Working For Yourself – Facebook etc

[blacklion1725]

My eldest (25) has just packed his job (recruitment in the City) to work full time as a boxing coach (you don’t need to tell me – he done it while I was out of the country!).

Anyway to be fair to him he has boxed for years, has done his coaching badges and so far he’s doing OK, but all on word of mouth, plus some regular work at his old university and a gym in London. I suggested to him that a business Facebook Page would be a good place to start, along with a Website and an overhaul of his Linked-In profile.

For those on here who are self-employed is this the right way to go? Or is there a better way of getting yourself “out there”?

If I’m right is there a good place for him to start with regards to a Facebook Page (set up guide, do’s and don’ts), likewise Linked-In. For a Web Page I’ve said leave that till later, and maybe just get a good domain name and a holding page that just has contact details and a link to the Facebook page. Longer term is WordPress still the way to go with a website?

Ta!

 

 

[RSB]

He should do everything possible no half measures. Yes WordPress in my opinion is the best way to go. Also I would put the website on the first to do list. Why! Well, it takes time to build up search ranking’s so it’s best to start as soon as poss. Once your site is up you should also set-up google local.  Post your site on as much reputable directories that allow your website address and do the same on gummytree. Personally I hate, and use social networks as little as possible but they are a necessary evil that often do the job. Start by joining loads of local groups and post away within reason. It will cost very little to do any of the above. It only get’s costly when you start looking at ad’s, google, facebook, twitter and bing!

Americans: Over Sexed, Over Payed and Over here, Wat Wat!

[The Duke]

Do them all but defo FB, most people don’t know there is an internet outside of FB. Sadly.

However you don’t want your biz reliant on a 3rd party. You could be pulled down (almost said ‘off’ then) night etc…

Linked is is a strange ones but only takes minutes to set up, and maintain etc.

Also FB targeted ads are very cheap indeed. And I bet boxers fit nicely in to a relativly small group when drilled down to a local area.

Tho as lee said, it can get expensive if youre trying to reach a broad spectrum, but given its a niche (ish), it should be cheap, and you set a limit anyhow. So no unexpected bills.

I’d avoid google adds, who ever sees them?

 

[blacklion1725]

Thank you both – on the website front he has no web-creation experience (I’m not far behind him) – but does use Facebook and Linked-in. In fact on Linked-in he already has bundles of contacts from his recruitment job who are mainly young-ish men/women with money and who might facny boxing without the blood and sweat of a proper boxing gym.

And that’s who he’s after – actual boxers will goto a boxing gym, but a lot of people (especially rich ones) seem to want to do the training but in a more sanitised environment.

Be interested to know if anyone has done a Facebook page for a business (as a sole trader) – and if so any tips etc.

[The Duke]

Posh people today seem to want to do boot camp type of training it seems, so he may want to look down that avenue to.

If you don’t have much web practice have a look at square space. A posh drag and drop, but you can code too if you want. So as simple or heard as you want it to be.

I’ve not looked in a few years but version 3.0 was very nice, i never liked v2.0. It’s free too for 14 days with no cc needed until you decide you want to keep your site. So you can make one just to check it out. Also it has auto sizing, so your site will fit any screen. Can’t really their posh name for it. Bit i think they was the first at it. Probably all do it now. Dynamic rendering or something like that.

[The Duke]

On the FB business page, i did try it once and failed. But that was in the early days of separate fb pages. I’m sure it has moved on.

Funny this came up, as me and the SIL are about to start a venture on amazon, through Amazons FBA set up. It will need FB links and mucho amazon ads. It started with a chance chat over Xmas dinner. Strange how these things come about. I may be bankrupt by next Xmas.

[blacklion1725]

Cheers Duke yeah at my gym it amazes me what people will pay (on top of their sub) for boot-camp style training (mine is aDavid Lloyd).

He is set on boxing at the minute – his mate went pro but had to pack it in due to a retina problem, and went in to this game – he then got my boy a bit of part time work which has increased and that’s how we got here.

Will have a look a Square Space – new one one me – might be a good short term solution – cheers.

[Drezha]

The Facebook pages are relatively easy to maintain – we maintain one for cadets (or well, did, as our squadron has just been closed and I’ve been posted to a new one).  They update and send metrics to you every week (which I always ignored – reach etc wasn’t a big deal with the cadet one, we just wanted it to be active to show the squadron was active).

 

When I was looking for a PT, I managed to find mine via a gym – not sure if he could do simialar and setup a repciproal deal?

 

(Spelling is poor tonight – not sure why Firefox spell check isn’t working!)

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[blacklion1725]

Good Info – thanks Drezha

[Bob Williams]

Chris you will have Steve criticising your spelling!?

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

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