Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

In one of the Startup`s 10 steps it states that the hardest part is finding the people...those that help you grow your business.  So where are the people? We have them all around us, yet what is a great way to approach them? Do you (in my line of business) say hi, want to incorporate? I mean what do you really say to strangers that come across you daily, whether its the supermarket, or your childs school etc. I understand the power of advertising. But what if that one person standing in front of you or behind you in the line at the supermarket has been thinking of doing what you are living your life to do?  What am I doing or shall I say not doing? to be honest with all of you, I`m not exactly that very professional looking person, for goodness sake people think I`m 18 and technically that was 12 years ago. So I dont exactly get that respect from others as I would want.  Anyone out there that can help me find these people would be really great.

Hello Bianca,

I know exactly where your coming from. When I first started I was all for
advertising everywhere but its very expensive and most of the time it
does not pay off. What I did was went through the yellow pages of phone
books from all over my area and looked up fax numbers and faxed flyers
to everyone. In about 3 days I had a ton of calls and went to work. After
that word of mouth spread and spread and spread and I have been doing
great ever since. I have not advertised anywhere in over 5 years. Another
thing I do all the time is I listen to evryones conversation wherever I am at
I have gotten a few leads this way too, as soon as I here the key word
signs I approach whoever it is and give them my card. This may or
maynot help you out.

-------------------------

John Stefanik
Stefanik Signs
www.stefaniksigns.com
570-636-2499

Word of mouth is your best bet. Be specific with your outreach. In researching for your business plan, you do a market analysis. This gives you an idea of who your competitors are as well as the customer base that you are trying to reach. This gives you the specifics that you need to do effective marketing. By anylizing your competitors you get a grasp of what they are doing that works- this you do. You also see where they are dropping the ball- this you change which will make you better than they are.  By knowing who your customer base is, this will give you direction on specific marketing. Anyone can put an ad in the newspaper, but if your business happens to be geared toward teens, then not too many of your clients are going to see your ad because not too many teens look at the classifieds unless they are looking for a job. ALso think outside of the box. Once you create a name for yourself and direct your marketing specifically to your target markets, word of mouth will kick in and from there marketing becomes easier. "If you market (specifically) they will come."

Bianca,

I know you don`t need a flippant response right now...you really want answers but I can`t get rid of this stupid image of a little white sign poked into the ground or stapled to a utility pole at a busy intersection that shouts..

Incorporate Now!...Ask me How!

www.xpresscorps.com

Seriously people say word of mouth but that is for people that have people to give word of mouth and if you are willing to wait that long, that`s fine. Others need to advertise. Even with a small budget you can get some kind of response. I`m not qualified to tell you exactly what would work best for you but I know there is a way. I`m sure you`ll find the answer you`re really looking for and not some smart%$^ comment such as the one above........although there`s really no saying that such tactics don`t work whatsoever......is there?

 

 

-------------------------

~Eric
JE Design Group, LLC
If all you do is what you`ve done, then all you`ll get is what you`ve got.
www.jedesigngroup.com

Thanks everyone.  I got great pieces of advice from everyone. 

• To Stefaniksigns, your about the fourth person who told me to do a faxing list. I think I`m gonna work on that. 
• To Engravers, word of mouth from clients I`ve had so far I think will continue to bring me their own business and hopefully they too can advertise for me
• To Eric, I really don`t want to wait around forever on word of mouth, but your sign looks perfect. Great idea

I think if I have culminate all three ideas I`ll really get somewhere.  Maybe soon I will be able to find all the people.