Service Business: when to start getting clients

[Taktik]

I have an idea for a service business, that I will start soon.

While thinking about the next steps, I realized, that there are some specific areas of the service, in which I just know the basics (at most), I do not really have expertise. So I have to learn these skills, if I want to offer the service.

What is the way to go now? Should I first build up the skills I need and then look for clients (by "building up the skills I need" I mean getting better as fast as possible, 80/20 principle) or should I try to get clients from the start and learn as I go?

The reason why I am asking is, that I don't want to offer a service, where particular areas are average at best, but I also don't want to wait an eternity, while honing my skills, to start the business.

Thanks.

 

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[MHP368]

Whats the business?

 

[jpanarra]

Depending on the skills, start offering them for free to close friends and family. If your skills are good enough, the market will respond.

 

[Taktik]

Whats the business?

It's some kind of e-commerce as a service for specific sales channels.
I already know most of the technical requirements, so this is not going to be much of a problem.
The areas, where I only know the basics, are for example product photography and I also have to amp up my copywriting.
That basically means, that I could start tomorrow, but the listings won't be top notch.

 

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[John Clancy]

It's some kind of e-commerce as a service for specific sales channels.
I already know most of the technical requirements, so this is not going to be much of a problem.
The areas, where I only know the basics, are for example product photography and I also have to amp up my copywriting.
That basically means, that I could start tomorrow, but the listings won't be top notch.

Have you thought about outsourcing the parts of the work you're not comfortable with to other people?

 

[Taktik]

Have you thought about outsourcing the parts of the work you're not comfortable with to other people?

As my resources are scarce, I was planning to do everything myself at the beginning.
I was thinking of outsourcing later, when the business is up and running.

 

[MHP368]

Then you should start tommorow i'd say

 

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[Rawseed]

Start today. Fail forward. The best way to learn is by doing.

 

[Kybalion]

This is how I did it. First, I learned the basics. Then I began by working on imaginary projects. I looked at what people need and then imagined I am hired to do it for them.

After a couple of imaginary projects, I understood that I have no way to know if my services are any good. I had no feedback. Damn, those imaginary people... can't use them for testimonials either.

Then I began pitching my services for free. I mean if You can't sell Yourself for free, then how are You going to do it for money.

After I started to feel like my skills are actually valuable I started to raise my rates.

Overall, it has been a slow, low risk progression.

I understand the ''fail forward'' strategy, which is very popular here. But it is highly contextual. Sometimes, You just can't afford to fail. You have just one reputation. Failing client's expectations or just being incompetent can really mess up Your client acquisition in the long term.

On the other hand going hard has far greater ROI. But higher risk as well. Imagine closing a 5000$ deal, but totally messing up the conversion rates of Your client's store. If I was in the client's shoes I would be pissed.

At the end of the day it's up to how much risk You are willing to take.

Good luck!

 

[PizzaOnTheRoof]

Day 1

 

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