The Begining of 2006 and the End of the First Week
Whew, What a week :-D
Well the centre has been up and running for over a week now and WHOA! What a week it has been!
We have signed up 29 members over the past week and they are continuing to join at a pretty steady rate. Even on days like Christmas eve and Boxing day which were pretty quite the centre still managed to make just about enough to break even on those days and the next step has yet to be taken.... Retail!
Only half the centre is being used at the moment and the other side is set to be stocked with all kinds of games and gamer gear. I've already got deals with most of the major distributors of games and in the next few weeks I'll have the full set.
Some of the people in the centre have been coming in pretty regually. Insomnia for example (everyone knows each other by their login names) Comes in pretty much everyday and although I have my things to do at the counter I manage to find time for a good game of counter strike every now and again. I think having the guy behind the counter being more then just a body to take cash and fix the computers is very important, especially when pretty much the only way the business can work is to create a dedicated customer base so trust me, those great gaming sessions are real work ;-).
I've also started to write my first article for the Youthcove Blog (which will be up and running pretty soon, nudge nudge ;-)) on how to apply online marketing techniques to offline businesses since I have recently realized just how powerful this can be for a traditional offline business. Email has become such a common place form of communication that we can forget just how incredible it really is. What other medium can you instantly communicate with your customers with? What other medium is completely free? What other medium do people access just about everyday and are pretty happy to give to just about everyone and their brother?
Needless to say that any email marketing done with an offline business has to be done well to be affective and I will be considering this for some time before I implement any kind of campaign. Being accused of Spam is defiantly not on my things to accomplish list :-P.
what else?... Oh yeah! Christmas! I almost missed it :-P Nah, not really. I had a great day off from work and got a bunch of presents all of which I really like. One of them was a CD Set by Napoleon Hill and listening to that was just what I needed at a point where I was starting to feel businessed out from 4 months of solid work... Businessed out!? I hear you cry. James Coombs?! Never! Well guess what, it does actually happen, but I realized that it is just those points that are the true test of just how good I am at this game and damn it! If I want to be the Best then I'm not going to let a little thing like 4 months of work slow me down for any length of time! :-D I feel ready and fighting fit! I have the fire in my eyes, the grit in my stomach and 2006 is not going to know what hit it!
WHOOOOOOOO!
- James
5 Comments:
Way to go James! Keep up the good work, it has been fun to watch as your blog has developed and you have begun to open your business. I really hope your hard work pays off for you.
Way to go James. I am so tempted to buy of those 5.1 headsets! uhmmmm.... Anyway because I have personal experience of James venture I say well done! A bit of counter strike suits me fine and boy what a gaming session on CS we had! how many people were playing on it? Anyway their were quite a few people in! James keep up the good work! See you very soon. Will aka filmN
Hey James,
Way to go on starting your own business. You have a great business idea and should have no problem building a loyal customer base. I'll continue reading all of your updates.
-Mike
http://www.passiveincomeinfo.com
Dear James - well done! It makes me want to jump in the car and drive to Cumbria to see the place - more pics please! Couple of tips for you.......I bought a "boutique guesthouse" and we used to cover the walls with modern art from local artists, host Open Evenings and Private Views - very cool and we got loads of press in all the local papers! Theres's a guy called Dan Thompson who could mentor you through this (www.IHateDanThompson.com) and it really works for raising awareness locally. Second tip: my heart sank when you said about you being behind the counter so much! While I totally agree that you need someone who is passionate about puters and gaming, it must not be you! Read "E-Myth Revisited" for an inspirational look at setting up successful businesses that will run without you (it's about simple systems and incentives for employees) and you won't look back mate, promise!
Also, Google for a limited time, are offering free listings in their Google Local directory and it only takes minutes to set up.
Any help, advice, whatever, I can give, don't hesitate to shout!
Cheers, Nicola
Nicola Cairncross
www.TheMoneyGym.com
I'd ask for advice, see if you can get some free because Nichola normally charges £4000 for her services!
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