It’s much easier to start up a business in a sector you know. I have written bids for over 15 years, but I still researched what and who else was out there. I asked my contacts too. It seemed that for my business some of the companies want the help and some can’t always afford it. I think this is universal for all support type businesses, so it’s about ensuring you explain the benefits.
We recognise we can’t give all of our services away for free…but you can give free initial consultations, you can give talks at business network events to share a few tips and hints, you can blog, write articles etc. I have also decided to have a preferential charitable rate and to use my contacts to build the business slowly, exploring other businesses who are able to pay.
You must be able to demonstrate the benefit of your service to your client…why they should pay you? Well you are saving them time and money! I can free up time (aka money) so you can do something else that is just as important, and I can also stop that bid just sitting on your desk for 3 years.
