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For this business, where would you start?

by Volux
5 replies
Hey everyone.

Currently in the process of setting up a business with a partner.

This business is not strictly offline, but we wish to begin with it offline in order to guarantee sales.

We are going to have a website creation/hosting company similar to Webs.com, in which they can create their own sites and they just pay us to be hosted.

A lot of our sales will come from online business, but we wish to start with our local community and the ones around us.

We are planning on cold calling businesses and letting them know about our service and asking if they would be interested. If so, we add them to our list and call them when our service has launched.

Flyers will also be around the town at banks and some businesses I am in contact with.

I'm curious to know where you would start with this and how you would pursue it from our angle.

Thank you for any help!
#business #start
  • Profile picture of the author mrmatt
    Join your local chamber and take advantage of every networking opportunity they offer
    Press Coverage - Local TV, Radio, Newpapers
    Public Speaking - There are lots of business groups that need speakers.
    JV - Set up an affiliate program and find businesses that have lists of other local businesses that would promote you to their list in exchang for a commission, or heck maybe they would do it for free.
    Free Seminars - How To Build Your Own Website and Save Thousands
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    • Profile picture of the author Volux
      Originally Posted by mrmatt View Post

      Join your local chamber and take advantage of every networking opportunity they offer
      Press Coverage - Local TV, Radio, Newpapers
      Public Speaking - There are lots of business groups that need speakers.
      JV - Set up an affiliate program and find businesses that have lists of other local businesses that would promote you to their list in exchang for a commission, or heck maybe they would do it for free.
      Free Seminars - How To Build Your Own Website and Save Thousands
      Our local chamber's website is where we plan on finding most of the phone numbers to businesses; we will be sure to see the opportunities they have.

      As for advertising, we plan to invest nothing into advertising locally and let our advertising money go into our Internet advertising.

      I do like your JV idea and your seminar idea. If we were able to set up a seminar and have a presentation along with examples of what we could provide, that would bring a lot of attention.

      Thanks for your input!
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      • Profile picture of the author Sys4
        Originally Posted by Volux View Post

        Our local chamber's website is where we plan on finding most of the phone numbers to businesses; we will be sure to see the opportunities they have.

        As for advertising, we plan to invest nothing into advertising locally and let our advertising money go into our Internet advertising.

        I do like your JV idea and your seminar idea. If we were able to set up a seminar and have a presentation along with examples of what we could provide, that would bring a lot of attention.

        Thanks for your input!
        mrmatt's ideas are golden. In addition to joining your local chamber, your membership should qualify you to join additional chambers at a substantial savings with an ancillary membership.

        Besides chambers, there are many other industry specific organizations that are packed with members needing your services. One such organization would be your local board of realtors. Most of these industry specific orgs have vendor type memberships that let you in with a lower membership fee free from ongoing monthly costs i.e. you wouldn't be paying fees for lock boxes that you'll never use as a non realtor.

        As mentioned by mrmatt, these orgs offer great networking ops. They're always looking for speakers willing to share specialized knowledge that'll strengthen their member businesses.

        Many of these orgs are open to swapping checks* for membership.

        Good luck!

        *swapping checks: service is traded for membership... but checks are swapped for accounting and tax purposes. The non profit orgs receive double benefit from these types of arrangements.
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  • Profile picture of the author mrmatt
    Glad to be of help.

    When I mentioned radio, tv and newspapers I was not recommending you spend money with them. But that you try and get free press coverage from them.

    As far as the radio there is one thing you might want to spend some money on if it is available in your area. In my area both of the local AM talk shows have a deal where you can get interviewed live on the radio about your business from anywhere between 5 and 15 minutes. You pay for the air time but is more of an infomercial vs. an actual radio ad.

    The great thing abou these is that you are being interviewed live. Have them record an MP3 of the show. Use that MP3 on your site and other marketing pieces. Social proof from a "trusted" (radio) source.
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    • Profile picture of the author Volux
      Originally Posted by mrmatt View Post

      Glad to be of help.

      When I mentioned radio, tv and newspapers I was not recommending you spend money with them. But that you try and get free press coverage from them.

      As far as the radio there is one thing you might want to spend some money on if it is available in your area. In my area both of the local AM talk shows have a deal where you can get interviewed live on the radio about your business from anywhere between 5 and 15 minutes. You pay for the air time but is more of an infomercial vs. an actual radio ad.

      The great thing abou these is that you are being interviewed live. Have them record an MP3 of the show. Use that MP3 on your site and other marketing pieces. Social proof from a "trusted" (radio) source.
      Luckily my community does have a local radio station that does this every morning I believe.

      I will see if I can get in touch with them about something like this. Thanks again!
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