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Really need help with marketing ideas

by hinadeane
9 replies
Hi there,
I posted in another section of the forum already, and thought i'd probably get more answers here.

I run a Personal Concierge Service business, working mostly with private individuals at the moment. Things is, I'd like to work for companies on a B2B2C basis, and have them offer their best clients a subscription to my service in order to improve customer experience. Customer will get a private concierge service anytime and companies can access their customers profiles and activity reports in order to deliver better products or services.

I'd like to point there's no such business where I live, so I'd be the first, which can be a positive thing but it also makes it double hard to implement.

What type of marketing do you think I should go for? Online and offline. Thanks in advance for your advice.
#ideas #marketing
  • Profile picture of the author Michael Karp
    Originally Posted by hinadeane View Post

    What type of marketing do you think I should go for? Online and offline. Thanks in advance for your advice.
    I can't give you specific advice on the concierge industry, but in regards to your question on online vs offline marketing, I suggest doing both.

    Since you're local, I think offline marketing would get your idea of the ground the fastest. Literally go out and talk to anyone you can about what you're offering. Grab as many interested buyers as possible through barebones outreach.

    But to make your marketing sustainable, you need an online strategy. You also want people looking for your services in your local area to find you through search engines.

    To achieve this, I suggest creating a website, starting a blog, and using your content to promote yourself on social media (both free and paid).

    Of course, it's a little more complicated than that. But if you learn the basics of blogging, content marketing, and local search engine optimization, you should have a solid online marketing strategy in place.

    Hope this helps you out. Let me know if you would like me to clarify anything, or point you to some resources.
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  • Profile picture of the author elmo033057
    Here's how you could do it in steps:

    1. Build your own database of local businesses that could use this service or buy a targeted list from a reputable dealer that is geographically oriented to your area.

    2. Send a direct mail piece that has compelling copy to these businesses or individuals soliciting your services to them.

    3. If you send a letter, you can always follow up with a phone call that is scripted in such a way that it rides on the back of your direct mail piece.

    4. Don't give up. Just because your first meager attempts don't work it could be you've hit them at the wrong time,or you need to rewrite your message.

    With direct mail you need 3 things in place for it to work:

    The right businesses to solicit
    The right time
    The right message

    I hope this helps!

    God Bless!

    ELMO
    Signature
    Mark "Elmo" Ellis
    "When It Comes To High Response Copy - I've Got Your Back!"
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  • Profile picture of the author hinadeane
    Thanks both of you. I do have a website up, and I have tried to contact a few corporations by email, but none have replied so far. I came to think that maybe they did not take the time to read... so I thought perhaps a video, perhaps a flyer... I need an original idea...

    I was even thinking of offering a month free subscription concierge service to these companies's directors. I know the service is good, and one of my customers even said : once you try, you can't go back. So I really need to pick their interest and have them take a piece of the cake!
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    • Profile picture of the author MikeMallin
      Originally Posted by hinadeane View Post

      Thanks both of you. I do have a website up, and I have tried to contact a few corporations by email, but none have replied so far. I came to think that maybe they did not take the time to read... so I thought perhaps a video, perhaps a flyer... I need an original idea...

      I was even thinking of offering a month free subscription concierge service to these companies's directors. I know the service is good, and one of my customers even said : once you try, you can't go back. So I really need to pick their interest and have them take a piece of the cake!
      If you're willing to give away a free month, why not look for JV's, affiliates, or salespeople and offer them 100% commission on the first month.
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      • Profile picture of the author hinadeane
        Originally Posted by MikeMallin View Post

        If you're willing to give away a free month, why not look for JV's, affiliates, or salespeople and offer them 100% commission on the first month.
        This is a great idea... I haven't thought about this. I might give it a try, thanks for your input!
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Karp
    If you can handle the loss in revenue, then going with a month's free service is a smart option to get off the ground.

    If emailing isn't working, you might want to try stepping it up to the next level by giving them a call. Or do it the old fashioned way: walk into their office.

    Since you've got a great product, be shameless in your outreach. Promote it like your business depends on it.

    Good luck man. Let us know how it goes.
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    • Profile picture of the author hinadeane
      Originally Posted by Michael Karp View Post

      If emailing isn't working, you might want to try stepping it up to the next level by giving them a call. Or do it the old fashioned way: walk into their office..
      I have tried walking in a few offices and talked to a few marketing managers about the idea... but the thing is I'm not confident at all when it comes to presentations... I'll try following up with emails.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    Originally Posted by hinadeane View Post

    What type of marketing do you think I should go for? Online and offline.
    I think you're confused about who your audience is.

    From what you've said, it appears to me your target audience is individuals, not businesses. Remember, even though you want businesses to offer your services to their clients, you are still in the business of catering to the consumer.

    I would focus my marketing on small business owners (as individuals) who are super busy and don't have time to do all they would like to do by themselves. These people understand "outsourcing" "VAs" and the like - they are not afraid to spend money to "offload" certain tasks that are too time intensive for them to do themselves.

    Go to Nextmark.com and you will find mailing lists of small business owners. Focus on busy professionals that have money - i.e. small business owners that are paid professionals (accountants, attorneys, doctors, the like . . .)

    Good luck to you,

    Steve
    Signature

    Steve Browne, online business strategies, tips, guidance, and resources
    SteveBrowneDirect

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    • Profile picture of the author hinadeane
      Originally Posted by Steve B View Post

      I think you're confused about who your audience is.
      Hi Steve,

      My goal is to work on a B2B2C basis and offer customer relationship solutions to businesses. From my research I have noticed a lot of big corporations are now using concierge services to take care of their big clients, (eg : Visa, Lexus, Mercedes, etc.) as a way to improve their customers experience but also to learn about their clients habits, tastes, interests and deliver a better product or service.

      This is a new concept where I live and I'd love to be the first one to implement it
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