advice needed..

[lmdawson]

Hi, I completed a full apprenticeship which was mainly domestic, and have been in the industrial sector ever since currently offshore for the last 18 month, I have always wanted to become self employed within my local domestic commercial and industrial sectors as I'm getting sick of working away, I am well aware of the how hard it is going to be and how much I might regret the plunge with regards to cash flow etc etc....

I am currently registered with napit full scope and have been for past 3 Years doing jobs for close friends etc etc recently registered with hmrc as a Ltd company this was a personal choice....I'm used to Ltd company for offshore anyway....

My problem is with advertising??? How best would I advertise for when I take the plunge which fingers crossed will be in 5 month, I plan a few leaflet drops a few months advertising in the local rag.....the problem is when??? As I dont want to annoy potential customers which can't conta t me when I'm offshore???+

 

[Meggerman]

You have answered your own question really. Finish your current employment and then start self employed. It won't be a smooth transition with a full diary and you will need to use your savings as a buffer.

 

[lmdawson]

One solution I thought of was leaving an answer machine message saying I was currently offshore ot on holiday and referring them to my basic website which would state dates I am available, I have a friend who could cover me in case of any emergencies whilst I was offshore....... My biggest worry is customers spreading the word they can never get hold of me......how can I combat this?

 

[GMES]

I would personally wait to you have finished your contract, get everything in place for a smooth transition, get as much cash put away as possible, do all the things you need to do before you take the plunge.
I agree you will get a bad reputation if you give the impression that you are trading but unavailable, it can be so cut throat out there that a new customer will only try to contact you once, and if you don't answer they will just ring the next guy on the list.
I think most new domestic customers just pick up the yellow pages and work down the list, there is no loyalty at least not until you get a customer base.

 

[lmdawson]

Thanks for the replies, it's pretty much what I was thinking...fingers crossed its not too much of a slow start when I take the plunge.... Cheers Leigh

 

[PEM]

Don't expect a full diary for months after you start. At first work will be sporadic and you'll probably have to take small jobs that others won't touch.

You turnover in the first 12 months may not even exceed £25k gross and you'll need to keep a very close watch on costs such as advertising.

I'm not sure of what others would advise re advertising but have found yell.com to be a total waste of money.

All the best and good for you taking the plunge. Being your own boss is good only yourself to blame but worrying times ahead especially when your work diary is empty.

No point advertising if your off shore customers will just go else where and never call you back. Almost all want a quick response.

Regards

 

[NJR]

Thomson local advertising is very good and one you can sort out in advance as the books come out once a year. The first month or so after the book came out i was getting 12/18 extra calls a week the over time slowed to 6/7 but it depends how good you conversion rate from to lead to job is. A good website with SEO and ppc advertising will help.

 

[lmdawson]

Thanks for the replies, yeah I'm expecting it to be quite until I've established myself..I was hoping to advertise now but don't want to damage my reputation before I've begun, I've got a few friends who will put some work my way, and I have some contacts from when I did my apprenticeship Years ago......