Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Jo,

It sounds like a brochure will work best for you.  Since you are going to be marketing in person you will want to leave something behind for potential customers.  You might also want to think about something unique that will prompt people to remember YOU.  (I might sound weird here, but something that "feels" like your personality when viewed.)  It might be in your artwork or it might be something more unusual like magnets, pens, etc...  You can buy magnetic sheets that will go through your printer and use it to make custom refrigerator magnets with your business info on them.  (I have a friend who does this.)  The more unique the better!

Testing out your ideas on others (which you`re already doing) is invaluable.  People react to color combinations, fonts, images, even the way you are dressed when you make your presentation.  The trick is finding the combo that communicates you and your service in the manner you want to be viewed.  It might take some doing, but you`ll get there! 

No wonder large companies spend so many thousands of dollars on firms that provide these services!!





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Karen
Patriot Tours, Inc.
www.patriottoursnyc.com

I think the thing to remember is your target.  Seniors don`t want to look at clutter.  The flyer should be clean with a crisp font that is slightly oversize.  Easy to read, not too many words.  A photograph of you looking professional and respectful would probably also go long ways.  Your information should be placed in an over obvious spot that is impossible to miss.  Some seniors get frustrated easily and don`t want to have to search for you number when they need something.  Perhaps magnets that go on fridge would be good?  Also offering to put yourself on their speed dial might be another option.  My grandmother has had a speed dial phone for years and still doesn`t know how to program it, but she uses the numbers I put in for her.

Also, yes register with the management at any facility you are marketing in.  Most are going to have policies against soliciting, but I am sure if you approach it with tact and a little kindness and genuine concern for their residents you should be able to work something out.

By the way, Karen you are right on about test marketing.  Needs to be done, but big companies pay a lot of money and don`t always get the edge.  Nothing is an exact science (at least not in business).  Great results can be had using common sense and a little time and effort.  

Jo,

There have been great responses and guidance regarding your initial question, may I also recommend that you visit the home page of StartUp Nation and click on one or all of the following?

• Life planning
• Business planning
• Marketing & Selling

Much success to you!

Thanks Karen
Great point - personalizing myself and leaving something for them to remember
me by.
I do  have the magnetic paper (got it at staples) and I have made some biz cards
with that - that will be part of my kit when I make my presentations. My own
branding - thats the key - the cards and stationary I bought from vista were a good price - but I never really liked them - they are so boring, they`re pale pale yellow and army  green. I like my own  that I made a lot better. I used a wine color so they would stand out. I even put a quote on the back by Aristotle Onassis that I particulary liked and others did too. I thought that would stand
out and others would appreciate some of his wisdom. I think now, after all the feedback, that my targeted market would be ok with my cards, stationary, and brochures made by me. If I was going to be marketing to corporate business I probably would go the professional route though. You`re right about the money research firms pay people. I went 2 times (my 2 cousins do this). Once I got paid $125 and they didnt even call my name (they always get extras), I got my friend to go and the same thing happened. The other time I got called and I had a great time and they even served refreshments!. Doesnt get better than that! Thanks for your comments - they were insightful
jo


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Jo
NJ

Robert, I know seniors like everything big so they get see it. My aunt told me if they cant see it they throw it away. A photograph of myself on the flyer is a good idea too.
Programming my number in their phone is excellent too. I am going to order
magnets for the refrigerator (there`s some phone magnets that I like)  thanks
jo                                                                     


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Jo
NJ

watergal,

It looks like you`re getting a lot of good advice. I should be clear up front and tell you (and everyone else) that I work for www.PrintingForLess.com , a long time sponsor of StartupNation, and honestly want to provide some relevant advice regardless of where you print your brochure or get it designed. This post may sound like a plug, but I`d rather be clear about who I am and where I know you can find some advice instead of being secretive.

We were the fist printer to figure out how to print commercially from MS Publisher and have printed thousands of Publisher brochures since 1999. I can tell you that it can be done yourself and still look professional. If you do need a designer, I`ve worked recently with Concept Design Studios www.conceptdesignstudios.com and had good results. This is a brand new 1 person company looking for business, so you may be able to get a good rate.

Also, if you look at the brochure page on our website, you`ll find some good design tips. http://www.printingforless.com/brochures.html The "How to Write a Super Brochure" link may be helpful.

Finally, StockLayouts is a company that has professional designers put together editable templates that can be printed at home, or professionally.  A link to their site is on the brochure page too.

I know that this may sound like a total marketing pitch, but I hope that you find some of these resources helpful in promoting your business. Best of Luck!

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Nick Runyon
Director of Marketing
PrintingForLess.com

OK. I`m a little afraid to say this, because I didn`t have time to
read each post about this topic. But from what I read, this was
never mentioned.

Something I have made a point to utilize are the local colleges.
Colleges have an assortment of talent. After all, I went to
college! : Many students need projects to use for class credit.
Others are almost ready to start a business but need more
previous work examples or just plain old experience. Make a
decent looking flyer. Keep the ad short for eye catching ability.
For example… “Graphic designer sought for business brochure
production.” Then add some dollar signs to the page. You will
always negotiate a fee based on your ability and their creativity.
Let`s face it. We can all get the software designers use. It`s the
creativity that makes the difference. Colleges are great
recruiting grounds.

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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

Hi Marketeer
thanks for the post on "brochures", sorry for just getting back on this to you, but
busy working on my new website.
I appreciate the information very much,  I should be able to review everything in a week or two on my list of "priorities". I try knocking a few items off each day from my list plus everything else  you have to do at home. I have looked at my templates on my 2003 publisher and nothing wowed me. I really would like something that has graphics of seniors and not abstracts  or anything else. So I have to come back to this in a few weeks and may be calling on you
Thanks so much
jo


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Jo
NJ

I help businesses with advertisements. I do not have any brochures but I do have high quailty business cards and postcards. Please take a look at my site and feel free to leave a comment in the new business forum. I don`t give discounts but I do give away free advertising on my site for an entire year with a donation to my site.

http://m4mentertainment.moonfruit.com/

 

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Tiffany Hannah tiffhannah@hotmail.com www.iboplus.com 1-866-404-2510