Amber Chisholm?? I'm not tuned in to this sub forum

ewenmack

9 years ago

Amber got her start from Bob Ross and has put her spin on it
with Bob's blessing.

Best,
Doctor E. Vile

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umc

9 years ago

I went through her Print Profits Academy and posted a review in the appropriate section here. I wouldn't recommend it. And no, it isn't an automated system. Yes, initially she sold it as something one could do without getting out and talking to business owners (if I remember correctly, as the email methods and other promises sold me), but that isn't true. After months in the private group nobody was having much success, including the grand guru that was teaching us herself.

Here's my review:

http://www.warriorforum.com/internet...-chisholm.html

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gjabiz

9 years ago

Originally Posted by umc

I went through her Print Profits Academy and posted a review in the appropriate section here. I wouldn't recommend it. And no, it isn't an automated system. Yes, initially she sold it as something one could do without getting out and talking to business owners (if I remember correctly, as the email methods and other promises sold me), but that isn't true. After months in the private group nobody was having much success, including the grand guru that was teaching us herself.

Here's my review:

http://www.warriorforum.com/internet...-chisholm.html

Thanks, I guess this will influence my friend's decision. Since this, I've done a google search on her, she seems to have "vanished".

I'm going to try to refer my stubborn friend, who really wants to get into advertising this way...to look for verifiable proof before he jumps into this.

Thanks umc.

gjabiz

Thanks

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umc

9 years ago

If he buys some of Jake's stuff (aka Bob Ross) there's a forum available to join and Jake has a Facebook group too. I can't comment much on it, though he just invited me to his group yesterday.

Ultimately Jake seems to be the real deal. I'll keep my very unflattering opinion of Amber to myself. If I knew of someone else doing something there I'd clue you in.

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mojo1 9 years ago

I can vouch for and agree with everything 'umc' wrote in his review.

If you're interested, I also left a small review about Amber's product on umc's post as well.

Btw, Jake "Bob Ross" is the real deal, his members are in the trenches and post success stories weekly.
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Freebiequeen1999

9 years ago

Thanks....I read your honest reviews and I know I would not want to get involved with that program.

There seems to be a sort of "hippopotamus" in the living room around here - ie, people who talk the talk but do not walk the walk. I asked about this Amber awhile back as it seems she sells the report and yet has not really done much of this herself. There is another report I have seen that also the person who wrote it does not do it anymore (and maybe didn't do it much at all? I don't know= the Pizza ads one - Gina)

I appreciated your review - I actually worked with a guy who had a local loyalty card - that sort of "model" worked years ago I think (Entertainment Book for example, and various charity /fundraiser reward cards/books).....but honestly it has gotten harder with the internet.

One real world problem -businesses open/close/and change hands. The "loyalty card" (website too) that I was selling had an ever increasing problem of "new owner won't honor the free desert/drink/BOGO" or whatever ...."out of business"...some complaints too from those who bought the book only to find it was constantly changing.

My guess is that Amber ran into those local problems too - it is no wonder that increasingly the Entertainment book is full of LARGE corporate accounts and "deals" at mall type stores and online stores rather than the mom and pop local places.

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mojo1

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Freebiequeen1999

One real world problem -businesses open/close/and change hands. The "loyalty card" (website too) that I was selling had an ever increasing problem of "new owner won't honor the free desert/drink/BOGO" or whatever ...."out of business"...some complaints too from those who bought the book only to find it was constantly changing.

My guess is that Amber ran into those local problems too - it is no wonder that increasingly the Entertainment book is full of LARGE corporate accounts and "deals" at mall type stores and online stores rather than the mom and pop local places.

After watching shows like The Profit, this observation makes sense on so many levels. Small
business owners are definitely a different breed who unless they've cut their teeth in a large corporate setting have shown themselves to be really weak in the business areas of most importance: process and product.

Yeah, this model is perhaps best executed by large companies. In many instances they simply have the software infrastructure in place to really do a Loyalty card program justice.

Thanks for sharing your experiences and shedding a bit more light on this biz model at the local main street level.

Thanks

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BUFFALOBT

9 years ago

I did 2 9x12s back in 2012, and just started an offshoot of it...less ads, more targeted, bigger ads, etc.

Anyway...my first one just went out this week...sold all ads using email and the phone to close 3...just emails to close the other 3.

Goal is to add one new one a month, and do each one monthly...so one this month...2 next month...3 in February...etc.

Happy to share any insight.

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SirThomas

9 years ago

Originally Posted by BUFFALOBT

I did 2 9x12s back in 2012, and just started an offshoot of it...less ads, more targeted, bigger ads, etc.

Anyway...my first one just went out this week...sold all ads using email and the phone to close 3...just emails to close the other 3.

Goal is to add one new one a month, and do each one monthly...so one this month...2 next month...3 in February...etc.

Happy to share any insight.

Is that a 6x12 card instead of 9x12?

Thanks
1 reply

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BUFFALOBT

9 years ago

Originally Posted by SirThomas

Is that a 6x12 card instead of 9x12?

Actually it's 6.25" x 11".

Thanks
1 reply

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Golfswinger

9 years ago

Originally Posted by BUFFALOBT

Actually it's 6.25" x 11".

Hey Buffalo ...any place you'd recommend buying or getting the email templates you use ? - happy to pay you dude - also what scraper you use or where you get your biz leads from - thx golf

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BUFFALOBT

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Golfswinger

Hey Buffalo ...any place you'd recommend buying or getting the email templates you use ? - happy to pay you dude - also what scraper you use or where you get your biz leads from - thx golf

Hey golf! No magic to my email...happy to share it with you.
I've been doing it manually, and lately paying someone from elance $3.29 an hour to google specific categories/cities.

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Golfswinger

9 years ago

Originally Posted by BUFFALOBT

Hey golf! No magic to my email...happy to share it with you.
I've been doing it manually, and lately paying someone from elance $3.29 an hour to google specific categories/cities.

Very generous of you BUFF ...so that everyone benefits would you put the basic outline here ? ...thx golf

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BUFFALOBT 9 years ago

Originally Posted by Golfswinger

Very generous of you BUFF ...so that everyone benefits would you put the basic outline here ? ...thx golf

SUBJECT LINE:

Mailer going out to 5,000 single family homes including NAME OF NEIGHBORHOOD(S) in ZIP Code 12345

EMAIL BODY:

YOUR COMPANY NAME is an effective, simple, and inexpensive way to get your business in front of people who have the money to spend on your goods and services.

Here are the highlights of our program:

-Big, bold ads on a HUGE glossy 6.25"x11" postcard that CANNOT be missed in the mailbox
-No built in competition (you will be the only realtor, plumber, spa, etc.)
-No envelopes, competitors, or plastic to fumble through
-Only 6 ads on each postcard(3 on each side)...your offer will easily stand out
-Our mailer reaches 5,000 single family homes for LESS THAN 8 CENTS PER PIECE...ONLY $399
-No payment due until you approve your final ad proof
-No contracts or long-term commitments
-Graphic design included if needed/wanted

Please let me know if you are interested in advertising with us- we'd love to partner with you!

Regards,

YOUR NAME
YOUR PHONE
YOUR WEBSITE
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TCWalker

9 years ago

Originally Posted by BUFFALOBT

I did 2 9x12s back in 2012, and just started an offshoot of it...less ads, more targeted, bigger ads, etc.

Anyway...my first one just went out this week...sold all ads using email and the phone to close 3...just emails to close the other 3.

Goal is to add one new one a month, and do each one monthly...so one this month...2 next month...3 in February...etc.

Happy to share any insight.

Thanks for sharing Buffalo. Why did you decide to stop doing the 9x12 after a couple runs? What are the pros and cons of the 9x12 VS the 6x11? What made you go back to sending out mailers after abandoning it 2 years ago? How many hrs per week are you spending doing all this? Is this a side gig?

Thanks
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BUFFALOBT

9 years ago

Originally Posted by TCWalker

Thanks for sharing Buffalo. Why did you decide to stop doing the 9x12 after a couple runs? What are the pros and cons of the 9x12 VS the 6x11? What made you go back to sending out mailers after abandoning it 2 years ago? How many hrs per week are you spending doing all this? Is this a side gig?

TC you are welcome.

Trying to herd 12-14 advertisers is/was very stressful...especially on a deadline.

My wife is my designer, so it made for some tense moments- wasn't fun or worth the $$$ after the second one.

Pros for the 9x12...you make more money
Cons for the 9x12...for me what I mentioned above, and you start to run out of advertisers if going by no built in competition

Pros for the 6x11...only need 6 ads and you're done...can have a finished edition/testimonials to share more quickly
Cons for the 6x11...if I had to pick something- I guess the money isn't "great"...but we netted ~$900 from scratch, without spending any money, never leaving the house...so this is not a con for me- not even close if I can repeat it ongoing

I went back because I want to build my own business, and not be beholden to my employer...I don't like that feeling.

I'm hopeful this format can be repeated/built on monthly- that's the goal...one edition at a time.

As far as time spent, I would say I spend a cumulative 2 hours/day on it right now- emailing away.

And yes for now it's a side gig.

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TCWalker

9 years ago

Buffalo, thanks for the quick and insightful response. I share the same feeling you do about being employed and relying on an employer.

I've been eying Bob Ross's 9x12 method for quite some time. I own a few of his products and they are well written and insightful. I know the system works with some serious hustling, but I've always imagined it being pretty stressful (as you described) and having to chase advertisers probably gets old pretty quickly. I just don't particularly enjoy chasing people that I can help with my service or product. I've also questioned the scalability of all this. I prefer automation over having to do or hire out repetitive tasks. I just don't see that being possible with the overall method.

I guess, my biggest gripe with the whole method is the scalability and time commitment. As Gordon states, there are a lot of more efficient ways of making money than chasing advertisers. I can do some PC repair work and sell some in demand items on ebay and probably make as much as the whole coop business. I appreciate you sharing your twist on here and I'm not discounting your efforts, I hope you keep us updated with your progress. I'm just communicating my personal views with the entire method.

I wish you much success with your venture and if anyone has any insights or comments on what I've written I'm all ears or eyes in this case.

Thanks
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BUFFALOBT

9 years ago

Originally Posted by TCWalker

Buffalo, thanks for the quick and insightful response. I share the same feeling you do about being employed and relying on an employer.

I've been eying Bob Ross's 9x12 method for quite some time. I own a few of his products and they are well written and insightful. I know the system works with some serious hustling, but I've always imagined it being pretty stressful (as you described) and having to chase advertisers probably gets old pretty quickly. I just don't particularly enjoy chasing people that I can help with my service or product. I've also questioned the scalability of all this. I prefer automation over having to do or hire out repetitive tasks. I just don't see that being possible with the overall method.

I guess, my biggest gripe with the whole method is the scalability and time commitment. As Gordon states, there are a lot of more efficient ways of making money than chasing advertisers. I can do some PC repair work and sell some in demand items on ebay and probably make as much as the whole coop business. I appreciate you sharing your twist on here and I'm not discounting your efforts, I hope you keep us updated with your progress. I'm just communicating my personal views with the entire method.

I wish you much success with your venture and if anyone has any insights or comments on what I've written I'm all ears or eyes in this case.

I agree...I've been thinking about how to tweak it so it can be MOSTLY automated.

I don't mind sending out emails...the ones who respond are very interested- so you focus on those, and forget the rest...until and if they reply someday.

I have a local mail house that does all of the production...printing, sorting, delivering to the post office. I never touch any of it.

My wife designs the ads...I go back and forth with the advertisers on their final proof. Then I get paid using PayPal.

This is automated enough in my mind to be the foundation of something that could be scalable...we'll see how many of the advertisers from my first edition re up.

For me, I'm creating income from nothing...which is pretty cool. And- there are a sh**load of businesses that need another way to market themselves. So I'm offering a helpful service, and getting paid to do it.

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TCWalker

9 years ago

Originally Posted by BUFFALOBT

I have a local mail house that does all of the production...printing, sorting, delivering to the post office. I never touch any of it.

Very interesting. What do you pay for that service?

Are you considering doing any up sells in the future?

Thanks
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BUFFALOBT

9 years ago

Originally Posted by TCWalker

Very interesting. What do you pay for that service?

Are you considering doing any up sells in the future?

$135 to sort and deliver to the post office...well worth it.

And not at this time...don't know what else I would offer, and staying focused on this.

Update...I just got 2 more interested from the one I started from scratch where I had sent about 500 emails, and only gotten 1 reply. So if I get all 3, I only have 3 to go.

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dave147

9 years ago

Originally Posted by BUFFALOBT

$135 to sort and deliver to the post office..

Are you saying you pay $135 to have the mail house print, sort and deliver 5,000 pieces to the post office?
How much is the post office delivery fee?

Thanks
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BUFFALOBT

9 years ago

Originally Posted by dave147

Are you saying you pay $135 to have the mail house print, sort and deliver 5,000 pieces to the post office?
How much is the post office delivery fee?

No...printing and postage are in addition...this is to sort and deliver to the post office.

Thanks
1 reply

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dave147

9 years ago

Originally Posted by BUFFALOBT

No...printing and postage are in addition...this is to sort and deliver to the post office.

That's a GREAT price to sort and deliver to the post office. It's $550+ over here!

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gjabiz

9 years ago

I've learned a lot.

I'm sure there are variations on this EDDM postcard mailing.

Like most people selling advertising or sales message vehicles, there is the face to face or phone to phone time.

The email idea could probably be outsourced.

Now, it appears you have something that works, and you're NOT just selling the idea of how to do it (as my OP wanted to know, and appears to have been answered)...

So, it looks something like this, please correct me if I'm wrong.

You have a certain number of spaces on your card, depending on size.
You have an area these postcards are going to be delivered.
You target advertisers with this area as a potential customer pool.
You offer an exclusive spot for one type of business.

Once you have the spots filled, you work with these guys to design the offer, and once they approve of their ad, you get the cards printed, addressed, pay postage, get them to the post office and see how much you have left over for profit.

From what I have read here, a 2 to 3k profit could be had from a 9 x 12 with 5,000 mailed.

A smaller card, 6.5 x 11 could give you $1,000.00

I suppose once you have done it once, the next time would get faster, so it becomes (in my mind) a question of how many hours are spent divided by the net profit.

The 3,000 dollars of a 9 x 12 if done from start to finish takes 30 hours of time, it yields 100 dollars per hour. BUT, if it gets beyond or rather below a 50 dollar an hour rate, it seems to me to be a lot of time for not much money.

The automation and outsourcing would make it more attractive, but, as an example, when I was doing daily special menu boards for restaurants, I would get 395 x 12 for each menu board (that's quarterly)...

For a gross of 4740, and a net of 4540, with about 12 hours of time spent for an average of 378 dollars per hour...you can see why I'm not willing to do this type of thing, UNLESS the automation can kick up the per hour rate to make it worth my TIME.

Thanks to all, and Buffalo guy, you may have something, IF you can get lists of local email addys of businesses.

gjabiz

Thanks
1 reply

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BUFFALOBT

9 years ago

Originally Posted by gjabiz

I've learned a lot.

I'm sure there are variations on this EDDM postcard mailing.

Like most people selling advertising or sales message vehicles, there is the face to face or phone to phone time.

The email idea could probably be outsourced.

Now, it appears you have something that works, and you're NOT just selling the idea of how to do it (as my OP wanted to know, and appears to have been answered)...

So, it looks something like this, please correct me if I'm wrong.

You have a certain number of spaces on your card, depending on size.
You have an area these postcards are going to be delivered.
You target advertisers with this area as a potential customer pool.
You offer an exclusive spot for one type of business.

Once you have the spots filled, you work with these guys to design the offer, and once they approve of their ad, you get the cards printed, addressed, pay postage, get them to the post office and see how much you have left over for profit.

From what I have read here, a 2 to 3k profit could be had from a 9 x 12 with 5,000 mailed.

A smaller card, 6.5 x 11 could give you $1,000.00

I suppose once you have done it once, the next time would get faster, so it becomes (in my mind) a question of how many hours are spent divided by the net profit.

The 3,000 dollars of a 9 x 12 if done from start to finish takes 30 hours of time, it yields 100 dollars per hour. BUT, if it gets beyond or rather below a 50 dollar an hour rate, it seems to me to be a lot of time for not much money.

The automation and outsourcing would make it more attractive, but, as an example, when I was doing daily special menu boards for restaurants, I would get 395 x 12 for each menu board (that's quarterly)...

For a gross of 4740, and a net of 4540, with about 12 hours of time spent for an average of 378 dollars per hour...you can see why I'm not willing to do this type of thing, UNLESS the automation can kick up the per hour rate to make it worth my TIME.

Thanks to all, and Buffalo guy, you may have something, IF you can get lists of local email addys of businesses.

gjabiz

You got it...my net is ~$900, but will go up with volume.

Only worth my time if I can get these going monthly...we'll see what happens.

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

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SirThomas

9 years ago

Originally Posted by BUFFALOBT

You got it...my net is ~$900, but will go up with volume.

Only worth my time if I can get these going monthly...we'll see what happens.

That's a nice profit on only 6 ads. Are you charging around $400 per spot?

Thanks
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BUFFALOBT

9 years ago

Originally Posted by SirThomas

That's a nice profit on only 6 ads. Are you charging around $400 per spot?

Yep $399...no complaints yet about the price...businesses so far see the value in what I'm offering...especially the ones who have done their own postcard marketing.

Thanks
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TCWalker

9 years ago

You got it...my net is ~$900, but will go up with volume.

Only worth my time if I can get these going monthly...we'll see what happens.

I agree with your thinking Buffalo, if you can keep this up on a monthly basis, this maybe worth your time. I still thin you'll need to add monthly generating upsells!

This is the main reason I haven't started with the whole coop marketing. based off of all I've read, it all needs to be worth my time! I have a job and I already have some side hustles that are worth my time that I can "do" when I want, but it requires MY effort. I need something that is as hands off as possible and is consistent. This is why your post caught my attention.

I live in a densely populated area with plenty of businesses. NO ONE is doing this from what I can tell, so I am pretty sure it will work. I just don't have the time and will to commit to it unless it is worth my time.

What sort of market are you in? Densely populated with average to above average incomes?

Thanks

Thanks
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BUFFALOBT

9 years ago

Originally Posted by TCWalker

I agree with your thinking Buffalo, if you can keep this up on a monthly basis, this maybe worth your time. I still thin you'll need to add monthly generating upsells!

This is the main reason I haven't started with the whole coop marketing. based off of all I've read, it all needs to be worth my time! I have a job and I already have some side hustles that are worth my time that I can "do" when I want, but it requires MY effort. I need something that is as hands off as possible and is consistent. This is why your post caught my attention.

I live in a densely populated area with plenty of businesses. NO ONE is doing this from what I can tell, so I am pretty sure it will work. I just don't have the time and will to commit to it unless it is worth my time.

What sort of market are you in? Densely populated with average to above average incomes?

Thanks

I'm not thinking about upsells right now, as I need to focus on building this thing up first. But I'm open to it down the road.

Anything worth doing is going to require you to be hands on...at least in the beginning. So I'm putting the time in now on the front end...mostly emailing to find my advertisers.

I live in Scottsdale, so ya there is opportunity all around me...along with plenty of competition...but nothing that resembles my current format.

I've dabbled in lots of businesses in the past, and this one for some reason has my full attention.

Let me know...maybe we can partner up in your area and try one...you might get hooked like I am!

Thanks

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mojo1

9 years ago

Originally Posted by BUFFALOBT

I agree...I've been thinking about how to tweak it so it can be MOSTLY automated.

I don't mind sending out emails...the ones who respond are very interested- so you focus on those, and forget the rest...until and if they reply someday.

I have a local mail house that does all of the production...printing, sorting, delivering to the post office. I never touch any of it

My wife designs the ads...I go back and forth with the advertisers on their final proof. Then I get paid using PayPal.

This is automated enough in my mind to be the foundation of something that could be scalable...we'll see how many of the advertisers from my first edition re up.

For me, I'm creating income from nothing...which is pretty cool. And- there are a sh**load of businesses that need another way to market themselves. So I'm offering a helpful service, and getting paid to do it.

Sounds like you're getting fantastic results from concentrated effort.

Btw, is your designer available for quoting other 9x12 projects?

Also, would sending direct mail advertising your service to other business solve some portion of the scalability challenge for selling these postcards?

Thanks again for the share.

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

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BUFFALOBT

9 years ago

Originally Posted by mojo1

Sounds like you're getting fantastic results from concentrated effort.

Btw, is your designer available for quoting other 9x12 projects?

Also, would sending direct mail advertising your service to other business solve some portion of the scalability challenge for selling these postcards?

Thanks again for the share.

Thanks we'll see how it goes.

She is not, and would kill me for suggesting more work for her...sorry.

So you are talking about sending postcards to businesses advertising my mailer? Not in the plans for now...emails are free.

And you are welcome!

Thanks

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cruisinman

9 years ago

2 year absence? What happened?

Less Ads now? How is that working for you?

Originally Posted by BUFFALOBT

I did 2 9x12s back in 2012, and just started an offshoot of it...less ads, more targeted, bigger ads, etc.

Anyway...my first one just went out this week...sold all ads using email and the phone to close 3...just emails to close the other 3.

Goal is to add one new one a month, and do each one monthly...so one this month...2 next month...3 in February...etc.

Happy to share any insight.

Thanks
1 reply

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BUFFALOBT 9 years ago

Originally Posted by cruisinman

2 year absence? What happened?

Less Ads now? How is that working for you?

After we did our first 2, the fun was gone...too much stress on my wife(my designer)...too many moving parts.

And- we didn't outsource the EDDM...did all the sorting and delivery to the post office myself...not fun.

I have a full-time gig, and couldn't ever dive in 100%...nor did I want to handle 10,000 postcards.

Most importantly...it didn't feel like something we could scale up- at least not the way we were doing it...mostly half a**ed.

So yes- our new format is a lot less stressful, can be finished more quickly, feels like something we can scale up, and I don't ever touch anything.

I'm basically a "button pusher"...more involved than that, but all virtual- email and phone.

Happy New Year!
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BUFFALOBT

9 years ago

Here's the deal...you need to send lots of emails...over and over again to the same group of emails.

Then- you have to continue to find good emails, and add them to your growing email list ongoing.

If you do not have patience...this will not work for you!

I gave myself 30 days to fill my first edition this month, and I had to swap out a non-paying advertiser at the final hour. Luckily, I had more than 6 who were interested, or else we would have been delayed. I had about 14 interested for this edition, then a bunch lost interest. But- a couple of them suggested other areas, so they became my "anchor" for a new edition.

I started another one from scratch in a nearby city, and have not had similar success so far. I think I've sent over 500 emails over the past 12 days...including 2-3 times to the same group of emails. I finally got one reply yesterday.

So- you never know what kind of response you are going to get. A lot of it is timing, luck, etc.

Finally, don't take it personally if you don't get replies right away...business owners are busy running their businesses, and get spammed all the time- as we all know.

A bunch of my replies have come after the 3rd email to them.

Hope this helps!

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Golfswinger

9 years ago

Very much appreciated BUFF ...hope you're successful putting your next card together soon

thx golf

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Golfswinger

9 years ago

Hey BUFF have you done cards like this for local biz advertising to other local biz?

Thanks
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BUFFALOBT 9 years ago

Originally Posted by Golfswinger

Hey BUFF have you done cards like this for local biz advertising to other local biz?

I have not-
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TCWalker

9 years ago

When you say plenty of competition, are you referring to post card marketing in general or 9x12 marketing?

Like I've stated, this post card marketing has been hanging over my head for quite some time. I'm just not 100% sold on it. Your very helpful insights have opened my mind to it more so than previously, so thanks!

Sure, I'll think about it and we can discuss it for sure.

Thanks
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BUFFALOBT

9 years ago

Originally Posted by TCWalker

When you say plenty of competition, are you referring to post card marketing in general or 9x12 marketing?

Like I've stated, this post card marketing has been hanging over my head for quite some time. I'm just not 100% sold on it. Your very helpful insights have opened my mind to it more so than previously, so thanks!

Sure, I'll think about it and we can discuss it for sure.

Co op competition in general...Valpak, Money Mailer, RSVP, etc...they're all here.

I only need 6 out of thousands that like my format...pretty low bar to be successful.

And you are welcome!

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1 reply

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TCWalker

9 years ago

Originally Posted by BUFFALOBT

Co op competition in general...Valpak, Money Mailer, RSVP, etc...they're all here.

I only need 6 out of thousands that like my format...pretty low bar to be successful.

And you are welcome!

I see, I don't even have that competition. The only thing close to competition is a coupon booklet with very poor offers. And a new edition is mailed every three months.

Any insight on what types of businesses you prefer to target and have found to be most responsive?

Thanks
1 reply

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BUFFALOBT

9 years ago

Originally Posted by TCWalker

I see, I don't even have that competition. The only thing close to competition is a coupon booklet with very poor offers. And a new edition is mailed every three months.

Any insight on what types of businesses you prefer to target and have found to be most responsive?

In that case TC you should dive right in and dominate your market.

And no...so far I've got a realtor, restaurants, pest control, pool maintenance, window cleaning, turf company, landscaper, granite countertop guy, backyard fire pit company, HVAC, water company...others interested like a car wash, windshield repair, salon, personal trainer.

There are so many more categories out there, and each edition has a different makeup so far...which is cool and keeps things interesting.

Where are you located?

Thanks
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TCWalker

9 years ago

Originally Posted by BUFFALOBT

In that case TC you should dive right in and dominate your market.

And no...so far I've got a realtor, restaurants, pest control, pool maintenance, window cleaning, turf company, landscaper, granite countertop guy, backyard fire pit company, HVAC, water company...others interested like a car wash, windshield repair, salon, personal trainer.

There are so many more categories out there, and each edition has a different makeup so far...which is cool and keeps things interesting.

Where are you located?

Yes, there may just be a great opportunity here, testing will show if so.

Okay, so pretty much any common business.Are you getting your leads off the yellow pages? Or the net?

I'm located in the North East.

Thanks
1 reply

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BUFFALOBT

9 years ago

Originally Posted by TCWalker

Yes, there may just be a great opportunity here, testing will show if so.

Okay, so pretty much any common business.Are you getting your leads off the yellow pages? Or the net?

I'm located in the North East.

My lead sources:

-I visit all websites from the co op mailers/postcards I get in my mailbox, and grab any emails I can find

-I google "HVAC in ZIP CODE" for example and grab emails

-I am using someone from Elance to find 50 emails in various categories/ZIP Codes...$3.29/hour for that

Cool I'm from Buffalo originally.

Thanks
1 reply

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TCWalker

9 years ago

Originally Posted by BUFFALOBT

My lead sources:

-I visit all websites from the co op mailers/postcards I get in my mailbox, and grab any emails I can find

-I google "HVAC in ZIP CODE" for example and grab emails

-I am using someone from Elance to find 50 emails in various categories/ZIP Codes...$3.29/hour for that

Cool I'm from Buffalo originally.

Fantastic information. Thanks for being so transparent with your answers, BuffaloBT! I'm going to be giving the coop business a shot. I'm hoping you will keep us posted on your success, I'll be keeping an out eye out.

Cool, been up to Buffalo a few times and really liked how nice people are considering the amount of snow falls there.

Thanks!

Thanks

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roz28

9 years ago

Buffalo, thanks for the great information, and good luck to you with your new card!

I'm curious though, how many emails would you say you send out per day, in a 2 hour period. Quite a lot, I suppose? Which email client are you using that allows you to do that?

Thanks.

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2 replies

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Sebulba

9 years ago

I would be interestef in your numbers as well, Buff.

I have started sending emals today myself. I still have infofree.com, and they have the ability to search businesses with emails. So, I downloaded about 800 in my market area. Seems like about 20% are coming back as undeliverable, so I should be able to get the email out to over 600 businesses in a 15 mile radius of the center of town.

I am doing a slmilar idea to you, Buff, 8 ads if I sell only singles, I hope some advertisers will want more exposure an want double ads at a discount, so have someyhing like 6 advertisers.

We'll see how it goes

Seb

Originally Posted by roz28

Buffalo, thanks for the great information, and good luck to you with your new card!

I'm curious though, how many emails would you say you send out per day, in a 2 hour period. Quite a lot, I suppose? Which email client are you using that allows you to do that?

Thanks.

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BUFFALOBT

9 years ago

Originally Posted by roz28

Buffalo, thanks for the great information, and good luck to you with your new card!

I'm curious though, how many emails would you say you send out per day, in a 2 hour period. Quite a lot, I suppose? Which email client are you using that allows you to do that?

Thanks.

Thanks Roz- appreciate it!

I send emails whenever I'm in the mood, and it varies day-to-day.

I was doing up to 50 bcc addresses at a time from gmail...maybe 6-7 of those at a time. Then my email "broke"...meaning I was marked as spam- and not able to send that particular email any longer. Not smart I know.

So I had to change up my tactics...using a different email...less bcc addresses(like 6 instead of 50)...and a lot of individual direct emails without using bcc.

The biggest challenge with using emails as your primary lead generation is that it's mostly 100% luck, timing, and a "numbers game". I have sent hundreds in a few days- with no response. I have also sent a handful and gotten 3 replies. So it takes a ton of patience to see results.

I'm moving to STAGE 2 of my lead generation...hiring a telemarketer or 2 to drum up interest and leads for me to follow-up on and close for my current 3 editions(my 4th is done and going to print today).

Thanks
1 reply

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roz28

9 years ago

Originally Posted by BUFFALOBT

The biggest challenge with using emails as your primary lead generation is that it's mostly 100% luck, timing, and a "numbers game". I have sent hundreds in a few days- with no response. I have also sent a handful and gotten 3 replies. So it takes a ton of patience to see results.

Thanks for saying that, Buffalo! I had an experience in reverse, a very good response with a few emails, and then nothing with a much larger number. This totally threw me - I thought I had been banned, but that they sneakily didn't tell me.

Thanks
1 reply

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BUFFALOBT

9 years ago

Originally Posted by roz28

Thanks for saying that, Buffalo! I had an experience in reverse, a very good response with a few emails, and then nothing with a much larger number. This totally threw me - I thought I had been banned, but that they sneakily didn't tell me.

Emails are tricky...I am now tweaking how I do them, to make sure I don't get blacklisted or whatever.

Still getting replies...trail and error...fun!

Thanks
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tinknocker 9 years ago

Originally Posted by BUFFALOBT

Emails are tricky...I am now tweaking how I do them, to make sure I don't get blacklisted or whatever.

Still getting replies...trail and error...fun!

I read your thread on Bob Ross's forum last year (I know you did this in 2012 if I remember correctly) and found it very informative. You definitely gave some good ideas and tactics.

Glad to see ya giving it another try....I gave up cuz it was taking too much time away from my main business but i'm gonna tweak what I was doing last year and give it another try soon.
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