Need some advice (Business related)

[shredking9000]

Originally Posted by NARMAK

Ok, so basically whilst doing my final year of university, I spotted a business opportunity half way through my final year, and pulled the trigger to register a brand name, research suppliers (in China), do design of products, flavour testing, etc. The product I sell is basically electronic cigarettes branded as 'E-shisha' due to the fact they're fruity flavours etc. whilst traditional cigarettes were tobacco and menthol.

So, that was from late December 2012 all the way to call it July 2013 when I got my products. Since then, I have on a credit basis extended it to two places of retail. One was an acquaintance I knew from the gym for a while now with his own sports nutrition shop, and the second was an acquaintance of my sister from kids school who currently works in a club.

I also when first starting was very enthusiastic, and gung ho to just get out there and I probably approached 6+ retailers and pretty much got knocked back by every single one. During August, I became involved with charity work, which is still on going to a degree but i'm pretty much free now to go back headlong into getting my own business on track.

I created a Facebook page for my products. Offered pens to people so I can get some pictures of people using them, and for the most part I got a few. I was hoping that as likes increased on the page, people would perhaps see it on their friends feed and also like it and maybe i'd get a small snowball effect. People perhaps buying the product and eventually things get rolling to more sales etc.

That didn't happen. Instead, I've absolutely struggled to get the social networking side of things off to a flying start and translate them into sales.

I'd like to set up a website, but funds are kinda tight and i'm exploring how to get it done cost effectively. I am trying to work on getting some proper photographed promotional material and been mulling whether to get a Facebook store set up, and link the domain name address I bought to the FB store.

That aside, the question i'd like is how to make the above most effective, and what would you guys do in my position to try and get it into retail locations.

TIA

What types of retailers have you approached?