- Original Poster
- #1
I apologise in advance for the long post but want to acquire some feedback outside of my network.
I have run an online business in the travel arena for 15 years. It's done pretty well keeping myself, my wife and brother employed for this time. Over the last 2 years things have become gradually more difficult with more competitors entering the marketplace and some of these are household names with huge marketing budgets. We had leads coming from CPC and Facebook groups but they have pushed the cost up of Google and they are now paying the admin on the key 3/4 Facebook groups to have sole access. This has caused us a real problem as we just don't have the budget. Although we are in a niche, our products are identical from whomever you purchase so price wins. Last last 2 months should have been our busiest time of year but it's been our worst.months trading.
Fortunately, I've always feared this and have had plans to use skills acquired through the last 15 years to spawn new businesses. But the problems vero the last 2 years have led to alot of self doubt and I've contemplated getting a job. But I really don't think I would stick at a job as it wouldn't have the same drive and ambition as me - my family say that is the easy way out and I've never don't things easily.
I've developed a marketing programme specifically for personal trainers using the experience I have as well as a website booking system which PTs use on a monthly subscription. Whilst there are competitors, I see this as market validation but self doubt comes in again. I am an avid gym goer and talk to the trainers regularly and know it's something smaller PTs could use help with.
Is it worth pushing on through this or is it time to get a job? I've also developed a workout platform which allows PT to post video trialing via a portal for rental by the public - problem with this is lack of cash is putting a stop to this.
I could go on.....I've also worked on a location aware marketing business using smartphone technology...
I have run an online business in the travel arena for 15 years. It's done pretty well keeping myself, my wife and brother employed for this time. Over the last 2 years things have become gradually more difficult with more competitors entering the marketplace and some of these are household names with huge marketing budgets. We had leads coming from CPC and Facebook groups but they have pushed the cost up of Google and they are now paying the admin on the key 3/4 Facebook groups to have sole access. This has caused us a real problem as we just don't have the budget. Although we are in a niche, our products are identical from whomever you purchase so price wins. Last last 2 months should have been our busiest time of year but it's been our worst.months trading.
Fortunately, I've always feared this and have had plans to use skills acquired through the last 15 years to spawn new businesses. But the problems vero the last 2 years have led to alot of self doubt and I've contemplated getting a job. But I really don't think I would stick at a job as it wouldn't have the same drive and ambition as me - my family say that is the easy way out and I've never don't things easily.
I've developed a marketing programme specifically for personal trainers using the experience I have as well as a website booking system which PTs use on a monthly subscription. Whilst there are competitors, I see this as market validation but self doubt comes in again. I am an avid gym goer and talk to the trainers regularly and know it's something smaller PTs could use help with.
Is it worth pushing on through this or is it time to get a job? I've also developed a workout platform which allows PT to post video trialing via a portal for rental by the public - problem with this is lack of cash is putting a stop to this.
I could go on.....I've also worked on a location aware marketing business using smartphone technology...
