Where to find customers?

[Liam Driscoll]

I'm looking to start a business producing bespoke business cards, leaflets, flyers and any of print ready materials. As I am a start up I will be able to provide custom designs much cheaper than competitors but am looking for some help finding customers?

Are there any facebook pages fro start ups etc? Thanks a lot.

Liam.

 

[Ashley_Price]

Welcome to UKBF, @Liam Driscoll

The first question is going to be how are you going to differentiate yourself from Vistaprint, printing.com, moo.com and the thousands of other print firms out there?

And cheapest price is usually seen as cheapest quality when it comes to print - so don't think a cheap price is going to attract a lot of people.

You're going to need to build up a portfolio. Why not offer your services for free to a few local, small charities who will probably jump at the chance of having some designs for free.

 

[CriticalThinker]

Using platforms like Linkedin, especially if you have a good network, will help you to get noticed by the right type of people. Facebook IMHO is not the best platform to promote your business, granted it can do no harm in advertising your product but Linkedin is driven towards businesses and that's who I guess you'll want to target rather than consumers given the product you're intending to sell. Also worthwhile going to local networking events (FSB, BNI etc) to meet local businesses and do your 60 second elevator pitch in person.

Furthermore before you go out to the market with your business have you thought about a marketing strategy? What is your USP? My experience tells me that just being cheaper than competitors does not attract the right clientele as they are just looking for a price war and as soon as someone else offers a lower price off they go. Try to think of something individual to you that means you get noticed by the right customer and then being slightly cheaper, though don't undersell yourself, is always a bonus.

The above is just a quick starter for ten but lots to think about before you go out there. Good luck

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

I would say there is no one answer but lots of different methods When all done together they will promote your business well

 

[Mark T Jones]

I don’t they know anyone can give a good answer to that question without asking ‘who will your customers be?’

The more closely you can identify them the better advice you will get on reaching them

 

[iDigLocal]

I'm looking to start a business producing bespoke business cards, leaflets, flyers and any of print ready materials. As I am a start up I will be able to provide custom designs much cheaper than competitors but am looking for some help finding customers?

Are there any facebook pages fro start ups etc? Thanks a lot.

Liam.

Start Local. If you are starting out you are unlikely to have the marketing budget to compete nationally so start by meeting and greeting local businesses.

What your USP is in relation to the companies like vistaprint is that you will be local and you will be able to offer better quality, bespoke marketing materials.

I would just get out and about first of all and find out what the companies in your area are currently doing and what they are looking for.

 

[Mr D]

I'm looking to start a business producing bespoke business cards, leaflets, flyers and any of print ready materials. As I am a start up I will be able to provide custom designs much cheaper than competitors but am looking for some help finding customers?

Are there any facebook pages fro start ups etc? Thanks a lot.

Liam.

And if your competitors match your price?

Being cheap is a great way to not make a profit, putting your price up later to make money or cover costs can be a way of losing the customers you have gained to anyone else offering cheap deals.

And you will always be vulnerable to the next business starting up by offering cheap goods.

Try and be better than the competition, try and stand out from them. Price can turn around and harm your business.

 

[Dheepika Cho]

I'm looking to start a business producing bespoke business cards, leaflets, flyers and any of print ready materials. As I am a start up I will be able to provide custom designs much cheaper than competitors but am looking for some help finding customers?

Are there any facebook pages fro start ups etc? Thanks a lot.

Liam.

Formulate a strategy to execute your business effectively in a way differing from your competitors. Also, there are many established brands in the field you have chosen. Still, there are successful stories of quite a few startups who have set their own standards and created a trend by their USP. Figure out your USP and implement in your business execution. Good Luck.

 

[Noah]

Formulate a strategy to execute your business effectively in a way differing from your competitors. Also, there are many established brands in the field you have chosen. Still, there are successful stories of quite a few startups who have set their own standards and created a trend by their USP. Figure out your USP and implement in your business execution. Good Luck.

Apparently Liam liked this post. If so, he should also like suggestions such as envision multi-channel user-enabled process improvements, architect a user-centric paradigm, and implement an enhanced USP envelope.

I have no idea what they mean, but they do sound good, don't they?

 

[alan1302]

There are lots of printers who do business cards/flyers etc. What plan do you have to compete against them? Being cheap isn't a great way to get into print unless you have the volume to go with it as there is always someone that will do it cheaper as the print market is very saturated.

 

[DG web consultancy]

It would get my attention if bespoke means things like hot foil stamping, letterpress, emboss/debossing, specialty paper, die-cutting, etc.

BAMF (bad ass marketers and founders) is a facebook group I follow which can come in handy for businesses owners I find.