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We worked hard to get a social commerce site to production, and we built social from the ground up. But we are having a hard time getting users. It appears that the network effects are pretty strong at existing marketplaces.
The site is www.celeritos.com. Some of the issues that have been highlighted:

1. Lack of Facebook Connect (We didn't want to use FB)
2. Inability to see beyond the front page of what the site offers
3. Lack of sellers
4. Sellers need PayPal, and a lot of the local ones only use bank transfers or internet banking
3 advice Category: Marketing, Startup operations

Kyle Hawke

Don't create a video. Show real examples of what people are buying and selling on the site. If you don't have any or enough users selling stuff on the site right now, then bug your friends... Get them to sell stuff. If you can't convince your friends, then... (more)

National companies are taking our state contracts. How can we expand into new markets?
We are small utility construction/marking company in the state of Virginia. We had a total of 10 employees and 3 subcontractors working for us. Big national companies have come into our state to bid on the biggest projects. These companies can beat everyone on price and then sub-contract only the least profitable pieces of work.

We are looking at different direction to take our company. But without the background we are having trouble breaking into other fields.
2 advice Category: Expansion

Mark Wright

I would suggest a combination of a strategic planning session with key members of your company after you have done a financial analysis of the different types of work/contracts you have done over the past year or two (focus on profitability and contributio... (more)

What's the best affordable software system to use to manage paid print magazine subscriptions?
We have published two issues of our magazine. We are ramping up with the next issue and want to start selling subscriptions. Ideally, we'd have a system where people could sign up for a subscription, pay online, and even go back in later to update their address info, if needed. The startup is being bootstrapped, so we may just have to end up cobbling together a Wufoo spreadsheet and updating the database manually, printing off our own labels, etc. Is there a better affordable option? What do professional publications use and recommend?
2 advice Category: Production

Ravi M

good number of COTS applications are available to address the same. Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS). These applications are developed by bigger companies and even some of the startups. It would be great if we can discuss further with respect to the kind ... (more)

How to get my clothing line manufactured overseas, where do I start looking?
This is a new venture so any help is appreciated.
2 advice Category: Production, Startup operations

Ravi M

Hi when it comes to clothing manufacturing, you can rely on any Asia specific country. Of these India is an excellent destination. Again when you speak about garments it can vary. (cotton, wool, knitted, hosiery...). I will be glad to assist you in this ... (more)

What is the best way to promote a paid app that is on iTunes?
What is the best way to promote an app that's new to the Education section of iTunes? On a positive note, we seem to be getting a decent amount of downloads from overseas, but I would like to increase our numbers in the US and abroad. It's a paid app ($4.99) geared toward students. The app is eNotebook and the website is www.enotebookapp.com. We are doing Social Media, PR, approaching app reviewers, and possibly SEM. Any advice would be appreciated.
2 advice Category: Advertising, Marketing

Heather McDonough

Your website advertises the fact that teachers will want their students to use your app in class. You might want to look into direct marketing to a handful of schools across the spectrum of K-12 through college and graduate level. Print some business car... (more)

I want to find ways to spread the word about our startup.
Kumbuya is a social platform to meet others who share your interests, measure demand for things you want, and to create and distribute deals. beta.kumbuya.com
3 advice Category: Marketing, Startup operations

Kyle Hawke

I've spent quite a bit of time on your site today and I have put together some thoughts below based on that experience, plus my experience starting Whinot and finally my experience working with other entrepreneurs in your same situation.

I think your bi... (more)

How do I improve my marketing efforts for my engineering consultancy?
I'm currently passively searching on-line for opportunities and receiving eVa notifications (http://eva.virginia.gov/ for state contracts). I'm actively marketing through attending networking events and contacting contracting officers to meet with them and technical personnel in agencies and companies. I just re-launched my website too: www.norinewalker.com
2 advice Category: Marketing

Achille "Lele" Canfora

I might suggest you to build a good repertoire of written content, including success stories, study cases and white papers. I've checked your website, it looks really professional that's already a great plus.

I work for exploreb2b.com it's a soci... (more)

I launched a new image board. How do I get more people to sign up?
We just launched 3 weeks ago. Our site stats still look a bit week. What should we do? revgeek.com
2 advice Category: Marketing, Startup operations

Kyle Hawke

Keep doing what you're doing.

You are doing things the hard way up front. It looks like you are posting all the pictures and setting the tone for the site with the type of images and commentary. Crude, but funny.

Keep posting these images as you fin... (more)

What legal permits do I need to sell Mexican art in the US?
There is a nice art gallery in Zacatecas Mexico and I'd like to promote what they are producing here in the US. I would also like to offer travel packs to returning buyers so they can go and experience how nice living is there.
1 advice Category: Startup operations

Heather McDonough

Obviously you would need to deal with U.S. Customs when the items are brought into the U.S. You can access a publication on Importing Into the U.S. from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office at www.cbp.gov... (more)

I need to get more meetings setup with prospective clients.
After working in the corporate world for years, I 'retired' in 2004 to work as an independent consultant. I help clients run their business more effectively and efficiently with a focus on cost reduction. I have worked with clients of all sizes. Once I get a meeting setup, I can usually communicate how I can help, but need to get more of these meetings scheduled. www.metamorphosismc.com
3 advice Category: Branding, Expansion, Marketing

Barbara Perino, CPCC, ACC

Are your clients in the local area or in other areas away from where you are? Some questions to ask yourself: how do I market myself; who knows what I do; where do you get your exposure? What separates you from others? How clear are you on your message an... (more)