I have a biz idea - need feedback from PR people

[joshandjamie]

I know lots of PR people find staying in agency life too full on once they have kids and many end up going freelance. But I was wondering whether a course telling you how to set up your own mini PR business from home would be something of interest? It would cover things like:

• deciding on a niche
• the legalities of setting up
• the tools you need to get started
• how to get those first few clients
• what type of services to offer
• what to charge
• how to keep track of time/invoicing
• how to grow

What do you think? Would it be of interest? And if so, do you think a face to face type of course would be best or a webinar/ebook? Any thoughts on what people might be willing to pay?

Sorry - just trying to come up with what I want to do next and something like this would be a good stopgap while I make up my mind as it's something I know well.

Would love your thoughts

I am not a PR, more marcoms, but didn't want your post to go unanswered.

I think it sounds like a potential idea. I think the main challenge (like anything) is reaching your audience.I think those still in work are a best bet. Once they are solo they might not have the money to pay a lot for a course, which wouldn't make it very viable for you assuming you are looking to make money from the course fees. I have found new businesses (unsurprisingly) don't have money for much! If you were looking to reach the newly solo I would have thought it would need to be under £100, which isn't going to make you rich!

The CIPR doesn't offer such an event/service, approach them and offer it? They do have a freelancers network, so they might have already discounted doing something like that...but if you don't ask etc.

Or look at this lot - www.pcg.org.uk/cms/

There is somebody already doing something similar soloprpro.com/about/ which might give you ideas.

It might also be worth thinking about teaming up with accountants. A number of them offer start up sessions, but that is on assumption they then make money from selling their services. Could you then offer coaching etc?

A different angle to what you are talking about, but if you don't already know her, I'd look at www.doyourownpr.com/index.asp?tested=y I think she has cleverly carved out a niche for herself and might be able to inspire ideas.

HTH

Good luck!

Sorry now with links

I am not a PR, more marcoms, but didn't want your post to go unanswered.

I think it sounds like a potential idea. I think the main challenge (like anything) is reaching your audience.I think those still in work are a best bet. Once they are solo they might not have the money to pay a lot for a course, which wouldn't make it very viable for you assuming you are looking to make money from the course fees. I have found new businesses (unsurprisingly) don't have money for much! If you were looking to reach the newly solo I would have thought it would need to be under £100, which isn't going to make you rich!

The CIPR doesn't offer such an event/service, approach them and offer it? They do have a freelancers network, so they might have already discounted doing something like that...but if you don't ask etc.

Or look at this lot - www.pcg.org.uk/cms/

There is somebody already doing something similar soloprpro.com/about/ which might give you ideas.

It might also be worth thinking about teaming up with accountants. A number of them offer start up sessions, but that is on assumption they then make money from selling their services. Could you then offer coaching etc?

A different angle to what you are talking about, but if you don't already know her, I'd look at www.doyourownpr.com/index.asp?tested=y I think she has cleverly carved out a niche for herself and might be able to inspire ideas.

HTH

Good luck!

thanks for your reply WS - I'm familiar with some of those but not all so will go check out the links