godsgood

Haha! Love the picture of Polly . I actually saw someone comment somewhere (all the threads are running together in my head now) that yes, you get access to that forum if you buy the new WSO. So I bought it, but then the forum access is actually an upsell that I don't have the money for right now. But hey, at least there was good info in the WSO itself, and maybe in the next few days I can scrounge up the money to join the forum.

And although I don't have enough posts to pm, I did post a comment to Bob on his profile page and he pm'd me back, so I can attest to the fact that he is very responsive .

As far as getting out and selling today, I made the mistake of telling my hubby what I was doing and he told me not to until I get "legit" with a website and business cards and letterheads and contracts and a folder...blah, blah, blah.... I don't usually talk to him about this type of stuff, he doesn't understand it, and he gets tired of hearing my "schemes" as he calls them. But he was getting upset at me being on the computer so much in the last few days, and I had to tell him what I was doing. He said to wait a couple weeks and do it later because he doesn't want me to not sell anything and get discouraged. I appreciate his "concern", but I know myself and if I don't just get out there and do it while I'm excited about it, I will get discouraged before I even start. He has quite a way of throwing water on any fizzle I have, he is a natural born skeptic.

But, I am going to ignore his comments, bust out the website and print collateral as fast as I can, and get to selling as soon as my oldest goes back to school next week. Crossing my fingers that I'll be beating the streets on Monday .

Adwizard

Who is a good printer for the oversized postcards?

FelicAng

That's a great business idea...thanks for sharing!!!

godsgood

Not sure if you read the whole thread, but most people are saying gotprint.com is the cheapest.

Adwizard

I did read it all and Bob specifically said it is NOT gotprint.com

godsgood

Right, he said that's not the one he uses, but as far as what people on here have researched, that is the cheapest. You would have to buy the WSO to find out which one he recommends. Also, uprinting.com matches prices.

bob ross

Yep, gotprint is the cheapest you'll find. GP isn't a terrible option and probably your best choice if you aren't in our private group. I just have had less than ideal experiences with GP in the past compared with others.

sundown16

Hey Bob,
thanks for the "outside of the box" post
I've had my head wrapped around IM marketing so long,
I've forgotten all-fashion marketing offline and all the different
ways to go about it
how did you come up with $495?

Free Access ....To Learn The Power And Secrets
Of Advanced Facebook Advertising

makingiants

Sweet idea! I'd love to see how
you got this thing going...Looks like a surefire
winner. Sorry I missed the WSO.
Vince aka makingiants

bob ross

The post office is heavily pushing the EDDM program now, you should get on this while it's hot!

$495 is a a really good deal in my opinion. personally it's what I feel comfortable selling spots at. I price it much higher than that but the 'deal' I offer them to do it now is $495, or less than a nickel per home.

want2knowhow

For all of you unlucky saps who are still stuck over here trying to 'pry' juicy info from Bob and or trying to figure it all out over here....you are missing out on the REAL deal Holyfield by not getting all of your questions answered on his private forum....because most of what you all are asking and wanting to know has already been thoroughly covered there. I'm sworn to secrecy...well..not really, but you know how it is...but I will say this...

TWalker

I've laughed a few times throughout reading these forums in unrelated threads when I hear questions like

"Where can I get 9x12 postcards?:confused:"

Folks they aren't that common, but some of the printers have been posted even at WarriorForum. It seems people aren't even willing to read the entire threads much less buy in and get the real info. I know the WSO closed but, just read the threads.

:rolleyes:

RedShifted

You know... I really had no intentions of going over there till seeing this post. Then I went to find a link and there is no link.

I've been prospecting for clients again and I can not possibly explain how fired up I get when it comes to finding new business. I recently developed a very POTENT lead generation technique (my second one) for finding business and this method really blows my last method out of the water.

It involves pretty close to what guys are doing on the blackhat forums to find clients for google places. Instead of writing a personalized report on their google listings, I take 15 minutes and write a personalized report on thier copywriting/ad design. I tape their ad to the report, and drop it off in person. I do a brief intro then leave, and the intro is designed to leave them wanting more, BEFORE they even get to the report.

I do a simple bulleted list like:

Dr Mr Business Owner,

Rah rah rah....
rah rah

and this is what is NOT working for your business.

1) Your ad has no headline. Its a big enough problem to not have a targeted headline but having no headline at all guarantees very little to no response. If you continue on making ads with no headlines and burning money.. then you might as well just give all your money to me.

2) Your ad was made backwards. Call to action needs to be after benefits.. etc etc.


So point being, I made a bulleted list 5 bullets long, sent it to a roofing/siding place early yesterday and got a response back today!

I wasn't even planning on fully getting back into this due to time constraints with my other job, but now I said eff it, this is just too damn fun. Plus this is 2 pretty solid methods (second one needs more testing) for getting clients that I have now and if I'm on a private forum I may be more likely to share what I'm actually doing. I'm just going to keep doing this now for business that are making the worst ads in valpak and I really need to learn how to outsource this ad design because selling is really what I prefer to do anyway.

Can someone link me to the forum por favor? I would be willing to give out my exact methods (and sample reports) if someone on the forum could teach me how to properly outsource ad design. Was thinking fiver, but I've never used it before and not sure if $5 would be enough to design a quality ad.

Thanks! - Rob

SirThomas

The forum is here: bobrossoffline.com

but, you might want to contact Jake (Bob Ross) first to give you a password.

want2knowhow

Yeah, but I don't think they're going to get very far....if they haven't purchased any of his WSO's. The forum was created for those who did but who wanted more info or to share ideas and knowledge away from the WF.

Adwizard

if someone on the forum could teach me how to properly outsource ad design. Was thinking fiver, but I've never used it before and not sure if $5 would be enough to design a quality ad.

Thanks! - Rob


Rob,
What do you need... I can help you with ad design!

SirThomas

True, but I remember Jake mentioning that RedShifted purchased the first WSO...;-)

seebol

Redshifted, looks like you've got the whole thing worked out already!!!!
Why do you need to outsource the ads, you've got the skills, done the prep, put a card out in double quick time. You don't need to use any devious means to access the forum, no point in risking getting someone banned, just rinse and repeat!!!! Don't let something so trivial stop you from taking action!!

RedShifted

Thats what wasted the most time for me when I was doing this before was the ad design. Plus the fun part for me is devising techniques to find new business. I'm looking for a way to get back into this, w/out designing the ads.

Mainly because I have a background in sound engineering and there is a lot of OCD involved with sounds. Have been doing it as a hobby for almost 10 years now. So when I take to anything artistic, I tend to kill TONS of TIME doing so.

When I was doing this before, and found a second job, I had to stop because there was no way I could do any more ad design. I see someone posting in this thread that they could possibly take on the work, so I may not even need fiver after all!

Thanks for your help - Red

bob ross

Red, we've got tons of designers on board that will do your ads very inexpensively!

RedShifted

This is perfect! Soon as I get home from work I'm gonna clear out my pm box and shoot you a message!

Thank you - Red

RedShifted

Excellent Bob I should have known that!

Thanks again fellas - Red

pwk2000

Kinda frustrated the WSO is closed :-/

moneylab

Me too!! Very frustrated; just came across this post yesterday morning and literally spent my entire day reading it. I read in another post that he's releasing it on Clickbank - at a much higher price. And of course, that's going to mean a LOT more people out there doing this :-(

Pierre!

Well, Thanks to BobRoss & Gregg I got mine done!!!

Just finished wrapping them up to head on out to 10,000 lucky homes here in Tucson AZ!

Eddie Spangler

I bet Bob Ross feels like a proud papa everytime he sees someones first card ready for delivery.

moneylab

Congrats, Patrick, they look stunning! One question I had: would you mind sharing how long it took you and/or sales reps to get all spaces sold? Could you share the approximate conversion rate you had (nr businesses called on to get a space sold)? I'm in the final stages getting ready to begin sales and I'd really appreciate the feedback for planning purposes.

I'm thinking of doing my first card for 5,000 (I live in a smaller market). I got 2 quotes from online printers that were very reasonable. Reading reviews of those companies alarmed me greatly. Lots of problems cited. But of course, many really good reviews also, so tough to know which is more correct.

I got a quote from a local digital printer that is almost double the online printers, which would really kill my margin since I plan on using contract sales rep(s). BUT - they are very experienced with EDDM mailings, they help select routes, pre-bundle the 50-count packages including carrier labels, and even deliver them all to the post office for only $25 per thousand! So I may use them as it would save me a TON of work

Congratulations again, I'm very familiar with Tucson having lived there for a couple of years. Hope you get lots of great testimonials and 'business builder' case studies from your merchants to make selling your next card as simple as "taking orders"

Greg

P.S. SO wish I could get ahold of the WSO or a copy of, but no longer available

jonnnyd23

That's so great to see. How long did it take you to get all the ad spots sold?

Micro Jobs

jomina

Bob... I just gotta say.. you've pooped all over my happy little tree here.

I am so desperate to do this system, and think I got the down of it, but then I saw the WSO and was like... oh GOD... let me GET it...

but then you closed it before I could get the cash to get it.

My happy tree is broken to bits and sliding down the mountain.

argh

taxtherich

Hey can anyone tell me where I should get mine designed? Is there a warrior or someone who does all these postcards?

mbitsol

Very great method but can you please tell me how do you approach business man for advertisement ?

MbitSol - Digital Marketing Agency providing SEO Services UK
Free online Jobs

ckbank

Hi everyone. I need your opinion. Couple of months ago I quit my job to pursue my own business. The mindset I had when I quit was very different than what I have now. My job was in inside sales and I hated every minute of it. During breaks, I would daydream about working just as hard for myself and making much more money, but now I am stuck. There are all sorts of questions I'm asking myself. How will this look on my resume? How long can I sustain this postcard business? But the biggest problem of all is fear and not taking initiative.

I know the postcard method works and I know people have actually made money and even with the fact that I'm a decent salesperson, I am still not believing in myself. Being responsible for other peoples' money directly is new to me. What if somewhere along the way I screw up and can't even send out the postcards? What if the post office tells me the weight of the cards are not right or the code on the card is not in the correct format?

Anyway, knowing how much 9 to 5 jobs suck, I am still not taking action. I need your words of guidance and please no sarcasm or put-downs. Lastly, I think the problem is also the ease of making big money in a fairly short period. It just doesn't feel right.

Now that's what I call Guerrilla Marketing.

chackett

Good Morning ckbank,

I'll offer a few pieces of advice. The first thing I would do though is dispel your thoughts about the '...ease of making big money in a fairly short period." In my opinion, it's not _easy_ per se. It's not complicated, but for a lot of people it's not easy. It's hard to get out from behind the computer and walk into a business, ask for the owner, and then try and convince them to give you money. Money for something you've not done before. For a lot of people, maybe most, that's not easy at all.

But lots of others have done it, I'm doing it. I would advise you to stop putting obstacles in your path that don't exist. If you're concerned about something like the weight of paper, go to the post office and research the postal regulations and find your answer. Problem solved, what other obstacle are you worried about?

If you're really concerned about being responsible for other people's money, make sure you put it in a separate account where it won't get co-mingled with your personal finances and accidentally get spent or something. If you give up (not if you fail, because if you don't give up, you won't fail) then you can just give them their money back.

I think you need to decide how badly the "9 to 5 jobs suck" and figure out if it sucks more or less than getting out there and making something different happen for yourself. When you decide the "suckiness" of your current situation outweighs your fear of taking action and making something different for yourself, then you'll get out there and make it happen.

Resolve to do it, and to never quit until you succeed. You're the only one that can call yourself out in this game.

Direct Mail Fulfilment Services Nationwide
Postcards, EDDM, Letters, wedding invitations
Super Affordable - Enough for you to resell!

BUFFALOBT

ckbank,

There are a handful of us who have already crossed and overcome the obstacles you have listed, along with numerous others you haven't thought of yet.

My point is that you have lots of help and support from us, if you feel strongly enough about moving forward and giving this a fair shake.

Feel free to email me at bill(at)TheNeighborhoodSaver(dot)com ...I'm happy to help!

Regards,

Bill

IMHunter

This is a great method. And this thread is filled with great information. Thank you very much for sharing this.

Pierre!

Hello Greg,

Took about 4 weeks to hit around 70 to 80 businesses to get 10 actual clients. Two of the clients purchased multiple spaces.. which really helped cut down on Graphics costs and ate up space quickly.

I actually had another business of mine on the card, donated a space to a charity (I will probably continue this going forward), dropped in a 'Bicycling Safety PSA'... and then there was the business that just didn't communicate after agreeing to a space! I ended up having to put a 'Tribute to Our Troops' filler in there as well....

So, only sold 12 out of 16, not really THAT profitable, but now it's more credible!!!

Moral of the 'no communication' business? Get $$$ Down to hold the space - I didn't do it with this guy, and it bit me on my behind.


I used BobRoss (or Jake) himself to get the layout and printing done, and it turned out great!


The bundling only took a few hours. For 5K worth of cards you might appreciate the $$$ more than the time saved... but when they add in the routs and delivery to PO, it does sound pretty attractive. I guess it depends on whether you can live without that extra couple of $$$.

Go For It!

Patrick

David Crossland

Here's my reply to ckbank:

You may remember this old saying: "By the yard it's too hard! By the inch it's a cinch!"

Moral of the story, break the project down in to lots of little tasks. When you think you have them all written down then you can start. One step at a time!

ckbank

First of all, thanks for the great wisdom. Last couple of days, I have been trying to work on many small tasks. It's going better, but this sure is a lot harder than it sounds.

Now that's what I call Guerrilla Marketing.

Eddie Spangler

No its not , you want it to be harder than it sounds

I promise as soon as you get over these imaginary roadblocks that you have put up you will do great.

ckbank

You are right Eddie. The imaginary roadblocks are plenty. So far, I've almost only done email marketing. People are not even opening their emails. I've tried cold-calling, which seems to be better, but how do you and others feel about cold walking into a business?

Now that's what I call Guerrilla Marketing.

bob ross

I just wanted to let you guys know that I just did a printing job for someone who managed to get twenty ads on his card using a modified version of my layout and it doesn't look that crowded.

He had 11 advertisers on his first card and had to rush everything because he didn't give himself enough time to sell the spaces and account for shipping. fortunately 6 out of the 11 renewed for the next card and that's how he get twenty on it in a reasonable amount of time.

He also has all the expirations on it for 6/30 so he's in super good shape. Don't forget to give yourselves enough time to sell and get the cards printed!

The Sales Guy

Bob, I must hand it to you, you've managed to put together quite a winning formula...that's helping many people I myself own & operate a small, niche publication. The avertising business can be quite rewarding and lucrative.

Without being specific, there are so many hyped-up WSO's and "methods" being peddled on here. Yours seems to be the real deal. While I haven't tried your program, the many posts from satisfied users speaks for itself.

You should be proud of the hope and opportunity you are bringing to others' lives

moneylab

Thanks for the info Patrick, I really appreciate it! I am surprised you were only able to sell 12 of 16 in a market the size of Tucson; makes me a bit worried about my small market area. One last question; what did you do for pricing on those merchants who bought multiple spaces? Did you offer a discount on the additional spaces, like 25-40% off on the additional ones? Thanks again!

TimD

Can you, or someone, provide a rough timeline, timed back from shipping, to printing, to approving ads, to proofs, to closing?

That would be really helpful.

crosshairs

This is a really great thread! Glad I found it.

TimD

ckbank, I can offer a couple of things.

I've been doing offline for a couple of years. I have lots of nice testimonials on my site from people who've gotten lots of business working with me. In fact, I drive almost all the business for some of my clients. At the same time, some customers have left me because they've gotten no results from the work I've done for them.

That was really hard for me at first.

The way I come to grips with it is to recognize that my vendors have let me down at times. I've bought "sure thing" wso's that have been a bunch of crap. And ultimately, my business is MY responsibility. I don't blame others for my failures. And I treat my clients like adults the same way. I do my best for them, and ultimately, their businesses are their responsibility. I'm not a savior. I'm a guy working hard on their behalf. I really do hold their best interests at heart and I work conscientiously. It's up to them to see how much they can invest in advertising and judge whether it works for them.

As for getting started. When its toughest for me. I break things down very small and tell myself, "I'm not selling $8,000 in advertising today. Today, I'm visiting the post office. And making three sales calls. That's all that's at stake today."

I hope that helps.

BUFFALOBT

I would give yourself 30 days to sell all of your ads...then another week to do the add design, collect the $$, and send it off to the printer.

So 5 weeks total...same timeline has worked well for our first 2 editions.

bob ross

Not sure if I can really post here much anymore so it doesn't get locked for having over 50 posts (thanks for the tip John Durham).

I got a nice email this morning from one of our members who just got his cards delivered, thought I'd share!

moneylab

Could anyone share their pricing policy when a merchant wants to purchase 2 adjoining spaces? I have a sales background but no advertising or coupon sales experience, so I don't know what would be 'normal' if there is such a thing.

For example, should I offer to let them buy the 1st space at regular price and get 30% off the adjoining space? I'd just like some feedback as to what some of you have encountered in this regard and how you dealt with it. Thank you

businessnewbie

Helloooo... BobRoss
i'm an absolute newbie to any of offline marketing business... that being said I have two questions - 1. are you still selling your samples of the 9x12 card?
2. I purchased your WSO?? Easy Print Profits but it hasn't arrived, and the money hasn't been claimed via paypal

Thanks ever so much!
PS
I grew up watching Bob paint those happily little trees, I always thought it was so magical how he could create those scenes - oh and we had the same hair style too!