do i have enough experience?

[CXRM 2005]

I am currently a marketing manager for a small software dev company and I have 6 years experience working in IT Sales & Marketing.

My company has asked me to offer my services to support our partners who have no marketing resource of their own. They are quite happy for me to charge independently and as a result I am considering moving into a freelance role where i can support multiple clients.

Over the last 6 years I have developed skills in direct email marketing, online / digital marketing, telemarketing, brochures, news letters and setting up seminars / exibitions.

As a result I am planning to specialise on three specific doctrines of marketing Direct, Data and Digital. My boss and colleagues are completely behind me and think !will be successfull. My only issue is that my Dad who has spent his whole life in Marketing does not think I have enough experience to go solo. He has admitted that a lot of his concern is that he would not like to see me struggling to pay the bills etc. I believe that although some companies may say I'm too young and inexperienced there will be a percentage who recognise the benefits of my service over hiring their own marketing manager.

My dad thinks i should spend another year or two getting more experience and that I should put my ideas on hold, I think I should give it go? What do you think

CXRM

[annepink]

I'm sure your dad had your best interest at heart but as a Coach I would urge you to explore your 'dream' further.

You could validate your Dad's concern by asking what it is he believes you will/or need to learn in the coming years.

Are there people of your age running successful businesses (I don't know what)?

Anyway here are some questions to ask yourself:

What will be the advantages of working for yourself?
What set up money do you need?
What funding might you get form Business Link, etc?
What customers can you rely on from the start (if any) for yourself?
How many customers will you need and at what daily rate in order to be viable?
What's the worst that can happen if it dosen't work?
What's the best that can happen if it does?

Questions like this will help you make a considered decison .

Age isn't a barrier and particularly not in the IT world - so many of us have years of markeing experience but very little when it comes to web/e-marketing.

Plan it, ensure you have a little bit of money behind you and a clear idea of how you will build your client base.

Good luck

[CXRM 2005]

annepink

Many thanks for your helpful feedback, I think I just need to sit down with my dad and go through my idea. Your quite right about the planning, there's a lot of it going on. Also I am currently investigating the best way to get funding.

Getting a lot of help from the business link website, what did people did before business link I dont know...

I have only got one client at the moment but I am confident i can get another 1 or 2 in a very short time. i've spent enough time selling other people's products so hopefully selling myself should be more straight forward.

Once again thanks for your advice.

CXRM