Marketing Ideas

[exotic detail]

Hi everyone,

I've recently started selling my excel speadsheets to small business...well one business atm

My question is i need some marketing ideas, where to advertise? internet only?

I offer them as a download with extra support when needed, and also to customise them for each businesses needs.

Thanks, Simon

[Indizine]

what are the benefits to having one of your spreadsheets?

[exotic detail]

There relatively cheap (£14.99-£39.99) and can be used over and over again. Any small/medium business just starting out who is looking for a nice and easy way of managing finances, sales targets etc it seems like a good idea.

Then im thinking of a Yearly/Monthly subscription for updates, amendments and customization...but if anyone has any ideas of how to better them further im all ears

[Indizine]

so they could be good for start ups, given the price and usability?

In which case, approach over 124 enteprise agencies in England (www.nfea.com) and see if they might buy them off you for their clients.

Its a suggestion thats all. You could even sell them on a licence fee to such as NFEA, Chambers of Commerce, Business Links, Ent Agencies - anyone who comes into contatc with lots of businesses or business start ups.

[AccountingBasics]

How do people find your spreadsheets at the moment?

I noticed you have no link to your speadsheets, is there a website set up as this is how most people would find them?

There are also a few blogs where you can post comments, which will help.

[Mark Nagurski]

A few ideas (assuming you have a website):

• use adwords or similar to buy targeted traffic
• add a few articles on spreadsheet design to attract traffic, links and +ve seo
• write a regular blog post under the title "excel tips" or something similar
• have a simple one as a freebie to give away / attract traffic
• be active on forums and include a link in your signature

Hope on or two of those help

[ashdavis]

A few ideas (assuming you have a website):

• use adwords or similar to buy targeted traffic
• add a few articles on spreadsheet design to attract traffic, links and +ve seo
• write a regular blog post under the title "excel tips" or something similar
• have a simple one as a freebie to give away / attract traffic
• be active on forums and include a link in your signature

Hope on or two of those help

I couldn't agree more... especially for the type of service you offer the above suggestion would do really well.

If you do have a website though as an added suggestion: make sure the website looks good, is easy to use and easy to navigate.

[marketing difference]

Simon,

Have a look around on the internet and there are people offering template spreadsheets for bookeeping etc for free. Therefore, I think that you will struggle to sell enough to earn a decent living.

As you're clearly a whizz on Excel I would suggest a change of track. Offer your services as a freelance Excel developer that builds bespoke spreadsheets according to the clients needs. I believe you will be able to get significantly more money on this basis that the customer perceives they are getting something specific to them. You will also get follow up work.

In conjunction with this you could also offer 1 to 1 Excel training and coaching, which would be so much better than expensive taught courses as it would be tailored to the clients needs and abilities.

As a model you could look at the marketing coaching packages I offer to clients so that they get 4 hours of one to one bespoke coaching.

To promote your services, I would suggest the internet, cold calling and attending business networking events.

Ian