Start up Dilemma.. Now What?
Discussion
Okay guys bad news! After researching a lot this weekend I think this is going to be a no go for me, Ive lost around £12 not sole destroying but I will tell you why. I have spoken to a few more people who are already in this industry and a few uni students who are currently studying this subject, they have all told me different things but one of the main key points was experience and knowledge of marketing strategies. I have knowledge on SM and running ad runs on these platforms but as far as full blown marketing strategies go, I would be way out of my depth. I can offer basic Social Media Management, updating status' etc running ad's but I honestly don't think the return on this is worthwhile. I have found someone on fiverr doing this for 3 days for $5. The same girl is offering blog and press articles for $20.
As much as pursuing this as a full time venture goes I think its out of the picture for me. Looking at competitors that can offer not only basic management but ALOT more stretching to full blown marketing campaigns I just wouldn't survive in the market long. I think its better I be realistic with myself now than to invest more money and time into something that honestly after all the research this weekend, a market where I couldn't survive. I am no Social Media Expert but I know more than the majority but still not enough to control a marketing campaign for another company right now.
I am going to leave this idea, take it as a learning experience and crack on with the buses. I will manage self employment one day! One can only dream! haha
Anyway thank you to everyone for all the comment's and help you have given me
As much as pursuing this as a full time venture goes I think its out of the picture for me. Looking at competitors that can offer not only basic management but ALOT more stretching to full blown marketing campaigns I just wouldn't survive in the market long. I think its better I be realistic with myself now than to invest more money and time into something that honestly after all the research this weekend, a market where I couldn't survive. I am no Social Media Expert but I know more than the majority but still not enough to control a marketing campaign for another company right now.
I am going to leave this idea, take it as a learning experience and crack on with the buses. I will manage self employment one day! One can only dream! haha
Anyway thank you to everyone for all the comment's and help you have given me
Don't give up so easily. There will always be someone offering to do everything for nothing. Guess what they actually supply!
A large part of any business success is just going out and getting the customers whilst others sit there waiting for customers to turn up and ask for their services. I am sure you can do this. SM should be part of an integrated strategy of course but many business owners don't do that or get that. For many, as long as they have a presence and a nice looking SM page they will be happy. After all, most seem happy with a crappy/budget website!
Have you thought about partnering with a marketing agency or for example, a web company?
A large part of any business success is just going out and getting the customers whilst others sit there waiting for customers to turn up and ask for their services. I am sure you can do this. SM should be part of an integrated strategy of course but many business owners don't do that or get that. For many, as long as they have a presence and a nice looking SM page they will be happy. After all, most seem happy with a crappy/budget website!
Have you thought about partnering with a marketing agency or for example, a web company?
Edited by Frimley111R on Monday 10th February 12:11
sammc123 said:
Okay guys bad news! After researching a lot this weekend I think this is going to be a no go for me, Ive lost around £12 not sole destroying but I will tell you why. I have spoken to a few more people who are already in this industry and a few uni students who are currently studying this subject, they have all told me different things but one of the main key points was experience and knowledge of marketing strategies. I have knowledge on SM and running ad runs on these platforms but as far as full blown marketing strategies go, I would be way out of my depth. I can offer basic Social Media Management, updating status' etc running ad's but I honestly don't think the return on this is worthwhile. I have found someone on fiverr doing this for 3 days for $5. The same girl is offering blog and press articles for $20.
As much as pursuing this as a full time venture goes I think its out of the picture for me. Looking at competitors that can offer not only basic management but ALOT more stretching to full blown marketing campaigns I just wouldn't survive in the market long. I think its better I be realistic with myself now than to invest more money and time into something that honestly after all the research this weekend, a market where I couldn't survive. I am no Social Media Expert but I know more than the majority but still not enough to control a marketing campaign for another company right now.
I am going to leave this idea, take it as a learning experience and crack on with the buses. I will manage self employment one day! One can only dream! haha
Anyway thank you to everyone for all the comment's and help you have given me
My view as a tedious middle-aged person who knows nothing of SM but has decent perspective:As much as pursuing this as a full time venture goes I think its out of the picture for me. Looking at competitors that can offer not only basic management but ALOT more stretching to full blown marketing campaigns I just wouldn't survive in the market long. I think its better I be realistic with myself now than to invest more money and time into something that honestly after all the research this weekend, a market where I couldn't survive. I am no Social Media Expert but I know more than the majority but still not enough to control a marketing campaign for another company right now.
I am going to leave this idea, take it as a learning experience and crack on with the buses. I will manage self employment one day! One can only dream! haha
Anyway thank you to everyone for all the comment's and help you have given me
1) The more people who pile onto a bandwagon, the less money each can earn from it.
2) Likes and hits are not money.
3) Part of starting out is to make yourself look like a quart not a pint. As long as you don't let people down, and as long as you know more than they do about the subject, and choose your back-up wisely, you can do it.
In my first week as an advertising account exec I had to wing it somehow, either with my best guess or referring back to base. One prospect was talking to me about graphic design. They showed me some designs and said 'What do you think, after all you're the expert!' So I gave a personal opinion and it worked. I knew no more than they did but my response must have been convincing. I was the expert. You may not be an expert SM marketing strategist but I bet you know much more than your prospects, and can wing the rest. The main thing is to keep them happy and get paid, and you will learn as you go.
4) In the land of the blind, the man with one eye is king. But somebody is going to have to write gushing s
te about Veronica's new wedding dress and get the apostrophes in the right place.Okay thank you for your replies, right now I am incredibly stressed and my mind is everywhere! haha Its all starting to sink into place that this is a real opportunity now and I am starting to second guess myself which is doing more bad than good. I am going to sit down go through everything I have up to this date and get my mind back focused. Regarding "Veronica's wedding dress" and the apostrophes, I am now using some proof reading software so that helps me pick up anything I may miss.
I think there might be scope for doing this on a part-time basis if you just wanted to test the water. I deal with quite a few small businesses and most wouldn't have a clue how to manage an SM campaign. It's a tight sector of the market though so while I suspect a few would be willing to spend £X per month, after 6 months they'd want to see some tangible benefits i.e. sales! This seems to be the problem with SM, it's fun and everyone appears to be doing it, but you just don't get the visibility of sales/new customers that PPC can do with ease.
I understand the "sales" side of things but a lot of SM is about brand/business recognition online and engaging your online community. Its is basically electronic word of mouth, with the added POTENTIAL of increasing sales. Its allowing more people/ potential customers to see and know about your business and also allows people who are already customers/clients keep up to date with your business ( news/offers etc ). I would never say to a potential client pay me £X per month and your sales will increase by 50% per month because there is no saying as to what can happen. What I can say is that managing SM will increase your online presence on SM sites and engage your community on these business pages, by increasing your online presence on these sites there is a scope to bring in new customers/clients and POTENTIALLY increase your sales month in month out.
sammc123 said:
I understand the "sales" side of things but a lot of SM is about brand/business recognition online and engaging your online community. Its is basically electronic word of mouth, with the added POTENTIAL of increasing sales. <snip>
That's fine for medium/larger organisations, but cash strapped small businesses and start-ups will want to see some kind of tangible return otherwise they'll just end up having a go at it themselves! Perhaps offering a service where you setup their SM for them and give a bit of training might be more appealing.Yep. R-O-I!
I am beginning to think you're suffering from "paralysis by analysis". You said you made a sale. Get on with doing it. Learn from the mistakes (quickly!). At the moment, you're only guessing whether you can make a success of it or not. There's only so much planning you can do before you have to try it. It isn't like it will cost you a lot to try as you've already got the sale so put in the time to see if it can work. You can always bow out if you feel it isn't working.
I am beginning to think you're suffering from "paralysis by analysis". You said you made a sale. Get on with doing it. Learn from the mistakes (quickly!). At the moment, you're only guessing whether you can make a success of it or not. There's only so much planning you can do before you have to try it. It isn't like it will cost you a lot to try as you've already got the sale so put in the time to see if it can work. You can always bow out if you feel it isn't working.
Edited by Hoofy on Monday 10th February 13:33
Frimley111R said:
Although I agree with analysis/paralysis point, you are doing the right thing in understanding fully what it is, the pros and cons, before you commit, which is good.
My issue is that he's offering a very simple but useful service rather than, say, starting a new business to build private jets.
If we could all have private jets for £100p/week I am sure we would all have one! hahahaha You keep missing the point. It would take a serious amount of investment of time and money. If I were to start a business selling jets, I'd need to learn a lot about manufacturing, aero engineering, etc. Plus I'd need massive financial backing. (I did actually look at this business a long time ago as I knew a few aero engineers!)
By comparison, starting an SM marketing business is piss easy and doesn't really require much investment if you already have the basic knowledge, skills and computer set up.
By comparison, starting an SM marketing business is piss easy and doesn't really require much investment if you already have the basic knowledge, skills and computer set up.
Regarding me "saying I have already made a sale" I didn't say that, I said " I am hoping to get my first sale on friday " I have spoke to the women at the bridal store this morning and she doesn't want to go ahead with it right now, she has asked me to give her a call in 3 months time.
Hoofy said:
I am beginning to think you're suffering from "paralysis by analysis".
I agree. I think Sam needs to put it all away for a month and let the dust settle until he knows what to do. Eventually the bits will fall into place for either 'yes' or 'no'.As for proof-reading software, that's a new one on me. Let's hope it's better than predictive text. Too much software, not enough thinking.
Really interesting thread; don't know how I missed its inception.
Have just read it right through though.
I wouldn't hire the OP for a number of reasons:
1. His standard of written English is seriously lacking;
2. I would doubt the ability and desire of anyone offering bargain basement marketing support to really 'get' my brand and immerse themselves in it and its customer base; and
3. Simply setting scheduled Tweets, which he'll have to do if he's either part-time (alongside his other job), or has a lot of accounts to manage (because he's chasing volume rather than quality), will completely remove communication dynamics and miss the nature of responses to previous messages. What if everything kicks off because of an ambiguously worded previous message? Will he be there to monitor and notice, or just compound the damage with further messages? Or perhaps send additional promotional messages when, in fact, the offer has already been fully subscribed?
If I *was* minded to hire someone offering local marketing support, I'd want evidence of their ability to:
1. write for the web - a very different animal to writing for magazines, newspapers etc; and
2. be able to demonstrate an understanding of the written voice. Can he 'speak' bride-to-be as well teenage nightclub-goer and pensioner seeking mobility aids? That's the basket you'd have when your niche is geographical rather than commercial sector.
It's such a critical element to the success of my business that it will be part of my working day until such time as the pips are squeaking. At that point, as Hoofy said, I'd hire directly and have the SM person sitting in the same office. It's the only way that a small business can retain control of their marketing dynamic.
Have just read it right through though.
I wouldn't hire the OP for a number of reasons:
1. His standard of written English is seriously lacking;
2. I would doubt the ability and desire of anyone offering bargain basement marketing support to really 'get' my brand and immerse themselves in it and its customer base; and
3. Simply setting scheduled Tweets, which he'll have to do if he's either part-time (alongside his other job), or has a lot of accounts to manage (because he's chasing volume rather than quality), will completely remove communication dynamics and miss the nature of responses to previous messages. What if everything kicks off because of an ambiguously worded previous message? Will he be there to monitor and notice, or just compound the damage with further messages? Or perhaps send additional promotional messages when, in fact, the offer has already been fully subscribed?
If I *was* minded to hire someone offering local marketing support, I'd want evidence of their ability to:
1. write for the web - a very different animal to writing for magazines, newspapers etc; and
2. be able to demonstrate an understanding of the written voice. Can he 'speak' bride-to-be as well teenage nightclub-goer and pensioner seeking mobility aids? That's the basket you'd have when your niche is geographical rather than commercial sector.
It's such a critical element to the success of my business that it will be part of my working day until such time as the pips are squeaking. At that point, as Hoofy said, I'd hire directly and have the SM person sitting in the same office. It's the only way that a small business can retain control of their marketing dynamic.
sammc123 said:
Regarding me "saying I have already made a sale" I didn't say that, I said " I am hoping to get my first sale on friday " I have spoke to the women at the bridal store this morning and she doesn't want to go ahead with it right now, she has asked me to give her a call in 3 months time.
My mistake. Simpo Two said:
Hoofy said:
I am beginning to think you're suffering from "paralysis by analysis".
I agree. I think Sam needs to put it all away for a month and let the dust settle until he knows what to do. Eventually the bits will fall into place for either 'yes' or 'no'.As for proof-reading software, that's a new one on me. Let's hope it's better than predictive text. Too much software, not enough thinking.
V8mate said:
Really interesting thread; don't know how I missed its inception.
Have just read it right through though.
I wouldn't hire the OP for a number of reasons:
1. His standard of written English is seriously lacking;
2. I would doubt the ability and desire of anyone offering bargain basement marketing support to really 'get' my brand and immerse themselves in it and its customer base; and
3. Simply setting scheduled Tweets, which he'll have to do if he's either part-time (alongside his other job), or has a lot of accounts to manage (because he's chasing volume rather than quality), will completely remove communication dynamics and miss the nature of responses to previous messages. What if everything kicks off because of an ambiguously worded previous message? Will he be there to monitor and notice, or just compound the damage with further messages? Or perhaps send additional promotional messages when, in fact, the offer has already been fully subscribed?
If I *was* minded to hire someone offering local marketing support, I'd want evidence of their ability to:
1. write for the web - a very different animal to writing for magazines, newspapers etc; and
2. be able to demonstrate an understanding of the written voice. Can he 'speak' bride-to-be as well teenage nightclub-goer and pensioner seeking mobility aids? That's the basket you'd have when your niche is geographical rather than commercial sector.
It's such a critical element to the success of my business that it will be part of my working day until such time as the pips are squeaking. At that point, as Hoofy said, I'd hire directly and have the SM person sitting in the same office. It's the only way that a small business can retain control of their marketing dynamic.
Ouch, bit harsh there. Forum copy is hardly the same. I often make mistakes on my forum posts and yet write copy for major clients, I just apply a higher standard of English to do it. Mistakes on forums don't matter.Have just read it right through though.
I wouldn't hire the OP for a number of reasons:
1. His standard of written English is seriously lacking;
2. I would doubt the ability and desire of anyone offering bargain basement marketing support to really 'get' my brand and immerse themselves in it and its customer base; and
3. Simply setting scheduled Tweets, which he'll have to do if he's either part-time (alongside his other job), or has a lot of accounts to manage (because he's chasing volume rather than quality), will completely remove communication dynamics and miss the nature of responses to previous messages. What if everything kicks off because of an ambiguously worded previous message? Will he be there to monitor and notice, or just compound the damage with further messages? Or perhaps send additional promotional messages when, in fact, the offer has already been fully subscribed?
If I *was* minded to hire someone offering local marketing support, I'd want evidence of their ability to:
1. write for the web - a very different animal to writing for magazines, newspapers etc; and
2. be able to demonstrate an understanding of the written voice. Can he 'speak' bride-to-be as well teenage nightclub-goer and pensioner seeking mobility aids? That's the basket you'd have when your niche is geographical rather than commercial sector.
It's such a critical element to the success of my business that it will be part of my working day until such time as the pips are squeaking. At that point, as Hoofy said, I'd hire directly and have the SM person sitting in the same office. It's the only way that a small business can retain control of their marketing dynamic.
Whilst the point is fair about what he is doing, at the lower end people won't expect him to do what a f/t SM person can do and they are paying less as a result. You get what you pay for.
SM can be very important in some sectors and less so in others and so him not being in front of a screen 24-7 is not an issue for some. Also, don't forget he can manage it via his phone if he needs to (hopefully not while driving a bus!!)
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