Anyone from that there London?

[WaftyCrank]

I'm running an 'offline' business and looking to expand into London. It's the tattoo removal link in my sig.

I'm running a Google Ad campaign targetting London only but so far yielding little results. I'm wondering if anyone has any promotional tips for marketing to a London audience to get the word out?

[dta]

im from london.

considering its an offline biz, I'd suggest using the likes of a groupon offer to help target a local audience as a way to promote your biz.

most folks in london commute in and although most won't admit, we all sneak a peak in the local metro paper so worth trying to get some kind of article or coverage in the paper. They're often looking for 'stories'....

[expertc]

Here in London not many "offline" services work London-wide. The city is too big, people mostly interested in "offline" services in their area. E.g. for me to get from West London to East London is a loooong (and unpleasant!) drive.

[Edwin]

What about Facebook advertising? You might be able to target people who have tags such as "London" and "tattoo" and who are above a certain age group (if you have demographic info about the type of people who are more likely to have "tattoo regret" in later life) for example. Thinking way outside the box, you might want to cross-reference for people who've recently changed status from "In a relationship" or "Married" to "Single" as they may have an ex's name they want to excise...

I know literally nothing about the tattoo "scene" (if such an animal even exists) but perhaps you could also think of ways to facilitate word of mouth between your existing clients and their friends who might also have expressed doubts about their tattoos.

Finally, regardless of your interest in expanding to London, I doubt you're going to get much if any business through a site with a Sheffield URL. You need something either London-centric or non-geographic if you want to take a bite out of the capital!

[Bailey]

No offence but, "sheffieldLaser" is going to be seen as a Caterers Knife-set down our way

[chrisduggan]

Give a kid 50 quid and ask him to walk through Covent Garden, Leicester Sq and down Oxford St with a board and some leaflets for a couple of hours.
Where a handful of the more popular tattoo parlours reside.

Change the domain name or give it s London promotion sub domain at least.

There are many reputable skin clinics in London offering laser treatments, competitiion will be fierce and probably not worth the expense.

[WaftyCrank]

Thanks for all the replies. I've thought about changing the name but to be honest it's part of the brand and the site is already generating traffic so I don't like the idea of starting from scratch.

The competition is fierce in London hence the reason I'm promoting it as having more northern prices. Do you think the name will affect the sales THAT much? Really?

I'm interested in your comment Bailey specifically about Sheffield Laser being seen as a caterers knife set. Are you saying that because its how a lot of Londoners associate Sheffield or just some (and with all due respect) of a certain age group who remember Sheffield steel being world famous and the industry around it?

Thanks for all the feedback. I've used Groupon in Sheffield successfully so might give them a round two. I also have considered facebook but the last time I used them it produced poor quality results.

expertc your comment is very interesting as I've actually been trying to rack my brain about exactly where to host the clinic on a monthly basis. I'm not from London and have only been to London once approx 15 years ago. I don't know the good from the bad areas and I don't know how far people would travel for a good deal on removal costs.

For example I have relations in Reading and Maidenhead. Would Londoners consider this destination too far to travel for a cheaper cost of treatment?

[expertc]

Originally Posted by WaftyCrank

...For example I have relations in Reading and Maidenhead. Would Londoners consider this destination too far to travel for a cheaper cost of treatment?

I can't speak for all Londoners, but we tend to be a bit lazy when it comes to travel. Driving all day in London traffic takes fun out of it. If choosing from the above I would think Reading is a bit easier to get to. Hope this helps. Good luck!

[Bailey]

Hi Mate, I'm pleased you took my comment in the light hearted way intended. "Laser" is indeed actually the name of a well respected knife-set both in professional catering circles and for keen cooks - Couple that with "Sheffield" And you can see the association. I have no idea where the knives are actually manufactured. But they're easy to recognise due to their one piece construction - being all made (handle included) from the same piece of solid-steel. Yep us Londoners do still associate Sheffied with quality Steel.

As for the "Pricing association" Sheffield/Northern = Good pricing. You are well wide of a Southerners/Londoners perspective. We don't associate the North of England with better pricing. In fact competition alone tells us that 'London pricing' is probably as competitive as you ever going to find.

I'm happy to put some thought into wording that may suit your enterprise. But, even "London Laser" would perceived as a 'Gaming Arena' or possibly 'Club Scene'

[Edwin]

Surely THE key factor is quality of removal, not price? A "cheap" tattoo removal is very expensive if it's perceived in any way as a botched job!