Posted by BetsyMI on 11/18/05 12:30pm
Msg #77452

Marketing yourself

I was asked to post this under a new thread since it got buried in another:

<<I've signed up with over 100 companies on this site and others. Many times it looks like the only way to contact them is by email. I send one that I have prepared with all my specifics, but often it comes back because of a wrong email address. I then try the website and am sometimes successful there.

For the emails that do go through, and I don't get an error response, many times I never get a response back one way or the other. So am I truly signed up with that company? I don't know.

Others reply back weeks or a month later, saying "you recently sent us an email...please fill out the attached notary packet...".

What do all of you do to make sure you're signed up with a company if you never hear back?>>

Reply by Charles_Ca on 11/18/05 12:44pm
Msg #77462

Hi Betsy:

Marketing is one of the biggest problems any business has. If you are using MS Outlook (included in MS Office) for your e-mail insted of MS Outlook Express there is a fairly good contact manager as part of that package. Also MS Outlook interfaces with Palm OS based PDA's to give you a more comprehensive and compact contact manager. For years I have used a paper based program for contact management because in my business I like to document every conversation I have with clients and potential clients. The system I prefer is from Time and is called their Communication Record. You have to take their classes to be able to buy their systems. I was fortunate to have my company many years ago pay to have me attend these classes but the record itself is quite simple.

If anyone would like a copy of the blank data sheet I could send you a pdf version so you can see what it looks like. I like then becase they come padded and drilled for a 3 rirng binder and that is how I keep them. You should keep records of everyone you contact offering your services and have a scheduled follow-up if you don't hear back from them. I also like to keep a record of the contact and what was discussed that way I have a complete record of the client and their needs. Follow up. Unless you have a compelling sales presentation the reason for following up is tht you never know when the client will be ready for your services. It is well known in real estate circles taht very few people shop for a real estate agent and just list with the one who calls when they are ready. I suspect that is really the basis of a lot of sales. So the importnat thing to do is keep contacting and then follow up at regular intervals until you get what you want. I have a friend who's marketing motto is "...follow up until they buy or die!" Good luck!

Reply by Jenny_CA on 11/18/05 12:54pm
Msg #77468

Hello Charles, I am going to go ahead and take you up on your offer and email regarding the data sheet. I feel like struck gold with all the informative posts today. To think I was going to treat myself to a movie after a stressful week instead I chose the board.

BTW I am going to share that motto with my husband since he is in advertising.

thanx!

Reply by srnotary_CA on 11/18/05 12:57pm
Msg #77470

Charles if you don't mind i will email you for it too. You are always so helpful as well as others on this board and i have avoided quite a few mistakes by reading these posts.

Reply by Giselle_CA on 11/18/05 2:19pm
Msg #77486

Charles, just sent email! Thks!

Reply by Charles_Ca on 11/18/05 2:30pm
Msg #77489

I know I got the three of you but...

I just got a flurry of e-mails, if I missed someone please let me know.

Reply by BetsyMI on 11/18/05 3:03pm
Msg #77495

Re: I know I got the three of you but...

I sent you an email too Charles.

Betsy

Reply by Charles_Ca on 11/18/05 3:09pm
Msg #77496

I believe I got you too, at least the computer tells me soNM

Reply by Lainisha Cooper on 11/18/05 9:58pm
Msg #77580

Hi, Charles. I am very interested in the blank data sheet. If you could send it to me I'd greatly appreciate it. I don't know if yo send it to my link here or not. Thank you.