Service Based Muse

[storm33229]

I have just started working on a new service-based muse. The service/muse itself is a form of local advertising/marketing that is highly effective and very cheap. I've smoothed out all the financial details and am beginning to test first to see if anyone, in the current state of things (economy), is wanting to take the job. I tested a job ad on Craig's List, and I have over 10 inquiries so far, and they keep coming.

So now that I've tested the "hiring" side of things, I figure I should test the "sales" side of things; seeing which companies will purchase my services. Having said that, I'm curious to know if any of you have any really solid ideas as to how to go about doing this? I think I'll start by going directly around the area to local private business owners and marketing it that way to test, and also to Craig's List again...but I'm wondering if there are any other good ways to market this sort of muse.

I figure that if this test shows me the right results, I can go and make an LLC and launch the business.

Thoughts? Advice? etc.

Actual Goal:
Supply a local-marketing service to small/private businesses in/around my area.

P.S. I ran the hiring test for 3 hours and received 30 inquiries.

[blackhatontherocks]

To be honest, as I'm not really clear about what the heck you're trying to do, my answers can only be equally vague:

a) Is there something like xing in the us? Basically a "Facebook for business matters and connection". This kind of stuff should also be great to bulk-contact advertisers.

b) ... no, not much of b here, I really have no clue what kind of people you actually WANT to advertise to with what. "Business Owners " is a little broad.

[storm33229]

Post updated.

[blackhatontherocks]

Well, then actually walking through the places and making yourself known is defnitely a good idea. If you want to work local, be *present* locally. The first 3-5 Clients are hard, after that you should have a reputation going for you.

I still don't really get what you need to hire the people for (other than promotional activities like handing out flyers and stuff), but that's your term. I would have a website ready and then maybe also try to figure out who people's "Suppliers" are to spread the word even faster.

What I mean by suppliers: All Bars need people delivering Beverages and Soft-Drinks in large quantities and regularily. Finding out the 3-5 Suppliers for all the big places in town can get you in touch with 90% of all locations that could need advertising. Of course, this is just an example and applys to most businesses.

[storm33229]

Well, then actually walking through the places and making yourself known is defnitely a good idea. If you want to work local, be *present* locally. The first 3-5 Clients are hard, after that you should have a reputation going for you.

I still don't really get what you need to hire the people for (other than promotional activities like handing out flyers and stuff), but that's your term. I would have a website ready and then maybe also try to figure out who people's "Suppliers" are to spread the word even faster.

What I mean by suppliers: All Bars need people delivering Beverages and Soft-Drinks in large quantities and regularily. Finding out the 3-5 Suppliers for all the big places in town can get you in touch with 90% of all locations that could need advertising. Of course, this is just an example and applys to most businesses.
Hmm. I like that idea about the suppliers. Thanks. =]