Feel I've hade a HUGE mistake!

lday77

Shell livewire looks great but I haven't tried the other one yet. I had a somewhat busy day after my post this morning.

The meeting at lunchtime went really well and he even started thinking about other jobs he might need doing. I also went to a free networking/business start up tonight and got three new businesses that want me to do their stationery and leaflets. So after a really rubbish start it turned out pretty good, thanks so much for your support, I really wanted to go and get back in bed but with your support I got to it and so far it's working! CHEERS! :beer: :T

Savvy_Sue

Great news. As for meetings in a hotel, well you may need to get used to it. So worth you establishing a few quiet coffee shops, either in hotels or elsewhere, that you'd feel confident meeting people in. I know people who used to hold business meetings at a Little Chef because it was the 'hub' of all their starting points.

And as others have said, you need to do sales calls, you WILL get better with practice, and you may always hate it!

5limJim

Savvy_Sue wrote:

Great news. As for meetings in a hotel, well you may need to get used to it. So worth you establishing a few quiet coffee shops, either in hotels or elsewhere, that you'd feel confident meeting people in. I know people who used to hold business meetings at a Little Chef because it was the 'hub' of all their starting points.

And as others have said, you need to do sales calls, you WILL get better with practice, and you may always hate it!

totally agree with Savvy_Sue, I'm in the process of starting work for myself as well, and whilst you might think its dodgy to meet up in hotels (and the way I've described it there probably makes it seem totally seedy) but it isnt, quite a few of these people have to travel themselves all over the country as well, like you, they have to go out looking for more work... I've found coffee houses are the best, a far more relaxed environment, and most importantly somewhere you can feel comfortable in... you'll be suprised nect time you're in somewhere like Starbucks that if you look around you'll see quit a few business meetings/conference calls etc taking place... As Martin described in his Money Diet book, Starbucks coffee might be expensive, but 2 cups a day for £5 is much cheaper than renting an office somewhere to hold a meeting or work out of...

Congrats on the new leads and upcoming business, we all get into a funk when things don't turn over as much as we want, but thats what this forum is for...

Also, have a look around the MSE Forums a little more, people are always crying out for logo designers, stationary to be done etc... even if its just a small volume of work and a small margin you're helping out other MSE's and you can reinvest that money and add the images to your online portfolio...

Good luck...

lday77

Thanks for the sound advice everyone. Especially about coffee houses, I was really worried about meeting at the hotel but it turned out he was too, so we already had a common ground and I think that helped, it's the fear of the unkown I hate and seem to be getting that a lot now I'm self employed, but I think what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I feel much more positive today thanks again for all your support.

L :rotfl:

Savvy_Sue

lday77 wrote:

Thanks for the sound advice everyone. Especially about coffee houses, I was really worried about meeting at the hotel but it turned out he was too, so we already had a common ground and I think that helped, it's the fear of the unkown I hate and seem to be getting that a lot now I'm self employed, but I think what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I feel much more positive today thanks again for all your support.

L :rotfl:

There you see, lots of us get the collywobbles facing the unknown!

This coffee house thing, as well as looking at the big chains, I would look round for any nice local ones where you might also network, be able to leave your business card etc. I'm thinking of a couple near me which people might not 'find' without help but where the atmosphere is good and fairly relaxed, not too noisy. And if you get known there, and then want to do lunches, they might even offer discount!

Have also remembered that there was an Italian restaurant near where DH used to work which had a meeting room. The company could use it for free all day, or for half days, as long as they had lunch in the restaurant (and it was a very nice lunch!) That was cheaper for DH's company than hiring a normal 'meeting' room, even without getting lunch brought in!

but you also need to know where to avoid. There are some lovely places I know of, but they're always heaving, so you'd struggle to get a table! :rotfl:

SnowyOwl_2

Congrats on starting up your own business. I got myself organised to start up a business then bottled it...so good for you.

I don't have too much constructive to say (others braver and more knowledgeable have beaten me to it anyway) but I had a peek at your website. I'm sorry to say but one of the first things I noticed in your portfolio was a typo - I'm assuming it wasn't done purposefully in an arty sort of way - it's the word "Ocassional" - should be Occasional. Sorry don't want to be negative or picky, sometimes it's the little things that can make a difference...

BTW I think internet site is OK. Yep, it would be good to get it singing and dancing, but it's you and how you come across which is more important.

Have you contacted your local college of FE? My local one does various courses for start up businesses, perhaps there is something similar at yours? It might be worth looking into especially if they could give some strategies on making those sales calls. Another alternative is to employ someone to do your sales calls for you. I don't know anything about this really - but I have heard of one person companies doing this, and it's a matter of a few hours a week, not a full time position. I don't know what your rate is, but if it's more than a telemarketer earns then it'd be a good investment otherwise you have to lose money to make money (IYKWIM). That might help you out, especially in the future when you're too busy to make sales calls but know that there is a gap in your work coming up.

lday77

Thanks for pointing out the typo, I'll get that changed asap, and I am also going to talk to a friend of mine who does web programming as he's much more knowlegable than me and give it a bit of a re-vamp.

I had thought about getting someone to do a few hours of selling for me a week, there is something here called 'office genie' and I think they would do it on an hourly rate, has anyone had experience of this type of thing. I know I should do it myslef but I am planning for a future where I don't have to do it at all and have a more constant workflow....where it's sunny everyday and chocolate grows on trees...

Red_Elle

Have you considered trying to find someone in a similar situation (wants to work for themselves), who is in sales? I wouldn't advise getting someone in for a few hours a week to do it. I'm in sales and it's all about building up good long term relationships - people buy from people. If people call back they will want to speak to the person they have the relationship with and they won't be there!
If you join a forum you might find someone who would be willing to go into partnership.
Sales calls are hard even for people who do it for a living. It's not rocket science, but one of the most important things is confidence. If you don't have it, you won't have it on the phone and they won't have any confidence in you.

black-saturn

Have you tried the Yellow pages? I used to work as a freelance make-up artist and was struggling for work until I put an ad in there and I was busy all the time.

lday77

Yes I have got an ad going in the Yellow Pages for the next print (April) I really hope that generates some business.

PS Black Saturn I made your fruit Cobbler the other night it was delicious!