A question about Direct Mail

[Spunkay]

Do I have to purchace a mailing list from somewhere, or can I put postcards/flyers in mailboxes around where I live. Can I hand deliver to the mailboxes, or do I have to spend the money on postage.

Also, could anyone give me any ideas besides posting in a newspaper that would allow me to advertise in a cost effective way?

Thank you for your time

[divshow]

Spunkay ~

It is a federal offense to put anything in a mailbox if you are not the box owner or a postal worker. I would strongly urge you not to go that route.

~ Lisa

[obinstitute]

There are a lot of traditional methods of advertising other than direct mail. Maybe if you could share what it is you are selling, I could help you with some suggestions?

Michele

[Spunkay]

I am hoping to start a computer repair business. My basic goals would be as follows:
Independent Computer Consultants are now offering the Following Services
* Help diagnose any problem with your computer, and work towards solving it.
* Help you eliminate those pesky pop ups.
* Help get your foot in the door by teaching you how to use your computer.
* Build you your dream computer for a price that fits your budget.
* Upgrade your current computer, by adding hardware, or updating the operating system.


There are other ideas that I have, but those are the basics. I have many ideas on how to make the business work, but I have no clue how to get the word out (besides word of mouth which is way too slow for my personal taste)

I have a very basic add that should be posted to my local newspaper within the next week, but it doesnt seem direct enough to me.

Is there any way to mail something to someone that is not a federal offence? I have heard a lot about direct mail and it seems like there is a way to do it legally, im just not sure how.

I am on a fixed budget, so advertising is not going to be able to take up a lot of money. I am planning on printing at home, and hopefully not using any outside services to design my ad.

Hopefully this gives a better background.

[Tresaca]

Try using postcards for your direct mail campaign.
They may be better for your budget because the
postage is cheaper than regular mail.

You can also write a special report
and use it as a lead generator for your
newspaper ad.

Good luck with your business,

Tresaca

[Spunkay]

k so as long as as I slap postage on it I can gather my own list of places to mail to and I wont be breaking any laws?

[mktgbiz]

Spunkay,
Over the last 16 years I've had a number of different businesses and the first thing I did in most cases was deliver flyers to either businesses or homes.

You can have 1000 made at Office Depot for around $50.00 - I always had mine printed on "salmon" colored paper (black ink). Then go distribute them feverishly. Take them business to business. You can distribute a lot that way and find business pretty quickly.

I sell an ebook called - FINDING MORE PROSPECTS (That are right under your nose) but if you'd be willing to give me some feedback on it, I'll send it to you for free - just give me your e-mail address.

Keep us posted,
Scott (mktgbiz)

[copywriter]

YOU, a NON-postal worker, can't put anything in anybody's mailbox legally. Only a postal worker can put mail/flyers/announcements, straw, a piece of coconut pie ... anything into a person's or business' mailbox legally.

Direct mail is legal because a postal worker delivers the advertisement to the people/companies. Make sense?

1. Since you are serving a local audience, check with your neighborhood Wal-Mart store. I see people putting flyers on car windows all the time at mine. Don't know if they have permission, but you can ask.

2. Speak at your local Chamber of Commerece breakfast or dinner. You don't have to join to be a guest speaker. You could give lots and lots of tips during your speech on "Why Does It DO That? Solving the Most Common Computer Problems."

3. Approach a local radio station about being a regular guest to answer the computer questions of listeners who call in. You do the show for free provided you get lots of mentions during the show and lots of advertising leading up to each weekly/monthly appearance.

Just a couple of ideas. Take what you will...

Karon

[Spunkay]

wow, thank you for all of your advice. I like the idea of going door to door, however, I am worried that my age may shy people away. I have a very professional attitude, but am very short, which sometimes makes me look younger than I am. Although, it may be worth it to dress in my nicest suit, and put myself out there before I spend money on postage

[obinstitute]

Marketing Commandment #5. Wear a CLOWN SUIT! It’s hard to ignore!

The cheapest and easiest marketing in the world is free advertising. How do you get free advertising? Wear a clown suit! Do something OUTRAGEOUS! Become news worthy. How?

When Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream first tried to expand to a nation-wide operation, it had trouble finding distributors. They determined the problem was that Pillsbury put out the word to all distributors not to work with Ben & Jerry’s. Pillsbury’s edict effectively blocked Ben & Jerry’s from the services of the national distributors. What to do? Put on a clown suit!

Ben & Jerry’s set up a one-man picket line outside Pillsbury headquarters. The picket sign read “Who’s the Doughboy afraid of?” The result? National-wide FREE publicity on television and newspapers. Publicity they couldn’t afford to buy.

In order to differentiate yourself from the crowd of competitors, you MUST be DIFFERENT! Design your own clown suit and wear it proudly!

Michele