Getting people to talk about you
You need to ensure people know about your new venture - it's the only way to get new business so promotion is key. Here's a few ideas:
- Word of mouth is as effective as any form of publicity. Make sure you are bigging up your business to all the right people, whether it's your mates, parents or friends.
- Also think about social networking sites like Facebook & Bebo. Potential customers are on these sites every day and it's a free way to promote your venture, so why not set up your own group.
- Try writing your own press releases and approach your local paper about opportunities to feature your company. They might be able to write about it in one of their articles and it's a great way to get people talking. • Think about allocating some of your budget for fliers, posters or business cards.
When the going gets tough
No one said starting your own business from scratch was going to be easy, but if you work hard it'll be worth it in the end. Here are three things to remember when things aren't quite going as you'd hoped:
- Believe in your idea, however disheartened you feel, stick at it and the sky could be the limit.
- Always have a plan B in case something goes wrong. You never know what's going to happen out of your control, so always be prepared.
- Persevere. Everyone experiences set backs - but put your energy into another project or aspect of the business, rather than wasting time on the thing that didn't work out.
- Remember, running your own business should be fun, so try to enjoy the ride. The more you enjoy it, the less it will seem like hard work, and the more of a success it will become.
So, what are you waiting for? If you need further assistance, why not contact Tim Campbell's charity The Bright Ideas Trust. This offers financial support and advice to 16 - 30 year olds who are not in full time education or employment who want to set up their own business. Check out www.brightideastrust.com.
If you’ve got a great idea why not enter Virgin Media Sparks, a competition giving commerce-savvy youngsters the chance to pitch their best online business idea. Visit virginmedia.com/sparks for further details. Alternatively download the following entry form and send to virginmediabusiness@
ptarmiganpr.co.uk by Friday 2nd May.
