Selling SMS locally?

Danielm · 21st Jun 2012, 02:33 PM

So, I have a nice SMS system setup, all kinds of awesome features and I know it would be great for lots of different niches, my step now is actually getting it into the hands of business owners... and some cash back in my hands would be great too!

I've tried dropping off info for free trials to a bunch of local pizza places. In almost all the cases no one was there that could talk, they always took the info happily and said they would pass it along. Since no one took me up on the trials I'm assuming they passed it along to the trash can. For the few owners I did get they mostly said they had like 30 seconds, took the info, shook hangs, said they'd look at it, and when I called back to follow up they weren't interested.

I feel like I have some great campaign features that would rock for a pizza place, but every time I go they are either in the back mixing dough and super busy, or if its in slow times the owner isn't around. I'm looking for a good way to reach them and be able to talk.

Some people have suggested really trying to sell the person at the front counter to be excited to pass the info along. The problem is that in almost every case its been a young teenage girl at the front counter and unless you are ordering food or picking up an order they aren't exactly the type to get all excited for marketing materials and want to go push their boss for it.

Suggestions for this niche? Should I try independent sit down restaurants instead since there is more likely to be a manager or someone I can talk with?

Thanks.

Robert X · 21st Jun 2012, 03:18 PM

I saw this in a WSO. Try getting a mail pouch (package type) from the post office or a UPS Store, (or similar) and write on the package To: owner ,, Name of business,,etc, and deliver it that way. It will appear to be MORE official and will most definitely get the owners attention. (or whoever is in charge of the biz). If you're already delivering info, this is just a little more "official" and may seem more important. And just drop it off that way.

Robert X

seoing1 · 21st Jun 2012, 05:32 PM

Dont bother give the info to the guys at the front counter. There peons to the owner of the company. Usually you can find the owners of businesses by going to your local secretary of state website and punching in a company name.

Rymico · 21st Jun 2012, 06:15 PM

Try this out of the box idea.

Build a 50% off coupon for the business. Go by when you believe the owner will be there. BUT, not a real busy time. Show the person at the front the coupon and ask them if it can be used on more than one pizza. They have no idea what is going on, so you will get to see a person in charge. Then, tell them that is how easy it is to get attention to one of their text coupons. lol Be sure the coupon says sample only somewhere on it.

Sell what it will do for them, not all your features. Do not broadcast all the features. Pick just 1 or 2 or so, and push those.

Rodney

Rymico · 21st Jun 2012, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by Robert X

I saw this in a WSO. Try getting a mail pouch (package type) from the post office or a UPS Store, (or similar) and write on the package To: owner ,, Name of business,,etc, and deliver it that way. It will appear to be MORE official and will most definitely get the owners attention. (or whoever is in charge of the biz). If you're already delivering info, this is just a little more "official" and may seem more important. And just drop it off that way.

Robert X

I would be careful about delivering a mail pouch without paying postage. Could be trouble there. Soorry, my Dad was a Postmaster and I grew up hearing about things like that.

Tsnyder · 21st Jun 2012, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by Rymico

Try this out of the box idea.

Build a 50% off coupon for the business. Go by when you believe the owner will be there. BUT, not a real busy time. Show the person at the front the coupon and ask them if it can be used on more than one pizza. They have no idea what is going on, so you will get to see a person in charge. Then, tell them that is how easy it is to get attention to one of their text coupons. lol Be sure the coupon says sample only somewhere on it.

Sell what it will do for them, not all your features. Do not broadcast all the features. Pick just 1 or 2 or so, and push those.

Rodney

You better have very large cast iron balls to do that... LOL

Rymico · 21st Jun 2012, 09:22 PM

It works. lol

As you know, T, the text coupons I use look just like a newspaper coupon. Put their name, an outrageous special and be sure to say it is only a sample. Walk in with only your phone, no other sales material. Get your 10 minutes to present the program using your phone and their phone as a demo. Let them text and get the coupon also. Then, go out to the car and get your sign up materials while they write the check. lol

I have tried it 3 times and sold 2. The other turned out to be non local owned and they were about to start a text program from their home office.

It is fun to watch the staff try to figure out what the coupon is. And the owner wondering what the hell is going on. Remember, all they can do to you is say no and get out. I have been told that more than once while selling over the years.

Rodney

soma1521 · 21st Jun 2012, 09:48 PM

Originally Posted by Robert X

I saw this in a WSO. Try getting a mail pouch (package type) from the post office or a UPS Store, (or similar) and write on the package To: owner ,, Name of business,,etc, and deliver it that way. It will appear to be MORE official and will most definitely get the owners attention. (or whoever is in charge of the biz). If you're already delivering info, this is just a little more "official" and may seem more important. And just drop it off that way.

Robert X

This would be my go-to.

Robert X · 21st Jun 2012, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by Rymico

I would be careful about delivering a mail pouch without paying postage. Could be trouble there. Soorry, my Dad was a Postmaster and I grew up hearing about things like that.

I just mean like an envelope.(As said in WSO) Is it illegal to drop off an envelope? :confused:
Uh oh,,, I read that in a WSO. It didn't say to dress up as a mailman and act like you're delivering the mail. So,, I think dropping off an "ENVELOPE" with no postage should be just fine,, although I'm not a lawyer,,, but I did play one on t.v. once.

Danielm · 22nd Jun 2012, 07:02 AM

I assumed you meant a priority/express/fedex envelope but instead of paying to ship it to just drop it off in that vs a regular envelope. I'm surely not going to dress up like a delivery person and drop stuff off, not really keen on starting a business relationship hoping the owner doesn't recognize me from my disguise earlier, haha.

Davidtaylor · 22nd Jun 2012, 07:36 AM

Very nice idea...
I am also thinking to something in SMS marketing.
Currently, I am focusing on FB only.

RobHite · 22nd Jun 2012, 12:24 PM

Target businesses who already have some form of advertisement you can get your hands on (Local shopper mags, Coupon Clipper circulars, newspapers, local magazines, YP, even ads/specials on their own menus). Then.. bring their ads home. Step 1: Scan an existing display ad for the business Step 2: Use MS Paint or something similar to overlay an irresistible DEMO text call-to-action campaign over their scanned ad. Example: Text PIZZA to 123456 for a chance to win a pizza party for 10. Step 3: Find the business' email and send them their marked up display ad, with a short note that you are a mobile marketing strategist who can setup a system like this for them within 24 hrs. Step 4: Wait for phone to ring! It works...

Danielm · 22nd Jun 2012, 02:23 PM

Thanks, Rob, I actually started doing that within the last week but I've been printing them out and mailing them to the store in a hand addressed envelope. No replies back but the last batch only went out 2 days ago.
I'm hoping for the step 4 to kick in at any time, haha.

Lee Timothy · 22nd Jun 2012, 06:29 PM

I am looking for a simple SMS system to implement into my business. I will be offering it as a service to my clients. What system should I consider?

bizadpros · 22nd Jun 2012, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by RobHite

Target businesses who already have some form of advertisement you can get your hands on (Local shopper mags, Coupon Clipper circulars, newspapers, local magazines, YP, even ads/specials on their own menus). Then.. bring their ads home. Step 1: Scan an existing display ad for the business Step 2: Use MS Paint or something similar to overlay an irresistible DEMO text call-to-action campaign over their scanned ad. Example: Text PIZZA to 123456 for a chance to win a pizza party for 10. Step 3: Find the business' email and send them their marked up display ad, with a short note that you are a mobile marketing strategist who can setup a system like this for them within 24 hrs. Step 4: Wait for phone to ring! It works...

Also agree with Rob!

Biz owners today are flooded by online (and offline) people pushing the newest and greatest way to increase sales, etc.

My take is simple, find local business owners that are already using online advertising (like Rob suggested above)...and is even better to go to businesses that you visit frequently and have some type of relationship with the people in charge.

Give them a free demo and build your portfolio of successful mobile sites, programs first. Biz owners simply want to almost be guaranteed that they will get results by whatever it is you are selling.

alfid · 28th Jun 2012, 10:16 PM

I wonder if making an appointment with a manager or owner would help. That way, you are allowing the business to meet with you on their time instead of when you drop in unexpected.

21st Jun 2012, 02:33 PM	#1
Danielm HyperActive Warrior Join Date: 2010 Posts: 205 Thanks: 3 Thanked 22 Times in 20 Posts	Selling SMS locally? Share on: So, I have a nice SMS system setup, all kinds of awesome features and I know it would be great for lots of different niches, my step now is actually getting it into the hands of business owners... and some cash back in my hands would be great too! I've tried dropping off info for free trials to a bunch of local pizza places. In almost all the cases no one was there that could talk, they always took the info happily and said they would pass it along. Since no one took me up on the trials I'm assuming they passed it along to the trash can. For the few owners I did get they mostly said they had like 30 seconds, took the info, shook hangs, said they'd look at it, and when I called back to follow up they weren't interested. I feel like I have some great campaign features that would rock for a pizza place, but every time I go they are either in the back mixing dough and super busy, or if its in slow times the owner isn't around. I'm looking for a good way to reach them and be able to talk. Some people have suggested really trying to sell the person at the front counter to be excited to pass the info along. The problem is that in almost every case its been a young teenage girl at the front counter and unless you are ordering food or picking up an order they aren't exactly the type to get all excited for marketing materials and want to go push their boss for it. Suggestions for this niche? Should I try independent sit down restaurants instead since there is more likely to be a manager or someone I can talk with? Thanks.

21st Jun 2012, 03:18 PM	#2
Robert X The Warrior Syndicate War Room Member Join Date: 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 566 Thanks: 377 Thanked 191 Times in 102 Posts Blog Entries: 1	Re: Selling SMS locally? Share on: I saw this in a WSO. Try getting a mail pouch (package type) from the post office or a UPS Store, (or similar) and write on the package To: owner ,, Name of business,,etc, and deliver it that way. It will appear to be MORE official and will most definitely get the owners attention. (or whoever is in charge of the biz). If you're already delivering info, this is just a little more "official" and may seem more important. And just drop it off that way. Robert X
	[

21st Jun 2012, 05:32 PM	#3
seoing1 Seoing one page at a time Join Date: 2012 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Selling SMS locally? Share on: Dont bother give the info to the guys at the front counter. There peons to the owner of the company. Usually you can find the owners of businesses by going to your local secretary of state website and punching in a company name.
	Mobile cell phone database of 300 Million phone numbers. PM if you are interested. Have several happy customers and Joint Venture partners.

21st Jun 2012, 06:15 PM	#4
Rymico Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 82 Thanks: 2 Thanked 23 Times in 15 Posts	Re: Selling SMS locally? Share on: Try this out of the box idea. Build a 50% off coupon for the business. Go by when you believe the owner will be there. BUT, not a real busy time. Show the person at the front the coupon and ask them if it can be used on more than one pizza. They have no idea what is going on, so you will get to see a person in charge. Then, tell them that is how easy it is to get attention to one of their text coupons. lol Be sure the coupon says sample only somewhere on it. Sell what it will do for them, not all your features. Do not broadcast all the features. Pick just 1 or 2 or so, and push those. Rodney
	Contact me at sales@rymico.com

21st Jun 2012, 09:22 PM	#7
Rymico Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 82 Thanks: 2 Thanked 23 Times in 15 Posts	Re: Selling SMS locally? Share on: It works. lol As you know, T, the text coupons I use look just like a newspaper coupon. Put their name, an outrageous special and be sure to say it is only a sample. Walk in with only your phone, no other sales material. Get your 10 minutes to present the program using your phone and their phone as a demo. Let them text and get the coupon also. Then, go out to the car and get your sign up materials while they write the check. lol I have tried it 3 times and sold 2. The other turned out to be non local owned and they were about to start a text program from their home office. It is fun to watch the staff try to figure out what the coupon is. And the owner wondering what the hell is going on. Remember, all they can do to you is say no and get out. I have been told that more than once while selling over the years. Rodney
	Contact me at sales@rymico.com

22nd Jun 2012, 07:02 AM	#10
Danielm HyperActive Warrior Join Date: 2010 Posts: 205 Thanks: 3 Thanked 22 Times in 20 Posts	Re: Selling SMS locally? Share on: I assumed you meant a priority/express/fedex envelope but instead of paying to ship it to just drop it off in that vs a regular envelope. I'm surely not going to dress up like a delivery person and drop stuff off, not really keen on starting a business relationship hoping the owner doesn't recognize me from my disguise earlier, haha.

22nd Jun 2012, 07:36 AM	#11
Davidtaylor New Warrior Member Join Date: 2011 Posts: 20 Thanks: 6 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Selling SMS locally? Share on: Very nice idea... I am also thinking to something in SMS marketing. Currently, I am focusing on FB only.

22nd Jun 2012, 12:24 PM	#12
RobHite Retro Warrior Join Date: 2003 Location: Newark, Delaware. USA Posts: 42 Thanks: 3 Thanked 27 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Selling SMS locally? Share on: Target businesses who already have some form of advertisement you can get your hands on (Local shopper mags, Coupon Clipper circulars, newspapers, local magazines, YP, even ads/specials on their own menus). Then.. bring their ads home. Step 1: Scan an existing display ad for the business Step 2: Use MS Paint or something similar to overlay an irresistible DEMO text call-to-action campaign over their scanned ad. Example: Text PIZZA to 123456 for a chance to win a pizza party for 10. Step 3: Find the business' email and send them their marked up display ad, with a short note that you are a mobile marketing strategist who can setup a system like this for them within 24 hrs. Step 4: Wait for phone to ring! It works...

22nd Jun 2012, 02:23 PM	#13
Danielm HyperActive Warrior Join Date: 2010 Posts: 205 Thanks: 3 Thanked 22 Times in 20 Posts	Re: Selling SMS locally? Share on: Thanks, Rob, I actually started doing that within the last week but I've been printing them out and mailing them to the store in a hand addressed envelope. No replies back but the last batch only went out 2 days ago. I'm hoping for the step 4 to kick in at any time, haha.

22nd Jun 2012, 06:29 PM	#14
Lee Timothy Active Warrior Join Date: 2009 Posts: 31 Thanks: 1 Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Selling SMS locally? Share on: I am looking for a simple SMS system to implement into my business. I will be offering it as a service to my clients. What system should I consider?

28th Jun 2012, 10:16 PM	#16
alfid HyperActive Warrior Join Date: 2011 Posts: 288 Thanks: 10 Thanked 26 Times in 26 Posts	Re: Selling SMS locally? Share on: I wonder if making an appointment with a manager or owner would help. That way, you are allowing the business to meet with you on their time instead of when you drop in unexpected.