My husband has talked me into starting my own business after a few years in direct sales. I was tired of selling someone else's product, giving them all the money and then having to wait to get paid. I decided that I would take my husband's advice and start my own business selling items I make and then I would not have to worry about giving someone else all my money (aside from taxes of course) and was looking at ideas to get my name out there. I have a website on storenvy as well as a facebook page, twitter, pinterest and tubmlr. I even have snapchat. Are there any other ways to generate business that will not cost an arm and a leg to do? I do plastic canvas crafts.
Etsy? I buy a lot off of there. Not knowing what you are selling, it's kind of hard to tell you what a good venue would be!
Word of mouth...I always give out multiple cards and I say,"one for you and some to pass out." I make cakes. When I make one for a friend, I tag them on facebook (I ask permission first), so their friends will see it...again, it gets the word out there. I put everything on my personal page and my business page...you never know. I also invite anyone and everyone to my facebook business page.
In the beginning I donated cakes and made them as gifts...again, just trying to spread the word. I donated a gift card for a silent auction last year and wound up getting TONS of business from that donation.
Since it sound like yours is craft based, check into local and high school craft shows. Set up an Etsy store. Look into your own website.
I was making some changes to my site last night and noticed that yahoo is running some super cheap introductory specials right now. The original set up of my website was tricky for me, I had no experience and didn't want to pay for webdesign. I got my hands on a copy of dream weaver and checked out every book on the program I could find at the library. After a weekend of solid work, I had a self made website. I got close friends to give it a critical look so I could make changes. After that initial set up, updating the site is a breeze.
And I agree with TF Plano...get a good accountant. There are so many random dates to remember and things to be filed. Our guy does the big stuff for us and then sends a reminder for other things (like franchise tax paperwork here in TX), so it is nice to get those reminders. (And he would actually do that paperwork too if we wanted to pay him for it. :) )
Good luck!
I wish you the best! We run our own company distributing raw materials. It ends up being a 24/7 job but neither of us have to answer to anyone and I enjoy working for myself. It is very rewarding!
If I were you, I'd make sure I had good tax and legal counsel to guide you through all the requirements by the State and IRS so you have yourself properly covered as far as being on the up and up. Our business is completely different and we have massive volumes so I have both tax and legal people I deal with to make sure I am processing everything properly. Just a double check type of thing.
We created our website on Yahoo. I pay about $14 a month and I have control of all the designing, etc.
For your business, invite people to "like" your page on FB. That will generate your page to show up on more people's personal pages and be seen.
I agree with Etsy. My daughter LOVES Etsy and has made several purchases from that site.
How about the schools.. Right now is a little late but most of them have directories and they sell cheap advertising to cover some of the printing expenses.
Do you have an HOA in your neighborhood? We have an HOA website where people who live here can advertise for a very small fee. Our neighborhood also has a FB page where you can tag your business. Also, we have a yearly neighborhood event and you can set up a table for free so people can see what you have.
We have several arts festivals in the spring around here and people rent a booth to show their merchandise. If you don't sell at lot at the event, you at least get your name out there and make sure you have plenty of business cards.
Do you have any type of professional organization you are involved in with your business? Example... we are in Plastics and we are in several professional plastics organizations, go to conferences, etc and it is valuable to have your company name on the agenda so others know who you are and what your specialty involves.
I wish you the best success!
You can check your local park districts to see if they have community arts/craft fairs you can enter.
If your kids go to a school where they ever do fundraisers, you could offer to run a fundraiser for them where basically you sell your product, and donate the proceeds back to the school. Lots of community goodwill there, and you'll get your name out to potentially hundreds of families. Make sure when the product is distributed, you include a business card so they can re-order. ;)
Community craft shows
Ladies night out shopping events
Church Bazaars
Farmers Markets
