New Business

[wonder welder]

Hi People,

I just started my own business after 25 years in the trade and was just looking for some advice on advertising my business.

Here is my website *Link removed - no advertising on here please!*

Currently ( no punn ) I am on google adwords, bing, gumtree, scoot etc.

I'm getting very little response from a whole lot of advertising.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.
cheers

Andy

 

[F.J.]

Hi and welcome,

I have spent time and money on advertising but havnt really had much work from it in return! I have a few customers for which I get repeat business so I look for other companies in the same line as them and either ring them or turn up with a few cards or flyers. I also got some free business advice off a government funded project (now gone due to cuts) and got some work through that. Another thing I have done is drop cards in at steel stockists, garages, and general cold calling helps.

Hope it works out, as I have loved the last 18 months working for myself

Cheers
Dean

 

[andy m]

There is a huge recession on and judging by todays news re the state we are in it will be with us for a long time. I find people are reluctant to spend and things are getting tighter, I work in construction but it seems similar across the board. I wish anyone luck in the present climate. I found advertising worked a couple of years ago, not any more but you need to push your name if you are new and it is a gamble. Good luck.

 

[London Wrought Iron]

Hi Wonder Welder,
I am also starting out and in the same situation as you.
Recession's are always a good time to start out because the big companes always fold or retire in recessions and the new ones get going. (kinda like the leaves on the tree's from autumn to spring if you want to put it that way).
It is gonna be hard, but keep it going and when things pick up it will be worth it. But keeping costs down I think is a must.
As with advertising, to be honest I think flyers are a waste.
Randomly talking to people in pubs always gets me work.
Having a chat during a big game on the tv will always end up in "what do you do for a living".
So always stock up on business cards before going for a pint.