The best ways to market a start-up business?

[Snipsa]

Hi All,

I would love to get some suggestions from you guys...

I want to start a freelance typing business, but would like your input for the best, and most effective ways in marketing said business.

Is it best to phone companies that you know make use of such services, and schedule a meeting with the person who's in charge of the sector of the company that makes use of freelance typists? and/or

Should I make flyers, promoting my business and drop this of at all companies that I know make use of such services/that I think might make use of such services? and/or

Should I advertise my services online in classifieds/offline in newspapers' classifieds?

So basically my question is, which marketing techniques, which needs almost no capital investments, for small start-up companies have you found to be most effective?

[Vincent]

Hi Snipsa,

...which marketing techniques, which needs almost no capital investments, for small start-up companies have you found to be most effective?

Besides the other techniques that you mentioned you could try registering on GURU.com They are a service that offers freelancers a platform to quote on a variety of work from around the world. You'll first need to register - the process is quite a long and it may take some time before you get some work. There is a lot of competition. You'll also find quite a few South Africans on the site.
Hope it helps

[Dave A]

Please excuse my ignorance here.

Who outsources typing work?
What sort of work are they outsourcing?
What are the advantages of using a professional typing service?

I'm just trying to get some sort of understanding of the market.

[Snipsa]

Firstly thank you very much for the link to Guru Vincent, I'll definitely look into that.

Dave, I'm actually still busy researching the market, but from what I've found some travel companies, and other businesses that make use of databases on a daily basis, are prone to outsource their work. They'll give you either business cards, or forms with the info of the companies, then you have to enter it into a spreadsheet format for them. It seems that, that is the sector where freelance typists are used most.

If somebody knows of other companies/branches that outsource their typing work, I'd appreciate to hear from you

[derrickm]

Here is a list of 81 freelancing websites:


http://www.sourcebench.com/category/reviews/the-ultimate-list-of-freelancing-job-sites/

That should keep you busy for a few hours...

Derrick

[duncan drennan]

Who outsources typing work?
What sort of work are they outsourcing?
What are the advantages of using a professional typing service?

Medical professionals often dictate and then have someone type it up. I think attorney's often do the same.

[Snipsa]

Thanks for that link derrick, it has quite a number of good links that I think will work out well, so thanks!

And yeah, Duncan is right, my mom's done quite a bit of transcription work for attorneys in the past, so I'll try them and medical institutions offline, while working on those sites that derricks link linked to online.

So thanks again you guys!

[Martinique Treadaway]

freelance Advertising

I have 7 years in the advertising industry and currently do freelance copywriting, art direction and graphic design, ie advertising for new businesses. Please contact me if you are interested!
0823210188

Marty