Duct Tape Marketing - Latest Comments in What kind of business should I start?

Re: What kind of business should I start?

Young — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:49:43 -0000

You know, after going through some entrepreneurial resources and sites, I came across the Spirus Group (http://www.spirusgroup.com/), and they seem to have found a solution to many of the classic problems faced by would-be entrepreneurs. Specifically, they help you do all the initial development work for your company while you are still at your current job (business plan, hiring, real estate planning, suppliers, etc.) Seems like the right approach to give a business idea a chance to succeed while keeping the risk relatively low. It looks like they can also help with fundraising and a few other things. Worth checking out.

Re: What kind of business should I start?

Tom At The Home Business Archi — Fri, 23 May 2008 05:46:33 -0000

Great article.Starting a business, no matter online or offline, takes a great deal of planning.It´s also good to know who your competition is, it´s a good way to learn new things. Improving from what your competition is doing makes you stand out from the rest.

Re: What kind of business should I start?

DavidCastroFlorida — Wed, 14 May 2008 22:54:21 -0000

Interesting. Even with lots of Marketing and Startup experience, Ive always thought Bigwell in Robots summed it all up the best: "See a need, fill a need."

Re: What kind of business should I start?

Barry Stamm — Wed, 14 May 2008 19:15:51 -0000

Good stuff John! There is enough business for everyone regardless of the field or area. The key as John related too, is to go from the competetive mind to the Creative Mind!
http://www.riches-WorkAtHom...

Re: What kind of business should I start?

Mike Freeman — Wed, 14 May 2008 10:39:54 -0000

Very useful post. I spent years selling a service that was great, but no one was familiar with. I spent most of my time explaining the service, not explaining why they should buy from me. Its much easier to sell something people are already buying!

Re: What kind of business should I start?

JudyAnn Lorenz — Wed, 14 May 2008 10:20:32 -0000

Competition is healthy; people do respond to choices. Competition requires attention to quality delivery. Either be competition or embrace it when someone else becomes yours.

Re: What kind of business should I start?

Marketing Integrity — Wed, 14 May 2008 06:43:10 -0000

Thanks John. The strategy part. "the marketing system", is a key ingredient that many entrepreneurs overlook. They are so excited at launching that they often want to rush by this important component. Taking the time to create the plan and the time-line for execution saves a lot of pain down the road. Thanks for the reminder!

Re: What kind of business should I start?

Tamsin — Wed, 14 May 2008 04:25:55 -0000

Thanks John. I've been racking my brains to be more innovative with my coaching 'products', and getting no-where, but your point about packaging a service differently, eg marketing system rather than coaching, has set some ideas of in my head. I also think it has a lot to do with continually listening and finding out what your clients/market wants and tailoring services to suit that. I do that by regularly asking for customer feedback and asking clients for their views on various things.

Re: What kind of business should I start?

jbrown — Tue, 13 May 2008 17:06:04 -0000

Good stuff John. I think what you did here is actually one of the tougher things to me: condense your whole model or philosophy down to one coherent train of thought.

One thing I would add, that the communication is an ongoing process or relationship...which is a big part of the "trust" aspect.

Re: What kind of business should I start?

Marc Meyer — Tue, 13 May 2008 11:31:54 -0000

I think what everyone needs to realize is that, though we are in a bit of a slump economically, these times are ripe for innovation and creative ways to generate revenue.

People need alternatives. people need options and better ways to do things. They need ways that can help them make money even in the toughest of times.

If one can help people make money in an innovative way, then you have created a niche that has no limits.
Others may have the right idea, but if you can help them implement it, roll it out, and nourish and sustain it, you'll have a client for life...

Re: What kind of business should I start?

A.J. Stallones — Tue, 13 May 2008 10:21:16 -0000

Good point! Whenever I think about going into business for myself, I usually try to think of the new, cool and creative thing I can offer the world. I should be thinking, like you said. It's a lot better guarantee to success and it's a lot less work trying to educate everyone on what exactly it is I do and why that's important.

This is definitely advice that could save a guy like me from many sleepless nights.

Thanks!