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The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP
Not the best time to start from scratch. But I wish you good luck
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rtm
To be honest I'm at least 4 months away +, I've got a 3 month notice period, a course to do and all that goes with it. When this happens I won't have gone into it blindly. Hopefuly by then the Market will have improved for everyone and there'sore money washing about.
I did the NETT course this time last year after being made redundant. The course is really intense but you feel confident after, just dont think you know it all when you leave because thats when the real learning and graft starts! I feel like i had a good year considering it was my first ever, i did do alot of advertising though, business cards, leaflet drops, local shops, internet alot of others aswell. I also did the rounds going to all the tile shops, kitchen and bathroom fitters also. Started doing family and friends jobs and other customers aswell building up a portfolio as i went. Its up and down though, i've had times when i've been booked up 4 weeks in advance and times when i've had no work for 2 weeks. Its just paying the bills though which is what matters. By the end of the year i was really busy, i managed to get work from a kitchen company close by and do subby work for a housing renervation company, with my own private jobs to i was working solid till xmas eve. It was a tough year though, you'll find jobs take you longer than expected till you realise your speed, you'll prob miss quote jobs too, but as long as you enjoy it, like i do, you'll do well (especially with your own business background). I've started this year slow though, had no work last week but busy with stuff till end of jan hopefully, the weather isnt helping! I use any spare time to post flyers which work well for me, some people on here think there a waste of time but when your starting out just getting your name out there is the most important thing. Hope this helps you a bit, i use this forum for advice all the time, infact i dont think i'd still be tiling now if it wasn't here! Good luck and keep us all informed how you get on!
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rtm
That's a good honest email, with regard to marketing I had my own print company for 9 years and my friend owns a large design agency so having a web site produced with the necessary collateral should be ok, I agree with what you are saying completely interns of creating name awareness, the work won't find you if your fresh on the scene. I have a wee while before I can makey break, hearing the good and bad now will leave me better placed when the time comes. I'm glad to hear your making more than a fist of it!!
