Do I need a business licence

[Spunkay]

I want to start a very small company. I want to help people get into the world of technology and help them solve thier simple computing needs. I dont want to get fancy, dont want to support myself off the funds from the job, just want to start something small that I can do on the side. Was wondering if I need to do the business licence and tax identification number deal, or if i can just do it like kids do it, and just post flyers and get my name out there and start going.

[mbailey]

There are several issues that need to be covered.

Firstly, I assume you are talking about whether you should be a sole trader or a Limited company. While I'm not totally up with the law on this, the decision (at least when I did it) mainly boils down to liability. As a sole trader you are personally liable, so if you screw something up and get sued they sue you personally. The laws are different for a limited company, and liability insurance would cover you in most cases.

In terms of 'sticking up posters', you need to be aware that this is illegal (although it doesn't stop all the record companies doing it). There are fines imposed for flyposting, but for many the benefits outweigh the cost of the fines, which is why this form of 'guerrilla marketing' is so widespread.

For public awareness you could do something a little more off-the-wall. For example, one company hired a field from a farmer while it was not being tended - they then used biological paint to splash their logo and website across the width of the field. As the field was under the flightpath near an airport everyone coming in to land saw their logo/website... FHM famously used a high-power projector to splash Gail Porter's arse all over the houses or parliament. The appropriately named publicity company 'Cunning Stunts' did loads of different stunts for the launch of the new Mini - they hired loads of good looking guys and girls to give out matchbooks with handwritten phone numbers to unsuspecting people in bars/pubs with messages like 'do you think I'm sexy' etc. When people rang the number it was a woman in a sexy voice which turned out to be someone inviting them for a test drive... For the Gay Mardi Gras parade in London they built 'Fetish Mini', clad in leather. They built a pyramid 'Christmas tree' of fibreglass Minis and floated it down the Thames... The exposure they got in the press for these stunts was phenominal.

Anyway, hope this helps...