Nothing is more frustrating than putting in long hours and receiving minimum wage or less. The reality of working for an established business is that you always have to listen to somebody else calling the shots. If you want to create your own business, a Man and Van service is an excellent option as it doesn’t require much capital or investment.
Bournemouth is a coastal town that gets a decent amount of traffic. There will always be students and pensioners who want to enjoy the seaside views and its vibrant social scene. If you live in the area, there are plenty of opportunities for your moving service. Think about it – home removals, office transfers, student relocations, one time deliveries, and decluttering season could use a Man and Van in Bournemouth.
Many Man and Van companies in the UK are small businesses. They are an excellent way to make extra income. If you have a lot of free time on your hands, you can look into creating your own Man and Van business to supplement your salary.
Things To Consider.
Before you start a Man and Van service Bournemouth, make sure you have enough experience in the industry. While you can always learn on the go, a little bit of work experience can go a long way in creating a lasting company. You get a first-hand look at the challenges that come with the work.
You can use your time with Man and Van companies as a reference to see where the industry standard is at and what most people’s expectations are. Work with a Man and Van service and try your hand at all the jobs from lifting the heavy boxes, stacking them in the car, and driving them to the next destination.
Besides creating the base point, you can use it as a learning experience. Instead of settling for a generic Man and Van service, you can address the failures and weaknesses. Your new Man and Van business may cover these bases and become the focal point of your new business.
Man and Van Jobs.
Since Man and Van companies cover a wide range of services, it can be challenging to narrow down your target market. Explore the different options you have! You can take care of student removals, event logistics, small home relocations, and transporting single items for businesses
You can work closely with small businesses like a nail salon, beauty parlour, music store, or restaurants and become their go-to delivery service. You can also help transport bulky items like tables and chairs for weddings and other catering events or amplifiers and instruments for music gigs.
Another market that you can depend on is the number of students coming in from outside Bournemouth to study in the town’s top institutions like Bournemouth University, Arts University Bournemouth, and AECC University College. Instead of cramming select furniture and suitcases into a small car, they usually contact a local Man and Van service to help with the relocation. Besides the arrival of new students, you can also assist fresh graduates with moving out of their dorms or shared flats. There is no shortage of work opportunities as a Man and Van service.
Angles, Plans And Budget Schemes.
Before you do anything, draft a business plan and mentally work out the steps you are going to take to ensure your Man and Van Business lasts in the market. Focus on key issues and create solutions and back-up plans.
If you want to maximise the income, you need to put in hours of research and careful consideration. Deciding on the go leaves you vulnerable to overspending and undercharging–ultimately it would mean a short-lived business with hundred pounds flushed down the drain.
Here is a brief look into what you need to prepare while you are in your planning phase:
- Set A Business Goal.
It is all about setting your sights on one big goal and having smaller, more manageable ones. Make sure it is possible and doable.
- SWOT Analysis.
Prepare a SWOT Analysis. Identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of your business venture. You are encouraged to be as detailed as possible. You can find samples of SWOT analysis online if you are not sure how to make one.
- Research.
Research extensively. If you want to be successful, information plays a vital role. How many competing companies are in your area? Who is the biggest one? What is their target market? Are they in direct competition with yours? Look for the cold hard facts and use it to shape your business.
- Plan Your Services.
Your research should make it easy for you to decide on your services. Are you going to stick with moves around Bournemouth? Do you want to expand to other areas? Are you limiting yourself? While Man and Van companies have similar services, it is always best to outline how you are going to approach student relocations, event logistics, and small deliveries.
Decide how you want to approach your target market, You can customise your services to be more attractive like having a 10% discount for the first month of the semester, or package deals for event gigs. Make sure your services are both needed and wanted.
Create Budget Plans.
Outline your budget and finances and make them as comprehensive as possible Look at petrol prices, hourly rates, and other possible expenses in the area so you can properly set the costs of your services. Keep your prices competitive by imitating the ones from other similar businesses. If you don’t have a head for numbers, you can look for an accountant or other industry professionals for help.
Think Long-Term.
Your business planning should be for the long term. Every goal has a subset of goals, and you should have a rough timeline to follow. Your long-term plans can include expansion in products, vans, and service areas like expanding to places outside Bournemouth. Think about whether you want to enter the Man and Van industry for neighbouring cities like Poole, Christchurch, and Dorset.
Register Your Business in Bournemouth.
Once you have your business plan in place, it’s time to get it in writing. Fill out the necessary paperwork and register your Man and Van company in Bournemouth. If you are a one-man team, you can look into a sole trader, but it is best to consult the office if you have any more questions or concerns. You can visit the Bournemouth council page for more details. They have tons of helpful information, like business financing options.
Purchase Your Tools, Equipment, and Van.
When your paperwork is approved, it’s time to get things going. Purchase a spacious van, car tools, and equipment to help transport items. Even if you have a car, don’t forget why people hire Man and Van companies to begin with–its because their vehicles are not up to the task.
You will be moving large furniture pieces, appliances, and fragile items, so you can’t just cramp everything into the trunk of your car. Buy a spacious van and make modifications to create more space like getting rid of the back seats if there are any.
Pack a tool kit with everything you need to take care of small repairs. You don’t want to find yourself in the middle of a job and dealing with a flat tire or an overheated engine. Have spare tires and snow tires on hand. While Bournemouth rarely experiences snow spells, it is always best to be prepared.
Look For Advertising Opportunities.
When everything is in place, get your name out there. Advertising, when done right, can attract loads of potential customers. However, it can be challenging to do it on your own. For the most part, it is best to hire a professional to help out. If you plan on advertising your Man and Van business on your own, here are things you should do:
- Create Branding Material.
Branding material includes logo design, website, pre-written content, and a bunch of other things. Remember to get your logo on your van and get fliers ready.
- Establish Social Media Presence.
To reach a larger audience, you need to tap the power of social media. It’s easier to reach out to your customers on social media. Establish a social media presence on popular social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. You can also create a Google My Business account, customers usually take contact information or leave reviews here.
- Create Promotions.
Nothing draws a crowd better than low rates and seasonal deals. Scatter your promotions throughout the year to stay relevant in Bournemouth. Some residents will schedule their move with your promos so they can get a discount.
Remember to constantly update your advertisements so they always show relevant information. You should post frequently to show people that you are an active business. Creating relevant content is important to appear helpful to your audience. When you do all these steps properly, you can secure your market in Bournemouth!
Become A Household Name.
Even when you do everything right, it comes down to the quality of your service. Set competitive prices, follow your budget plan, provide a consistent service, and you can work your way into becoming a household name in the area. When you start your Man and Van business, it can be hard to compete with well-established companies. Clients work with you based on good-faith, so make sure their experience with your service is good.
Over time you can get word of mouth going. Being professional, punctual, and friendly can do a lot to make that happen. While you shouldn’t depend on it, you cannot deny the power of a good recommendation or review.
When you follow all these steps, you should be able to see clear results. It can be very challenging at first, especially when you have to do the heavy-lifting, but ultimately Man and Van can be very profitable in Bournemouth.
