14 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
14 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Going business to business NOW!

by Dave992
12 replies
I have opened my business, studied everything and I'm ready to hit the streets and sell spots for the 9x12 postcard.

Only thing missing is... mock ups of the card, I went this morning to a local printer and he said it will take him at least a few days, so I backed up and didn't gave him the digital mock ups because I was afraid he could stole the idea or something bad could happen.

If I don't have the mockups it's going to be harder to sell, that's for sure.
I do have mockups on my computer though.. they can see it, but can't touch it, which is a very powerful emotion, when they realize it's a great piece of paper, not random ad.

Will try anyway, I need 3 spots sold by the end of the week.

First I though about cold calling but I rather hit the businesses, I think it will be more profitable in the short run.
#business
  • Profile picture of the author thet
    Why either or, why not do cold calling and hit the businesses?
    Signature

    Recognize reality even when you don't like it - especially when you don't like it.
    — Charlie Munger

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9796725].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Dave992
      Originally Posted by thet View Post

      Why either or, why not do cold calling and hit the businesses?
      I only have two legs, two hands, and one mouth...

      Cannot cold call while I'm cold walking, I would cold call in the morning and cold walk in the afternoon but I need 3 sales like I already said for the end of the week, and so I prefer only one method of cold walk.

      I have a product with HIGH VALUE, that WILL HELP businesses if they get it.
      That's my strength.

      This morning I saw many businesses with '50% OFF, OFFERS!' and offers like that. They are hungry, really hungry for more people to see their store. I have a product that can bring people IN right away and help them.

      But, I also have two weak points, no one knows by business, no one knows me and I don't have the mock ups, aka a proof. Which is not really obligatory, I mean, when a insurance sales person goes to sell he doesn't have a mock up to show, but it would have increased my chances since nobody knows me.

      I will need to pitch them right and be quick so I can hit many doors.
      How much time does it take in between door to door anyway in average?
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9796735].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author thet
    That depends on the space between the doors. When I was door to door b2c, it didn't take long.
    Never did it B2B though.

    I would just hit up a building with several companies in one. We have them here, buildings that rent spaces to dozens of companies at once.
    Signature

    Recognize reality even when you don't like it - especially when you don't like it.
    — Charlie Munger

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9796741].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Dave992
      Originally Posted by thet View Post

      That depends on the space between the doors. When I was door to door b2c, it didn't take long.
      Never did it B2B though.

      I would just hit up a building with several companies in one. We have them here, buildings that rent spaces to dozens of companies at once.
      I have a few streets fulls of businesses, that's where I'm going today.

      I'm scared to death, going home so I can refresh myself and eat and then go out to acting.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9796744].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author thet
        Originally Posted by Dave992 View Post

        I have a few streets fulls of businesses, that's where I'm going today.

        I'm scared to death, going home so I can refresh myself and eat and then go out to acting.
        Good luck.

        A year ago, I had my first cold call with salespeople around me with lots of experience.
        I bluffed myself in the job.

        I was so scared. Nervous. Everything. Now, it's all good

        you will get trough it.

        Man up doesnt mean you cant be scared, man up means you do it anyway
        Signature

        Recognize reality even when you don't like it - especially when you don't like it.
        — Charlie Munger

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9796752].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
    Good luck and I also think your fear that the printer is going to steal you idea is completely unfounded.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9796878].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Sandy Berth
    printers print, they do not have the desire to steal. They see numerous ideas come across their desk daily. Just get the mock up, it will help you close deals.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9796901].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
      Banned
      If you're using the Bob Ross 9x12 System, why not just purchase some cards from Jake to use as samples? If you're not using that system, I suggest you look into it.

      A printer is going to cream you to print a small number of sample cards and you won't find a better looking card than what Jake produces and showing a card that doesn't have the best quality available will not help you. It's a postcard. If it doesn't have a high 'WOW' factor - it's just another postcard. Nothing new, there.

      I can't think of a worse way to market your card than cold-calling. In the amount of time that you spend to meet one business owner (if you catch him or her in) you could have called 15 businesses and qualified your prospects. If their interested you can send them out an informational packet and/or make a firm appointment to meet them.

      You say you have read 'everything.' I don't know what you have read or from where you have read it, but your series of posts simply don't make it look like you have read the best materials or, if you have, that you have grasped the concept of the best way to sell 9 x 12 postcards. There are some businesses that this type of advertising is geared toward. For others, it has no value. I do not even see where you have even whittled down the type of businesses that would be most receptive to your offer.

      Life is short. Pick up the phone.

      Cheers. - Frank
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9797065].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Dave992
        Originally Posted by BigFrank View Post

        If you're using the Bob Ross 9x12 System, why not just purchase some cards from Jake to use as samples? If you're not using that system, I suggest you look into it.

        A printer is going to cream you to print a small number of sample cards and you won't find a better looking card than what Jake produces and showing a card that doesn't have the best quality available will not help you. It's a postcard. If it doesn't have a high 'WOW' factor - it's just another postcard. Nothing new, there.

        I can't think of a worse way to market your card than cold-calling. In the amount of time that you spend to meet one business owner (if you catch him or her in) you could have called 15 businesses and qualified your prospects. If their interested you can send them out an informational packet and/or make a firm appointment to meet them.

        You say you have read 'everything.' I don't know what you have read or from where you have read it, but your series of posts simply don't make it look like you have read the best materials or, if you have, that you have grasped the concept of the best way to sell 9 x 12 postcards. There are some businesses that this type of advertising is geared toward. For others, it has no value. I do not even see where you have even whittled down the type of businesses that would be most receptive to your offer.

        Life is short. Pick up the phone.

        Cheers. - Frank



        I'm located in Europe, that's why I didn't ask Bob Ross directly to send me the postcards, different language and different shipping..

        I wanted cold walk because I could show them the mock up, but now you have a point since I have no mock up to show, I could simply just cold call them.
        But, the big reason is that when I could call I can surely be successful but it will be easy for owners to say 'not interested' and hang up, while cold walking, it's harder for them to 'hang up' me.

        Went to a printer and asked him to print the best possible card (close to the 9x12) and he printed me an A3 plastic paper.. it's bigger than the 9x12. And took 5 buck for that.
        I guess I'll have to try without the mock up.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9797218].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
          Banned
          Originally Posted by Dave992 View Post

          I'm located in Europe, that's why I didn't ask Bob Ross directly to send me the postcards, different language and different shipping..
          Ah, I see - but had no way of knowing. If you're not going to but a location with your avatar, it's best to mention you're not in the US in your original post. That way, I could just keep my pie hole shut. :-)
          I wanted cold walk because I could show them the mock up, but now you have a point since I have no mock up to show, I could simply just cold call them.
          Sooner or later you are going to have to show them something.
          Went to a printer and asked him to print the best possible card (close to the 9x12) and he printed me an A3 plastic paper.. it's bigger than the 9x12. And took 5 buck for that.
          My point, precisely.
          I guess I'll have to try without the mock up.
          Here's what I would do. Order around 50 samples from the U.S.. Use 5 or 10 to take to various printers to get price quotes on replicating the card. Use the rest as samples to get you started. You are going to have to spend some money to get something like this off the ground, so spend it on something that will give you the biggest bang for your buck. I don't see how it could cost more than $100 to get some cards sent to you and if you're not willing to invest $100 in starting a new business, you'll never have one. Always remember - if it was that easy, who wouldn't be doing it???

          Just my 2¢.

          Cheers. - Frank
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9797259].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author IMAnthony
    Originally Posted by Dave992 View Post

    Only thing missing is... mock ups of the card, I went this morning to a local printer and he said it will take him at least a few days, so I backed up and didn't gave him the digital mock ups because I was afraid he could stole the idea or something bad could happen.
    Their business is to charge for printing, not investing for it. They would not steal your idea or whatever.
    In fact, instead you could invite him to 'sponsor it' by leaving some space in it to promote their printing business.

    Anyway, maybe you could look for someone else who has less work?
    Or try checking some printing websites. There are some that can print overnight.


    -Anthony
    Signature
    PAY ATTENTION TO THIS!!



    Are You Ready to Make Money? ----->How I Made $2000 USING LINKEDIN!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9797299].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Freebiequeen1999
      Maybe try an office supply/chain store/chain printer if they have them where you live?

      I am sure the kids working at Office Depot or Staples would not be trying to start their own business (most seem pretty disinterested LOL)
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9797713].message }}

Trending Topics