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FranchisePro

posts: 1

Mar 18, 2008 1:31 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

Not only is that a great idea, but it can be done with several "twists" - if you are marketing to , let`s say, "hairdressers" - you might be able to get one per 50 mile radius - you then obtain an a national advertiser and increase your revenues. After a while, you then can even offer it to hairdressers at an even reduced rate, increase the number of clients and increase the revenue that you get from your national accounts.

mwhite1249

posts: 11

Mar 18, 2008 1:43 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

I like the version where you host the whole thing yourself. After the initial mailing list upload give subscribers a direct link to your system so list building is automatic. The more you can put on autopilot the better. I think price would depend on the type of newsletter and target market. If $39 gets you 100 subscribers $9.95 might get you 1000s. I would try different price points and find the want that maximizes subscriptions. You can also give incentives for 6-month and 12-month subs and re-subs.

Do you plan to charge per subscriber or a flat fee, or some combination? What revenue sharing ratio are you thinking about? And who will collect the subscription fees? PayPal and credit card fees can easily shave 5% off the top. Sounds something like an affiliate program where your client is in the affiliate seat and they route their customers through you. The right arrangement can create a very nice win-win-win situation for everyone. I like it.

jwatkins

posts: 145

Mar 18, 2008 1:55 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

Franchisepro you`re a nut! Next thing you`ll tell me is that I could franchise this idea and sell the article to others to go out and sell. You`ll probably say that I could write a newsletter, leave room for advertisements and sell it to entrepreneurs who want to start a small business selling ads to local roofers and plumbers and then give away the newletter to local homeowners.
Ludicrious!

SuN has said that this is a crazy idea! (Just poking fun SuN).

Just so I understand your plan. I would create a newsletter with beauty and health tips for women. I would get Covergirl to purchase an ad. I could then give (or reduce the price) the newsletter to beauty salons who would in turn handout, mail out, or email the newletter to their customers. By doing this, they get an inexpensive, nonintrusive, trying to help way to keep their name in front of their customer, Covergirl gets advertising and a circulation to people who just might use their product, and I get paid...

That`s insane! What are you an entrepreneur or something! Do you actually think people would pay to have a way to increase their business or retain current customers? Do you think any sane business would pay to advertise on a newsletter that targets their core demographic?

Ridiculous! Thanks for the reply FranchisePro. When i`m ready to go worldwide you`ll be the first one I call...

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Get Out of Debt

jwatkins

posts: 145

Mar 18, 2008 2:20 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

Mwhite 1249, Welcome to the nut squad! So let me see if i understand. Joe businessowner has a website and on his site is a link for a newsletter. When a customer clicks to subscribe, they are magically subscribed to a newsletter that I produce. However, when they recieve it, it is branded with Joe businessowner`s brand. Joe businessowner is giving his customers something of value, he is also getting precious brand time every month, all without him having to write a single article, send a single email, or keep up with bounces, subscribers, and people that want to stop subscribing? And for only X amount per month and X amount per subscriber? Ridiculous!

Why would any business owner want those benefits? Its sad to think that there are people like you with brilliant ideas running around. You should be locked up!

Thanks for the reply.

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Get Out of Debt

patch

posts: 12

Mar 18, 2008 2:30 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

The first line of your initial message has me worried. You have ideas and cannot see them through.

In view of that, you have to justify to yourself that you will see this through before you go any further. There will be discouragements before you ever get the first newsletter out to the public. (Yes, I`m one of them!)

Have you decided what industry you are going to target? Have you prepared at least a dozen sample newsletters to show to prospective clients? Do you have a program for sustainability and originality?

From an ethical viewpoint, you need to have a product that stands up to the revelation that it is marketed through different outlets, i.e. it must clearly be a syndicated newsletter, not purporting to be the original work of any of your clients.

One thing you will need, though you probably think you don`t: a good editor. There is an old saying in the business: "Every writer, no matter how talented, needs an editor." There are too many writers who believed they could go it on their own ending up failing in business.

If you can`t find one, let me know.

Patch

Phil Thatcher

winniephil@sympatico.ca

-------------------------

Philip Thatcher
Editorin-Chief
Write With God

mwhite1249

posts: 11

Mar 18, 2008 2:40 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

Yeah, I know it sounds crazy. I was thinking the subscriber could pay you, then you send a cut to a business owner -- "you send me your customers and I`ll collect, send them a branded newsletter AND send you a check each month for your share." You`re right, no one would go for that. Free money for nothing plus advertisement. What was I thinking? Thanks for setting me straight.

jwatkins

posts: 145

Mar 18, 2008 2:42 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

Patch, thanks for the advice. you`re dead on. I have ideas and then the excitement just seems to fade. I know deep down that I could be successful but I have a tendency to self-defeat and to procrastinate. Anyone else have those problems? I believe those two things divide the successful from the rest of us more than anything else.

As for the writing. In the beginning I would write the articles myself and yes, I would have to use an editor...or two. Once money starts flowing I would hire writers to write short articles on topics that I choose. They too would use an editor.

I could use a disclaimer or just the byline for the author.

Thanks for the comments and the great advice.

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Get Out of Debt

TapeSeal

posts: 38

Mar 18, 2008 5:37 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

I think it is a good idea, especially if the business buying the service can upload email addresses into a private/secure location and have the service turnkey. I`ve been selling real estate for 7 years now and know how important it is to `touch` past, current, and prospective clients very frequently. There are companies out there providing contact databases with similar capabilities...the problem is finding the time to put it all together and making it streamline. I can see the need with other service businesses as well.

In your pitch, include some stats (and create a newsletter on the subject) for customer retention based on frequency of communication. Also, encourage your businesses to offer a small discount/coupon to be printed from the newsletter. This would appeal to a consumer for an impulse service or purchase and could help your customers track the benefit of using your service. For real estate it could be something like $100.00 towards closing costs, home warranty, gift card, etc. as long as the realtor is staying within RESPA guidelines. For a salon it could be $5.00 off manicure & pedicure.

I think if you take into consideration all of the great advice on this thread you will do well!

Tammy

Tape-Seal

-------------------------

Tammy Richardson, President
Tape-Seal by Greystone Design, Inc.
Tape-Seal Stops Paint Bleed
602-677-1930 office
602-434-7182 Tammy`s mobile
jprichardson@cox.net or
TRichardson73@cox.net
http://www.PerfectPaintLines.com

jwatkins

posts: 145

Mar 18, 2008 7:10 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

Tapeseal, Absolutely great advice! I didn`t think about the coupon/special offer. Thanks.
Also, it is really gratifying to see people actually "see" my vision for this. I`m excited! Thanks again.

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Get Out of Debt

Socialbutterfly

posts: 2

Mar 19, 2008 10:41 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

Why couldn`t your business be a filler newsletter? You would print information that was important to any business owner. Some of the information could be seasonal or personal. The information could be about purchasing a new or used car, packing and moving, winterizing your home with the latest products, the latest summer must have products, electronic do`s and don`ts, finding mr. or mr.s right, how to spot a cheater, it could be filled with a couple of topics. They would delete what they didnt need nor want and print their information giving them more of a full page. You would have different layouts allowing them to choose from your design based on their business. They would be able to add their business name or logo. This way your personalizing your business to fit their business. With many companies downsizing in certain departments, you never know who may call you. Go for the gusto!!!!

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