Opening a company... [Serious]

[chocoloco]

Guys,

Me and some of my friends (total 4) are thinking about opening a company where we can offer consulting and software development services. All of us have quite a bit of experience. We live in canada. First thing first, we will have to establish the company, create the website and all that jazz. What I am curious about is how do you land up software contracts?? I mean we do not have much personal contacts here ... opening a website will help somewhat and listing on google. Are there any other ideas/suggestions?

[oceanebelle]

marketing strategies.

dglienna mentioned something about flyers, maybe it'll help your case.

The best thing though is to definitely get the right contacts, build some kind of reputation without necessarily hurting yourself in the process and in no time you'd have your name floating in every avenue screaming dollars in australian.

[chocoloco]

I know we need some contacts. It would be hard to get work otherwise, website will help but personal contacts are required.

[chocoloco]

If anybody ever done this before, I would appreciate the list of things they did (sort of like checklist) to start and put things in motion ...

[Memnoch1207]

To get the word out advertise in local papers, business journals, etc...

Do you already have some clients? If so, that will be a bonus as you can use the work you've done for them in your portfolio, as well as contacting them for testimonials that can be included in your website and advertising campaign.

Most business comes by word of mouth, so do your best to satisfy your new clients, they'll end up getting you the most business, either in word of mouth or as a return customer.

[Valleysboy1978]

Can't remember their location but I remember there are quite a few websites where companies can advertise their need for a website. You then, as a contractor, would bid for that contract (offering a cheap price, quick development etc). Good place to start

[chocoloco]

No, we do not have any clients yet. We have not even established anything yet. But creating a company and website does not take long and its in process. I was just trying to do bit of R&D ahead of time.

We can keep our clients (future clients) satisfied, I think all 4 of us are pretty good. I am finding the "how to get your first client" to be the hard part.

[eSPiYa]

Me and my friends (total of 4-9) too are planning too do it (we are doing freelance work for now).
We don't have enough money for our domain name & web host but we still got clients (but only few, 1-3/mo).
We are able to do it by posting in forums where there are lots of businessman (don't post your ads in forums where there are lots of programmers to like VBF ), post your skills and finished works even small projects. We also post in classifieds of friendster.

Just like Belle said "build-up some reputation"; it may help you to gain more clients. Often, when a client likes your work, they will refer you to their friends or other companies and they will return everytime they need your service. Be good to your clients.

[sevenhalo]

I had considered this as well, but your prolem is your highest hurdle. I still plan on going into independent consulting, but beforehand, I'm building clientel by being a consultant for another company, makeing a name and then selling myself. That way the hard stuff is done by head hunters. Beyond that, the profit to loss margin is inimal since companies who will buy you already ask for you.

[eSPiYa]

Yeah you're right. I started as solo, and I am experiencing it now. 2 companies are already asking me.

I'm also posting my resume w/ my ads and I can get clients, if I can't handle the number of clients I give them (I choose w/c I want to give) to my friends (3 of them are working for a buisness solution companies but they do it at home).

[RobDog888]

There are some leagal things to take care of when your ready to do this. You need to go to the city or county courthouse and perform a DBA search for your company name. Then if no one is using it you can file the papers to establish your DBA. You need a business license in the city where you will be basing your company from, a sellers permit, and you need to get your company bonded and insured for liability issues. If you are going to be doing e-commerce on your site then you need to pay extra taxes and file extra papers for this.

Having a website is worrthless if your not doing web development as your primary focus. I have been independant for several months now and I dont have a site and I dont have the time to create one as I have too much work and too addicted to vbf lol.

If you have worked for a company before doing consulting work be careful for any "No compete clauses" in your agreement or employment contracts. Companies dont want to loose their clients to their developers if they go solo.

Flyers, ads, and websites get you practically no response. Word of mouth is where its all at. I just got another referral today because of this.

Good luck on your ventures and keep us updated on your status

[dclamp]

a good website to get your company name around it myspace. they have what, 123,912,121 users. thats alot.

[RobDog888]

I disagree as myspace would really lower your company's respectability by a factor or 1,000,000,000

[dclamp]

well there are alot of people and you could get your company name out there.

guess it is more for clothing lines, bands huh?

ps, dont youlove my signature?

[RobDog888]

Yes, I have been waiting for a good post to -ve rep you on Jk

[penagate]

well there are alot of people and you could get your company name out there.

guess it is more for clothing lines, bands huh?

ps, dont youlove my signature?

MySpace is for vapid emo children and airheads.

[rory]

MySpace is for vapid emo children and airheads.

we finally agree on something