Loving my new Business model, but it's just not loving me back! Any ideas what I can do better?

19 replies
Hello Warriors,

Well after over a year of trying everthing from Facebook to Mobile, I finally found my 'groove'!
Not that these methods are not good, it just took a LONG time to finally find a model that clicked and made sense to me!

Ironically, it's nothing new in fact really 'old school'
The Newsletter Business model. (Thank you Brian Boyd!)
I LOVE it. I am all over it!!

But I am really struggling with attracting clients. Right now I am working on Linkedin which I really like. I get a couple of responses a day, and really good feed back but hardly any sign ups!! ( I send about 80 messages a day)

What else could I try?
I am only targeting one niche (Beauty niche)
I really do not have a huge buget so postcards are not an option.

Should I try another niche?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Weary Warrior
Karensworld
#back #business #ideas #loving #model
  • Profile picture of the author Eddie Spangler
    How exactly does this model work?
    What do I get and what is my investment as a beauty parlor owner?
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    Promise Big.
    Deliver Bigger.
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    • Profile picture of the author karensworld
      Eddie,

      It's like a done-for-you Monthly newsletter that Salon owners can add their own company info, specials, services ect, then they can print it out for their waiting room, email it to customers or link it to their website.
      Thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    It's not a business model until you're generating business.

    You're seeing the harsh reality of business, how difficult it is to make it without some kind of decent budget.

    Why do you love the model if it isn't working? Is the problem, that you jump around too much? I personally don't know too much about this type of model, so I may not be much help. Although, I know marketing, and I know how to get clients. You need to get in front of your potential clients, and present this in a way that it will click.

    Linkedin, might not be enough. Have you tried calling? Walking in to these places? Bob Ross has a new WSO out that he sent me before he released it, and that will allow you to be able to do postcard marketing, for free. Check it out..
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    • Profile picture of the author garyfromdurham
      Hi Karen

      I use newsletters to generate business too with great results.

      My advice would be to send out a targeted, personalised direct mail letter which is much more effective than an email.

      Offer an incentive why they should receive this newsletter.

      Also try networking events (BNI if you are in the US and in the UK 4networking.biz).

      This will help you to spread the word.

      Once you start getting subscribers start thinking about selling advertising in the newsletter.

      What does your newsletter look like?

      It should look razor sharp and professional.

      Here is a great tool to help create a nice newsletter if you have limited skills:

      Automated Book Design & Publishing | Product Creator Pro

      Regards

      Gary
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    • Profile picture of the author karensworld
      Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

      It's not a business model until you're generating business.

      You're seeing the harsh reality of business, how difficult it is to make it without some kind of decent budget.

      Why do you love the model if it isn't working? Is the problem, that you jump around too much? I personally don't know too much about this type of model, so I may not be much help. Although, I know marketing, and I know how to get clients. You need to get in front of your potential clients, and present this in a way that it will click.

      Linkedin, might not be enough. Have you tried calling? Walking in to these places? Bob Ross has a new WSO out that he sent me before he released it, and that will allow you to be able to do postcard marketing, for free. Check it out..
      Thanks.
      No I have done enough jumping around and have really concentrated on this project.
      I love the business because I believe it does work. Dan Kennedy's bread and butter!
      Cold calling would have been an option but I have a full time day job.
      Thanks.
      Karen
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      • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
        Originally Posted by karensworld View Post

        Thanks.
        No I have done enough jumping around and have really concentrated on this project.
        I love the business because I believe it does work. Dan Kennedy's bread and butter!
        Cold calling would have been an option but I have a full time day job.
        Thanks.
        Karen
        Karen let me ask you a few questions.

        1. How much do you make pure hour at your job?
        This is the minimum your time is worth.

        2. How much have you made on this newsletter business so far?
        Have you made money? If not question 3 might show us why.

        3. How many hours of real work have you put into the newsletter business?
        Let's say your current job pays you $20/hr. And your first goal for your newsletter business is $1000/month. You should be willing to put 50 hours a month of work on the newsletter business to get there.

        If you put in real effort you will get results and hopefully far better than your current hourly rate. But if you find that this newsletter business is not paying you enough per hour you need to decide rather to continue. Now if you find it is paying you $100/hr when your job is paying you $20/hr you need to seriously consider where your time is best spent. Make sure you have the money to survive but make the business your job.
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        • Profile picture of the author karensworld
          Originally Posted by Aaron Doud View Post

          Karen let me ask you a few questions.

          1. How much do you make pure hour at your job?
          This is the minimum your time is worth.

          2. How much have you made on this newsletter business so far?
          Have you made money? If not question 3 might show us why.

          3. How many hours of real work have you put into the newsletter business?
          Let's say your current job pays you $20/hr. And your first goal for your newsletter business is $1000/month. You should be willing to put 50 hours a month of work on the newsletter business to get there.

          If you put in real effort you will get results and hopefully far better than your current hourly rate. But if you find that this newsletter business is not paying you enough per hour you need to decide rather to continue. Now if you find it is paying you $100/hr when your job is paying you $20/hr you need to seriously consider where your time is best spent. Make sure you have the money to survive but make the business your job.
          Hi Aaron,
          thanks for the questions.
          1. I am currently self employed so no luxury of an hourly wage. (I am a licensed Realtor!! Hence, for the last two years my income has gone down 70%!!)
          2. I am spending about 3 hours a day prospecting.(Linkedin) and some time responding to email enqiries. So far I have made under $200 in 5 weeks!!
          3. My initial goal was only 20 sales per month (about $600) but as you can see, I am no where near that.

          Thanks.
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          • Profile picture of the author payoman
            Originally Posted by karensworld View Post

            Hi Aaron,
            3. My initial goal was only 20 sales per month (about $600) but as you can see, I am no where near that.

            Thanks.
            I just wanted to address this too. Selling 20 of anything that requires a significant amount of time explaining (such as your product) to produce a TOTAL revenue of $600 is ridiculous.

            I mean, would you spend 3 hours per day trying to sell a toaster (est price $30)? Even if you sold 1 EVERY hour, you are only making probably $10-$15 net per hour.

            Or is this $600 recurring per month, if you sold 20? Because that's not bad if they are in a contract for a certain amount of time.
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            • Profile picture of the author karensworld
              Originally Posted by payoman View Post

              I just wanted to address this too. Selling 20 of anything that requires a significant amount of time explaining (such as your product) to produce a TOTAL revenue of $600 is ridiculous.

              I mean, would you spend 3 hours per day trying to sell a toaster (est price $30)? Even if you sold 1 EVERY hour, you are only making probably $10-$15 net per hour.

              Or is this $600 recurring per month, if you sold 20? Because that's not bad if they are in a contract for a certain amount of time.
              Thanks.
              Yes that would be recurring. I would not be working like that if it was not.
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  • Profile picture of the author vndnbrgj
    I know the model she is speaking of....

    You get business owners to pay a monthly fee for a newsletter.
    So, they pay you xx in exchange for a newsletter they in turn send to their clients in order to continue to communicate with them. If that makes sense.
    She sells a pretty much done for you newsletter to business owners. They can make a few tweaks like adding their logo, and them turn around and distribute it.

    What are you saying in your email?
    Have you cold called?
    How did you decide on the beauty niche?
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    - Neale Donald Wilson -
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    • Profile picture of the author karensworld
      Originally Posted by vndnbrgj View Post

      I know the model she is speaking of....

      You get business owners to pay a monthly fee for a newsletter.
      So, they pay you xx in exchange for a newsletter they in turn send to their clients in order to continue to communicate with them. If that makes sense.
      She sells a pretty much done for you newsletter to business owners. They can make a few tweaks like adding their logo, and them turn around and distribute it.

      What are you saying in your email?
      Have you cold called?
      How did you decide on the beauty niche?

      Yes, you pretty much got it in a nutshell...
      I have a day job so cold calling is difficult.
      No reason for picking that particular niche except my sister has a salon in the UK.
      Thanks.
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      • Profile picture of the author Mwind076
        Originally Posted by karensworld View Post

        Yes, you pretty much got it in a nutshell...
        I have a day job so cold calling is difficult.
        No reason for picking that particular niche except my sister has a salon in the UK.
        Thanks.
        I PM'd you earlier...message me back, I can give you lots of pointers.

        Cold calling would easily be your best bet since you are limited on time with your other job.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Travis
    Karen,

    Many retail businesses have tried newsletters before without much success. Their failure is mainly due to not puttting in the time after they get people to sign up or not having enough people to sign up to make it worth it.

    I am not sure how you are advertising but don't advertise it as a newsletter service. Advertise suggesting how you can bring in more customers and continue to have repeat customers for a business. Customers or leads as many call them is what the business really wants.

    Since you have tried mobile, I would suggest you use QR codes to get the retailer's customers to sign up. Coupons are big right now and many retailers place coupons in bags as bag stuffers to get the customer to come back. Once the customer signs up allow them to start receiving coupons on a weekly basis.

    Now you have a mechanism for the customer to sign up and a new service to offer to your retailer. Retailers will like this proposal becuase they are getting what they want, New and Returning Customers. Once you have them sold on that then just simply tell them you can offer a newsletter once a month for an additional fee.

    Let us know how this works for you.

    Michael
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    • Profile picture of the author Mwind076
      Originally Posted by Michael Travis View Post

      Karen,

      Many retail businesses have tried newsletters before without much success. Their failure is mainly due to not puttting in the time after they get people to sign up or not having enough people to sign up to make it worth it.

      I am not sure how you are advertising but don't advertise it as a newsletter service. Advertise suggesting how you can bring in more customers and continue to have repeat customers for a business. Customers or leads as many call them is what the business really wants.

      Since you have tried mobile, I would suggest you use QR codes to get the retailer's customers to sign up. Coupons are big right now and many retailers place coupons in bags as bag stuffers to get the customer to come back. Once the customer signs up allow them to start receiving coupons on a weekly basis.

      Now you have a mechanism for the customer to sign up and a new service to offer to your retailer. Retailers will like this proposal becuase they are getting what they want, New and Returning Customers. Once you have them sold on that then just simply tell them you can offer a newsletter once a month for an additional fee.

      Let us know how this works for you.

      Michael
      I may have missed, it, but how does doing a coupon as a bag stuffer bring in NEW customers?

      Retailers will like this proposal becuase they are getting what they want, New and Returning Customers.
      Where is the part to bring in new ones?
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  • Profile picture of the author vndnbrgj
    @ Michael
    That seems kind of backwards doesn't it?

    Why would she help them get people to sign up to a newsletter they don't have?
    Shouldn't it be the newsletter, and then help them get signups?
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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Travis
      Originally Posted by vndnbrgj View Post

      @ Michael
      That seems kind of backwards doesn't it?

      Why would she help them get people to sign up to a newsletter they don't have?
      Shouldn't it be the newsletter, and then help them get signups?
      Who wants to sign up for a newsletter? I know I don't. I get enough of them without signing up. However, if I can get a coupon to use on my visit or the next visit to the store I would really consider signing up.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mwind076
    It's not a shocker...I'm going to recommend that since you KNOW you are in the beauty niche, you CALL THEM and set an appointment to sell yourself. Do it over the phone, or in person, but set the appointment, then call them back when they have set aside time, or go in. For those interested, don't leave the appointment without a commitment and a payment. No tirekickers! (Thanks JD)
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  • Profile picture of the author payoman
    $200 in 5 weeks working 3 hours a day? That is really terrible.

    Didn't you notice that Dan Kennedy aimed his newsletters at VERY high end, expensive professions such as Dentists, Chiropractors, Plastic Surgeons etc? That was the key with his model. Work 3 hours a day writing EXTREMELY good copy for the newsletters, make his clients more clients and bank tens of thousands.

    I think this is the hard way to make money (Selling cheap newsletters to low profit businesses). If you are using LinkedIn only, you would make alot more money selling outsourced websites for $800-$1000 a pop and making $600-$800 per sale profit, IMO.
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  • Profile picture of the author Hugh
    Brian?

    Ben?

    Can these guys chime in with a pointer or two?

    Hugh
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    "Never make someone a priority in your life who makes you an option in theirs." Anon.
    "Some see private enterprise as a predatory target to be shot, others as a cow to be milked, but few are those who see it as a sturdy horse pulling the wagon." -- Winston Churchill

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