Sending out post cards

work2bfree · 02-28-2008, 01:15 AM

Recently I had a conversation with someone who said that he is getting a lot of leads by sending out post cards. He said that initially he was paying about $500.00 a month for leads and then sending these leads post cards about his business opportunity. He said that he got so frustrated with this because many of the leads were of poor quality.

One day, during one of his frustrating times, he came up with the idea of using the phone book to get leads to send his post cards to. What do you know? He started getting more people joining his busienss and these leads are free.

He shared with me his story because I had asked whether anyone was having any success with sending post cards to leads and he was the one who responded with his story.

At this time, I have decided to send out post cards to people in the phone book. What I first did was get some demographic information off the internet. I use the demographics information to determine which neighborhoods in my area have a specific economic status. I am looking for specific individuals who meet a certain income level because these individuals are more prone to having the income to join me in my business.

I just sent out my first batch of post cards. I will be sending out more next week. It is too early to tell whether this is working. I usually give a marketing method 90 days before I assess whether it is a success or not a success. If not successful, I will replace with another marketing method. I hope it works. If not in this state, I may look at sending my post cards to other states. Alabama is not known to be very open minded.

pendelton · 02-28-2008, 05:05 AM

They work, when targeted properly like you did. Did you use the Census information by chance?

I did alright with sales selling boat parts, mainly for bimini tops, as a telemarketer, to a couple of places in Mobile. Pleasant guys.

That is an interesting niche to get in to, but the start up costs are horrendous.

Sorry, back to topic, we sent full catalogs instead of post cards and got a lot of business. 90 days is a little short it seems to me, but it all depends on the product and niche too.

Good luck.

Function · 03-01-2008, 02:42 AM

I think that would that idea would be beneficial depending on the type of business it is. I was actually planning to do something similar to this but decided that it wouldn't do as well as I would expect it to do. Nonetheless, it would benefit many businesses.

TryUsOut · 03-02-2008, 11:34 AM

I guess the deciding factor would be the conversion rate in the end - ROI vs. cost of sending the post cards.

Please do let us know if it worked for you

work2bfree · 03-04-2008, 01:27 AM

I will keep everyone up on what occurs. The main problem for me is time. I only have a couple of hours in the evening. I try to create 100 post cards. The goal is to send 100 per week. I have my phone number as well as my website address. So, I may not have get a phone call but I will receive emails when someone goes to my website.

brotherZ · 03-10-2008, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by work2bfree

I will keep everyone up on what occurs. The main problem for me is time. I only have a couple of hours in the evening. I try to create 100 post cards. The goal is to send 100 per week. I have my phone number as well as my website address. So, I may not have get a phone call but I will receive emails when someone goes to my website.

I wonder how many of those will end up in the trash.
Do you have a system in place to track your conversion rate?

work2bfree · 03-11-2008, 02:54 AM

No, not really and I am not really concerned at this time about how many will end up in the trash. I just want to be able to connect with the right people. If the postcards get into the hands of someone who really wants a home-based business and they are willing to work hard, I am fine with that.

I, for example, received a postcard about a business opportunity. I didn't throw it in the trash. I started the business, and as with any business, I worked very hard on it. Unfortunately, their customer service was poor and I did complain about this, but no change, so I had to exit. But, if their responses to the customers needs had been better, I would probably still be with them.

In other words, I just need more people like me.

pendelton · 03-11-2008, 01:42 PM

How are your management skills?

work2bfree · 03-13-2008, 02:03 AM

I am a pretty good manager. At least that is what I have been told by my bosses. I am not a hands on boss. I only step in when need be. This is how I am at my job.

As a manager with my business, it is a little bit more difficult because of lack of time. I am always in a hurry to try and get as much done as possible. I do have an task list that I follow each day to help me stay on target with my marketing.

I do follow-up with people in my group and since my group has grown so much, I usually keep in touch via a newsletter. I will also periodically during the course of the week try to call members in my group and send them an email.

I also have properties I own so managing these properties require my time too.

I have a full plate.

I am also working on developing my skill-sets. It is something I will probably do for the remainder of my life as an entrepreneur.

I hope that answers your question. I am new to this, having a business of my own, and I accept that I have much to learn.

pendelton · 03-13-2008, 11:13 PM

Great answer, the last line is key. When you think you know it all you better retire, otherwise failure is just around the corner.

I prefer to be hands on myself, but, if everyone did everything the same way, life would be so very boring.

I predict you will be as successful as you want to be, you have the plan. Good luck on life letting you stick with it, which is the one uncontrollable thing any business owner deals with. Heck, any person.