Cash rich/time poor mums can I pick your brains?

[thehouseofmirth]

I?m setting up an errand business and I want to market myself to busy families in Wimbledon/Wandsworth and surrounding areas who either need a bit of regular extra help to keep their lives on an even keel or someone reliable to help with one-off emergencies (like taking the cat to the vet when you can?t or don?t want to take time off work etc). I want to provide a really, friendly and local service; a bit of an alternative the ?lifestyle management? and concierge services which already exist but which I know some people find a bit off-putting.

I don?t really fancy trudging the streets putting leaflets through doors so I wondered where you would look if you wanted to use a service like mine or if you have any other feedback to help me reach my target audience, or in general ?

I think you would need to have a web presence as that is how I do about 90% of my looking for things now. I have no idea how difficult/expensive that would be to set up.

And i also think it would be a good idea to marry that up with the leaflets through doors - it does sound a pain to do but I think you've just got to bite the bullet; think it is a good way of getting the word out; I've saved a couple about cleaning/gardening which came through my door. And all you need is a few satisfied customers for the positive word of mouth ball to start rolling.

I'm not working full time now but when i was your kind of service sounds just the thing - I've also been very put off by these 'lifestyle' concierge things. Good luck.

definitely leaflets through doors - its how I have started using many local services including a 'handyman' who does all my odd jobs etc. Great idea and good luck.

Would bin a leaflet through the door that didn't include at least a landline and preferably a physical address...

Agree about leafleting and a website to give more info on you, your company, the services you offer etc.

I also find the "no job too small" bit good to put on leaflets as many would think that their small need is too small for you to make money on.

I'd look in the phonebook first, on the internet, in post office or shop noticeboards

I'd probably use word of mouth if possible (invaluable) and probably choose a leaflet through the door last of all...

do you ever get a locl community newsletter type thing through your door? our local one does really cheap advertising and has a little local directory bit at the back. advert in post office/local shop window?
advertising in local soft play centre?

also agree bouta landline and address.....there are so many shifty people about.having this info feels a litle safer imo.....

local free magazines? in s.wales we have wm magazine in all the posh shops....they may do a small article on you??

sounds great! good luck!

scuse ba grammar...keyboard about to pack up!

Produce a leaflet and ask at local newsagents if they will distribute them tucked into the evening paper. We get quite a few bits of info this way. I think they will charge a bit but not much.

Also leaflets through doors. I tend to keep the ones we get that look useful and bin the rest.

Card in post office/newsagents window useful too.