Setting a business up with no start up costs

[johninlondon]

Hi everyone.

Been browsing the forum for a few days now and now time for my 1st major post.

I have just moved out of a pub which sadly in this day and age did not succeed and now looking to start my own business.

The question is, is it possible to start your own business with no start up costs and no working capital. I know this is a open ended and possibly silly question and depends what the business is.

Well, I have the chance to become a small broker in the energy market selling B 2 B and due to my dire financial situation and for the 1st time in 35 years I'm abou to claim support.
To get this off the going I need lots of agents so it will have to be commission only. I know it's the numbers game but there is a lot of money to be made in this field. There is no selling involved in this it's just a case of bill collecting from businesses and I do the rest once I have the bill. This business is proven and I know it will succeed but the capital bit is a worry and I know it will take MUCH longer to get it off the ground.

My other question is FREE advertising to look for Agents. is there such thing?

I appreciate anyone comments whether good or bad. And look forward to reading replies.

Thanks in advance
John

 

[BDR_London]

I wish you all the best with your new venture and I would say there are quite a few 'free' types of advertising. Free advertising includes things like:

• Social marketing on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
• Article/PR Marketing (this includes writing content and submitting it to article and PR sites, leaving your contact details with the content)
• Getting involved in forums

Although the above are essentially free they do take up time. You also have to be careful not to spam and to engage with people instead of selling to them.

 

[Furrtiv]

Blogging is free too, if you use things like Wordpress and always choose the free option.

 

[johninlondon]

Thank you. Appreciate the responses.

 

[Kanzi Marketing]

Hi everyone.



My other question is FREE advertising to look for Agents. is there such thing?


Thanks in advance
John

Gumtree is an option. The JobCentre will let you advertise if you can show that the wage earned in commission is more than the minimum wage. But I'm not sure how many people will risk coming off benefits to be an agent - too much risk unless they have been in the business before and know they can make money in it.

 

[I Love Spreadsheets]

I set up my business with a budget of about £100. £50 went on hosting a website and £50 went on my first AdWords. That worked and I built up a great client base

At the end of 2010 my daughter became very ill and I had to take 6 months out, as a result the business was on the brink of going under. So I had to reboot the business from scratch with a budget of zero this time. Again things are going great.

So yes it is very possible.

My only advice is be ready to have to learn new skill sets like SEO and Guerrilla Marketing.

Good luck with it

 

[johninlondon]

I set up my business with a budget of about £100. £50 went on hosting a website and £50 went on my first AdWords. That worked and I built up a great client base

At the end of 2010 my daughter became very ill and I had to take 6 months out, as a result the business was on the brink of going under. So I had to reboot the business from scratch with a budget of zero this time. Again things are going great.

So yes it is very possible.

My only advice is be ready to have to learn new skill sets like SEO and Guerrilla Marketing.

Good luck with it

Thanks for the info and glad to see everything is going good.

I'm on the case to make this a successful as i possibly can. Fingers crossed.

 

[KeithGreen]

There's also www.freeads.co.uk

 

[Pandybearse]

I set up my business with a budget of about £100. £50 went on hosting a website and £50 went on my first AdWords. That worked and I built up a great client base

At the end of 2010 my daughter became very ill and I had to take 6 months out, as a result the business was on the brink of going under. So I had to reboot the business from scratch with a budget of zero this time. Again things are going great.

So yes it is very possible.

My only advice is be ready to have to learn new skill sets like SEO and Guerrilla Marketing.

Good luck with it

www.fasthostingdirect.co.uk have webhosting for £20 for 2 years. £50 on adwords doesn't go very far, maybe you should be managing our campaign, we spend that every 3 weeks!!!!