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Cheers folks.
Sussex, the hours are extreme, but sadly I couldnt afford to keep my employed driver on so I could get some time off. I have got pretty much all work from the local care homes etc, but have been toyin with the idea of approaching the ones out with our town, but still in my licensing area. Only problem is it could mean running about 8 miles for a £4 fare! I don't want to be seen to only accept the decent work from people when it's a £20 fare, but refuse the small local journeys.
As for disabled organisations etc, not had much joy in finding contact details for someone yet. Will keep looking into it though
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I realise that to increase my workload and advertise it will cost money. Whilst I don’t have a massive advertising and promotional budget available, but would like to do what I can. My ideas that I have are;
Freebies;
Pens, key-rings, mouse mats, diaries and fridge magnets. Fridge magnets would basically just be a magnet version of my business card, but how would I distribute these and also who to? As for pens, I’ve got some cheaper ones and some slightly dearer ones, that are all fancy looking and in a “gift box”! Is it worth getting a load of the cheaper ones and putting them into business’, but if so, how many? Don’t want to overdo and waste money, but then I don’t want to look a total tight wad!
Was thinking of getting some ad-loop key-rings made up, as they are “different” compared to normal plastic ones. Is it worth trying to get hotels/b&b’s to put them on their room keys? Sadly not got a Uni or College in the town for halls of residence. Was thinking of sticking them in the front on the dash in the bin bit. We can carry passengers in the front so they would see them, and let them hep themselves, plus for those who just jump in the back, put a little sign on the partition advising to ask for their free key-ring. I know key-rings proved popular with the last firm I worked for in their in office.
Mouse mats and diaries, thought it would be a bit late know for this year. But thought about getting diaries for valued customers as a thank you for the business and getting mouse mats done for potential new customers in the industrial estate, with our logo and details etc. on them, and a year calendar printed on it to try and get them to look at it as being a useful mat instead of chucking it in the drawer and continuing to use their current one.
As far as I know I have a good reputation, but even after all of this will people who I am hoping to attract that have the regular / account work just see me as a glorified one man band, and not able to meet their demand?
I don’t really get much work from hotels and bars, they tend to use the large company as I can only assume they think there is a better chance of getting a cab quicker – some of the towns bar staff will phone me, more through being friends with them. I have thought about approaching the owners and offering them something like 50% discount on their taxis if they give me first refusal on all work from their establishments. Some have a list of phone numbers next to the pay phone, would also ask only my number was displayed. But how could I be sure I get phoned for the work and would I be best drawing up a contract if I were to do something like this?
I know anyone who has an account with the large firm are charged admin and vat on invoices, as again I worked in their office a few years ago. I don’t want to go trying to blatantly poach their customers as I have a good relationship with them – they will cover any work for me I cannot manage due to getting stuck in traffic and they will direct wheelchair jobs to me and any other work they cant cover due to being busy with school contracts. I have thought about trying to play up the fact I don’t charge VAT on invoices (not above the threshold currently) and wouldn’t have a service charge on the invoice either.
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Tam Tam the taxi man,
If anyone can,
Tam can
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