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Input needed for business idea.

by Joe85
15 replies
Hello everyone, Looking for some thoughts and opinions on this.
I am looking into starting a small business that services local businesses.
We would be approaching small businesses and offering the service of listing them on google, yahoo and bing local. We would even setup twitter, facebook, myspace, and possibly even register them with sites/directories that pertain to their business. We are thinking we can charge a flat setup fee to get started and then if able get the business on a monthly maintenance fee and update those platforms for them on a regular basis. Any thoughts on this? Criticism welcome.

As far as the idea itself, we know anyone can list themselves and such but many people don't. People can clean their own homes and change their own oil but still pay others to do it.
#business #idea #input #needed
  • Profile picture of the author cbest
    I would add that you would be applying keywords (SEO) to their accounts and explain the difference between 'just' having an account on all these sites and optimising them if that is part of the service.
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  • Profile picture of the author superrooster
    You should take a look around the forum. Your idea is already being done by a TON of people and the information available here is unending and mostly pretty awesome.

    ..... not sure what else to say. One thing I would not do is get into this type of business unless you know a good amount about it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Matt Lee
      Originally Posted by superrooster View Post

      You should take a look around the forum. Your idea is already being done by a TON of people and the information available here is unending and mostly pretty awesome.

      ..... not sure what else to say. One thing I would not do is get into this type of business unless you know a good amount about it.
      Yeah, I'd have to second that. There's ton's of great information here, you just have to dig in. Participate in the community & make some friends here on the forum. This forum will be one of the best resources you online.
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      • Profile picture of the author rotten72
        Originally Posted by Mr Marketer View Post

        Yeah, I'd have to second that. There's ton's of great information here, you just have to dig in. Participate in the community & make some friends here on the forum. This forum will be one of the best resources you online.
        I concur.

        You're making me feel OLD Mr Marketer I actually remember the Max Headroom show!
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        • Profile picture of the author IdeaFool
          Originally Posted by rotten72 View Post

          I concur.

          You're making me feel OLD Mr Marketer I actually remember the Max Headroom show!
          See there! You HAD to say it, didn't you? I not only remember Max Headroom but was a FAN! I'm so old. LOL
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  • Profile picture of the author CoachMikeH
    You also want to use LinkedIn when marketing to local businesses. There is a greater chance for B2B connections from LinkedIn. Most of your businesses will want to partner with other businesses and that is not as likely on Facebook or the others. LinkedIn is where the professionals with money are networking. You want to put them right in the middle of them so that they can be found by their peers in business.
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  • Profile picture of the author CoachMikeH
    Make sure that you offer video marketing to your clients. Use TubeMogul and get it out to all of the video sites including YouTube. If you don't know how to create a video, use Fiverr.com and get one made on the cheap. The business will be impressed and it will get them traffic because Google loves YouTube since they own it. Imagine that!
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    • Profile picture of the author WhyGuy
      Are you thinking that your monthly maintenance includes posting content for them? If so, you need to think through how you are going to get the content from the business to post online. Many businesses don't take the time to keep their posts fresh, but they also don't want you posting just any old thing.

      Just something to think about. Make it easy and productive for them and they'll be glad to pay for it.

      --DjA
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  • Profile picture of the author wilder1047
    Yeah, you're already posting in the right room - just take a look at prior posts.

    One thing to keep mind of is not to go in with set prices.. Each industry is different - create win/win situations with your client and you'll never have to chase after prospects again!! They'll chase you!!

    Good luck.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mel White
    Word of warning: Be sure that YOUR presence is up to snuff. Show them YOUR pages with rankings and your list of followers on Facebook. With everybody and my cat setting themselves up as experts, put some proof in your ads.
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  • Profile picture of the author alzack
    I think what you are planing to do is fantastic.

    You should start executing it right away progressively reaching the goals.

    But, I must say that you need at least a partner or an employee working with/for you.

    You need this so that you can share/train them and not you doing all of the major chunk of work. There must be a good division of jobs/task. Somebody needs to do the marketing. Somebody needs to do the techie work etc.

    Just start to organize you business and run it. Be a business man and not a man who is the slave of his own business.

    Good luck bro...
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  • Profile picture of the author nacke81
    Do it!

    Just don't be afraid to charge a premium for your service.

    That's the biggest mistake you can make.

    Grab 2 clients at a serious discount and then start charging the most in your area.

    If you can really deliver results ... don't be afraid to charge for it.

    I personally charge my clients 1/10th of the amount they end up making from my services. But that amount is still higher than my competitors.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ardoris
    Hardest part is getting the clients/customers.
    If you can do that, everything else don't really matter.
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  • Profile picture of the author francischan35
    Hi Joe,
    Have you created your website already for your business?
    Thanks!
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  • Profile picture of the author renegalicia
    Joe, definitely services a local business owner would benefit from. Good luck!
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