Start up help and advice

[Ian@AVElite]

Hello All,

New here and 1st post. I have started my own company primarily in the security industry. I would greatly appreciate any advice in how to grow my company. My biggest hurdle right now is generating and establishing new communications with potential clients and companies. I have a website, social media pages (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram). I would like to attend events but not sure which events would help to buid customers and get my company out there.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance

 

[Mark T Jones]

What type of security?

For whom?

How are you different to others?

Where are you based?

These (and many others) are the questions that will help to put you in front of the right people

 

[Ian@AVElite]

What type of security?

For whom?

How are you different to others?

Where are you based?

These (and many others) are the questions that will help to put you in front of the right people

Hi Mark,

What type of security? -

Fire Detection Systems,
CCTV Systems,
Intruder Alarm Systems,
Access Control Systems,

For whom?

Residential, Industrial and commercial.

How are you different to others?

FESS ECS card holder, Manufacturer specific installer qualifications (Dahua, Texecom & Paxton) with the intention to work towards recognised certificates (FIA, Bafe, NSI)

Where are you based?

Bolton, North West but serve the whole UK

I'm just trying find ways and options to take to reach more people

 

[ctrlbrk]

I'm just trying find ways and options to take to reach more people

Welcome Ian.

Do you have a marketing plan?

 

[Paul Carmen]

For whom?

Residential, Industrial and commercial.

It's far too vague. What's the marketing plan based on that?

You need to know, who are your target customers (in detail), where do the customers look for your services; e.g. do commercial and residential customers search for the same thing, do they look on Google, what do they search for, do they expect a high street shop, do they get recommendations from other businesses or chambers of commerce, do they want to see reviews for similar work etc.

You need to do this sort of research, review your competitors and the market to understand what customers to target, what people are prepared to pay and what you have to offer to be appealing to your target customers, then where to market.

If you don't do this in a targeted and measured way, you'll waste money and are unlikely to be successful.

 

[Ian@AVElite]

Welcome Ian.

Do you have a marketing plan?

Hi,

Not documented. We are currently using social media, known contacts and had a leaflet campaign. I would like to attend events that would allow me to introduce people to the company. Having worked for a large company with the ability to have marketing and sales departments, i'm trying to find ways to communicate with companies, contractors, councils etc but finding the right method of communicating is leaving me fustrated.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Hi Mark,

What type of security? -

Fire Detection Systems,
CCTV Systems,
Intruder Alarm Systems,
Access Control Systems,

For whom?

Residential, Industrial and commercial.

How are you different to others?

FESS ECS card holder, Manufacturer specific installer qualifications (Dahua, Texecom & Paxton) with the intention to work towards recognised certificates (FIA, Bafe, NSI)

Where are you based?

Bolton, North West but serve the whole UK

I'm just trying find ways and options to take to reach more people

The reason for my questions was to help narrow your focus/thinking. Without that,your marketing will be vague and costly.

So you are talking security Systems (TBH I assumed you meant doors) supply/install/maintain?

I've no idea if the differentiators you mention actually make you different/better from others - the important question is whether your clients will.

In marketing terms residential/ industrial /commercial is too wide. Each one will react respond to different people/connections. Pick a segment to get yourself rolling and known.

Seriously, can you effectively service/canvass the UK?

Every bit of you wants to believe that more is better. In marketing terms, the tighter you define yourself, the easier it will be

 

[Mark T Jones]

Hi,

Not documented. We are currently using social media, known contacts and had a leaflet campaign. I would like to attend events that would allow me to introduce people to the company. Having worked for a large company with the ability to have marketing and sales departments, i'm trying to find ways to communicate with companies, contractors, councils etc but finding the right method of communicating is leaving me fustrated.

Like many, many others before you (including me) you are mistaking marketing for medium.

If you don't know who your customer is, how can you know what social media they use?

 

[fisicx]

We are currently using social media, known contacts and had a leaflet campaign.

Are your prospective clients looking on SM for CCTV installers?

We are considering getting CCTV so we looked on Google. Found a whole load of them near me (on Google maps).

Do you have a GBP? Does your website rank #1 for all you chosen services? If the answer to either of these is no you need to rethink your marketing.

 

[Ozzy]

Hi @Ian@AVElite and welcome
As others have already mentioned, the best advice is to first hone in on a target market you are focus on. Trying to spread too thin and you'll end up going backwards.

The best advice IMHO is the closing paragraph from @BusterBloodvessel in this thread talking about promotional stationery; where their friend focused on a niche and ended up being more profitable for it.

Do businesses still buy promotional items? Printed mugs etc....

I'm good at what I do and I know I can offer a quality product, but is there much of a market for promotional items? My business sells gifts online through Etsy and has been gradually declining over the past two to three years. I'm looking for ways to pivot to reach a different audience and...

www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk

 

[fantheflames]

Welcome to the community! It's a great place to come back to.

Starting your own company is exciting. To grow your security business, it's crucial to have a solid marketing plan. @Paul Carmen's advice is spot on - knowing your target customers in detail is key. Research where they look for services, what they search for, and what influences their decisions.

Review competitors and market trends to understand how to stand out. Then, tailor your marketing efforts accordingly.

Focus on channels where your potential customers are active, whether it's online platforms, industry events, or local networking opportunities. Be targeted and purposeful. Best of luck!

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Once you know/understand your customer, get networking - general and specific groups.

Also, when you install, create a video of the process and post that on SM. Also, create advice blogs & videos, ensuring the key pinchpoints are focussed on.

Domestic security will be focussed on personal safety and protection. Commercial security will also have specific needs - retail is different to a warehouse.

 

[Socio South West]

Hi,

Not documented. We are currently using social media, known contacts and had a leaflet campaign. I would like to attend events that would allow me to introduce people to the company. Having worked for a large company with the ability to have marketing and sales departments, i'm trying to find ways to communicate with companies, contractors, councils etc but finding the right method of communicating is leaving me fustrated.

For Councils you will need to get onto an Approved Suppliers List, so the Property Services Division or similar will probably be the place to go, but there are a lot of Councils out there, and all will have slightly different pedantic requirements for you to register so prepare yourself.

Contractors and Companies will need a lot of meetings and pitching your services, so look at your personal and business presentation.

Your company website comes up fine at no 1 on Google on my desktop, but on a Google search on mobile you are well buried by an identically named home video installer based in Surrey.
You might benefit from presenting your website for review in the appropriate section on this forum.

You aren't likely to be hitting Companies. contractors and councils via social media and leaflet campaigns: If thats where you want the business to go, you have to look at changing your marketing strategy - Maybe even look at taking someone on to do the Sales and Marketing?

 

[Ian@AVElite]

Thank you everybody for your advice. I appreciate every bit of help and advice you have given. I have pulled away from social media now and since posting have been more active in meeting and communicating directly with buyers and suppliers. This has paid off greatly as we now are getting bookings. Thank you all