FabSwingers.com > Forums > The Lounge > Business savvy swingers?

Business savvy swingers?

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

I’m starting my own business customising, restoring and building drums and percussion and was wondering if there are any business savvy Swingers out there that can impart some wisdom. No piece of advice is too small or unimportant; I’m eager for as much knowledge as I can get. If anyone has any helpful tips, book recommendations, pitfalls to look out for, experiences to share etc. I’d be eternally grateful!

Thanks for reading. Hope you’re all simply having a wonderful Christmas time!

Ryan

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

It's best when someone else bangs your drum

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *ock69erMan over a year ago

Middle o’ Fife

Get a good accountant, claim back EVERY expense you're entitled to and never try to cheat the vat man.... pretty much plain sailing after that... good luck.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"Get a good accountant, claim back EVERY expense you're entitled to and never try to cheat the vat man.... pretty much plain sailing after that... good luck."
Thanks, I appreciate it! Those are exactly the sort of tips I was looking for. Gave me a little confidence boost too.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *unandbuckCouple over a year ago

Sheffield

Save as long as you can before you start, to have cash to pay your household bills in the lean months when you first start.

Avoid debt if sensible to do so.

Be brutally honest with yourself about the market and profitability.

Good luck.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *ehind closed curtainsCouple over a year ago

East Midlands

Sounds trite - but it's true :-

Turnover is vanity

Profit is sanity

Cash is king

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By * Kiwis and a BananaMan over a year ago

Part of your 5 a day

"Get a good accountant, claim back EVERY expense you're entitled to and never try to cheat the vat man.... pretty much plain sailing after that... good luck. Thanks, I appreciate it! Those are exactly the sort of tips I was looking for. Gave me a little confidence boost too."

I will soon be a qualified accountant so if you need any legal advice in terms of tax and other stuf let me know

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *ock69erMan over a year ago

Middle o’ Fife

Starting your own business sounds scary but it isn't complicated at all... get a good local accountant who you can go and talk to, they'll give you all the advice you need.

Fill out the forms, get the company up and running and you're off...

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

As a drummer, if I was going to be spending the cash it costs for a custom made kit. I'd be much more trusting of an established company who knows their stuff and is time tested.

I looked into having a pearl kit made and the cost is eye watering.

Good luck, you've got a tough market to crack.

A lot of drummers will be like myself...loyal to one brand.

Kit - pearl

Cymbals - zildjian

Skins - remo

It would take some serious persuasion for me to change.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I'm a terrible business person (my heart isn't in promoting and networking) but I still manage ok. So if I can do it, you can do it.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Start up loan scheme. Contact your local chamber of commerce and see if they have any business owners who are willing to be business mentors.

You in all honesty don't need an accountant unless your going to be a limited company. I did all of my tax and accounts myself and will be again when I start my new business.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *eus n EuropaCouple over a year ago

louth

"Sounds trite - but it's true :-

Turnover is vanity

Profit is sanity

Cash is king"

Plus if your tax adviser does not save you more than his fee find another one

Good luck in your new venture

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Learn about the boring things like marketing, search engine optimisation, that sort of thing! Internet traffic will be a big priority...

Also, don't give up, no matter how many times you fail! Good luck with your venture!

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

I will soon be a qualified accountant so if you need any legal advice in terms of tax and other stuf let me know

"
Thanks man, will do!

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"As a drummer, if I was going to be spending the cash it costs for a custom made kit. I'd be much more trusting of an established company who knows their stuff and is time tested.

I looked into having a pearl kit made and the cost is eye watering.

Good luck, you've got a tough market to crack.

A lot of drummers will be like myself...loyal to one brand.

Kit - pearl

Cymbals - zildjian

Skins - remo

It would take some serious persuasion for me to change. "

Thanks for the input! You're totally correct but we know it can be done. I should have specified that the custom drum making is a long term goal. For now my USP is customising existing kits. You still get your factory made kit with your favourite logo on the badges but with all the aesthetic frills and thrills of a custom kit, at a fraction of the price.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *inaryGuyMan over a year ago

Near the River

"I’m starting my own business customising, restoring and building drums and percussion and was wondering if there are any business savvy Swingers out there that can impart some wisdom. No piece of advice is too small or unimportant; I’m eager for as much knowledge as I can get. If anyone has any helpful tips, book recommendations, pitfalls to look out for, experiences to share etc. I’d be eternally grateful!

Thanks for reading. Hope you’re all simply having a wonderful Christmas time!

Ryan"

I presume you are already doing this work. It's best to work out how big your order book is ie how much work you have. Cash is very important to continuing your business. Concentrating on getting more orders is just as important as doing a good job. Pm me if you need to know more (I'm already boring everyone)

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"I'm a terrible business person (my heart isn't in promoting and networking) but I still manage ok. So if I can do it, you can do it.

Thanks for the kind words chuck! I know what you mean, that stuff is scary. I'll let you know if I come across any good books on the subject.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"Learn about the boring things like marketing, search engine optimisation, that sort of thing! Internet traffic will be a big priority...

Also, don't give up, no matter how many times you fail! Good luck with your venture! "

It's as scary as it is boring but I'm learning. Thanks for the motivation!

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Use eBay to advertise your services.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

What projected earing forecast do you have ?

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

Thanks for reading. Hope you’re all simply having a wonderful Christmas time!

Ryan

I've put loads of thought into the quality but haven't considered the quantity much. Thanks for your advice. You aren't boring me, that's for sure.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"I'm a terrible business person (my heart isn't in promoting and networking) but I still manage ok. So if I can do it, you can do it.

Thanks for the kind words chuck! I know what you mean, that stuff is scary. I'll let you know if I come across any good books on the subject."

I've read all the books I just really, really, really loathe telling people I'm great at what I do in order to get jobs.

Fortunately after a while word of mouth referrals start to pick up.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"What projected earing forecast do you have ?

I think the smart thing to do is to admit that I don't even know what one of those is. Can you explain it to me, pretty please?

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"I'm a terrible business person (my heart isn't in promoting and networking) but I still manage ok. So if I can do it, you can do it.

Thanks for the kind words chuck! I know what you mean, that stuff is scary. I'll let you know if I come across any good books on the subject.

I've read all the books I just really, really, really loathe telling people I'm great at what I do in order to get jobs.

Fortunately after a while word of mouth referrals start to pick up."

Ah I misunderstood what you meant, my bad! So when it comes to promotion is word of mouth more important than demonstrating your skills/acheivements?

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"What projected earing forecast do you have ?

I think the smart thing to do is to admit that I don't even know what one of those is. Can you explain it to me, pretty please?"

For a start You need to know the size and scope of the potential market,,,, then set yourself a realistic target of market share, divide that by the average time and overhead costs needed by you to provide that service whilst accommodating a sufficient percentage for profit/wages...

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"What projected earing forecast do you have ?

I think the smart thing to do is to admit that I don't even know what one of those is. Can you explain it to me, pretty please?

I have done part of that. I know my costs, profit and an approximate timescale for the production of each item. How do I figure out the size of the potential market?

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"I'm a terrible business person (my heart isn't in promoting and networking) but I still manage ok. So if I can do it, you can do it.

Thanks for the kind words chuck! I know what you mean, that stuff is scary. I'll let you know if I come across any good books on the subject.

I've read all the books I just really, really, really loathe telling people I'm great at what I do in order to get jobs.

Fortunately after a while word of mouth referrals start to pick up.

Ah I misunderstood what you meant, my bad! So when it comes to promotion is word of mouth more important than demonstrating your skills/acheivements?"

Different strategies work for different people. I've spent a couple of years building up my reputation and now I find that volume of work isn't a problem for me.

However different businesses and different industries, even different people find that different things work for them.

Some local chambers of commerce run small business starter courses - you should look at getting on one of them. It sounds like you're right at the beginning of considering self employment and it would help you figure out if its for you.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"What projected earing forecast do you have ?

I think the smart thing to do is to admit that I don't even know what one of those is. Can you explain it to me, pretty please?

I have done part of that. I know my costs, profit and an approximate timescale for the production of each item. How do I figure out the size of the potential market?"

Unless you know the size of your potential market you haven't got any plan.....

How many people are you aware of actively seeking the service you wish to provide and what is their average spend and what is you provide that is better and more cost effective than others already providing that service ....

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *nnaandchrisCouple over a year ago

loughton

Some of the advice I was first given;

Be prepared in the early years to spend most of your time on the venture and that your social and family life will suffer.

Business plan and work to it.

Set up fair (for both) trading terms and conditions get clients to sign agreement and take deposits.

In the early stages put as much money aside as possible

Get a good accountant and take their advice

Network, you will be surprised where work (or support / contacts) may come from.

Advertise and promote yourself. As a sole trader you are the reason people will buy / use you so market yourself well, very well. And don’t be embarrass to sign write your vehicle(s) and your clothing we still get approx 20-25% of our enquiries from walking around in logoed jackets and the cars.

Review your competitors, prices, marketing, client base

Again time…. Until you get established / staff there are lots of other little things that need to be done that take up a lot of time.

Wish you well on your venture

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"I'm a terrible business person (my heart isn't in promoting and networking) but I still manage ok. So if I can do it, you can do it.

Thanks for the kind words chuck! I know what you mean, that stuff is scary. I'll let you know if I come across any good books on the subject.

I've read all the books I just really, really, really loathe telling people I'm great at what I do in order to get jobs.

Fortunately after a while word of mouth referrals start to pick up.

Ah I misunderstood what you meant, my bad! So when it comes to promotion is word of mouth more important than demonstrating your skills/acheivements?

Different strategies work for different people. I've spent a couple of years building up my reputation and now I find that volume of work isn't a problem for me.

However different businesses and different industries, even different people find that different things work for them.

That is exactly the kind of golden nugget of information I'm looking for. Thank you so, so much. I'll look into one of those courses right away.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *imiUKMan over a year ago

Hereford

"What projected earing forecast do you have ?

I think the smart thing to do is to admit that I don't even know what one of those is. Can you explain it to me, pretty please?

I have done part of that. I know my costs, profit and an approximate timescale for the production of each item. How do I figure out the size of the potential market?

Unless you know the size of your potential market you haven't got any plan.....

Depends what you are doing. If you are producing a commodity, its less imprtant, it will always sell, you just have to play the market and sell at the right time.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"What projected earing forecast do you have ?

I think the smart thing to do is to admit that I don't even know what one of those is. Can you explain it to me, pretty please?

I have done part of that. I know my costs, profit and an approximate timescale for the production of each item. How do I figure out the size of the potential market?

Unless you know the size of your potential market you haven't got any plan.....

I know who my target market is but I don't have any numbers - I don't know how many of them there are.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"What projected earing forecast do you have ?

I think the smart thing to do is to admit that I don't even know what one of those is. Can you explain it to me, pretty please?

I have done part of that. I know my costs, profit and an approximate timescale for the production of each item. How do I figure out the size of the potential market?

Unless you know the size of your potential market you haven't got any plan.....

I know who my target market is but I don't have any numbers - I don't know how many of them there are."

I completely endorse the excellent advice given earlier in the thread suggesting you investigate your local chambers of commerce small business starter courses.....

Best of luck

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"What projected earing forecast do you have ?

I think the smart thing to do is to admit that I don't even know what one of those is. Can you explain it to me, pretty please?

I have done part of that. I know my costs, profit and an approximate timescale for the production of each item. How do I figure out the size of the potential market?

Unless you know the size of your potential market you haven't got any plan.....

I know who my target market is but I don't have any numbers - I don't know how many of them there are.

I completely endorse the excellent advice given earlier in the thread suggesting you investigate your local chambers of commerce small business starter courses.....

Best of luck

Thanks for hi-lighting the gaps in my knowledge!

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *osieWoman over a year ago

Wembley

Register for flat rate VAT, if you can. But remember that you need to think carefully whether the VAT on your expenses is likely to be greater than the margin you can retain on flat-rate

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I'm not trying to just point out negative things but I'd be the sort of person who your target market is going to be.

When you say customise existing kits. I'm presuming you mean like fancy designs on the shells etc?

You can already get hydrodipping done or vinyl wrapping pretty cheap.

It's a very niche thing your going for with lots of options already available.

I do hope it works out tho....sounds pretty cool

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *unandbuckCouple over a year ago

Sheffield

I know who my target market is but I don't have any numbers - I don't know how many of them there are."

This is mega critical. You need to gauge it somehow.

Lets say you need to do 100 kits a year for it to work, how can you find out if that is realistic?

If you already work in a shop selling kits you might have an idea of how many new kits sell per week.

Is it just a local market or will people ship them?

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

" Use eBay to advertise your services. "
possibly Etsy too

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *akeyousmile30Man over a year ago

greenwich

Thanks for reading. Hope you’re all simply having a wonderful Christmas time!

Ryan"

1: keep your costs under control, the lower the bottom line the better

2: marketing, website, facebook, twitter, specialist magazines

3: quality, attention to detail and listen to your customers

4: try not to have business partners, control your own business

5 : raising the capital to start up

As a rule of thumb the more you put in the more you will get out!!

Good luck

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"I'm not trying to just point out negative things but I'd be the sort of person who your target market is going to be.

When you say customise existing kits. I'm presuming you mean like fancy designs on the shells etc?

You can already get hydrodipping done or vinyl wrapping pretty cheap.

It's a very niche thing your going for with lots of options already available.

I do hope it works out tho....sounds pretty cool "

Negative is good bud, it gets me thinking. And yeah I mean rewrapping/refinishing the shells, powder coating the hardware and eventually recutting bearing edges and cutting down shells. You're absolutely right though, the options are out there already. The only answer I have for that at the mo is that I can offer it all in one place and with high quality (once I establish a reputation).

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

I know who my target market is but I don't have any numbers - I don't know how many of them there are.

This is mega critical. You need to gauge it somehow.

Lets say you need to do 100 kits a year for it to work, how can you find out if that is realistic?

If you already work in a shop selling kits you might have an idea of how many new kits sell per week.

Is it just a local market or will people ship them?"

I'm starting to understand how I could calculate it now. One problem I have though is that my target audience is people who want something they can't afford and need a cheaper alternative. Is there any reliable way I could dig up some reliable figures for that sort of thing?

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

I know who my target market is but I don't have any numbers - I don't know how many of them there are.

This is mega critical. You need to gauge it somehow.

Lets say you need to do 100 kits a year for it to work, how can you find out if that is realistic?

If you already work in a shop selling kits you might have an idea of how many new kits sell per week.

Is it just a local market or will people ship them?"

And the kits can be shipped, yes. They can actually be packed down into a roughly 2ft x 2ft x 2ft box but that requires some assembly at the buyers' end. Nationwide or even global shipping is definitely a realistic option though.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *harpDressed ManMan over a year ago

Here occasionally, but mostly somewhere else

When "get an accountant" is "just the sort of advice I need", one wonders how much work OP has already put in, and why a business plan is being crowdsourced off a bunch of swingers.

Do a SWOT analysis.

(Google SWOT analysis).

Could whatever it is you do to drums be done to anything else?

Would your work void any warranty on the newly bought cheap drums?

Are there forums for drummers where you could research the value of your work, to support your pricing model?

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *unandbuckCouple over a year ago

Sheffield

I know who my target market is but I don't have any numbers - I don't know how many of them there are.

This is mega critical. You need to gauge it somehow.

Lets say you need to do 100 kits a year for it to work, how can you find out if that is realistic?

If you already work in a shop selling kits you might have an idea of how many new kits sell per week.

Is it just a local market or will people ship them?

You yourself should be one of the best sources of these figures. The Federation of Small Business don't have data on numbers of people wanting custom drum kits.

One of the biggest things you are going to need to learn is that it's your balls on the line, you need to be the one knowing everything.

I'd suggest doing lots more research. Get somebody you trust to give you some tough love and be devils advocate.

Go into it positive but not blind.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *inky-MinxWoman over a year ago

Grantham

"When "get an accountant" is "just the sort of advice I need", one wonders how much work OP has already put in, and why a business plan is being crowdsourced off a bunch of swingers.

Do a SWOT analysis.

(Google SWOT analysis).

Could whatever it is you do to drums be done to anything else?

Would your work void any warranty on the newly bought cheap drums?

Are there forums for drummers where you could research the value of your work, to support your pricing model?

I was going to mention write a full business plan. Fail to plan, plan to fail and all that jazz

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *aeriequeenWoman over a year ago

Manchester

The Vat man or indeed woman can always help if you get into difficulty (I hope you don't). Loads of very good info on the Government website and various helplines too.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *inky-MinxWoman over a year ago

Grantham

"crowdsourced off a bunch of swingers"

Brilliant

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

And keep proper records of everything. Spreadsheets can do for a start but think about your invoices, how you are going to produce them and what they will look like.

There are several inexpensive software products that can do all that fot you and you don't need to be an accountant or tech savvy to use them.

Accounting software is an area of expertise for me (I designed it for many years) if you want any pointers then happy to help. These days, personally, I would look at cloud solutions for everything.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Honestly, I'd go into this as a hobby and slowly turn it into a business.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *2000ManMan over a year ago

Worthing

Network at all the local gigs...maybe some in the nearby towns. Undercut all the competition and try not to be too greedy with pricing. Get a name for yourself. As it's a small market you will probably need a lot of face-to-face contact with potential customers.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Honestly, I'd go into this as a hobby and slowly turn it into a business."

Exactly this. It's not a business idea. You'd need to diversify away from just drums.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"When "get an accountant" is "just the sort of advice I need", one wonders how much work OP has already put in, and why a business plan is being crowdsourced off a bunch of swingers.

Do a SWOT analysis.

(Google SWOT analysis).

Could whatever it is you do to drums be done to anything else?

Would your work void any warranty on the newly bought cheap drums?

Are there forums for drummers where you could research the value of your work, to support your pricing model?

Ah come now, are you implying that a "bunch of swingers" are not a good source of advice and information? Tut tut.

But yeah we learned about SWOT analysis at uni and I'm sure I have the papers on it somewhere. Thanks for reminding me!

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Honestly, I'd go into this as a hobby and slowly turn it into a business."

That's exactly how I've done my work.

I take old furniture and turn it into something awesome. Started out as just doing bits for friends and family.

A year later I'm a stockist/supplier, have invested in a van and over the last few months had work coming out of my ears! Couldn't keep up!

A good bit of advice I've learnt is Facebook/Instagram etc they're your best forms of advertising.

I posted two photos of a sideboard I did and it generated nearly £1500 worth of work from two people.

Learn to professionally stage your photos with proper lighting and watermarks too....it helps massively.

Set up an area where you could hang a backdrop and get some perfect photos taken.

I buy and sell too as part of what I do, quick example would be a chaise lounge I bought....picked it up, took three properly stages photos and sold it for three times what I paid.

Honestly Facebook is amazing for small businesses.

Best of luck dude!

P.s if you need any product testers...hit me up

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I'm not quoting it all and the caps isn't shouting it's just so it stands out

and why a business plan is being crowdsourced off a bunch of swingers. because in this bunch of swingers is people like myself who would be the OPs target market

Could whatever it is you do to drums be done to anything else? YES

Would your work void any warranty on the newly bought cheap drums? NO

Are there forums for drummers where you could research the value of your work, to support your pricing model? YES

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"And keep proper records of everything. Spreadsheets can do for a start but think about your invoices, how you are going to produce them and what they will look like.

There are several inexpensive software products that can do all that fot you and you don't need to be an accountant or tech savvy to use them.

Accounting software is an area of expertise for me (I designed it for many years) if you want any pointers then happy to help. These days, personally, I would look at cloud solutions for everything."

Ah that sounds interesting. Is accounting software something I could use in the early days as a cheaper alternative to a human accountant?

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"And keep proper records of everything. Spreadsheets can do for a start but think about your invoices, how you are going to produce them and what they will look like.

There are several inexpensive software products that can do all that fot you and you don't need to be an accountant or tech savvy to use them.

Accounting software is an area of expertise for me (I designed it for many years) if you want any pointers then happy to help. These days, personally, I would look at cloud solutions for everything.

Ah that sounds interesting. Is accounting software something I could use in the early days as a cheaper alternative to a human accountant?"

I've been running my business for almost a decade now, full time for four years. I've never used an accountant. I'm a sole trader and not VAT registered, so I have no need for an accountant.

I use Freshbooks to keep track of everything.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

and why a business plan is being crowdsourced off a bunch of swingers. because in this bunch of swingers is people like myself who would be the OPs target market

Can I get an amen? That was perfectly put.

Your business sounds really interesting, it's pretty much what I want to do but replace the furniture with drums. I love that you mentioned properly photographing the furniture because I've been thinking the exact same thing. How about Youtube? Could you film a 360 degree pan around your furniture? It's something I've considered with my drums and it might be another way of getting your products out there.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

and why a business plan is being crowdsourced off a bunch of swingers. because in this bunch of swingers is people like myself who would be the OPs target market

Can I get an amen? That was perfectly put.

You can do 360 degree product shots, but they are very hard to do. Product photography is part of what I do, and it's not easy. If your products are expensive you might be better getting a professional in to do the work. I bet it would be cheaper than you think.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"Honestly, I'd go into this as a hobby and slowly turn it into a business.

Exactly this. It's not a business idea. You'd need to diversify away from just drums. "

That sounds like a very good idea to me. Do you have any ideas as to what areas I could expand into?

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Google "Custom Drums."

There are many established businesses. What will you compete on? Price? Quality? What will distinguish you?

Have a look at some of the stores. That will at least give you an idea of the prices out there.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

and why a business plan is being crowdsourced off a bunch of swingers. because in this bunch of swingers is people like myself who would be the OPs target market

Can I get an amen? That was perfectly put.

Sorry, I meant a short, well-filed Youtube video panning around the item. 360 degree photography would be great though! It would allow customers to look around the product almost as if they had it in their hands.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"Google "Custom Drums."

There are many established businesses. What will you compete on? Price? Quality? What will distinguish you?

Have a look at some of the stores. That will at least give you an idea of the prices out there."

Yeah I'm daunted by the idea of competing with custom drum companies. My idea is centred around customising drums that have already been made rather than building my own drums. I should have been more clear. Price will be the key way that I compete although I don't see why I can't match the quality of a custom drum company.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *harpDressed ManMan over a year ago

Here occasionally, but mostly somewhere else

and why a business plan is being crowdsourced off a bunch of swingers. because in this bunch of swingers is people like myself who would be the OPs target market

It was also a small dig at the little work OP seems to have actually done before he comes to us. Which I stand by. And I gave some reasonable advice as well, to offset it.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Sell things for more than they cost.

Thats business right?

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *oodmessMan over a year ago

yumsville

If you have re-lacquered or re-wraped drums before, existing products on a tablet or a physical example would be a good idea so they can see your work. You could then go to stores and ask them to advertise (posters) or stock cards or possibly rent space and stock a kit as a non saleable example. Though as somebody has suggested, ebay may be a first step to build sales, reputation, idea of the market?

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"If you have re-lacquered or re-wraped drums before, existing products on a tablet or a physical example would be a good idea so they can see your work. You could then go to stores and ask them to advertise (posters) or stock cards or possibly rent space and stock a kit as a non saleable example. Though as somebody has suggested, ebay may be a first step to build sales, reputation, idea of the market?"

It does sound like ebay is going to be my best for the first few kits. Eventually taking them to drum stores and trying to get my kits advertised in there is a brilliant idea! Thankyou!

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

It does sound like ebay is going to be my best for the first few kits. Eventually taking them to drum stores and trying to get my kits advertised in there is a brilliant idea! Thankyou!"

You could also team up with drum stores to offer a customisation service. The store wins by selling the kit. You win by selling the customisation.

Why stop at drums? Unique guitars are always an attraction.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *oodmessMan over a year ago

yumsville

You could always start cheap where there is usually a good mark up, think of egg shakers, tambourines, rain makers, blocks, Moktaks? Buy cheap and second hand, bring the grain out or add sparkle with the avenue into more expensive personal kits? You have to realise anyone is able to do this, so if it gains attraction a seal, logo or design may add value - a personal detail for the customer themselves may attract help you stand out (guesses).

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *ophieslutTV/TS over a year ago

Central

Look at your business skills and determine how you'll supplement areas of weakness. Identify the gap in the market that you want to fill.

Use networking to help promote you

Make a business plan

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *unandbuckCouple over a year ago

Sheffield

I'm going to be honest OP, a lot of your questikns are scary. You might be great at drum customisation, but you sem to have no idea if the market exists or how to tap into it.

You need to follow your dream but there are lots of basics you need to put in place.

A business works by having enough paying customers that can generate enough profit.

If this going to be your full time job, work out how many kits you need to do per year to cover your wages, premises and materials.

Is that number of kits possible in terms of number of customers and workload?

You need to know that before thinking about anything else.

A business plan and cashflow forecast is very boring, but very very useful.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

This is all great stuff you wonderful people! I'm writing everything down.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Honestly, I'd go into this as a hobby and slowly turn it into a business.

Exactly this. It's not a business idea. You'd need to diversify away from just drums.

That sounds like a very good idea to me. Do you have any ideas as to what areas I could expand into?"

Other instruments, maybe motorcycle or classic car parts. Are you expecting to make a living from this?

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

From reading this, by all means start your business up but don't quit your day job. I know far more about photography than drum modding but the vast majority of your success in starting up your company is not going to be how good you can make the end product but rather how good your business skills are. From reading this I suspect you have a lot more to learn before putting your income on the line becomes a good idea.

Something that hasn't been said is to consider getting a lawyer to draw up terms and conditions to protect yourself from litigation. What if the customer isn't happy with the end result and feels you've ruined their great uncle Peters drums, they now can't work as a musician and it is all your fault? Sounds silly but that is sadly the state of the world. Have a chat with the lawyer how to offer warranties, exchanges and alterations without leaving you in a bad position financially.

I'd caution against undercutting all of the others. By all means you can work at the lower end of the cost scale but being the very cheapest for something like this isn't always a good thing.

Like others have said make sure your photos are up to scratch top advertise yourself properly. If you can't take them yourself (it is difficult and you need to get it right) get in touch with a few professionals and see what it will cost to get it done properly. If you have shoddy pictures no one will buy your services.

Having a website but also a proper work email makes you seem far more professional. For the love of god, don't have a yahoo or Hotmail address as your contact. Advertise as much as you can, ideally free. Working for free can be dangerous but is sometimes needed to get your name out there. Use as a last resort if you rely on this for income.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

» Add a new message to this topic