Quiet spells with new business

[daveb]

Hi folks,

I started up my own electrical business back in November last year and it's not been too bad so far. I find that there are times when i have lots on and things are rosey - then the next time can be a week or two with not much coming in.

Just now is one of those periods - been busy the last few weeks however this week and next is looking quite quiet until end May / start of June where I have a couple of bigger jobs coming up.

I wanted to see other self employed sparks out there have experienced the same? I know that I've been trading a very short while and as everyone says the first year in business is tough.

Has anyone that has found the same been given any good advice during your first year?

My website is here if you would like a nosey.

www.db-electrical.biz

Dave

 

[Octopus]

The first 2 to 3 years can be a bit of a helter skelter ride - so this is normal, plus you will find the work can be quite seasonal, and things like general elections can delay spending....

Sitting around waiting for people to find your website isn't going to help - so get some decent leaflets printed, and use your quiet days to "Target" areas....

It takes time to get established .... and get good old word of mouth working for you.

PS - like you gallery - good photos

 

[SparkyChick]

You and I started at roughly the same time and yes, I have found it exactly like that. A spurt of work and then nothing for what seems like an age, then another spurt.

It's funny you post this, I've just been sat having a coffee with @Madocks talking about such things, that and our tool fetishes

I'm trying to network with other tradies and local businesses so I can refer them on when I get asked for a plasterer or a plumber etc., and hopefully they'll return the favour when they need a spark.

Networking wise, you could look at a networking group like BNI, more structured and business oriented than a lot of networking groups with a focus on generating referral business for the members of the chapter. I'm giving it a whirl, but we're in the process of starting a new chapter in Newport so it's a bit slow going at the moment, but there are other chapters in Wales that are passing a lot of business.

 

[daveb]

The first 2 to 3 years can be a bit of a helter skelter ride - so this is normal, plus you will find the work can be quite seasonal, and things like general elections can delay spending....

Sitting around waiting for people to find your website isn't going to help - so get some decent leaflets printed, and use your quiet days to "Target" areas....

It takes time to get established .... and get good old word of mouth working for you.

PS - like you gallery - good photos

Thanks Murdoch for the feedback, much appreciated. I've some leaflets left from months ago that I still need to use up. They have my old logo on it, but guess it doesn't matter..... targeted marketing drop tomorrow it is!

 

[Octopus]

Thanks Murdoch for the feedback, much appreciated. I've some leaflets left from months ago that I still need to use up. They have my old logo on it, but guess it doesn't matter..... targeted marketing drop tomorrow it is!

Do you have logo'ed work wear? Loads of people are out in their gardens these days and first impressions do count...

 

[daveb]

You and I started at roughly the same time and yes, I have found it exactly like that. A spurt of work and then nothing for what seems like an age, then another spurt.

It's funny you post this, I've just been sat having a coffee with @Madocks talking about such things, that and our tool fetishes

I'm trying to network with other tradies and local businesses so I can refer them on when I get asked for a plasterer or a plumber etc., and hopefully they'll return the favour when they need a spark.

Networking wise, you could look at a networking group like BNI, more structured and business oriented than a lot of networking groups with a focus on generating referral business for the members of the chapter. I'm giving it a whirl, but we're in the process of starting a new chapter in Newport so it's a bit slow going at the moment, but there are other chapters in Wales that are passing a lot of business.

Hi there - thanks for the feedback.

That's quite spooky as we seem to have something else in common - BNI! I tried this a few months back and decided to commit but after another couple of weeks (we still handnt launched - only 7 members) of listening to the same presentation, it took quite a dark turn and more into a sales pitch and piled the pressure on us to get members. Needless to say I pulled my application and decided to instead invest the money in getting my NICEIC accreditation. Once I left, so did the other members and we've since started our own networking group meeting once a month. No fees and no pressure and seems to be working so far.

It is tough though as you are on cloud 9 when you are busy - but when the quiet comes you start stressing and questioning if this is going to work. And then the cycle starts again!

 

[daveb]

Do you have logo'ed work wear? Loads of people are out in their gardens these days and first impressions do count...

Oh yes, that is one thing I made sure of since I started. Logo'd van and workwear too. Wanted to make sure I didnt look like an amatuer pikey that was doing a bit of electrical work here and there!

 

[Dave OCD]

Just looked at your website Dave and your work looks spot on, nice to see and not that common these days sadly.
I think given time you'll be really busy it's just a bit inconsistent at the start.

 

[daveb]

Just looked at your website Dave and your work looks spot on, nice to see and not that common these days sadly.
I think given time you'll be really busy it's just a bit inconsistent at the start.

thanks Dave, thats really kind of you to say. I enjoy taking pride in my work - to be able to put examples of my work up to receive a comment like that makes it all worth it. I hope that you're right re the consistancy - just need to keep telling myself that I think. I've my first assesment for the NICEIC next thursday so i'm hoping that this will let me tap into some letting agents.

 

[SparkyChick]

Hi there - thanks for the feedback.

That's quite spooky as we seem to have something else in common - BNI! I tried this a few months back and decided to commit but after another couple of weeks (we still handnt launched - only 7 members) of listening to the same presentation, it took quite a dark turn and more into a sales pitch and piled the pressure on us to get members. Needless to say I pulled my application and decided to instead invest the money in getting my NICEIC accreditation. Once I left, so did the other members and we've since started our own networking group meeting once a month. No fees and no pressure and seems to be working so far.

That is spooky

I'm pleased to say our group isn't like that. If there's anyone putting pressure on me it's me because I can see the potential benefits once it gets going. Whilst I've lived down in Wales for nearly 20 years, I've pretty much kept myself to myself, worked hard and worked away alot so my circle of friends and contacts is very small. Strange thing is, I join BNI and meet another woman from my home county who grew up about 10 minutes from where I worked last. She moved down here with her hubby and son when hubby got a job about 10 minutes from where I live. The world is a small and strange place

Good to hear your own networking efforts are working out though. I really enjoy getting out and meeting other business owners, already got some great advice, and well... the breakfast's not bad either

It is tough though as you are on cloud 9 when you are busy - but when the quiet comes you start stressing and questioning if this is going to work. And then the cycle starts again!

Absolutely.... it is most definitely an emotional roller coaster. But despite worrying about money more than I have in a long time, I feel better in myself. Everything is being done on my terms and if I graft hard it's me that gets the benefits rather than someone else. Love it.

 

[daveb]

That is spooky

I'm pleased to say our group isn't like that. If there's anyone putting pressure on me it's me because I can see the potential benefits once it gets going. Whilst I've lived down in Wales for nearly 20 years, I've pretty much kept myself to myself, worked hard and worked away alot so my circle of friends and contacts is very small. Strange thing is, I join BNI and meet another woman from my home county who grew up about 10 minutes from where I worked last. She moved down here with her hubby and son when hubby got a job about 10 minutes from where I live. The world is a small and strange place

Good to hear your own networking efforts are working out though. I really enjoy getting out and meeting other business owners, already got some great advice, and well... the breakfast's not bad either



Absolutely.... it is most definitely an emotional roller coaster. But despite worrying about money more than I have in a long time, I feel better in myself. Everything is being done on my terms and if I graft hard it's me that gets the benefits rather than someone else. Love it.

yes - I know exactly what you mean. And making your own money and see it come into your bank account is much more satisying that someone else paying your wage each month.

Not sure if you are on Facebook & Linkedin but this has also really helped my business. It's great for advertising but its a little sad how the majority of people will go to your FB page and not pay much attention to your website that you've spent ages on! Heres the link to my FB page if you'd like to like and follow - perhaps we can share ideas.

DB Electrical Ltd - https://www.facebook.com/dbelecltd/

 

[SparkyChick]

Liked and followed I only joined Facebook for the business. The good thing about it is how easy it is to leave a review. Every invoice goes out with a request for feedback via Facebook or TrustMark. Facebook is winning hands down at the moment.

I agree with @Dave OCD , looked at your gallery and it's good. I've got to get into the picture publishing habit, or more precisely taking pictures of the finished article. I normally end up snapping one half way through and then forget at the end.

 

[D00DY_T00DY]

Very nice website. Loving the photos too,
Only problem is getting people to the site. Try adding meta tags to your site for Google?

Unlikely people will Google db electricial and more likely to search for "electrician in aberdeen" like I did. Couldn't see your site on the first page(Well only page.. Who goes on the second page of Google)

Signwritten van and logo work wear is the way to go. Can't think of any other suggestions other than what's already been said.

Best of luck

 

[Leesparkykent]

Website looks good The only suggestion I would make would be to have a landline/office number.

 

[Joseph Elliott]

Consider changing your domain name from .biz to co.uk , it might be worth registering on directories such as yelp, you might even want to try a paid sponsored listing for a month, to see whether it works or not get a call tracking phone number and use it on the listing, that way you'll know how many calls you're getting from the listing itself and can calculate your ROI.