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10 Lessons for Every "Shoestring" Entrepreneur
Starting a business requires adequate capital. However, many entrepreneurs are finding that capital alone is not a guarantee for success. Some businesses start out with millions in the coffers, yet end up in the dumps. While a few businesses...
10 Ways For Entrepreneurs To Find More Time
It's occurred to me lately that I don't feel like there's enough time to do everything I want to do in my business. Between working with clients, writing books and articles, teaching/training other professionals, marketing, and just living a...
7 Things to Consider Before Buying Small Business Accounting Software
The world of small business accounting software can be a minefield for any business owner. However choosing the right package is one of the most critical business decisions you will make.
Here are the seven things you must consider before...
Are You Losing The Battle For Search Engine Traffic?
Search engine traffic should be a priority for any online business and some level of optimization is apart of every effective marketing strategy.
On the plus side, search engine traffic is the cream of the crop. There is very low cost...
Data Backup for Beginners
It's 10pm. Do you know where your data is?
Data. Small bits of information clustered together to make Word files, documents,pictures, MP3s, HTML etc. We work on our computers every single day never sparing a thought for all those millions of...
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Direct Mail - For Small Businesses
We hear a lot of talk about junk mail nowadays. Many people
will tell you that they dump it straight in the trash. But
why do you think so many organisations send out so called
junk mail - because it works!
I dump most of my junk mail just like everyone else, but
every so often I'm attracted and respond to something that
comes through the mail.
Whatever it is, grabs my interest just at the right time.
Sometimes it's a mailing I've seen several times and I've
been slightly interested; however, there comes a time when I
decide to do something about it.
Research has shown that, on average, people need to see an
advertisement seven times before they respond - it's the
same with direct mail.
I'm not looking for a new credit card at present; however
there are thousands of people who are. These people will
respond to a credit card company mailing because they want a
new card with a better interest rate or because their other
card is at its limit or they want to transfer a balance.
It has to be said that the average response rate for direct
mailing is less than 1% and as you'll appreciate, the large
organisations send out millions of direct mailers.
Small to medium sized businesses can have success with
direct mailing by keeping it small, focussed and personal.
Target the right people - You need to have a good mailing
list. The best one you can have is the one you've built
yourself. You build it with all the contacts you make from
your networking and all the enquiry phone calls you receive.
(If anyone contacts your business you need to capture all
their relevant information. Tell them you'll
Associated Websites
add them to
your mailing list so that they'll receive all the up to date
information)
Buy or rent a mailing list - There are many reputable
suppliers (and some not so reputable) who'll supply you with
a closely targeted list. If you wanted the names of
Transport Managers in the food industry in your city - then
they can provide it. For consumers, they can supply details
of people by zip or postal code, age group, gender, special
interests etc.
You could probably get the details of female accountants
under thirty, interested in fishing and living in a specific
area of your city or country. (Not sure why you'd want that,
but I'm sure you get the point)
The product or service has to be appealing - It has to have
benefits or problem solving abilities for the person you're
targeting
It must be clear - easy to understand and be believable
There must be a call to action - There are three things that
someone will do with a piece of direct mail - 1. Scan it and
throw it in the trash 2. Put it aside to make a decision
later. (However later never comes or when it does, most mail
will hit the trash) 3. Take action - Phone the free number
or tear off the pre-paid reply coupon or complete the order
form
It's vitally important that your mailing prompts action
immediately.
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