Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I have recently setup a technology services provider from my home and now i need to get customers.  I'm not looking for answer but some direction.

There are a number of networking groups in my area (Little Egg Harbor, NJ) but hey cost money to join.  Even if i joined i don't have any customers to referr.  So my question is why would they want me to join?

I feel like i'm on the border of being self employeed and working for someone else but i'm not sure how to go from here and be self employeed.

Does anyone have any suggestion ow i can go from here?

Thank you in advance.

Jeff Wilcox

http://www.geeks4hire.com

Jeff,

Who exactly is your ideal customer? a home computer user? a small business? the self-employed? a medium size firm? Once you have a clear idea of your ideal customer, you can determine where they are. And when you know where they are, you can market to them.

For example, if your customer is small businesses, try the local chamber of commerce for networking. Contact other businesses that serve the same customer (accountants that keep the books for small businesses, for example) and offer them both your services as well as referral discounts (if their referral buys from you, they get some % off your services, as much as free). You could use this same strategy as your "something to offer" to the networking group.

Another great way to market your business is to use public relations. We have an article, "Using Public Relations to Market Your Business Startup" that will give you some help in this area. Some great story leads would be that you opened your business, you solved a particularly thorny problem for a client, or you are donating your services to a nonprofit.

Best regards,

Molly Donaldson

Can you elaborate more on your service offering?

network!  BNI is a great place to connect with locals.  also network on local forums!

Molly is right.  The first step is determining who your target customers are as your marketing plan will depend on the demographics of your target market.

--------

Kate

Medifast Coupons

Nutrisystem Coupons

Hi Jeff,

If you are looking for a good site to network on and get ideas for your small business, I suggest taking a gander at http://smallbiztrends.com/ .

They have a really good collection of blogs, research, and tips for small business owners.

Cheers,

Ryan