Where shall I start advertising ?

[Ekaterina]

Hi guys,

I am completely new to business, advertising etc etc and will really appreciate your advice.

I have recently started teaching Russian as foreign language to a couple of British people and would love to find more clients. I have made an A4 poster and a leaflet and would like to distribute them in my local area. However, I am aware that I can't just hang it on the lamposts...

Where would it be appropriate for me to hang my posters? All ideas I have at the moment are local supermarkets, leisure centre, post office (where I can do it for a small fee) and a library (where I am not sure it will be allowed either).

Any other ideas?

Thanks a lot!!!

 

[SusanP]

Dobro pozhalovat' Ekaterina!

I used to teach Russian (higher and adult education, plus the occasional private student) and this is my advice:

Leaflets in supermarkets, leisure centres etc won't work. The number of people who want to learn Russian is very small indeed. Your advertising is going to have to be carefully targeted.

Try your local chamber of commerce. Ask if they know of any of their members who trade with Russia and contact the member direct. I've done this and some chambers of commerce will refuse to divulge any information -- very much depends on the personality of the person who answers the phone. However, they might allow you to put an announcement in their newsletter. In my experience some chambers will consider this an advert and charge you, others will be keen to fill their pages and will write a paragraph about you for free.

Contact your local adult education service (particularly if they are not currently offering Russian) and offer to teach it. Note, though, that they will expect you to be a qualified teacher. I used to get a lot of private clients via my evening classes. You will find out from your students which local companies deal with Russia and can approach them direct.

Contact language training companies, locally and in London (eg Communicaid). Even if based in London they have clients nationwide.

Have you tried the Russian-British Chamber of Commerce (rbcc.com)? They may have ideas, or keep a list of teachers.

Libraries often keep a list of local tutors, as this is the first port of call for many people looking for tuition.

Are you on Ruslan's list (ruslan.co.uk)? They have a list of Russian teachers and give it out when someone enquires.

Join the JISCMail Russian teaching email group: jiscmail.co.uk/russian-teaching

You are based in Cheltenham and one of the biggest employers in the area -- GCHQ -- definitely needs Russian speakers. They probably don't employ native Russians as monitors or translators but may employ teachers on a freelance basis.

 

[3 MORE YEARS]

Gumtree, Craigs List and other classified might be a good idea for a service like yours.

 

[Ekaterina]

Privet, Susan!

Thank you so much for a detailed reply!

I am not a qualified teacher yet, I have just finished my degree and will be doing PGCE next year (so I am on the way to be a qualified teacher, I guess)...

I will definitely be getting in touch with everyone you recommend. Thanks again for such a useful advice! I'll try GCHQ too, although as I will be starting PGCE next year, ideally I am only looking to find 2-4 more pupils a week to keep me busy over the summer, although like you say, perhaps they will need someone to freelance for them occassionally.

Scootek, thanks, I have already starting posting on these.

 

Hi guys,

I am completely new to business, advertising etc etc and will really appreciate your advice.

I have recently started teaching Russian as foreign language to a couple of British people and would love to find more clients. I have made an A4 poster and a leaflet and would like to distribute them in my local area. However, I am aware that I can't just hang it on the lamposts...

Where would it be appropriate for me to hang my posters? All ideas I have at the moment are local supermarkets, leisure centre, post office (where I can do it for a small fee) and a library (where I am not sure it will be allowed either).

Any other ideas?

Thanks a lot!!!

Do you have a website as it would probably be fairly easy to get a high ranking for your subject in your local catchment area.

Earl

 

[Ekaterina]

I haven't got a website yet, but I'm working on it.

 

[cheapmaket001]

that is good idea

 

[sfr]

in addition think about a web site and Google Advertising PPC you can get up and running for less than a few hundred pounds

post free ads on language forums, communities and free ad sites such as gumtree

 

[MikeNew]

Hi Ekaterina

Just a thought, you could post your profile for free on Linkedin (networking site for business executives and professionals) and indicate that you are available for translation work or for execs who want to practice their Russian over the phone.

Mike

 

[Ekaterina]

Mike, that's a good idea! I'll try Linkedin!
Thanks a lot for your advice!

 

[MJ Britton]

Have you thought about setting up a website and advertising online using Google Adwords? You could limit your adverts to the local area, too. There are certainly people searching for Russian language teachers...

 

[Ekaterina]

Mark, creating a website-is a top priority at the moment. This far, I've also posted on a couple of local forums and had a positive feedback from potential clients (whoo hoo!).

Nize, I am sorry, but my business is all about REAL tutoring, doing it online is not something I wish to pursue at the moment. Good luck with your business though!

 

[WJP]

Have you considered running a course in your locality? Community centres may be an ideal venue, if you can find/create the interest. If not, perhaps a course tieing in the language and the culture (for those of us who aren't natural linguists!)? Most libraries have a community noticeboard, you just need to consider how to angle your advertising so it is appropriate for inclusion..

 

[bobsmithpremierlocksmiths]

Could try the local Library, ask in newsagents.

 

[Ekaterina]

Do you guys think it's appropriate for me to advertise in a local Echo or something? I am not sure, perhaps, I should first try something that doesn't involve any costs from me.

 

[WJP]

Do other tutors in your area do so? That can be an indication of whether it is worthwhile. There's no need just to use one method, combining those which don't cost you money with those that do (i.e a range of both) can be effective.

 

[Ekaterina]

Thanks, Will.

 

[WJP]

Don't expect huge results from an ad like that, be realistic. Don't use that as your only form of marketing. And remember what's said about needing to repeat it regularly, either throughout a publication or throughout issues (or both!).

 

[tinyorganisations]

I have very cheap advertising on offer on my website. I offer advertising at £1 for a link in a page on the site or £100 for a picture of your choice linked to your website on the homepage.

 

[WJP]

What is your website? I wouldn't say I'm interested, but others may be if you supply more information on hits etc.

 

[tinyorganisations]

for some reason I can't post the link on here but it is my screen name and then .co.uk.
Well the site hasn't been up long at all, only a few days and I've had hits from Ireland, Poland, Australia, America, United Kingdom, China, etc
they're on 500 and steadily increasing

 

[tinyorganisations]

I also have just managed to establish links with other websites who are driving more traffic to the site.

 

[WJP]

Inspired by the Million Dollar Homepage by any chance?

 

[tinyorganisations]

Funnily enough, no. The original website started out as solely donations orientated with no business interactivity at all. Soon after I realised that I was cutting out a massive section of the market so I took that site down and then created the one that's up now. Obviously I want to make some money out of the website, but I also want to provide a place where small businesses are able to get publicity for a small amount of money. All round the area I live I've watched businesses come and go and the main reason for their failing is that they haven't been able to afford marketing so nobody is sure of what they're doing or where they are.
You can be pessemistic and sarcastic if you like, but the site is there and if people want to reach a wide audience with their marketing for a small amount of money then I'm here to help.

 

[WJP]

I wasn't being pessimistic or sarcastic at all. I simply meant it's a similar concept in terms of the idea of generating a million pounds (/dollars) by getting one million people to donate one pound (/dollar) each. The similarity isn't necessarily a bad thing, but can't be denied. I'll be interested to see how you get on.

 

[Billmccallum]

I haven't got a website yet, but I'm working on it.

http://www.gbbo.co.uk/

The Getting British Business Online campaign
they give you a free website

• A free .co.uk address
• Free updating and customisation
• Access to new customers
• Website visitor monitoring
• Website-enhancing Gadgets

 

[Billmccallum]

I have very cheap advertising on offer on my website. I offer advertising at £1 for a link in a page on the site or £100 for a picture of your choice linked to your website on the homepage.

Let me get this straight.. you want to charge £100 for an advert on your site, which only purpose is for people to give you money!!! Your traffic stands at 500 ? How on earth is that value for money?

I support young people being enterprising, but this is almost as bad as stealing, and having the gall to say in another post "I'm here to help" ...utter crap, you're here to find anyone who is gullible and you should be ashamed of yourself.

 

[WJP]

The novelty value might make individuals inclined to donate you a pound perhaps, but there isn't really even novelty value because the Million Dollar Homepage has done it already...

 

[InternetWebTraffic]

For locally based business, use yell.com, get a sponsored premium listing in position 1 or 2, will get the best results, all other local advertising I've ever tried has been a waste of money. Robin

 

[customfolders]

Tell me about some free campaigns for marketing my product.

 

[generation4business]

Have you approached Colleges and Uni's, maybe a board on their walls for similar services?

 

[Bibika]

Hi there,
Congrats on entering a new business. You can try advertising online as well. Try the local search engine and see what comes up on the main keywords you believe your clients would use to find you. Then see what your competitors are on those keywords and see where they actually advertise on.

To find the places they use for online promotion, just install Alexa toolbar on your Mozila and click on the alexa ranking. Alexa will present all identified backlinks of your online competitor.
If this sounds confusing, just contact me for more details. I'll be glad to help.
Bibika

 

[alexduduta]

Hi guys,

I am completely new to business, advertising etc etc and will really appreciate your advice.

I have recently started teaching Russian as foreign language to a couple of British people and would love to find more clients. I have made an A4 poster and a leaflet and would like to distribute them in my local area. However, I am aware that I can't just hang it on the lamposts...

Where would it be appropriate for me to hang my posters? All ideas I have at the moment are local supermarkets, leisure centre, post office (where I can do it for a small fee) and a library (where I am not sure it will be allowed either).

Any other ideas?

Thanks a lot!!!

Some university bbs will be a good choice at first!

 

[OakleyUK]

I find using SMS mobile messaging as a great way to interact and get your name out there, especially with QR codes and text to keywords, plus its very cost effective as you can use it to advertise promotions and keep your current customers up to date.

There are a number of good services, your best bet is to go with a UK company such as SourceSMS.com, for which i have a few PROMO codes for (PM me if you would like one).

Another way is through social media, creating a twitter page and getting followers seems to be a very effective way to spread your name across the internet, along with other social media sites.

 

[marioncritard]

Hi guys,

I am completely new to business, advertising etc etc and will really appreciate your advice.

I have recently started teaching Russian as foreign language to a couple of British people and would love to find more clients. I have made an A4 poster and a leaflet and would like to distribute them in my local area. However, I am aware that I can't just hang it on the lamposts...

Where would it be appropriate for me to hang my posters? All ideas I have at the moment are local supermarkets, leisure centre, post office (where I can do it for a small fee) and a library (where I am not sure it will be allowed either).

Any other ideas?

Thanks a lot!!!

It's called Segment, Target, Position. The Guerrilla MBA has video lessons online.

 

[Babar]

Hi Ekaterina,
You should consider social media like facebook to target the local audience. Also advertise in local colleges & universities.

 

[david.duncan]

Create a company on linkedin, Twitter (update multiple times daily) and PPC; supplemented with organic SEO