Suggestions for promoting a business

I recently set up in business.

I have a number of difficulties;

1. I have had to work on a very limited budget to get the business started (and still have to work on a limited budget).

2. I work in a very competitive field - I offer facilitation, coaching and training.

3. I work from home and do not anticipate that this arrangement will change substantially and, therefore, as a business Upturn Consultancy does not have a physical presence such as an office.

Could anyone give me advice as to how I can best promote my business on a (very) limited budget, given the above?

Thank you in advance.

 

[LankyMac]

You will need to do research to decide whether it is best to market online, offline or both. You should be able to get research details from your local Business Link just by phoning them.

Online, there are lots of options including blogs basic websites and other things.

Offline you would have to seek people out, telesales, mail campaigns, etc

Also one of the best ways when starting up is get involved in as many local networking events as possible as they are generally free, are a good laugh and sometimes you come away with some great contacts and business.

Hope This Helps

 

[Fedora]

Hi there,

Firstly, congratulations on starting your own business.

Word of mouth is fantastic and can work brilliantly. Use contacts from your previous employments; employees, suppliers etc. This is all free, apart from a letter/phonecall.

Make a point of telling everyone you meet that you run your own business and tell them what you do. . . . . Have a business card ready.

Ask family and friends to do the same.

Personal recommendation is a powerful tool and absolutely gratis.

Warmest Regards,

 

[orangepant]

blogs are the way forward. also, doing unothodox things and trying to get your stories on stes such as technorati and digg; that can generate alot of publicity!!

 

[CarolineICE]

Hi Dawn,

I know where you are coming from as our business is also in the competitive consultancy field.

We started with minimal cash, working from home etc. We did some backscratching work for a marketing agency in return for our logo, business cards and fab website (due to go live tomorrow!). The only other expense was our cars.

To reiterate points already well made, networking is how we have got all our business so far. We go to as many events as we can. We ask clients for at least 3 referrals and follow them up immediately. We have also got involved with Young Enterprise which has brought us loads of leads and contacts. Just get out there and sell yourself! We speak at as many chamber/business events as we can, they are great for creating interest in your services.

So far we haven't advertised and we have no marketing materials bar the soon to be launched website and our business cards. We also forge alliances with recruitment companies to cross refer business.

All good so far, we are very busy!

Good luck with it all, you will love it once you are going! Have faith in what you are doing and keep at it.

Regards,

Caroline

 

[Mark Nagurski]

We also forge alliances with ... companies to cross refer business.

I'm a big fan of this idea - it's a mainstay of our marketing and accounts for nearly 1/2 of our client list. The other half comes from networking, an active 'forum life' and client referrals.

Make sure not to overlook some of the more obvious methods though - if in doubt, lift the phone, send some letters or call in in person - these cost nothing (or next to nothing) but your time.

Don't get too caught up in finding the perfect marketing methods - sometimes the best idea is to just get out and start selling.

 

Thank you for the business advice, which I greatly welcome.

I have probably spent too long thinking about ways in which I could do things, rather than actually doing them. However, a website has been developed and the business cards produced. I did write a short article about my career and Upturn Consultancy and this was published about three weeks ago and aimed at some of my target audience. I am also looking at other ways of marketing (online and offline) and have some ideas.

I will also have to put my best foot forward and get out there and start networking...

Thanks again for the advice and support.

Dawn

 

[Calypso]

Dawn

I'm in a similar spot.

Keep telling everyone..don't be shy about it. Talk to family, friends, old work contacts, your postman, the milkman and as one of the previous posts, get some low cost business cards and give them out.

Why not try putting a note in your local supermarket notice board, your hairdresser, anything like that; it all helps.

The one thing I have found is that the more you discuss it the more you are surprised by interested people......I think they call it networking(!)

good luck

Dean

 

[Lorna]

Hi Dawn

Congratulations with your business venture.

I am in a similar situation, and my business is in the property sector, which is also extremely competitive.

Our business is web-based, and the internet obviously offers many opportunities for promotion, if you can think of creative ways to do it. I think that in the 'Internet Marketing' forum there are lots of posts about optimising and promoting your site. Blogs, forums and newsletters work well and should't cost a lot to set up.

Also are there any magazines you could approach? Quite often, if you say you are interested in advertising with them, if you ask they will allow you some editorial space, and perhaps some sponsorship of a questions page. They always want fresh content - you just need to be pushy about the rates.

hope this helps.

 

[simonr]

I started the very same way (by now about 60% of our work comes from referrals, which is nice) and like you I do training and stuff.

I can't stress networking enough - online and offline: if you're shy about it, then go for online. Forums like this will help a great deal to get your name known, as will doing freebie sessions for (key) members of local organisations. Careful here! The trick is to find those people who are *really* key, otherwise you've given away a day of your time (or whatever) and you've not got anything out of it.

We train people in how to make better presentations and how to use their voices correctly, which is a great 'party piece' at networking meetings - it's very visual and a lot of fun. If what you do is equally entertaining I'd suggest you spend half a day finding your local business clubs and join as many of 'em as you can handle... and then get along there!

S

 

[amber@pwp]

It sounds like we all start off in the same way, I am currently doing the same although in a different field but all new businesses need to promote themselves. This is something I am learning mainly through trial and error and again I am on a very tight budget.
I think this has been mentioned a few times but collabarating with other businesses in a mutually agreeable sitiuation is a great way I have found, especially when they are already well established. For example I am working with a local tack shop, we are linking websites and I am promting their products on my ponies whilst they are promoting my web address and passing on word of my business to any of their clients who may be interested.
Having business cards at the ready is also great, you never know who you are going to bump into, mine go everywhere, especially to the pub!

best of luck!

 

[CARO_79]

I started the very same way (by now about 60% of our work comes from referrals, which is nice) and like you I do and stuff.

I can't stress networking enough - online and offline: if you're shy about it, then go for online. Forums like this will help a great deal to get your name known, as will doing freebie sessions for (key) members of local organisations. Careful here! The trick is to find those people who are *really* key, otherwise you've given away a day of your time (or whatever) and you've not got anything out of it.

We train people in how to make better presentations and how to use their voices correctly, which is a great 'party piece' at networking meetings - it's very visual and a lot of fun. If what you do is equally entertaining I'd suggest you spend half a day finding your local business clubs and join as many of 'em as you can handle... and then get along there!

S

I agree with Simonr, forums and communities on internet offers You a good way of have some publicity and some advises too.
I am starting too and It's not easy, first You need to have clear what are You gonna offer and that special thing that your company should have to make costumers go to You instead of the competition.
Whatever You choose online-offline You should be comfortable with the decision.
The word spread is good,talk to the clients, listen what they want and how can You improve Your business from their point of view. Send E-mails with a good presentation of your company.
Whatever You do first organize and put together a business plan, if that is clear and your offer is sweet You will have clients and with a nice costumer service they will talk about You that is free publicity!!!!!

 

All this advice has been great and it's good to read about your experiences. I do enjoy a challenge and this is how I see it. It has been a real learning experience just planning and setting up the business and I think the toughest part is ahead but I'm ready to face it head on.

Good luck, or continued success, with your ventures.

 

[RayB]

When funds allow I'd check out your local BNI networking group - this can be a good investment in your field - less so in other fields.

As others have said - networking is the the key!

 

Thanks RayB. I Google searched them and there's one in the area and when funds allow I'll probably join.

If anyone knows of any other good networking opportunities in or around the Belfast area could they let me know?

 

[linkappliances]

Hi,

I also have the same opinion as Dean. When I worked as a car salesman, I told nearly everyboday I knew that I am a salesman and I can give them professional suggestions if they would buy car. Now The result is not important, maybe someday they remember I could help them in buying a car. Also do not forget to send them a business card, which is easy but useful.

David
Link Appliances Co., Limited

Dawn

I'm in a similar spot.

Keep telling everyone..don't be shy about it. Talk to family, friends, old work contacts, your postman, the milkman and as one of the previous posts, get some low cost business cards and give them out.

Why not try putting a note in your local supermarket notice board, your hairdresser, anything like that; it all helps.

The one thing I have found is that the more you discuss it the more you are surprised by interested people......I think they call it networking(!)

good luck

Dean