update on how our start up is going...need advice!

[melt71]

Hi everyone,

I haven't really posted much lately, although I'm still an avid reader of the forums

We've now started trying to sell the advertising space for our magazine (which launches in Sept) and so far, we've had an overwhelmingly positive response to our ideas. My research that the area is crying out for a quality lifestyle -type publication aimed at a younger audience, has been proved to be correct - both the businesses and the residents are keen to see the magazine

We've had a few hiccups along the way and I've been working 12 hour days for weeks now as I'm still working full time on top of my usual family commitments as I have a young daughter, so I'm starting to get very tired!

On the down side I'm starting to get very fed up of going in circles, my partner is much more positive than me but this is a double edged sword - great when he's talking to businesses about the magazine but it can be a bit frustrating for me when we are planning our marketing as he is going off on a tangent and doesn't get the fact that we have limited resourses! He actually wanted me to send letters and a pack to everyone in the building trade in our postcode area :| even though most of them don't even advertise! It didn't make any difference when I explained how much it would cost and also the time it would take me to do it. He's just not getting the fact that we are running out of time until the launch and we need to work effectively, not just send loads of random people letters! grrr

I've done a database made up of local businesses that tend to advertise either as a one off or on a regular basis. We've hit about half of them already plus a load of other central businesses in town, but I want to concentrate on doing the other half of this list before we even think about sending letters out to anyone else. He's not convinced.

So....I want to completely start afresh and get out more myself, rather than leaving it up to him. I would like to start networking with other businesses in my area but don't know where to start. Can anybody help with this? How do you find out about business networking events?

Also, which websites do you use to network with other businesses apart from UKBF? I used ecademy which was ok but now my membership is 'basic' I can't even send messages to people!

I'm really sorry to go on, I think I just needed to get that off my chest!!Any help or advice would be appreciated. I'm starting to feel like I'm going mad!


Mel

BH21 Living

 

[Greensand Ridge]

Mel,

If you are getting the positive repsonse that you say then it must be worth putting up with the pain and frustration because success must be round the corner.

I'm a new start up business and I'm just launching into the whole marketing thing.

I've considered (and probably still will do) a direct marketing campaign (letters, emails and phone). Yes, this is expensive, but i like to think that you don't need many succesful sales from it to make it pay for itself.

A cheaper way to do it is to look at the local Chamber of Commerce websites. They generally have a list of all their members for free. I've joined a couple of chambers and I've started going to network breakfasts and lunches. Each of them cost a bit but they increase your profile without any hard sell.

I've been advised against BRE and BNI the networking referral organisations. A lot of money with an enormous amount of pressure to come up with potential names.

If any of this is any help I'd start with the chamber route.

 

[melt71]

Thanks very much for your reply.

Yes it is a very positive response from our local community (although saying that none of the businesses have signed up yet!) it's just the lack of time and the lack of actual results that are getting to me. I feel like I've been working my butt off for months now and the deadline is looming heavy, I suppose I'm starting to panic! I don't think we have been anywhere near pushy enough with the sales tactics but I hate pushy people so it's difficult.

Interesting about the BRE and BNI, we have a local BNI. I will stay well clear and try the chamber. Thanks for the tip.

Mel

 

[Zii]

Hi Mel

Hope it goes well for you.

If need be, could you push the deadline to make it easier for yourselves?

Also my advice would be forget the mailers and get out there and start shaking hands and getting your face known.

 

[melt71]

Hi Zii,

Thanks very much for the words of support. Just what I needed to hear right now

I totally agree that we need to get out there. We are planning to get out this weekend and my partner will be going out again early next week, so it will happen. I just need an extra 5 or 6 hours each day!! lol

I'm going to be working on a marketing plan/to do list this afternoon as I think we just need to watch our time management instead of running around like headless chickens.

Many thanks again,

Mel

 

[Write My Site]

Interesting about the BRE and BNI, we have a local BNI. I will stay well clear and try the chamber. Thanks for the tip.

Don't write off the BNI just yet - go along for a couple of sessions and see if it works for you. I tried it out and it wasn't the right organisation for me, simply because what I do is quite specialist, but I know people who swear by it - mainly people operating in a local market whose products and services have a fairly wide appeal.