Will They Come?

‘If you build it they will come’……….or will they?

Well its certainly built……at least to the point of launch, so phase 1 is complete - check ☑️.

My vision for Guide My Walk began almost 10 years ago and really started to gather momentum from April this year.

Since then I’ve worked with outdoor industry leads and a Marketing Strategist (my thanks to Beth from marketshed.co.uk - whom I can’t recommend highly enough) to shape the business to the point of launch and just beyond.

However, I strongly suspect that if I’m to achieve phase 2 (ensuring having built it that they will indeed now come), the hard work starts from here!

I absolutely recognise that the current landscape and timing could obviously be better, but rather than lament the impact of Covid-19, the fact we’re going into autumn/winter and the understandable climate of consumer apprehension just now, I’d prefer to regard all of that as no more than another challenging mountain to climb, of which there have been many (literally and metaphorically speaking) over the years.

My brand is about building resilience, confidence, physical and psychological strength to tackle head on and deal with any situation life presents, be that a physical or psychological challenge.

So if I’m to generate interest in what I offer and if I’m determined to provide an outstanding service that convinces my client base not only to return, but to recommend my services, then central to that offer has to be emphatic, convincing and compelling evidence of my personal commitment to those very values.

Put slightly more succinctly, I simply can’t give up at the first hurdle.

I recognise that having cut the safety line I had with Beth until only last week, my greatest challenge for the foreseeable future at least, will be continuing to market and advertise the business to generate new clients.

Once I’ve got someone to the start line I’m 100% confident in my ability to ensure they have a fantastic, safe and memorable experience; see my reviews already on Tripadvisor and the testimonials I include on my Instagram feed, which provide good testament to that claim.

I genuinely believe that once I get the opportunity to meet and work with individuals and teams, then the years of experience I have in working for a public facing organisation and leading teams to deliver outstanding public service, stands me in very good stead.

I know its the non face-to-face communication on which we are all so reliant and which we know is so very powerful is where I need now to concentrate and develop.

I’m very aware that advertising, marketing and generating interest in business or anything else for that matter doesn't begin and end with social media. I’m really grateful for all the help, advice and suggestions I’ve received from too may people to be able able to mention here, but I simply can’t bury my head in the social media sand! I must embrace it, use it wisely and to the best possible effect!

I don’t have a business motto as such but if I were to adopt one in this circumstance I think it would have to be Veni, Vidi, Vici (to social media).

Thank you sincerely if you’ve read this far and if you have any tips, any advice or if you would like to work on something collaboratively with me (be it face-to-face or via social media), then please do contact me via email at chris@guidemywalk.com or DM via chrisedwardswalks on Instagram.

In the meantime I’ll be working hand over fist to keep my Story, Grid & Reels turning over 😂 😂.

Thank you.

Chris