midasman09

There's been some talk here about setting up a "Town Directory of Mobile Sites"....which I believe is a great idea.

However....rather than making Mobile Sites for individual sites (where you provide a Re-Direct Script so anyone looking for the Individual site on their Mobile Device will be automatically re-directed)....you set up the Directory on YOUR server with a Domain Name that YOU own and control.

But....how do you advertise the site so local consumers can FIND IT!

You could have a Re-Direct Script on each individual site sending anyone landing on the Individual Sites to your "Town Mobile Directory".

However....here's a few other Promotion ideas for getting "Mobile Traffic" to your Directory;

1) Get a List of "New Movers" and send them a PostCard telling them about your "Directory" (what's in it - Where to Eat, Where To Shop, Services, Attractions, Animal Hospitals, Dentist & Doctor Sites)...and....include a QR Code and the URL of your Directory so they can just type in the address...(town dot mobi dot com)

2) Place a Display at the Front Desk of local motels....with QR Code and URL of your Directory

3) Provide each participating business with a "Sign" to place on back of their cash register. Also provide small Plastic Stands with a sign on the Counters of participants.

4) Deliver a "Press Release" to local papers.

5) Run small Display Ads with QR Code and URL in local papers.

Now....from my days running a "Welcome Service" where I was sending Town Info to "New Movers"....I KNOW you can charge $1 per New Mover AND...provide each participant with the Monthly List for THEM to follow up on.

For ex: In my area there used to be an average of 150 homes sold each month along with 100 "New Movers"....so....I charged $250/mo to be included. Nowadays....that's down to HALF....BUT....$125 per month is NOT outlandish....and....even if you are in a larger area....charging $150 a month from each participant....whether there are 250 or 500 New Movers a month....your costs are not much and.....$150 from 30 sponsors is a nice $4,500 A MONTH!

Don Alm

nickhumph

Thanks for that! I think you've helped the problem somewhat of people's dilemma here of advertising a mobile directory.

I was also thinking about content marketing and writing about the town, what to do, etc and that would be great for getting some search engine traffic aswell!

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Kiril S

Don Alm, I really liked your concept of setting up redirection scripts on individual desktop websites and have them redirect to their respective mobile pages of the mobile directory.

I also want to contribute to this thread and share a simple technique that could easily hook businesses in advertising your mobile directory at their venues.

The key concept of this strategy is the infrastructure of the directory. We should take advantage of the fact that the directory is mobile optimized, and that the majority of businesses are not mobile optimized.

Therefore, the structure of the directory should reflect the inability of business owners to provide a mobile optimized solution to their potential clients. The mobile directory should only display a short appealing description of the venue with a link leading to their original website, and nothing else.

This will automatically create a demand for creating separate mobile pages for each venue. Now, the pitch of this strategy is to approach businesses, and show them how their regular websites would look on a mobile phone upon clicking the link on your mobile directory. I guarantee it would not look pretty.

Then, you could offer the venues a free mobile optimized page on your directory -- just like a regular mobile website, except it would be hosted on your domain -- in exchange for a free advertising spot at their venue. Win-Win.

Only after you create a network of venues that you should think about advertisers.

Directory + Traffic + Advertisers = Money For You

K

midasman09

Only after you create a network of venues that you should think about advertisers.

Excuse em Waaa! If you've read any of my "stuff" on the WF...you will know that...I like to "Keep It Simple!"

I do NOT need to "create a Network of Venues"....BEFORE....I "think about advertisers"!

Hogwash!

I create a SIMPLE "Directory Site" to SHOW Prospective Advertisers I KNOW....what I'm doing! I make a "Mock-Up" with a couple of participants. Then....offer a Spot to local businesses.

The GREAT thing about "exclusivity" is....it tugs on biz owners GREED GLANDS!

When I show a prospect that HE can have the ONLY "Italian Restaurant" in my Town's...."Mobi Directory"....the guy goes "Ape-Crap"!

My "group" advertising programs...of which this is one....consists of 2 or 3 Sample Participants....so prospects I/m calling on can SEE....what THEIR page will look like and...again....THEY....can have "First Shot" at this.

I have NOT ever....WAITED...for any of my "Group" programs to "develope"! I offer prospects the "opportunity"....to get in NOW....BEFORE their competition.

So....thanks for responding.

Don Alm....Aggressive Sales Guy

Always-A-Warrior

Get local radio, newspaper and tv to co-sponsor your project since they already have the local audience.

Let others do the work and you do the collecting of leads and money.