Reach customers through snail mail.
Direct advertising is sometimes the only option for a business to reach its customers. There are so many choices and advertisements on line, on television, on highway billboards and on the radio that consumers being to tune them all out. Businesses have to go directly to consumers through their mailboxes to break free of the clutter. Help businesses reach their customers. Start your very own direct home advertising business.
Instructions
Direct Home Advertising Business Beginner's Guide
1. Write a bullet list of goals and strategies instead of spending time on a full-blow plan. In an article in Forbes Magazine titled "Three Myths About Starting Your Own Business," author Shaun Rein writes, "Instead of writing a detailed plan with unrealistic projections, focus on figuring out those five or ten points and then get moving on actually building a company."
2. Get recognized by the state government. Even though you can operate this business from home, apply for a formal business license. In "Start a Home-Based Writing Business." author Lucy V. Parker writes, "Your customers will sense the difference -- and down the road, you will avoid such potential disasters as property-use violations, fines, back taxes, business name lawsuits and issues of business ownership."
3. Organize your home office. Separate your business life from your home life. Use dividers if you can't dedicate a full room to your home office. Schedule your daily work times. Inform your family of your work schedule.
4. Create direct mail samples. Choose three to five businesses and do some free work for them. Give them a call and explain that you are trying to build your portfolio. Create marketing pieces for them. Negotiate rates with printers on their behalf. These companies may later refer you to your first paying customers.
5. Save the names, telephone numbers and addresses of the printers and the organizations you performed free work for and start a database of contacts in Excel. Or use an old-fashioned organizer.
6. Establish your web presence. Create an "About" page to talk about your experience and expertise. Write about your services on your home page. Post the samples on your website for other prospects to review.
7. Start an email newsletter. Keep in contact with your prospects. Give them tips on improving their advertising campaigns. Remind them that you'd welcome the opportunity to work with them again.
8. Create your own direct mail package to show your services at work. Compile a list of addresses and contact information for local businesses. You can obtain a list from your local Chamber of Commerce website. Send out your direct advertising package.
9. Attend every business conference and fair that comes to town. Arm yourself with business cards. Introduce yourself to booth-owners first. They already have shown that they are willing to pay to attract customers.
Tags: your home, about your, Advertising Business, Business author, customers Start, Direct Home, Direct Home Advertising