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Your Swift and Erudite Feedback is Requested.

by westhope84
4 replies
Hello.

I would like your feedback regarding how best to sell a discount card I'm creating.

Here's a bit about the card itself:

-Features 12 (possible 15) locally-owned, hip, upscale restaurants.
-Each restaurant offers a buy one, get one free meal of equal or lesser value. The card can only be used once at each restaurant (a hole will be punched to ensure this is not abused).
-The card will sell for $20. The card will likely pay for itself after only one use.
-A major marketing emphasis will be that $5 dollars from every card sold goes directly to a prominent, local food bank.

These BOGO type cards work for restaurants. They get people in the door, and don't put the restaurant out too badly. Don't believe me? Check out the Prestige Dining Card. Numerous restaurants participate.


I don't want to hire any sales people. I don't want to rely on churches or schools to sell my card as a fundraiser. I want to sell the cards myself.

I want to sell at least 5k cards annually. I live in a metropolitan area of just under 1 million people.

Here's where I covet your creative genius:

What are the most effective ways to sell this card?


Best Regards,

Chris.
#erudite #feedback #requested #swift
  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    My first ever telemarketing job was selling little wallets full of discount cards for various local businesses and they are very popular. You can sell them lots of ways but if you want to do it all yourself, one way I did it for myself and a mate for a while was through schools. We contacted them and offered them a commission on each sale.

    The cards sell themselves but you need to get out there.
    We found that was a good way because parents love to spend money and $20 is a great price for what they get.
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    Cheers, Laurence.
    Writer/Editor/Proofreader.

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  • Profile picture of the author DaniMc
    I also created and sold a discount card a few years back, but mine was sold through fundraising at churches and schools. It's not too hard to get going, not sure why you wouldn't want to use that angle.

    But...

    I have purchased several discount cards from people who came to my door. Your food bank emphasis is a good one. Tell them you are trying to raise money for the local food bank...they will listen a few more seconds.

    This isn't just a charity sale though...this will depend a LOT on your enthusiasm so memorize your pitch and deliver it like an acting pro.

    My biggest challenge was making sure the business owners continued to honor the deal. I had a signed iron-clad contract with all of them and STILL had to use the courts for damages after they stopped honoring the cards.

    In the end, this aspect of the business turned out to be more tiring than than selling them. It is important to maintain a solid relationship with the business owners on the card.

    Also, you may want to consider making the deals local to one area. With 1mil people, you could have several local areas and sell 5k in each. If your deals are spread out all over your city, people will be less inclined to buy because they will have to drive or they have never heard of the business.

    You want to be sure to have discounts to businesses that the people already visit. This will make it much easier to sell.
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    Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
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    • Profile picture of the author westhope84
      Thanks, Dan and Lawrence.

      I was thinking about trying to set up a booth in the lobby of grocery stores in the area and maybe renting space at our big flea market. If I emphasize the charitable aspect f my card, I believe I would have a better shot at getting a grocery store to give me the OK.

      Have either of you used this sort of method to sell your card?

      Thanks for your valuable advice!
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  • Profile picture of the author DaniMc
    I have not.

    Instead of paying to set up at a flea market, perhaps you could test your selling skills by approaching other people who have tables and asking them if you could use some table space and you will pay them $5 for each card you sell. Even $10 might be worth it so you can do a test to see how well you do.

    Other than that, what is stopping you from just walking up to people and trying to sell on the street or door to door? It is going to take a few days (at least) to figure out the best way to sell.
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    Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
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