Posted by Michelle/AL on 11/13/06 9:19pm
Msg #159726

Marketing Partnerships/Techniques

An office supply store owner sent me an email. I frequent his store on a monthly basis. He asked me if I’d be interested placing a flyer/brochure and business cards advertising my business in his store. He showed me how a computer repair guy is doing the same thing. I’m going to stop by his store this week and talk with him more about his proposal. Are any of you doing this now, if so what sort of financial arrangements did you entertain? Are there pitfalls I should avoid? I have a business license in addition to the bond and insurance. While this sort of marketing arrangement wasn’t outlined in my business plan, it could help me grow my non-loan doc notary business and that is in the business plan. Comments? Questions I should ask? Lessons learned that you'd like to share?

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 11/13/06 9:34pm
Msg #159729

My key tactic to markting is to be "visable" - always! I have cards at several places where other businesses have left cards. I always ask the proprieter if I may leave some cards, and they always say yes. It has brought me "some" business - I don't turn it down (lol). To name a few places - I have cards at the local car wash, a local takeout Mexican restaurant and a very popular donut store where a lot of realators leave cards. No financial arrangements, just good business sense.

BTW, you're suggestion below about a tab for "Newbies" is an excellent suggestion - it probably should be red with big letters that say "Getting Started? - click here". Harry does (or did) have a paragraph suggesting that if you are new to the board to use the Search button before asking questions.

Reply by Michelle/AL on 11/13/06 9:40pm
Msg #159733

What's in it for them?

Thanks for your response, Barbara. But....what does the car wash get from allowing you to leave cards in their shop? Nothing? Maybe I worked in NYC too long or I haven't been a business owner long enough. I always thought that "there was no such thing as a free lunch". There are really people out there who are willing to let you market for free and nothing in return? Your comments are helpful. I won't assume that I have to give this store owner anything in return.

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 11/13/06 9:44pm
Msg #159737

Re: What's in it for them?

I'm laughing at "...NYC too long" - I worked on Long Island for 5 years many moons ago. California is a different culture (smile) - much more laid back than the east coast.

The car wash? They have MY business - I buy an annual pass every year at the carwash. I give them my business to keep my car clean, and they let me leave my business cards. It's what I would call another way to "network" your services.

Reply by hcampersFL on 11/13/06 9:46pm
Msg #159738

Re: What's in it for them?

The car wash now has a place that it's customers can go and read the board while they are getting their car washed. The business people who come back month after month to make sure that their card is still around. For the Notary? Well I can pick up a couple of extra $$ from the guy who is on his lunch break and sees my card. He calls me I go to his work complete the notarization and he doesn't have to stop after work on his way home. All from my business cards being left behind.
That is how it works.
The store owner doesn't expect anything from you Michelle. You are going to provide his customers with a service. That alone will pay your rent at his store.

Reply by hcampersFL on 11/13/06 9:35pm
Msg #159730

Great opportunity for you. I wouldn't "pay" anything for it though. I think if you do what he is asking of you that you will reap the rewards but he will as well. He will be providing another service to his customers. Flyers and business cards and any other things you can think of should work.
I do this at my one-stop shop for Fed-Ex and UPS drops.

Reply by Lee/AR on 11/13/06 9:41pm
Msg #159734

As above posters said, it's a very good idea, but you shouldn't be paying anything for this.
Now, some people look at every square inch of their business & wonder IF they could utilize it in some way...such as 'selling adv. space' for business cards. If that's what this person is doing, well... I wouldn't pay him for 'space', but I guess that's a question you'll have to answer for yourself. This type of thing is usually a courtesy done by a business for their customers (both people offering a service & those people who need that service...works both ways.) And I would definitely view it that way and would not pay for it.

Reply by Michelle/AL on 11/13/06 9:43pm
Msg #159736

Thanks, Lee. n/m

Reply by Michelle/AL on 11/13/06 9:42pm
Msg #159735

Got it.....

....his customers start to see him as the one place to go to for various business needs. Okay. Thank you hcampersFL.

Reply by hcampersFL on 11/13/06 9:49pm
Msg #159740

Michelle...

I have been watching you on the boards and must say I am very impressed with how you handle yourself. Keep up the professional attitude and you will go far. I'm glad you called me a few months ago and hope you know that if in the future I can be of service please don't hesitate to call me.
Beverly

Reply by Charm_AL on 11/13/06 9:54pm
Msg #159742

Re: Michelle...Bev...

I love Micheele, she works all day and does signings at night, relatively new to this. She is an exception I made to the network and refer work to her. So far, no complaints! You'll get to know her as you handle the farthern mosrt south east tip of AL

Reply by Charm_AL on 11/13/06 9:55pm
Msg #159743

Re: Michelle...Bev...

no spell check on this baby!...geeze, g'nite.

Reply by Michelle/AL on 11/13/06 10:16pm
Msg #159750

Thanks for the kind words, Charm & Bev....now for my real

question......"How does one get started in this business?" : ) (Hee Hee) I could not resist the temptation! (I am cracking myself up.)

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 11/14/06 1:28pm
Msg #159864

Re: Thanks for the kind words, Charm & Bev....now for my real

LOL Michelle - you are so baaad!!!!

Reply by hcampersFL on 11/13/06 11:15pm
Msg #159769

Re: Michelle...Bev...Charm

I feel like a do know Michelle. She and I have had a couple of phone conversations when she first came on NR. I like her very much and meant what I said to her. You can tell she is a hard worker.

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 11/13/06 9:58pm
Msg #159744

Besides

How much business do you give him -- paper, toner cartridges, pens, other office supplies, etc.

Reply by Michelle/AL on 11/13/06 10:14pm
Msg #159749

Re: Besides.....that's an excellent question

.....he emailed me after I was MIA for awhile from his business. Maybe this is a way to get me back in there (jeez, I can be slow at times.) and spend some money. Currently, I don't spend a lot of money at his shop. If I advertise there I guess I'll be spending more, right? And...I guess he'll expect me to take a few of his cards too.