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I have an idea Advertise your business on outside of your car magnets you can get these from visit for example. I my going to get family too put a pair on their cars for me as i dont have one.
Especially one of them with be all over the place see it will be seen and hopefully get people's attention.
Also i am going to do an advert on t.shirts bags what ever i can think of that i use when i got out.
I know that putting an ad on your front door if a little envelope with a few biz cards will also help just think of how many people come to your door and how many possible know of someone who is starting a biz or has a biz.
If you get one one doing Kleeneze or Betterware make sure they know that you are a b.k you have nothing to loose. Its FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Hi Mary
I think those are two very good advertising ideas, and am going to give them a whirl
Sally
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Hi Mary
Great minds think alike. I've had small magnets on my car for months plus a large one on my garage plus adverts on my shopping bags, and I've also just received a small banner to put on the garden wall (it has a little path by the side which a lot of people use).
Once you buy something from vistaprint they are always offering free stuff (normally have to pay for p&p) so all the small magnets and banner were free over several orders.
Oh, almost forgot, also a lawn sign which was also free!! They also do good postcards, and you've guessed it - also free!!!!
Kate
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abacus said:
“Hi Mary
I think those are two very good advertising ideas, and am going to give them a whirl
Sally”
good luck with that you never know what might happen
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Kate said:
“Hi Mary
Great minds think alike. I've had small magnets on my car for months plus a large one on my garage plus adverts on my shopping bags, and I've also just received a small banner to put on the garden wall (it has a little path by the side which a lot of people use).
Once you buy something from vistaprint they are always offering free stuff (normally have to pay for p&p) so all the small magnets and banner were free over several orders.
Oh, almost forgot, also a lawn sign which was also free!! They also do good postcards, and you've guessed it - also free!!!!
Kate”
I love freebies from vista pitty about the postage it can be very price depends how quickly you want them
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I must admit i would like to see CIAB offer this service at least it could be a British Company actually in this country we need something to keep the country going. No i am not going into politics lol
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- Fellow PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 258 posts
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Hi James,
That advertising pack would definitely be very useful.
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I agree about the advertising pack - would be great
I have ordered my magnetic signs via Ebay rather than vista
Sally
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marytrouble said:
“Kate said:
“Hi Mary
Great minds think alike. I've had small magnets on my car for months plus a large one on my garage plus adverts on my shopping bags, and I've also just received a small banner to put on the garden wall (it has a little path by the side which a lot of people use).
Once you buy something from vistaprint they are always offering free stuff (normally have to pay for p&p) so all the small magnets and banner were free over several orders.
Oh, almost forgot, also a lawn sign which was also free!! They also do good postcards, and you've guessed it - also free!!!!
Kate”
I love freebies from vista pitty about the postage it can be very price depends how quickly you want them”
Hi Mary
You're right about the postage, but I staggered it over months using the slowest and cheapest rates, and they often send it earlier than they state on the order. This way, I could take advantage of the maximum freebies limit of 4 items at a time and the cheapest postage rates.
Regards
Kate
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- Member PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 38 posts
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i think an advertising pack from ICB would be a great idea, also had a look on vistaprint, i will certainly make use of them 
Edited at 21 Mar 2011 07:41 PM GMT
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Hi Mary,
Tell me how you get on with those magnets!
Kind Regards
Paula Welsh
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paulawelsh said:
“Hi Mary,
Tell me how you get on with those magnets!
Kind Regards
Paula Welsh ”
Hi paula sorry its taken so long comp probs I have got the plans in place but as of yet not got magnets ect yet because i have as yet not completed the course I want to get things in place first. Think I may put forward the designs to bk ass as it tooks time for everything to be cleared I am also planing the web site so I will be ready to go when i get passed.
The magnets will work though if nothing else they will be talked about besides thats how a lot of business gets noticed.
You could always use a simple laminated sheet keep it simple and see what that does. Starting up is expensive so why not do as much as we can ourselves and see what that gets us.
Good luck
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- Member PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 481 posts
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I thought before about asking the ICB about magnetic versions on their logo but did not bother as I was under the impression that whenever a member used the logo it had to be accompanied by the membership number underneath and you couldn't bulk buy in that case. The only way round this I thought was a blank box for members to write the number in permanent marker althought this wouldn't look too professional.
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unless they send out some number stickers with each one. Then they would all be in the same typeface and very neat. Would have to be waterprof stickers though.
I tried the magnets. Had it on my husband's van for about 8 months (until it fell off on the A303 somewhere near Andover) didn't get a sniff of work through it.
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My In Laws run a signage business and do magnetic car stickers. They could put on them all of your details, logo and number along with the ICB crest.
They are away until Wednesday (20th Apr) so can't get a price right now, but if anybody would like me to get them a price, give me a shout.
Or have a look at what they do for yourself
http://www.douglasdesign.co.uk/
Sandra
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James @ ICB said:
“Hi Guys,
Great tips. I did think about the car magnets a while ago but never got round to finding any.
Perhaps the ICB should buy some car magnets and signs in bulk to save the member some money?
The ICB has thought about offering an advertising pack, in which would be these various items and business cards etc. Would this be of any interest to anyone?”
Hello all,
This will be my first post in our Forum so I hope I get this right! I would be extremely interested in an advertising pack offered by ICB - providing it was what I call affordable.
Since being made redundant in 2009 I have self funded my studies, membership and examination costs, licence and insurance costs and everything else necessary to obtain and retain my membership status and the right to practice. Since passing my level 2 examinations I have researched the cost of advertising. It does not look good. I have managed to set up a free website with GBBO, although I have had to design the whole site myself. With the lack of specialised PC skills and the difficulties I have experienced trying to write attention grabbing blurb, it has all come to a grinding halt. There are useful templates for design ideas but with the growing online marketing it is hard for somebody like me to compete with a professional designer. Same with business cards and letterheads. I have tried to design my own templates but without a professional logo, to me, it all seems quite homemade. I have had to use clipart images in my logo and it is not exactly what I hoped it would be.
If the ICB offered an advertising pack I would be extremely keen as not only would it save me the headache and hassle of spending several days toying with one aspect of my advertising campaign, it would also allow me to carry out mail-shots as soon as possible and I would also be able to produce professional stationery when advertising my services.
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Hi Westone.
I'm also trying to start up with no capital. I've set up my own website (which for a first attempt, I'm quite pleased with). I got my business cards through vistaprint. Got about 1000 for £25 quid ish. Couldn't have the free ones as I wanted to upload the crest - so that's what costs the money. My letterheads and other stationery is all DIY, until I can get some business to cover the costs involved in getting this stuff done professionally.
I've managed to get myself listed first on BT directories, due to there being no other bookkeepers in my small town. BT directory listing is free (although they do call and try and upsell) and it's got a direct link to my website and email etc.
I've been to our local community shop and offered my services for free, but they already have a bookkeeper but have taken my details. I managed to convince them them that they need to do more to support local businesses - and by the time I left they were reorganising a corner of the shop for local business cards and flyers.
Have been ringing round local accountants to get my name out there - but no luck yet. Fingers crossed - got some more to ring though.
Hope some of this is useful.
Andrea
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- Companion Fellow PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 1137 posts
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Hi James
I always get a good response from ICB add in the yellow pages. James I have not got a letter from the ICB for a few years regarding the advertising. It is yell that contact me
Just wondering are you still telling new members about the scheme. My advice is what ever money you have spend it on advertising.
Church leaflets , school magazines are all good ways to advertise. Local sports clubs newsletters.
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Hi gigagirl,
Thank you for the extra info. I will definitely investigate the BT directory you mentioned. I must say that your business card looks very professional and easy to read! I think I will try the Vista Print route you mentioned.
I have also contacted local accountancy practices (by e-mail) but have not had any responses  Not even a thanks, but no thanks.
I wish you all the best!
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- Companion Fellow PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 1137 posts
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Hi James
Thanks for Info . Yes it is on my list of things to do. Been a bit overrun at the moment. Yes Yell did contact me and I have done the advert again. i am spending the next couple of weeks doing all my own admin. So I will use the link for the ICB directory to put myself on. Just redesigning the content of my website at the moment.
I was asking for the new members. If they get set the ICB sent info about the Yell advertising as it was mentioned at last years seminar, and some of the members did not seem aware. I have had very good feedback about your practice name appearing under the ICB logo.
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- Member PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 115 posts
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You can advertise on netmums for free upto 5 locations.
Be careful with the way you drive with the magnets, got stopped by the police right outside the hotel I was going to for a network meeting and quite a lot of people noticed. I was apparently on my mobile phone, which was switched off in my bag! No apology just we're too busy to deal with this right now, not too busy to stop me though!
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WestOne said:
“Hi gigagirl,
Thank you for the extra info. I will definitely investigate the BT directory you mentioned. I must say that your business card looks very professional and easy to read! I think I will try the Vista Print route you mentioned.
I have also contacted local accountancy practices (by e-mail) but have not had any responses Not even a thanks, but no thanks.
I wish you all the best! ”
Hello again WestOne. Have you got a name? Maybe you could update your profile with it.
Glad you like my card. Was relatively easy to do. It's one of Vistaprint's templates with a little tweeking. My little pound sign in the corner was a little something I found searching Google images. Just had to make sure there wasn't a copyright first.
I've been calling accountants rather than writing. At least that way I know they haven't just chucked a letter in the bin. Can't afford the stamps at the moment, but have a lot of free minutes on my mobile contract. Nothing back yet but still early days. They mostly sound quite pleased to have you call them. Most seem friendly enough. Just sending out a follow up letter to the ones I called a few weeks ago now I've passed Level 2 manual, a little reminder for them that I'm still here and a chance to tell them that I can do so much more for them now.
Andrea
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Hello
I called 50 accountants about a month or so ago. 8 of them either took my details or asked me to send them a CV which I thought was quite a good response rate. A lot of the others did bookkeeping in house.
Another thing I am about to do is get in touch with the local bank managers to see if they have a list of approved bookkeepers that they recommend to their new business account holders - I think it was in the practice members area that suggested that. Fingers crossed that gets me an 'in' somewhere.
I have also just sent off a fair few letters to local businesses - did you know you can buy discounted stamps at Costco? It is only a 2.1% saving, but every little helps!
I am quite lucky to have a marketeer as a Husband who has done my website and designed my logo, business cards etc. However another marketeer I know suggested getting in touch with the local Regus offices to see if they would allow me to leave some business cards around - I will get to doing that soon as I only picked up my business cards this week (along with 2 potential clients at the printers so was quite a good move to go there).
Good luck all
Sandra
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Hi Gigagirl,
I am so silly, I did not even think about copyright licenses. I am trying to design my own logo and banners, so that my website, business cards, stationery, etc all has a universal look to them. I am currently using a clipart image in my logo so will need to check that out. Does your website design differ much from your business cards seeing as you used a Vista Print template?
What do you mean by my name (Sorry silly question I know). I have decided to trade as WestOne for Books and would like to upload my final logo onto my profile and link my website to my ICB Directory ad once it has all been approved. I have just today completed the design of my stationery (subject to those copyright regulations) and hope to finalise the last two pages on my website by next week. Hopefully then I can get on with some serious advertising!
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Hi Kelly. (got your name by clicking on your screen name). My website is simolar to the cards and other stationery but I'm not clever enough to get it to match up completely. My email address is (removed now coz I don't want loads of spam) if you send me a quick email - i'll send you the link.
Hello Sandra. Lucky you having a useful husband. Mine is a plumber - which I suppose is useful, but not much help for getting stationery and marketing help. I haven't got a Costco near me unfortunately. I have applied for a couple of little part time jobs - with a view to building up self-employed around something else. I am just aching to get some work and get going. Confidence sky high but not getting any nibbles from any fish yet - big or little. 
Edited at 15 Apr 2011 06:07 PM GMT
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