Initial business launch

[JamesB]

Hi,

As many of you will have already done this I am going to ask you to share your knowledge with me . How did you go about launching your business? Some of the things I've thought I could do are...
- try to get a local press release
- take out a local paper advert.
- contact my past employers.
- ask friends to talk about my new business at work.

Have you used anything else to get your business going? I look forward to your ideas.

James

[belimited]

- try to get a local press release

• This can be quite difficult if you are just starting out, but there are lots of books on the market which will give you pointers and advice on how to approach editors, journalists etc. I wrote something about this a while back on the forum.

- take out a local paper advert.

• If it's secure data storage business, is there many business' or individuals in your local area to get a return? The money would probably be better invested in a yellow pages or thompson directory listing.

- contact my past employers

• Did you work in this industry before (be careful you don't tread on other people's toes, you never know who you'll meet on the way up), or is it just on the off chance that one of them might need your services?

- ask friends to talk about my new business at work

• Again, do they work in jobs or for companies who may require your services? If not, they can talk about your business all they want, but it won't necessarily get you more work/clients.


I presume this is for your data storage business. I think initially you should try to get some respected or reputable companies on board as clients (be it small local companies or even regional offices/branches of big companies) to help give you some credibility - this will probably involve a lot of cold calling (phone or email - being careful not to pester anyone) or getting suited up, then knocking on doors of any potential clients.

There are quite a few of the forum users who are clued up on SEO, web advertising etc. and they'll probably chip in at some point if you ask nicely - and their ideas will probably be more useful to you than local press adverts.

I'll have a think about it and post any more ideas I have.

[JamesB]

Thanks again belimited.

[belimited]

No problem, glad I can be of help.

[Will]

Originally Posted by JamesB

Hi,

As many of you will have already done this I am going to ask you to share your knowledge with me . How did you go about launching your business? Some of the things I've thought I could do are...
- try to get a local press release
- take out a local paper advert.
- contact my past employers.
- ask friends to talk about my new business at work.

Have you used anything else to get your business going? I look forward to your ideas.

James

Obviously you'd have to post launch details into this forum.

[stratigen]

Hi,

You could use SMS as a component of your 'offline marketing', as per this post:

http://www.newbusinessportal.co.uk/s...ing-tools.html

As this thread suggests, I'd be glad to offer a no-strings, no-cost trial... (in return for some feedback, observations, comments, etc).

Regards

Steve Jones.
SMS to 2 email marketing sales text messaging messages premium

[dcypher.co.uk]

I found a press release in a local newspaper the idea solution. It would have cost me loads to get an advert the size of the article i had in the paper.

So just work out what you have to offer that unique and get in touch with your local papers.

[belimited]

I found a press release in a local newspaper the idea solution. It would have cost me loads to get an advert the size of the article i had in the paper.

Congratulations, what was your USP and do you have a copy of the article?