When it's quiet

Despite some members not liking advice being given (not sure what the forum is for if not for advice) I am going to give some for what many already know, but some are just about to find out.

Jan and Feb are notoriously quiet and whilst you may be patting yourselves on the back after a busy few months on the lead up to xmas, you're going to find it tough between now and March, April or even May.

You need regular work, and if your customers aren't giving it to you, you need to find more of the same, and you need to build up your network of courier co's to try and get what little work there is.

So if the phone is dead, pick it up and breath some life into it... Get some flyers, target an industrial estate... Get out there!

You may think i state the obvious, but as you all know, what's obvious to you and me ain't necessarily to someone else

I with Rob on this. This is your main job driving is your second job. Your here to drive your business and driving the van can look after itself

Nice tag line "driving your business".. I like it

Good advice! no point in moaning as you are self employed no one else is going to do it for you! Websites are cheap and easy too!

I have a bit of question for some of you guys that live in the countryside. Do you have t0 work harder than those of us in busy places to get the work or is it much the same as there are not that many people doing this?

I answer to your quesyion Barnsley, it varies. When the phone rings fir a job in Norfolk i know u'm more likely to get it than when it's a Cambridge job, but then the phone rings much less often. Also for sameday work around Norwich, my bid is often accepted straight away even if the quote is high, because know they're unlikely to get another quote for a while.

That said, there is significantly more work in Cambs, and i couldn't survive on Norfolk work alone.

I wouldn't say it's quiet in my area but am on my way shortly to Boots for an hearing aid as I must have gone deaf, don't think I have yet done a job without a lot of dead miles. I invested (?) in a new free-phone number in the hope it may encourage more enquiries, but so far the only enquiry I have received is... How much PPI do I think I am entitled to. I welcome all advice but if the work isn't available in my area I'm not going to get it. Would love to be proved wrong on this.

Its simply a 'supply and demand' thing.
Said it many times before, there are far too many chasing what jobs are available.

Unfortunately it is far too easy to buy a van and set up as 'Five Star Logistics' or whatever and at the same time drive rates down! The amount of new startups on this and other courier sites is unbelievable, considering how the economic climate is. Most, however, only last a month or so, because their research was poor before taking the plunge.

There wil ALWAYS be a need for Urgent deliveries, but sadly not enough machines seem to break down or urgent supplies required to keep everyone busy.

What hoops and hurdles would you have us jump over or through if you think it's too easy to start up now? I found it easier and a hell of a lot cheaper when I started up the first time 20 years ago. I did a lot of research (working on the idea for nigh on 12 mths before I took the plunge again). If some people say 'Yes we should be able to use you' etc etc. Surely that goes a long way in making a decision, but no-one gives a cast iron guarantee so it was a gamble I was prepared to take.

As business belts tighten they seek cheaper options and courier charges along with staff redundancies are the first on the chopping block

Moray, are you on Gumtree? Usually a good place to advertise... You'll get occasional work through it, but I'm not yet sure if it's worth paying for a featured ad.

G'day Theo, No I haven't as yet but have thought about it, I suppose any form of free advertising is worth a punt. I don't in any way or form intend to participate in the lowering of rates just to keep the wheels turning. Saw too much of that when I was at sea. My problem is I haven't been going long enough to start getting back all what's due in but when I started I allocated a budget and I intend to stick to it.

Good stuff.

A warning about free advertising (this applies to directories like Thompson Local, rather than websites like Gumtree) - I think some of them are able to be free because they sell your details to marketing agencies etc.. but there's usually the option to refuse this spam marketing. I learned about that the hard way!

CAMVAN said:

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Good stuff.

A warning about free advertising (this applies to directories like Thompson Local, rather than websites like Gumtree) - I think some of them are able to be free because they sell your details to marketing agencies etc.. but there's usually the option to refuse this spam marketing. I learned about that the hard way!

This goes with the patch if your running a business people will sell your details on and shanigans such as this wll go on and on. Its no good being concerned about people trying to sell you things. In this modern age you need to get your name out there and if this worries you, you have a bit of a problem!

I would urge everyone, if it's quiet, to make sure your Profile on mtvan is 100% complete.

You can view your own Profile, as others see it, by clicking on Profile Page at the top left of the Dashboard.

It's a fact that most work traded between members on here is done on the phone, from the Directory.

It's a fact that people with a picture or logo, and a description, and insurance details, on their profile get more calls.

Start here, and work along all the tabs.

Your Profile is like a free website, and ranks high in Google, so it's good for business if it looks good and reads well.

What about setting site to allow up to 3 pics? put a face to the van? Put a van to the face?

You don't wanna scare us off tho surely?!

Do members communicate by telephone as well. Does that come with experience.

A tip for free advertising sites is to list your contact name as an alias, if some rings up and asks for this alias tell them he's on holiday, away etc

Anyone ring up for a quote won't ask for a name!

MK Bikes said:

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A tip for free advertising sites is to list your contact name as an alias, if some rings up and asks for this alias tell them he's on holiday, away etc

Anyone ring up for a quote won't ask for a name!

Neat!

Thanks Tim for the reminder to'Start here and work along the tabs'. I saw that my insurance and all contact details had not been entered. All done now so the phones should start ringing soon.

Ray, I will check your freephone number out about 4.00 am

Feel free Gary, phones been shifted to wife's bedside cabinet..

That's ok, she will never hear it