New business - advice please

[ipswich24]

Personally i think you are best to get a pack together and put some shoes on!

On the phone or by mail it's too easy to get dismissed. Also are you then sure you will get thru to the right person.

If you call in person you can ask to speak to the manager and chances are they won't ask "what's it about" With smaller businesses, chances are the owner is also the sales person.

If they're busy back off and go back later or ask for an appointment.

The biggest thing in sales is to build up a relationship, a friendship... that way you will get far further. It may take a little longer but the rewards will pay off

Rmember "It's far easier to sell to someone who you have sold to before!"

so make that first sale a pleasurable one for both sides.

Good luck

 

The biggest thing in sales is to build up a relationship, a friendship... that way you will get far further. It may take a little longer but the rewards will pay off

Rmember "It's far easier to sell to someone who you have sold to before!"

so make that first sale a pleasurable one for both sides.

Good luck

I couldn't agree more, when i worked in sales this is how i suceeded - even now i have left a lot of my clients are still friends and even ring me for advice on advertising! You also need to truly believe in what you are selling which as it is your "baby" it shouldn't be a problem!

Good luck and remember that it can be sole destroying but the more doors your knock on the more success you will have.

xx

 

[maggie-august]

it's a good idea

 

[studiowide]

No one (or at least I think no one) has mentioned e-publications?

Why not electronically produce a magazine and test your market, bring in advertising revenue, and then if their is a real need to go hard copy format then you'll be in a better position to do it; you'll have the experience, customer base and funds.

Have a look at this e-publication, it's called exec digital and is at execdigital.co.uk......click on the magazine link on the top right of the page...... (don't worry, this is not a plug, I have nothing to do with this publication, I only know about it because I subscribe to it)

This shows what can be achieved with e-publications.

Benefits - the time and effort in producing the layout is virtually the same as for print but then you don't have the costs associated with actually printing and distributing the mag.

Hope that helps - good luck!

Carl.

 

[scotmum]

Thanks Studiowide - I initially disregarded your advice about starting an e-magazine, however, after pricing up the printing costs (around £5000 for 10,000 copies) versus the reluctance of advertisers to pay full price for my ads, I have reconsidered.

I now plan to set up a forum for my target audience. The magazine will appear either as stand alone articles for women to read or as a fully downloadable pdf mag - not decided yet - need to research both options. There will be ads on the forum in time, but at the start I just want to provide a service for local mums. I know that there is not a huge amount to be made through a forum, but there is some. I am prepared to cover the cost of the web hosting at the start (probably until I have enough women regularly signing on or as signed up members to the forum) and then approach advertisers.

I already have a website with vistaprint for a totally unrelated business, but think that this kind of site would not support a forum.

Do you think a web novice like me could download and design a website with a forum? Should I employ a designer? Sorry if this thread is now in the wrong section of the forum.

How much should I expect to pay for a website such as this? (no e commerce required):|

 

[studiowide]

Hi Scotmum. Building up a successful forum isn't easy, but it can be achieved. As far as building a website to support a forum, it can be done with very little cost and minimum technical know how, but this isn't the best mindset to have. You need to look at your competitors and then do whatever it takes to be better than them - if you want your venture to be a success.

Going back to your original idea; you say you have 36 pages, prepared and ready for print, and you now plan to launch this in electronic pdf format. This is a good step forward. If you would like some feedback on the finished design and layout then fire it over to us and I'll critique for you.

All the best,

Carl.