Starting up online typing services company

NeedAssistance

Hi everyone, I don't go on here very often so not sure if this is the right place but here we go anyway!
I have just set up an online typing and transcription services company and my DH has put together a brilliant website. We are trying to get the ranking for the search engines higher and have posted on various business related websites but not sure where else to go for marketing. I have some business cards on order and will send some letters out to local businesses. Quite a few people have suggested email marketing but I honestly do not know where you get the email addresses from - have looked in business directories but they only list the website address. Has anyone had any experience of marketing for this type (or similar) of business.
I would be extremely grateful for any advice!
Thanks

Horace

Before we delve into internet marketing, have you registered your self employment with the HMRC? You will also need insurances too such as professional indemnity.

Email marketing can be done cheaply by using Mailchimp (Mailchimp is free). Firstly you need to get a list of businesses and to do that you attend business networking events where you will meet the businesses that you are targetting. Set up your database with the details of the businesses that you have met and exchanged business cards with - at least with Mailchimp people have the opportunity to unsubscribe.

Use twitter - there are a lot of Virtual Assistants on there all touting for business (Twitter is free), set up on LinkedIn again a basic account is free (this is like facebook for businesses) connect with people you have met when you have been networking, join relevant groups on there e.g. a business group in your area - an example if for instance you were in Birmingham would be Brummies, be involved in the group also look at the Q&A section on LinkedIn and if someone asks a question that you know the answer to then you answer them - this demonstrates to people that you are an expert.

To get up google rankings make sure that you website is fully Search Engine Optimised, does it have a twitter button to link to Twitter, same for LinkedIn and Facebook. Make one request to the directory DMOZ (if you keep asking them then your page won't be listed at all). I blog typically once a week to keep my pages highly ranked on Google.

Business networking can be an expensive business so look at events that are low cost e.g. Ladies That Latte, Business Biscotti (this tends to be mixed men & women), join the Federation of Small Businesses (worth it for the tax cover that you get and you get a gold card to allow you to use any Regus Business World lounge for free - this is invaluable for working away from your home especially if you want to meet clients, the FSB has a free legal helpline, free banking and free business networking events).

Carry your business cards with you everywhere because you just never know who you might meet and where - I have networked in the middle of Hyde Park before now as well as at a bus stop.:D

Another tip - add your homepage (web address) to your MSE profile. I know that I get a lot of traffic to my website from MSE.

HTH

NeedAssistance

Thanks for the info. Am already on Twitter (didn't think to put a link on my website - will do that thanks). Request already sent to DMOZ (waiting to hear). Don't have Facebook yet - at least not a business page!

Am planning on targetting local businesses initially and see how I go from there.

NeedAssistance

Hi Horace, just looked at my MSE profile - where do you add your homepage? and where does it appear on the MSE pages?

Horace

NeedAssistance wrote: »

Hi Horace, just looked at my MSE profile - where do you add your homepage? and where does it appear on the MSE pages?

There is a section on MSE profile when you set up your profile - Click on User CP - click on edit profile - on that page you can add your date of birth etc and it says add home page URL - add your website details in this box.

Your website should never be on display on any MSE pages eg. in your signature as that is classed as advertising and against forum rules. There is nothing to stop you adding your homepage to your profile which people can click on and look at when they click on your name.

HTH

PS. You may be better off meeting local businesses face to face and chatting with them on LinkedIn rather than sending a letter or cold calling because it is better to build a relationship first. I know that if I receive any letters advertising people's services they go straight in the bin, I also hate cold callers. However, if via LinkedIn someone has made an introduction then that is no longer a cold call but a warm one.

NeedAssistance

Thanks Horace - have changed my profile. Am going to have a good look at LinkedIn today.

oldtoolie

If MailChimp or any other email service provider figures out that you are cold mailing (otherwise known as spam) you will have your account suspended. Very few businesses would ever respond to unsolicited email anyway -- too much spam coming in to filter any genuine offers out.

On a positive note, Google for 'guerilla marketing' and visit your public library for the the same topic. You will find tons of tips on low-cost marketing.

paulwf

By far the most cost effective and efficient way of marketing is targeted marketing. As a quick example instead of leafletting 1000 houses you might get a higher response from sending a pack to 10 businesses that you identified as likely to use your service. Work out who will use your service and spend your time and money trying to attract them.

However before you spend any time or money on marketing I would make sure you have a really good product. If possible get some independent feedback on what you have to offer. Online typing services is a ridiculously competitive field plus you'll be competing with people from overseas who can offer services at the fraction of the price you can. You need something special to set you apart and preferably add a few more services.

A quick example...if you can offer a rapid pick up and delivery service to local businesses of the materials would that set you apart? Do you have a speciality such as legal or medical, translation or a niche industry?

Savvy_Sue

Also with MailChimp you pretty much have to be sending to a named individual, it won't let you send to "office@", "info@", "admin@" etc.

It's also a horrible thing to use, IMO.