| Jul. 08 2008 at 9:26 AM |
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Thank you!! Well, you certainly helped bring me that brainstorm!! But I love your ideas, too -- sounds like a lot of work, but FUN!! And it would certainly bring plenty of attention. Thank you again -- this has brought some excitement with this campaign!!
Concierge of Charlotte, LLC
"Start Living!"
www.ConciergeofCharlotte.com
Jim@ConciergeofCharlotte.com
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| Jul. 24 2008 at 11:22 AM |
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I just wanted to mention that we got our first paying customer from handing out cards. Our data suggests that we handed out about 1000. Because we hand them out ourselves, it didn't cost us very much "real" money. This also means that we probably have to keep it going.
Brandon
De Novo Pittsburgh Chiropractic & Health
Treating Pittsburgh's Athletes
www.denovopittsburgh.com
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| Jul. 24 2008 at 11:25 AM |
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Good job Brandon! Way to follow through!
Jack
The Promotions Department, Inc.
10301 NW 18th Manor
Plantation, FL 33322
954-257-3644
sales@promotionsdept.us
http://www.promotionsdept.us
promotionsdeptus.blogspot.com
Your source for promotional ideas and products
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| Jul. 24 2008 at 11:44 AM |
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Brandon,
It is always good to see someone successful with any type of marketing!!!
My experience with post cards ha shown me that niche market businesses like yours will have a return rate at about what you already received: 1 in 1000 of paid customers. I'm not sure what you are paying for flyers, but you need to make sure you are seeing positive ROI.
How long did it take you to pass out 1000 flyers? What is the value of that one customer?
I get flyers designed, printed, and delivered for about $450 for 5000. That is 5 paid customers for the entire distribution. Not considering my time of distribution, that means they have to be worth at least $90 to cover the cost of flyers. If I factor in my time, that could get costly.
I am a big believer in post card (flyer) marketing. I have used it for years, and it has worked, just as it has for you. I said you have a niche market only because not everyone is a potential customer. I have also learned recently the power of networking (properly) and trade shows/expos/fairs. Make sure you examine your ROI on this marketing activity and weigh out the difference of networking and building a database of potential clients that you can regularly market to with emails and the such.
Nate Stockard is the owner of Stockard & Associates, Inc. and provides design and marketing solutions for small businesses. He is also the author of The Market Seedling, which offers articles, information, advice, and tips on small business marketing and design.
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| Aug. 07 2008 at 8:10 PM |
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Yes, you do have a unique business. I'm sure you market are busy high net worth indiciduals with absolutely no time on their hands.
I would attain a good mailing list and send specialized invitation postcards to a select number of CEOs/VPs etc inviting them to save their time by using your service. If you make it look high class/like an invitation, its less likely to get thrown out. Thats just my experience/ $.02
Chris M
Save money on your printing costs
VISIT PrintPrintPrint.Biz
VOTE FOR US!!!
http://www.startupnation.com/homebased100/contestant/176/ind ex.php
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| Aug. 08 2008 at 8:51 AM |
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Nate-
What do you mean by networking properly? I think we are doing a good job, but we haven't seen much return on the connections that we have made.
Brandon
De Novo Pittsburgh Chiropractic & Health
Treating Pittsburgh's Athletes
www.denovopittsburgh.com
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| Aug. 08 2008 at 9:28 AM |
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When networking, you must look at it as relationship-building. When you go to networking events, don't go with the idea that you are looking for clients.
I talked with a power-networker yesterday, and he told me 90% of his business came from 10% of his direct contacts. So in other words, his business came not from who he knew but who they knew.
Networking is a long process. You must build relationships and nurture those relationships. By doing this, you become the person they refer when someone is looking for your type of services.
Also, linkedin.com is very valuable. Build, build, build. Once you build a substantial network of contacts, you can search through your contacts to see if someone has a connection you need when making sales calls.
Nate Stockard is the owner of Stockard & Associates, Inc. and provides design and marketing solutions for small businesses. He is also the author of The Market Seedling, which offers articles, information, advice, and tips on small business marketing and design.
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| Aug. 20 2008 at 10:26 AM |
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That's good information. I first was under the impression that everyone I would meet at those events would automatically increase our business. We recently received our first direct referral from our networking efforts after about 6 months. The relationship of trust that we have been able to foster with those we meet seems to have more impact on people than the quality of our product (which is what we were trying to focus on initially). In other words, we have shown that we are quality and trustworthy people, so our contacts have come to trust that we will treat their friends well.
Brandon
De Novo Pittsburgh Chiropractic & Health
Treating Pittsburgh's Athletes
www.denovopittsburgh.com
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