Running out of ideas

[mau64]

I've been slowly making my rounds with different types of advertising and not one thing has really shown through. I've dealt with the local newspapers (3 different ones) and have only gotten a couple phone calls from only one of them. I've probably dumped around $300-$400 in this area.

I've done the every door direct mail sending out 971 flyers to people that live in the town I live in. $140 for the printing and $140 to ship them. Maybe I should have targeted the country more since competition is pretty thick here even for a small town.

I've been told to stay away from radio, even from a person that works there. I guess my competitors pulled their ads because they were not paying off. I never heard their ad because I don't listen to the radio.

I've been sending out personal letters to businesses explaining both my businesses but they few I've gotten from this only wanted me to build them a website. It's still a job but not for the computer repair business.

I'm a little apprehensive when it comes too google ads. I have a hard time seeing anymore in this town actually using it, instead of going to the phone book, but the phone book is expensive and I've seen nothing but failed attempts on these forums.

It's also hard to go door to door since I work during the day, but I've been thinking of doing some cold calls during lunch. So where could I go from here? Should I keep changing what I advertise in the paper and stick with that? Should I spring for google ads or talk to the yellow pages people? Should I try the EDDM again? When you guys got into ruts with advertising, what pulled thorough with you?

One more thing. Ive sent two requests for the chamber of commerce and have yet to hear back from them.

 

[mau64]

Sorry for all the broken English, I normally visit this forum from my iPhone

 

[PCX]

Just a few thoughts.

1. You have to run your ads for a few months or longer before you really know how well they work. Consistancy is key.

2. Multiple ads and marketing help to get your name out there and help to make your name stick. Again, consistancy is key.

3. Google ads works in most moderate to large towns and cities. Better than that, get your self on Google+ if possible.

4. Radio advertising is not really advertising, its marketing. You will rarely if every hear anyone say that they came to your shop because of a radio ad. What will actually happen is that they will here your name so much and see it on so many types of advertising, that they will assume that you guys are good and legit.

 

[kaiser715]

Go to church.

Seriously...the biggest church in town. Get to know people and let them get to know you. At least around here, every single insurance salesman in town goes to church and is actively involved. Because it works.

Back when I was also doing home pc's a large percentage of my contacts came from folks at church.

 

[PCX]

Go to church.

Seriously...the biggest church in town. Get to know people and let them get to know you. At least around here, every single insurance salesman in town goes to church and is actively involved. Because it works.

Back when I was also doing home pc's a large percentage of my contacts came from folks at church.

Quite possibly one of the worst ideas I have ever heard. First off, if you are just going to church to get business, then you are shady and that is just wrong on so many levels. Secondly, I go to church and trust me, I try not to do business with people in church. Why? When your involved in church, you will find that if you own any type of business, you will get the whole "hey man, can't you hook a brother/sister up" Sorry, I do not do business that way. Unforunately many Christians think that they should be hooked up with a cheap service because a brother or sister in the church owns a business, rather than happily give their business at full price to their Christian brothers or sisters because they want to bless them.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Takes a while. Advertising is about getting your name out there, and it takes a while...quite a while. Mix it up.

What's more immediate? Face to face, hand shakes, aka meeting people in real life.

Find someone you know that goes to the local chamber and ask them...don't just send something in, call them up, better yet..meet in person. Ask to come along to the next chamber event as someones "guest"....and talk to people directly.

Do you have a local BNI you can join? One of the most effective things we've done.

The businesses that you've targeted with direct mail....find out who works at them..and use that to get your way in. Chances are...you know someone that works at one of the businesses you targeted with your direct mail. Ask them for a warm lead.

 

[3ft]

*snip*

I've done the every door direct mail sending out 971 flyers to people that live in the town I live in. $140 for the printing and $140 to ship them. Maybe I should have targeted the country more since competition is pretty thick here even for a small town.

*snip

Just curious, what were the results of your every door direct mailing campaign? I'm pondering doing the option where they just mail to post office boxes, since all the business in our area must have a PO Box (no direct mail delivery on Main St.).

 

[16k_zx81]

PM sent regarding your online advertising. There are some things you can do to improve this....

 

[mau64]

Just curious, what were the results of your every door direct mailing campaign? I'm pondering doing the option where they just mail to post office boxes, since all the business in our area must have a PO Box (no direct mail delivery on Main St.).

I sent them out about 3 weeks ago, and haven't received a single phone call yet.

 

[Magic Miguel]

I've had great success with AdWords. I guess if you service a really small town then it might not be that great.

 

[texastech83]

Most of my business comes from old-fashioned marketing. Networking with people, advertising on my car, yard signs, flyers, etc.

I tried google PPC once, and it didn't generate much business. wasn't really worth the costs.

 

[LolaJohnson]

I also don't think using church for business is such an ethical idea. Anyway, just give your efforts a chance to come into fruition in time. Nothing works instantly. And I suggest that you continue with your efforts while joyfully exploring other options.

 

[callthatgirl]

One idea is to get a small fishbowl, print up a little sign on it that says, "Drop your business card to win a tune up" and see if neighboring businesses will leave on their counters. Then stop by and get the cards once a month and do a few tune ups for free. or a virus removal?

Then you are a getting cards and have a database of interested folks, start up a monthly newsletter with tips and tricks, ask folks to pass them on to their friends, etc.

Newsletters are great for small towns, no one else is probably doing them.