It’s been just over a year since I started working on GatherWhere, and there are a few things I’ve had to rethink along the way. Do I need a business partner? Is London too large for me to launch in? Should I only focus on small independent venues to start with?
And now, I’m faced with another question: Did I make the right decision choosing Reading to launch in?
So far, I’ve had a grand total of zero venues sign up to GatherWhere. It’s been really difficult. People think it’s a great idea, but then I hear nothing from them afterwards. I don’t want to spam emails, nor do I want to physically ambush them with a flyer in hand, telling them to join, join, join.
I’m not entirely sure if I’m doing anything right at the moment. I might need to do some proper research so I can rethink and recalibrate my plans.
But, despite all that, I somehow organically got registrations from venues in the States! One person listed a venue that I unfortunately can’t approve because they’re not UK-based, and a hotel in New York even emailed to ask if we cater to the US market.
Maybe Reading is just too small, and there aren’t enough independents to gain traction.
Or maybe it’s me, and I’m just doing it all wrong.
Either way, it’s only been a year. There’s still time to pivot and re-strategise. Let’s figure this out and hope we’re in a better place next year!