A few months ago I started an online homewares store. I'm still working to fund it/pay the bills and it can be hard to find enough time to work on it. So, I have two questions - what do you think the most important things are for a start-up to focus on, and do you have any tips for the best way to spread the word? Thanks! Becky

My advice to spread the word is attend and be part of as many events as possible, as word of mouth is so powerful. The more people you meet and talk to the better. Remember to be excited and confident about what you're doing. The online presence can come later once you've established a connection with people. Rosie

Can you advise on ways to get products (in my case, cards and stationery) noticed by the media and larger retailers? I have a growing online presence and smaller retail stockists but would like to expand further. Thank you! Stacie

As I mentioned to Becky earlier, there is nothing quite like just getting out there and talking to people. Attend trade shows, events and talks and get your product seen and talked about. You are the best advert for what you do, remember to be passionate, enthusiastic and positive at all times. Send samples to shops you'd like to work with and to magazines you'd like to be in. It doesn't hurt to ring up the big retailers and ask who is the buyer there, then send them a present or try to get an appointment with them. Likewise with the magazines and blogs. Rosie

How important do you think social media like Twitter and Facebook are for marketing a business. I'm really not good with technology but everyone keeps telling me I need to get on them! Do I have to? Any advice? Thanks. Tanya W

Social media is so powerful that it is definitely worth getting involved in, but can never be too forced. You need to engage with it, and then people will start engaging with you. It shouldn't be used as a 'sell sell sell' tool, but rather a way to express what you're about, your brand values and your world. That's what people want to see! Rosie

Hi Doug, what was the best idea you ever saw on Dragon's Den? Based on that could you say what your golden rules are for pitching - it's the thing that most intimidates me about starting my own business, as even if I know that it's good the whole process of selling something is daunting. Is it good to be full-on confident and pushy or no? Sarah

The best idea I ever saw was the guy who invented a better way to grow a truffle. But he wasn't the best pitcher. You don' have to be pushy when you pitch. Being obnoxious just makes you less nice and many people won't want to work with you. Tricks for pitching: all pitches should be much shorter than the allotted time so there is lots of time for questions and discussions. No Powerpoint presentation ever needs to be more than 10 slides. Doug

Hi Rosie, any advise for someone doing their first major jewellery trade show? Many thanks. Julia

When we started doing trade shows we were lucky enough to work next door to Bernstock Speirs who had been in the industry for years. Their help and advice was invaluable as there are so many quirks to doing a show. So I would advise trying to find someone to chat to beforehand. Also it always takes 2-3 shows before people start trusting in your label so don't give up after the first show if it isn't as successful as you hoped. Also make sure you have a notebook, and make notes about the people you meet, so you can get in touch afterwards and remember what they liked or said. Rosie

I set up my online jewellery business TackyPony this year and began with the markets on Brick Lane, I'm now developing www.tackypony.com. It's been going really well and I've been getting amazing feedback but I find it difficult to motivate myself to keep going with all the product descriptions (I have about 1000 to write, no lie!), but I don't feel I can trust someone to do it for me. Would you have any tips for making it easier to get it all done? Thanks so much and massive love to Tatty Devine! Rachel Cooke

I have huge sympthay for the sheer effort involved. I'm not sure that you need to do them all yourself, after all you could have someone do them and edit their work which would speed things up. But there's no doubt about it. Business can be a bit of drudgery. Doug

Product descriptions are really key, as it's your chance to give the customer your sales pitch. Do you have any friends that are good with words that might like to come and help you with them? Rosie

Any advice for people selling luxury goods, like high-end hats but don't have the contacts? Any trade shows in particular you can recommend? Thanks. Miranda

Contacts are like experiences, you're not born with them, you have to make them. Trade shows are the best place to start, and for high-end products I would suggest looking into trade shows that sit alongside the main fashion weeks (London, Paris, Milan and New York), as it means the right buyers are in town! Rosie

How to launch a creative start-up