I have started a business that works with converting VHS and cassette tapes to high quality DVDs. I operate from a residential address in the greater Houston area and don't want consumers to be aware of that. Hence I have a P.O. box number. I also do not accept credit card payments, I only accept cash and checks. I have about $1500 to work with (I have already purchased all of the applicable equipment). I need to advertise the business, I need to make people aware of my company so I can begin to get consumers. I want to do cheap advertising. I have two people working for me. One is going to be used for home pickup/delivery of the cassette tapes and DVDs. All i need is a way to get customers. Also, do you think I should charge 50% up front and 50% after the job is finished? All help is appreciated. There are many cheap ways to advertise yourself. First off is to get yourself a business card or a one page info sheet which you can then start to use. Leave them in Starbucks, put them up at your grocery store, local stores, just anywhere.
Another good way is to get a website going. I am not sure what you use for your email address but if you use hotmail or yahoo or something like that you do not have the trust that one who has their own domain name. Once you have a website then you have a myriad of different options to get yourself out to the public from getting linked on other people's sites and into search engines.
You could ask for 50% up front but if people don't know and trust you they might find it difficult to give it to you up front especially if you are not taking credit cards. Why is it that you won't take credit cards? Set up a paypal account and have them pay via there as the cheapest option. Once you get up and going then you can upgrade paypal options or even go to something like www.propay.com with an annual fee.
I am also in the Houston area and handle website development. If you might be interested in any sort of barter...I have lots of VHS and 8mm that I would love to get put onto DVD without me having to spend the time to do it and I could create a great website for you and help you get into the search engines. www.houstonpcpro.com Thanks a million! Report It
You may want to try advertising on craigslist.org and backpage.com for new clients. These sites are free. Your employees can post in the houston texas area. If you do it consistently, you will get response.
I would advise you learn html codes to spice up your ad's with color codes, pictures and text. Consumers love eye candy and appealing ads.
In regards to charging your clients you should ask for a deposit down for orders and the rest due upon completion of the job. If you establish a strong client base then you can trust them to do net 15 or 30's.
I would recommend setting up a paypal account so they can at least do payments that way. To not take credit card payments will have you potential lose customers. A good business person changes with the market and technology.
Good luck! why dont' you just advertising in local newspaper.
you can also do it on web forums. you know just spread the words.....youtube is another great way of advertising too. even companies like intel, or tigerdirect, they have blogs on youtube...you should check it out... NEW:
PLEASE VISIT HTTP://SMALLBUSINESS.YAHOO.COM
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absloutly you will find so many peoples and don't missed them when you have 2 employee only.
I think you should pay max 300 USD for marketing your business.
Wish you have good business.... There is also free advertising! You can search for free classifieds! There are so many sites. So, it depends on how much you want to spend. You can put your picture ad on sites but to pay for and it depends on the site on how much they want. There are many ways. Good luck! | 