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Would you HIRE a sign holder or a telemarketer?

by ebizman
11 replies
Thoughts on which would be more effective? Sign Holder at busy intersections in my local area with catchy web design banner or a telemarketer?

I would pay both $8/hour (but the telemarketer would get a small bonus per sale).
#hire #holder #sign #telemarketer
  • Profile picture of the author David Miller
    Get a sign holder with a cell phone. I mean for 8 dollars! Who wouldn't jump at that?!
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    • Profile picture of the author PhilaPM
      Originally Posted by David Miller View Post

      Get a sign holder with a cell phone. I mean for 8 dollars! Who wouldn't jump at that?!
      I don't get this? Can you explain more about the cell phone? Are you being sarcastic? I've actually thought about hiring someone to hold signs out for my real estate investing business. For web design I'd take a telemarketer over a sign holder. Telemarketing is more targeted.

      Patrick
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    • Profile picture of the author ebizman
      Originally Posted by David Miller View Post

      Get a sign holder with a cell phone. I mean for 8 dollars! Who wouldn't jump at that?!
      i dont get this either...:confused:
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  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    So he can hold the sign, and cold call at the same time...

    Can you afford to spend $320/week without getting a sale the first week or two? You're new to the niche, and you're new to hiring properly so you're going to have some lemons.
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    • Profile picture of the author ebizman
      Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

      So he can hold the sign, and cold call at the same time...

      Can you afford to spend $320/week without getting a sale the first week or two? You're new to the niche, and you're new to hiring properly so you're going to have some lemons.
      haha....could you imagine a sign holder who also cold calls at the same time...WOW ....talk about being productive!!
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  • Profile picture of the author rolltide
    I would do a JV with a local hooker. They are already standing on the street corner anyway
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    • Profile picture of the author ebizman
      Originally Posted by rolltide View Post

      I would do a JV with a local hooker. They are already standing on the street corner anyway
      oh stop :p
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    • Profile picture of the author eguinan
      Originally Posted by rolltide View Post

      I would do a JV with a local hooker. They are already standing on the street corner anyway

      That's thinking "outside the box"!

      It depends on who I am trying to reach and what I am selling. A sign holder seems perfect for pizza or taxes, but not to sell businesses advertising.
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  • Profile picture of the author Johnny12345
    Originally Posted by ebizman View Post

    Thoughts on which would be more effective? Sign Holder at busy intersections in my local area with catchy web design banner or a telemarketer?

    I would pay both $8/hour (but the telemarketer would get a small bonus per sale).

    If you're promoting web design services (or something similar), there is NO CONTEST. I would hire a telemarketer over a "sign holder."

    Why? Because, for that type of service, sign holding would be extremely UNtargeted. Telemarketing, on the other hand, is highly targeted -- you can go after just your best prospects.

    Sign holding CAN work for places like fast food restaurants because EVERYBODY EATS. But what percentage of the people driving by need web design services? Very few.

    And, even if some good prospects did drive by, what percentage of them will be able to read your sign, decide whether they're interested, and memorize your URL/phone number in a few quick moments? Even fewer.

    With a restaurant, it's obvious to people that you want them to come into a business with a physical location. So, unless your web design business also has a physical business address -- on that busy corner -- you have almost no chance of converting them.

    So, if it's between those two options, get a telemarketer and give them good leads and an effective script. You'll be much farther ahead.

    Best,

    John
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    • Profile picture of the author Matt121
      Originally Posted by Johnny12345 View Post

      If you're promoting web design services (or something similar), there is NO CONTEST. I would hire a telemarketer over a "sign holder."

      Why? Because, for that type of service, sign holding would be extremely UNtargeted. Telemarketing, on the other hand, is highly targeted -- you can go after just your best prospects.

      Sign holding CAN work for places like fast food restaurants because EVERYBODY EATS. But what percentage of the people driving by need web design services? Very few.

      And, even if some good prospects did drive by, what percentage of them will be able to read your sign, decide whether they're interested, and memorize your URL/phone number in a few quick moments? Even fewer.

      With a restaurant, it's obvious to people that you want them to come into a business with a physical location. So, unless your web design business also has a physical business address -- on that busy corner -- you have almost no chance of converting them.

      So, if it's between those two options, get a telemarketer and give them good leads and an effective script. You'll be much farther ahead.

      Best,

      John
      I agree. Telemarketers win this one for me as they usually have a database of contacts to which are already targeted to whatever target market you plan on aiming. A sign holder at a corner of the street (even if it is busy) can easily be ignored whereas an expert cold caller allows you to talk to your target businessman (if you're opting for b2b) or consumer (if it's b2c).
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    • Profile picture of the author andreasup
      Originally Posted by Johnny12345 View Post

      And, even if some good prospects did drive by, what percentage of them will be able to read your sign, decide whether they're interested, and memorize your URL/phone number in a few quick moments? Even fewer.

      So, if it's between those two options, get a telemarketer and give them good leads and an effective script. You'll be much farther ahead.

      Best,

      John
      Very well saidJohn. I had a friend who decided to go into a MLM business and he first tried those little signs stapled to telephone poles (I think that's illegal in some places) and put into the ground at busy intersections. The phone number was hard to read and he converted no one. Zero, zip. For all that cost to have them printed and placed. He finally went to email marketing with decent results.

      But another friend who owns a new hamburger spot paid a guy to dress up as a hamburger and stand on a busy intersection a few blocks from his restaurant during lunch and dinner times with free soft drink coupons. He converted quite a few new customers.

      You couldn't pay me to dress up as a hamburger for any money but it was a great marketing idea.
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