Starting my own business need help

[Caz 0]

I recently started out my own Power Skating Instruction Lessons. I am trying to get more business, I have already started giving people my business card, and trying to get word of mouth out, and I have a couple Craigslist listings/MLIVE listings (which is getting me more hits than word of mouth). I charge really cheap, and the ice is mega cheap at only $15/hour for 1/2 the ice. I am planning on posting my card and a flyer at some local rinks.

But any other ideas on how to get the word out.

UPDATE - 5/5/11

Hey guys, wanted to post on how my progress is going and need a little further advice.

I now have 15 Private Students, business is good. Thanks for the feedback, I got most of them off MLive honestly.

Quick question though, I am moving to Central Maryland in the beginning of June (for training) and I needs some advice on how to start the same business out there.

I started doing Off-Ice Workouts with some success, but I wish it was better. Out in Maryland, I doubt I will find a deal like I have now....for only $15/hr, I get 1/2 the sheet, or $40/hr for the whole sheet (newly added specialty is the 40/hr). So how would I go about maybe talking some of the rinks down in price for what I am doing (bearly cutting up the ice, and if I do, its only like 10% of it), and/or do you guys think just approaching teams and give them my story, idea; put on a INSTRUCTIONAL class, once a week, NOT coaching, but just teaching the fundamentals of power skating, puck-handling, and hockey sense.

Trying to figure out how to go about this.

Thanks guys.

[Jsmells 0]

I see you're in Michigan, so have you tried the Mlive youth hockey forum, I know a lot of hockey parents go on that.

[metalwinger13 1]

what part of michigan are you located in?

[Caz 0]

I see you're in Michigan, so have you tried the Mlive youth hockey forum, I know a lot of hockey parents go on that.

Nice idea, I usually don't go on MLive due to the fact that there are a lot of psyco people on their occasionally. But, I'll try it out.

what part of michigan are you located in?

Oakland County.

Let it be noted, THIS ISN'T AN AD. Just trying to get more advertising/business increasing ideas.

[Vulcan7905 88]

How about handing out some flyers as well at the rink?

[goblue9280 33]

Nice idea, I usually don't go on MLive due to the fact that there are a lot of psyco people on their occasionally. But, I'll try it out.

Definitely hit the mlive forums... post an ad every few weeks in the different youth hockey forums. Make sure to stress your credentials... parents want to be assured that you are qualified. And when you get some attendees, make it a point to chat up the new parents before and after the session... they're the ones paying the fees, and if they like you, they are more likely to bring their kids back.

[s_franchise 5]

you should maybe make a social media page [facebook, twitter, etc] that could help get the word out also. hitting the rinks could be tedious and time consuming for you around here since theres so many.

[shotty 7]

word of mouth will only really be effective once you start getting steady business. most people won't be willing to spread the word unless they've experienced your lessons and see value in them. in the meantime, you're doing good in terms of getting exposure with little to no overhead... what you MAY want to do is contact the local leagues and offer them some kind of promo deal for teams or groups for a limited time, or specific/unique training sessions -- all leagues: mens/beer, youth, etc. this will give you the opportunity to reach people through a trusted source.

some suggestions: don't lowball your services in terms of rates, rent the entire ice surface, make sure you are fully insured/bonded, and that the rink knows what you are doing. dont be afraid to hire some helpers to assist you in setting up drills.

[tareatingrat 4]

Get online. Make sure your prices, times, contact info., well, EVERYTHING that a potential customer would want to know is online.

There's nothing worse than trying to get information on something and not being able to find it quickly or have to go through the "call for info." crap.

Get a Blackberry or the like and be available through e-mail as well as through the phone. Get back to people quickly.

[Jordan 13]

Find a local youth team or organization and volunteer your time and skill.

Doesn't matter if it is house league or rep. If parents see that you are helping their kids, they will want to attend your powerskating sessions.

One good turn usually pays off.

[bostonjuniorblackhawks 1]

I see you're in Michigan, so have you tried the Mlive youth hockey forum, I know a lot of hockey parents go on that.

is that a board where the parents just argue about the local "aaa" leagues and teams? There's one for the mass area called hockeydboard that's atrocious

[Jsmells 0]

is that a board where the parents just argue about the local "aaa" leagues and teams? There's one for the mass area called hockeydboard that's atrocious

ha yeah a good part of it is, but hey people will see it, and if they want little Jimmy to make Little Caesars or Honeybaked he has to go to every power skate and clinic available

[Caz 0]

Hey guys, wanted to post on how my progress is going and need a little further advice.

I now have 15 Private Students, business is good. Thanks for the feedback, I got most of them off MLive honestly.

Quick question though, I am moving to Maryland in the beginning of June (for training) and I needs some advice on how to start the same business out there.

I started doing Off-Ice Workouts with some success, but I wish it was better. Out in Maryland, I doubt I will find a deal like I have now....for only $15/hr, I get 1/2 the sheet, or $40/hr for the whole sheet (newly added specialty is the 40/hr). So how would I go about maybe talking some of the rinks down in price for what I am doing (bearly cutting up the ice, and if I do, its only like 10% of it), and/or do you guys think just approaching teams and give them my story, idea; put on a INSTRUCTIONAL class, once a week, NOT coaching, but just teaching the fundamentals of power skating, puck-handling, and hockey sense.

Trying to figure out how to go about this.

Thanks guys.

[JR Boucicaut 3801]

With the situation in MD in regards to ice (not much of it) chances are they won't be as easy.

[Caz 0]

With the situation in MD in regards to ice (not much of it) chances are they won't be as easy.

Yeah man, like NO JOKING!

I'm from Detroit, there is 6 ice areans (12 sum odd sheets of ice) within a 10 minute drive of where I live, and in Maryland, there are literally that many in a hour and a half driving range. Maybe someone knows something though eh?

[stock07 1]

You could hit up some inline rinks as well(if that is an option for you) it will be summer(June)so you may find more kids playing inline than ice especially in June. Also since there is a lack of ice in the MD area maybe branch out to some nearby states. Hope you get the business rolling!

I know these have at least ice, some have both:

(in no particular order)

Cabin John Ice Arena (Rockville, MD)

Kettler Capitals Iceplex (Arlington, VA-RIGHT across the river from downtown DC)

Capitol Clubhouse (Waldorf, MD)

Piney Orchard Ice Rink (Odenton, MD)

Bowie Ice Arena (Bowie, MD)

[biff44 0]

A lot of power skating gigs come from parents trying to get instruction for their kids. And parents know how to google! They do not necessarily use other types of social media.

I would set up a simple website at some cheap place (like a godaddy), maybe 2 or 3 pages total. Lots of pictures of you and your students. Some words on your philosophy.

Then I would set up a google adwords account, and claim words like "power skating", "power skating MD" etc. For maybe only $30 per month, you will get all sorts of traffic.

Make sure you submit your website to the search engines too.

There are plenty of free sites you can list your website on, like yahoo local, etc.

[Vulcan7905 88]

Wanted to know how the business is going Caz? Did you get more customers?

[goblue9280 33]

A lot of power skating gigs come from parents trying to get instruction for their kids. And parents know how to google!

I would set up a simple website at some cheap place

I agree with this tip... for parents, it definitely adds some legitimacy to your business. Encourage your happy customers to rate you on google (send them a link).

I saw your posting on mlive... glad that worked out well for you!

[Caz 0]

Wanted to know how the business is going Caz? Did you get more customers?

Good, response below.

You could hit up some inline rinks as well(if that is an option for you) it will be summer(June)so you may find more kids playing inline than ice especially in June. Also since there is a lack of ice in the MD area maybe branch out to some nearby states. Hope you get the business rolling!

I know these have at least ice, some have both:

(in no particular order)

Cabin John Ice Arena (Rockville, MD)

Kettler Capitals Iceplex (Arlington, VA-RIGHT across the river from downtown DC)

Capitol Clubhouse (Waldorf, MD)

Piney Orchard Ice Rink (Odenton, MD)

Bowie Ice Arena (Bowie, MD)

I know about the bold rinks, never heard of the rockville one. Thanks, idk if I will actually go to some inline rinks, inline skating is not really close to ice. Especially when it comes to stopping (and I would know the first thing about stopping/skating technique in inline). Thanks for the idea though.

A lot of power skating gigs come from parents trying to get instruction for their kids. And parents know how to google! They do not necessarily use other types of social media.

I would set up a simple website at some cheap place (like a godaddy), maybe 2 or 3 pages total. Lots of pictures of you and your students. Some words on your philosophy.

Then I would set up a google adwords account, and claim words like "power skating", "power skating MD" etc. For maybe only $30 per month, you will get all sorts of traffic.

Make sure you submit your website to the search engines too.

There are plenty of free sites you can list your website on, like yahoo local, etc.

Great idea! If business is slow in MD, I will try this out.

I saw your posting on mlive... glad that worked out well for you!

Yep, in response to how it is going. I got most of my students off MLive, or Craigslist. I have 10-12 students, and 5-6 regulars. I am keeping it small, and staying with the One-on-One/Two teaching. Also because I am leaving for MD soon, I don't want 30 kids, and have to leave.

The money is good. After watching a few eps of HOUSE, I think its more about me making a difference in people's lives though. A lot of the lessons I give not only are good for hockey, but are tools for life.

I will keep this updated every so often to tell you guys how its going.

[Vulcan7905 88]

Glad to hear that Caz! Glad people are learning and taking away all they can.