New Business - payment for services question.

[Victoria.]

I used to work as a personal lifestyle assistant as an employee and after a change of circumstances I would now like to do this self-employed.

I intend to offer a pay-as-you go payment system but I'm thinking of also doing a payment plan for people that want regular help.

With the plan they would pay up front for a block of hours to be used within a set time limit. If they do not make use of those hours their money is not returned and cannot be carried over ( unless in exceptional circumstances).

Can anyone advise me on whether this would work and any potential flaws in the system?

I love the work, I believe I'm good at it and would now rather work for myself but I'm not business minded and my lack of confidence or rather knowledge on the business side of things has been holding me back.

Any advice on this or anything related to my plan would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[fisicx]

It could work. It all depends on how good you are at marketing.

I’d offer a range of payment plans. Single sessions, regular sessions and blocks as you describe. The costs would be sliding so the block booking is the cheapest.

But everything comes down to marketing.

 

[WaveJumper]

Don't see why this would not work, you could have an online booking system, bit like a tuition site ive used in past to book music lesson's, has a diary facility on there you block out what you want and pay.The interesting thing is how far in advance they are booked up. Best of luck and pretty sure our forum member @fisicx will have a plugin

 

[WaveJumper]

LOL scrolled down and there he is

 

[Victoria.]

It could work. It all depends on how good you are at marketing.

I’d offer a range of payment plans. Single sessions, regular sessions and blocks as you describe. The costs would be sliding so the block booking is the cheapest.

But everything comes down to marketing.

Yes this is what I was thinking, that the block booking would offer the cheapest option.
I've not had to do any marketing in the past but I will give it a good go - any tips?

I was going to make a website on a platform like Wix and then share it on social media and just tell everyone I speak to! I had also thought about putting an advert in our local borough magazine but that would be quite pricey so maybe something to do in the future.

 

[fisicx]

You are clearly very good at being a personal lifestyle assistant. That's your core skill.

Building websites and marketing probably less so. You will be better off paying someone who can put a marketing plan together for you and someone else who understands how to build an effective website that will support the marketing plan.

Sharing on SM has a very limited reach. You need to identify prospective clients, research where they look for services and then advertise in those places.

It's not an easy thing to do unless you have plenty of time to learn how. Which is why paying for support is usually a better option. In the same way people pay personal lifestyle assistant rather than try the DiY approach.

 

[Socio South West]

You need to look at your target client base... define the demographics you are targeting and then work out how to reach them - a marketing plan, and as @fisicx suggests if this is not a core skill then get some outside help with this.

For what will be regarded as a premium service Social Media is not likely to be a success without paid promotion greatly narrowing the targeting to the demographics you define

Also remember that SM promotion unless tightly controlled will be global - I am guessing that you wouldnt want to travel say 150 miles twice a week for a couple of hours work, so look for more local marketing outlets, and make sure your website SEO is tailored to the locality as well.

For this type of work there's no marketing as cheap or as effective as word of mouth which makes it important for you to do the best job possible and get the best reviews possible.

Finally - when working out your hourly rates remember that good advertising, website hosting, site building and maintenance do not come free, neither do payment gateways: You also have insurance and other overheads - albeit not great - to consider in running the business before you put any bread on your own table.

 

[fisicx]

@Victoria. What you can do for free is get your GBP set up.

Get Listed on Google - Google Business Profile

List your business on Google with a free Business Profile. Turn people who find you on Search & Maps into new customers.

www.google.com

 

[Socio South West]

@Victoria. What you can do for free is get your GBP set up.

Get Listed on Google - Google Business Profile

List your business on Google with a free Business Profile. Turn people who find you on Search & Maps into new customers.

www.google.com

It may take a while and have a few additional steps to do this if you want to use a mobile or out of area phone number for your business.

 

[fisicx]

It may take a while and have a few additional steps to do this if you want to use a mobile or out of area phone number for your business.

I’ve just got a mobile on mine. Google accepted this without question. Didn’t need to do video verification either.

 

[Mark James]

Every cancellation will be a ‘exceptional’ circumstance so maybe review this slightly as you don’t want to lose good clients, I know this from being a Therapist myself in the past.

 

[Victoria.]

You need to look at your target client base... define the demographics you are targeting and then work out how to reach them - a marketing plan, and as @fisicx suggests if this is not a core skill then get some outside help with this.

For what will be regarded as a premium service Social Media is not likely to be a success without paid promotion greatly narrowing the targeting to the demographics you define

Also remember that SM promotion unless tightly controlled will be global - I am guessing that you wouldnt want to travel say 150 miles twice a week for a couple of hours work, so look for more local marketing outlets, and make sure your website SEO is tailored to the locality as well.

For this type of work there's no marketing as cheap or as effective as word of mouth which makes it important for you to do the best job possible and get the best reviews possible.

Finally - when working out your hourly rates remember that good advertising, website hosting, site building and maintenance do not come free, neither do payment gateways: You also have insurance and other overheads - albeit not great - to consider in running the business before you put any bread on your own table.

Yes I am only going to work within my town and local surrounding areas, beyond that wouldn't really be worth my while. Thanks for the tips, especially regarding working out my hourly rate, definitely some food for thought there.

 

[fisicx]

Then a GBP is going to be the best thing for you. It’s free and will put you in the map pack at the top of the Google results.