Anyone self-employed

[tonkgolf]

I just went into business for myself after working 7 years with a partner:00hour

I need help in the technolgy/computer aspect of the business. Also, any advice on how to market a new start up.

All (yes even smart ass suggestions as I have come to appreciate the humor in life and on this site more in recent years) ideas, comments and or help will be greatly appreciated:0074

tonkgolf

P.S. See all you golfers in a couple of weeks:toast:

 

[The Joker]

Talk to Dawg - he should be chiming in soon......

 

[layinwood]

What is it you will be doing?

I've owned my own company for 7.5 years now after having a partner for 3 before that.

 

[tonkgolf]

Thanks Joker. I remember Dawg having his own gig.

Layin
I am an investment & tax consultant and have had my license since 1987. Hey, saw u were from Big D:0074 I graduated from Lewisville and UTA in the early 80's. What part of D do you live in?

 

[MadJack]

I am an investment & tax consultant

you already know what you need to know. just go get some bidness :toast:

 

[layinwood]

Thanks Joker. I remember Dawg having his own gig.

Layin
I am an investment & tax consultant and have had my license since 1987. Hey, saw u were from Big D:0074 I graduated from Lewisville and UTA in the early 80's. What part of D do you live in?

Tonk, I live in Plano now and have for the last 6 years. I've lived in downtown Dallas and Denton as well.

Ok so on the ideas about how to market your services.

1. Start a facebook page for your business and tell people you know to become fans of your page. More people will see that than you can imagine. Give updates on your FB page giving little tips and changes in the law etc.. Not enough for someone to do everything by themselves but enough for people to see your knowledge and helps you gain their trust before they ever contact you.(this site is different from your own personal FB page if you have one)

I'll post some more ideas later. FB really is a good free option these days.

 

[bsucards]

Tonk, I live in Plano now and have for the last 6 years. I've lived in downtown Dallas and Denton as well.

Ok so on the ideas about how to market your services.

1. Start a facebook page for your business and tell people you know to become fans of your page. More people will see that than you can imagine. Give updates on your FB page giving little tips and changes in the law etc.. Not enough for someone to do everything by themselves but enough for people to see your knowledge and helps you gain their trust before they ever contact you.(this site is different from your own personal FB page if you have one)

I'll post some more ideas later. FB really is a good free option these days.

Besides facebook check out twitter, on facebook, it can be easy to get lost in the crowd:

A guy who owns some resturants in Indy and other college towns is a big time social media guy. He just posted this link

A Breakdown of Social/Mobile Applications for Retail (10+ Page Report) http://ow.ly/29gie

I haven't read it, and it may not all apply but it can't hurt. I am a pretty good with twitter and could work with you on how you can find people.

 

[kegray1]

Do you really need a Facebook page for this?

I would think the moonshine would just sell itself.

 

[dawgball]

What's up, tonk.

Pretty difficult to give good advice without knowing a little bit more.

Facebook and Twitter can work well, and it can also be a complete waste of time if not maintained properly. Everyone and their crazy aunt has a FB page and most businesses do as well.

What's your niche going to be in this realm?

I am an investment & tax consultant

Are you an independent broker? Fee-only or other?

Who are you most experienced working with? What stage of life?

Do you like to write? If yes, the best way to spread your word and build credibility is through a blend of blog/newsletter while using Twitter and Facebook as a lead-in to those materials.

Feel free to get my email and/or cell number from Jack if you want to chat.

If you want to schedule a call, shoot me an email and we'll set something up next week. Will have to be Monday or Tuesday. I'm heading to San Diego the latter part of the week.

Good luck, my man.

Oh yeah. what type of tech/computer aspect were you referring to?

 

[tonkgolf]

Hey Dawg, thanks for the time and thoughts. I still have your cell from 2 years ago. Is it the same?

Computer needs are internet access for a laptop ( I am in the boondocks) and data storage, etc.

Looking forward in talking soon. Are you golfing at the Shoe with us?

Thanks in advance!!

tonk

 

[dawgball]

Hey Dawg, thanks for the time and thoughts. I still have your cell from 2 years ago. Is it the same?

Computer needs are internet access for a laptop ( I am in the boondocks) and data storage, etc.

Looking forward in talking soon. Are you golfing at the Shoe with us?

Thanks in advance!!

tonk

I'll be in San Diego next weekend

cell ends in 119 -- should be the same

If you are looking for travelling internet on laptop, you'll just have to go with the cell company with the best coverage in your area.

We'll talk soon.

 

[safrank99]

http://www.allfacebook.com/2010/06/how-we-got-to-40310-facebook-fans-in-4-days/

That is a good facebook fan page marketing article that I use when I'm trying to drum up fans/customers. I agree with posting solid content.

My only suggestion would be to avoid the Yellowpages marketing stuff online or just in general besides your local yellow pages. My father gets about 5 different regional,national, internet fake invoices every few months and because he is internet clueless he pays for them all.

I work on marketing niche websites via facebook, twitter, and organic traffic if you have any questions feel free to ask here or get my email from Jack

 

[bsucards]

the good thing about twitter is you can do searches on your competitors. It is funny how one day I post something about being at a car dealer and another car dealer who was not "following" me on twitter sends me a message telling me to come by their place

for twitter/facebook the best client to manage both is an application called tweetdeck http://www.tweetdeck.com

you could set up searches on investments or other companies that do similar items and then you will see peopel's tweets from there, you can respond to them without even following them.

 

[dawgball]

for twitter/facebook the best client to manage both is an application called tweetdeck http://www.tweetdeck.com

I switched from Tweetdeck to HootSuite