate client.

On the other hand having private clients (for small wedding, receptions, dinners, parties etc) helps and it's a pleasant diversive as well)

This week I will try and see if I can get any appointments.

To give you an idea of searches the most used keywords is googled locally 880 times a month.

 

[smbchamp]

To give you an idea of searches the most used keywords is googled locally 880 times a month.

Is that data for broad, phrase or exact match?

Even with the data, how many impressions are you seeing for your adwords ad?

 

[SimplyLinkedIn]

I can certainly give you a couple of tips for Linkedin. Firstly, have you completed all of your profile?

 

[Salt&Pepper]

From 15.11.11 I have got 450 clicks, 6.6k impression, spent £220 and got a good ROI. This for all my keywords, they all are either phrase match or close match and most contain 3 words, so that I get fewer clicks but very targeted.

My Linkedin profile is complete ( as far as I remember) you can find me under Alan Calzari or Salt&Pepper Events.

I will be on a job today, I really appreciate your replies and input.

Thank you,

Alan

 

[smbchamp]

From 15.11.11 I have got 450 clicks, 6.6k impression, spent £220 and got a good ROI. This for all my keywords, they all are either phrase match or close match and most contain 3 words, so that I get fewer clicks but very targeted.

You should split test your advertisements. Make ads for individual keywords if you don't have a big list of them. This way you'll identify the best one. Also go for exact or phrase always.

Let us know how your business goes.

Thank you and good luck.

 

[WillamK]

For increasing product value you have to do get links so that your website product value can be increase. For that you have to do SEO for your product. This will increase product value.

 

[telemax]

(I need to follow up) .

Sorry to say it but following up needs to be all of your business right now!! If I was you i'd also get down to Hotelympia,at Excell arena. It's being held pretty soon. I'd recommend some serious networking there too.

 

[Writer]

I would certainly do some blogging and social networking if you want to keep your advertising expenses low. Sending articles to the online databases is another good idea, but make sure your articles don't sound too self serving; people don't want to read that. If you give someone some information they'll find useful, based on your knowledge, then they're much more likely to appreciate it.

Simply put your contact details and what you do at the end of the article with a link to your site.

 

[smbchamp]

For increasing product value you have to do get links so that your website product value can be increase. For that you have to do SEO for your product. This will increase product value.

How in the world can SEO increase a products value?

 

[MediYeah]

Careful not to do too many things at once - you don't want to get stuck because of info overload! Choose 1 or 2 methods and stick with them for a while.

Remember as well that online and social media marketing are long term strategies which require consistent and regular effort to make them worthwhile.

In terms of your Google ads, it does sound like you're doing well with those. What page are the ads leading to? Am wondering if there is a way of getting an even better ROI out of it.

 

[Ameliepoole]

you need to find a group/forum where the decision makers hang out
suggest typing in "catering forums" on google

 

[SimplyLinkedIn]

Hi Alan,

You could do with some work on your linkedin account and I’m more than happy to help.

I'll drop you a message tomorrow with some tips of what to do. Linkedin is a great way to get your get to some key connections.

As you will probably have noticed my name has changed to Simplylinkedin, this is because this is my new business and i will be offering linkedin training.

Anyway, like i say i'll drop you a message with some tips tomorrow.

 

[ivy23]

Noticed this while searching for work. Sure saves on paying to post work in the local classified ads. On doing some research it seems to be a new site start-up this week, it will certainly save me some money and thought it may help someone else.

 

[jimmyjimmerson]

The obvious one that has been prviously mentioned is SEO. Plenty of good free advice available on here from good people to get you started.

Really start hitting the social media sites to get your name out there more. The use of social media for business is growing daily so the sooner you really push it the better.

I know ethe obvious ones of cold calling and door knocking are probably already getting done.

Then you're left with leaflet drops, mail outs and things like that.

It's a hard industry you are in so good luck

 

[Sophia Myles]

You could always try facebook, twitter and linkedin

Agree, but that is the first step to spread your name out. You need to follow up and get real interaction with people. Try to build up a list (better a customer info. database) to send to every certain period of time, get people's attention and get them back for purchasing.

 

[Greg Black]

Are there any other cost effective ways that you would recommend? Any suggestion welcome.

1. Decide what your ideal target customer looks like
2. Draw up a shortlist
3. Call them
4. Follow-up Regularly (telephone, email)

 

[telemarketer]

1. Hire a telemarketer on commission based only
2. He will make appointment with business owners or home owners
3. When going for appointment take delicious food(If you offer) so they can taste your menu otherwise take Album of photographs of the event you had in past.
4. For appointment, send the most handsome and attractive.
For parties and events people do not trust newbes.so you have to work hard for first event.
5. Keep in touch with them in future.

 

[Salt&Pepper]

1. Hire a telemarketer on commission based only
2. He will make appointment with business owners or home owners
3. When going for appointment take delicious food(If you offer) so they can taste your menu otherwise take Album of photographs of the event you had in past.
4. For appointment, send the most handsome and attractive.
For parties and events people do not trust newbes.so you have to work hard for first event.
5. Keep in touch with them in future.

I like your post, very subtle.
1) I just provide staff..could maybe take a hot waitress with me tho
2)I like the commission only bit
3)Ehm it's one man band really, so they will have to put up with the ugly, but passionate, me

I will definetely consider this option.

one question: would you normally call, send more details and then follow up trying to get an appointment or would you try and get an appintment straightaway?

 

[The Paper Boy]

Hi,

There are countless ways you can advertise your business for free or at a very low cost. With an effective print medium. Why don't you create your own newspaper and sell the advertising to offset the cost?

It seems to be something that is really taking off in the US and soon to follow here!

I've used it in getting the word out for my business and it really worked! Didn't cost me a penny!

PM me you want any hints and tips on how to do this!

The Paper Boy!

 

[Websitehandyman]

Well I could maybe seek you a link of Ch&Co website but no don't think so.

Don't know if they outsub though do you want me to find out ?

 

[Multi-store]

Nothing is cheap & nothing is easy, Business is tough irrelevant of the age of the company, as even having £200 or even £2000 to spend on advertising does not mean it'll bring you lots of business.

Id advise networking as much as you get, get to free events, network like you mean it - business cards should be your new favourite words.

Get yourself on free-index. im not saying you'll get a stack of business from it, but any business you do you can ask for review, get 10 reviews and your top of your list.

get in every directory in the world, if your skint, get a free website but keep it simple and clutter free, otherwise it'l look like a bodge-job.

good luck

 

[lurzan]

I agree with user above me, there's nothing cheap and easy to promote our business. I really recommend you to do some press release. Other then that make a guest post on a famous and active blog related to your niche.

It's just an option and I'm sure you will see some good results.

 

[mazzy2k]

I would say my number one is make a video for youtube, and get a really nice intro made for it!

 

[ilovedesign]

It's true. Social media might be a good choice, as long as you know what to do. Online marketing, after all, gives you a lot of free options when it comes to advertising and it is up to you to see which one is best for you. Other choices are SEO, article, and forum marketing.

 

[Marketing Jelly]

You could try craigslist for your area.

Ceri