Any ideas for a first run of advertising?

[solitonradar]

Hello everyone, so I am all done with all the legal work, papers, and planning for my business. Now, I am just contemplating on how I will begin to advertise. I don't have a big budget...at all. I've advertised on Craigslist before, but I absolutely hate it. I was thinking of creating a lead list of all the businesses around, and possibly visit them, and ask for a meeting.

Any ideas?

 

[Mr.Mike]

My initial reaction would be why ask all the sharks to circle you before you get on board?

Still, there is a saying: One should keep their friends close, and their enemy closer.

If you have a somewhat unique approach and market angle, you'll stand out from the rest of the players. This may be one of those times where you get your feet wet first and then make changes that achieve your marketing goals.

My 2c

EDIT: Well. I guess I totally misunderstood your statement Solitonradar "I was thinking of creating a lead list of all the businesses around, and possibly visit them, and ask for a meeting." I thought you wanted to meet with other COMPUTER business people. Guess I had a brain f@rt. 'scuse me.

 

[livpie]

If you have a BNI in your area, I would look to get involved with it. They most likely would already have a computer guy, but I think your best investment is with your time and building relationships. The quality of work you receive from referrals is far greater than any advertising will get you especially if you are just starting out.

 

[callthatgirl]

I recommend cozying up and read this forum back about 10 pages. Get a notepad and write down every idea that seems like one you can afford and enjoy doing. This forum is absolutely plumb full of ideas that you can do on a shoe string budget. Might be fun too for you to read what has worked, what hasn't. Even my post right below this one has 4 good ideas.

Good luck and keep us posted on what you do!

 

[PC-MOT]

^^^^^ What ctg said,
have a look around here before you decide what suits, everyone is different in respect of how they advertise, some do local leaflet drops, some take out radio adverts and some just go word of mouth...all are different, but all have merits.

 

[16k_zx81]

I recommend cozying up and read this forum back about 10 pages. Get a notepad and write down every idea that seems like one you can afford and enjoy doing. This forum is absolutely plumb full of ideas that you can do on a shoe string budget. Might be fun too for you to read what has worked, what hasn't. Even my post right below this one has 4 good ideas.

Good luck and keep us posted on what you do!

THIS!!^^^

Best advice anyone could offer you....

..

 

[Captain Spaulding]

Hello everyone, so I am all done with all the legal work, papers, and planning for my business. Now, I am just contemplating on how I will begin to advertise. I don't have a big budget...at all. I've advertised on Craigslist before, but I absolutely hate it. I was thinking of creating a lead list of all the businesses around, and possibly visit them, and ask for a meeting.

Any ideas?

Adwords has been working for me, I got a free £50 voucher to start with if you look they are pretty easy to find. It took a LOT of fine tuning to get the results I wanted, you can quickly use the £50 up if your settings are wrong to begin with.

 

[nesrinamb]

I like your idea of going to meet business owners, just dont sound to much lik a sales guy when you are talking to them.

When I get a business client I usually give a free look around of their network and try and see what needs to be done and what would be a good thing to have that would make them productive.

 

[atombytes]

Best marketing is "ear to ear", in start if you keep up good quality of service and low prices your business is going to grow quick.

 

[onetech4all]

Re:

I would start with a free estimate or evaluation just to get my foot in the door and make a list as I do the walk-through of the things I saw "wrong", this can be around the computers, in the server room,etc. In any network, that's homegrown by the "locals", or an inexperienced tech, you will see something that needs attention. You can even make money, if they will let you, out of cable management around their computers or just dusting off desktops and laptops, to prolong their life.
Since they don't have someone, all you need is just to let them know that you are there for them; leave business cards, fliers, send monthly emails with deals (like 10/20% off your next call blabla). I leave a business card with everyone in the office or with the go to person for IT support, and this is someone that just replaced the toner in the printers but knows little about computers.
If you are shy, do it anyway, you will get over it in some time and with enough screw ups, you will learn from your mistakes and do it better in the future.
Good luck!