Spreading the word via Mumsnet..

[ProfessorPreciseaBug]

We are planning a startup. The product will be useful to a small number of Mumsnetters.. But it is a very small and niche market.

Looking through the threads I have identified a few people who could use the product.. However the site clearly says that messaging is not to be used for marketing etc. And I obviously have no wish to ignore such a rule and upset the admin team.

Does anyone know how to square this one?

Pay to advertise. Like other people.

Advertising works when you have large numbers.
We know the market is very small compared to the UK population. As in four zeros of a percent!!!
A quarter page advert in a professional mag is circa £6000.. Split that out across the size of the market and advertising would put the operation costs up to the point where the price point is prohibitive.

Does your product/service rely on the geography of the purchaser?

How would someone else (an established company) reach your target audience?

How to square this one = do not message individual Mumsnetters on Mumsnet and do not spam the boards.

Simple.

Your niche market must congregate somewhere, online or otherwise. It is geography, age, education level, a particular interest, a shared life experience, common needs?

If your advertising plan involves reaching out to individuals one by one, that doesn't sound right, IMO.

Well either lookup other ways to advertise ;there's loads) or accept that either your business isn't viable or you're not up to running the business.

Go talk to MNHQ!

There are different ways to advertise on here, and I think the cheapest (advertising thread) is around £30.

But I'm sure they'll be happy to talk you through it.

If your idea of finding custom for your 'business' is to message people on forums then you are onto a serious loser.

That is no way to run a business.

Advertise like everyone else, there are plenty of avenues. You just need to find them

Consider Mumsnet local?