oogyboogawa

I had been thinking about some of the possibilities with this train of thought and was debating posting it on here... decided I would and then low and behold, you've beat me to it

My understanding is that since you've already got it all sorted for them, some of the "machinable" limitations that go into normal mail are lifted. I am curious to find out how far that extends and to what extend these new limits can be stretched.

I've been looking at some of the different folding patterns on http://www.youtube.com/foldfactory#p/c/227C113FF159890D

And I think some of those would be great for catching attention.

I'm working on one right now, that I'm thinking might be useable in the EDDM program that should catch attention quickly, as well as providing lots of space for advertisers...

Unfortunately, for the time being this is mostly a distraction for me lol, I'm not in a place to test it with everything else I've got on my plate - but definitely something I plan on keeping in the hopper of future ideas to possibly implement in the coming months.

Big Gee

Yes this is true, printing is shady. I still think there is room to negotiate though. I stand by how to save on shipping regardless if it's a local, internet or nearby city printer source. Here's a few other options I spoke about earlier:

-You can use a printer a nearby city, if you have the option and are worried about competition.

-Or you can use a print shop that does not offer marketing.

-Larger commercial printer salesman do not have the time to go after every small business to populate a double sided 9x12 card and there are some printers that do not have a marketing department or follow up on what we can provide. They want the large accounts, that's who most of the salesmen concentrate on.

If you use any local, nearby or an internet printer you can still negotiate. If it doesn't work, oh well. But it won't hurt to ask. You have to kind of "act " like you know what your talking about. Tell them other competition offered it (slipsheet, bundling, reduced shipping). Tell them it's not that hard for them to have someone do it. Nicely though.

For those that want to bundle at home, I would highly recommend at the very least to have them "slip sheet in lifts of 50" exactly like that, and you will speak their language.This will help you bundle faster. Either that or get a used digital paper scale and you can preset the piece count.

I forgot to mention you should also try and ask for "overs" That can easily be an extra 100-200+ depending how they print/cut. The big printers have rolls of paper (bulk) NOT reams like from a Office Supply store. Actually they do have reams depending on the paper but they are "huge" varying in sizes but 30,40 inches or more. They are printed on a "sheetfed printer" and only accept a certain width, then they are cut to spec "after" the job is printed therefore it creates leftovers...or "overs" that usually get tossed out. You paid for them you might as well get them. Just ask nicely and it should be no big deal.

Hope this helps

Like

dtaylor

I spoke with this company, I wanted to get some samples and pricing. He said they are no longer doing the 9x12 cards as they could not get enough interest from clients to do them. It seems from our brief conversation that he was offering companies an exclusive on the card and they did not want to spend the money.

I would like to do this for my offline company, just not sure I want to do the whole thing as another business.

DTaylor

dtaylor

Hi Bob,
Thanks for sharing so much.
On the copy of your mailer the liquor store is about half the size of the other ads. Is his half price? Are the larger ads the standard?

Thanks,
DTaylor

willz605

I've looked at the OP ad....how is he getting 14 ads on the 9x12....

Are there 7-8 ads on the back? If so...then it makes sense.

Anyone?

ADukes81

After doing some research I found a company in my town doing it. here is the site: Door to Door Direct Mailing Service

They have an interesting pricing structure with 2 businesses at 20c each or 4 businesses at 10c each. Basically $2,000 per 5,000 mailed.

I am in talks with a client of mine, but am not sure on pricing. I am offering her an exclusive, only her business, both sides. If someone has any idea on how to price it, I would appreciate it.

How to Build a Sales Funnel for FREE

bob ross

I just got my shipment of 25,000 pieces for my upcoming mailing, i'm so stoked.

Here's a picture of my daughter holding one and behind her is not even HALF of the shipment. It's been 45 minutes since they've arrived and the kids and my wife have been busy bundling them, just so you know we have 16 boxes (about 500 in each box) bundled already.

I'll be responding to your questions soon but I've got some work to do!

timpears

This is an awesome thread, but I don't want to see it as a WSO any more. We have picked his brain so that I think we should all know how to do this. I guess I am selfish, but I would not like to see people cropping up everywhere trying to do this and have to cut prices to the bone to compete.

I would however like to know where Bob gets his printing done. But I have a couple of source that will do it so I could make a decent profit.

I am going to talk to my son-in-law who is a marketing expert, for his advice on how to proceed. I am not a sales man. Neither is he, and gets upset when people refer to him as such. He manages sales people and just sets up the marketing for them to go out and sell. And he knws his stuff because they pay him big bucks to do his job. So that is my next stop.

Tim Pears

bob ross

I can see why other places would fail. I hate to say this but there were times in the beginning that I was sure I was going to fail at it but I kept going.

I almost puked at one point when I had 10 days to fill a card up with 16 spots. I had just run the last one so my last advertisers hadn't experienced full results yet but I hung in there and filled them all in time.

Now I only need to fill one or two spots because so many want to keep doing it, it's super easy and fun now. I've started another card as well so I have to keep pitching but it's sooo easy now that I've figured out all my mistakes.

dtaylor: the liquor store is one my favs! He got a killer response and he invited me to come over so we could count all the coupons together. He had 68 redeemed within the first 4 days of the first mailing and he's having me send out FIFTY THOUSAND in the spring featuring only his business.

I put that ad in that size for a pricing strategy but I don't really want to get into it sorry. If you look close on the picture above with my daughter, you'll see that he has a really big ad now in a different position.

willz: yes there are ads on the back, just same as front only strategically laid out to prevent sacrificing each other.

adukes: I can see why these places fail. I can tell just by looking at that site you pointed that they are killing themselves just by looking at the postal indicia. they probably have the right intentions but charging that much is like insta-fail. The price point has to be low in order to get something like this off the ground imo. Don't let some stupid site like that ruin your hopes...

I'm making this work easily and you all can too!

bob ross

tim: don't worry about people cropping up and taking away your ability to do this. The postal system has advertised this program all over for almost a year now, there's obviously other places that are trying to do something similiar, and still this is a fresh new concept to most people.

There's a ton more information, strategy, guidelines, and tactics that this thread isn't even touching on that this method involves. The concept is easy to understand and nearly anyone can take advantage of it, it's no "hidden secret".

The real power in this is getting to work on it soon and ironing out the speedbumps so that you can lock up your area. There's a lot of creative ways to secure your own territory and make thousands a month from it easy.

willz605

Thanks Bob for such a speedy reply....I have just about everything in place to get this off the ground.

For me personally....its the picture of your daughter holding the direct mail piece that does it for me.....

CarrieD

Thanks for posting that super cute picture of your daughter holding a card, bob. Talk about incentive for us to get going!

Based on Big Gee and others comments about printers stealing this technique, I am going to get a sample card printed from a city two hours away. I originally got a quote for a digitally printed sample from a local printer but I've decided to get it from a printer where a relative lives and have my relative send it to me.

I have someone on Fiverr doing the layout for me, keeping my fingers crossed that it turns out OK.

dtaylor

The single advertiser option was the reason the people at 9x12 Postcards - YOU Run Your Business... We'll BRING You the Customers! gave for not doing it anymore. He said they just could not drum up enough interest for the price they were charging for a single advertiser per card.

The op has a brilliant business model with a proven track record. It should be fairly easy to get a business person to spend $500 for a 10,000 piece direct mailer.

DTaylor

KaterSD

98% of the people that buy the wso will do nothing with it, and move on to the next best wso

I'd still like a wso with specifics hes not willing to talk about here

bob ross

I just got a PM from timpears saying...

"Bob, I really like this system you've got going and boy I can't wait until I'm making $500,000 per month too!"

(sarcastically laughing)

CarrieD

There are ads on both sides of the postcard.

Big Gee

I second that ! I would rather give my money to the OP for a template, the sales pitch/process, and what he uses to ID the neighborhoods for the best response.

Do you mail to neighborhoods where there is a middle/high school ? or Do you piggyback off of preexisting marketing research close by (McDonalds,Subway,Starbucks)?

timpears

This is a joke, right? You had me going for a while cuz I have been out to a doctors appointment and only just got back a few minutes ago. And haven't sent out any PM's.

But it is true that I like this idea, as much as I hate selling and suck as a sales man. But this is the most exciting thread I have read in quite some time. But I bet with the right operation set up with a sales force, in my town, I could see that if you were able to do the whole city a $25 to $50K per month income would be quite possible after paying the sales force. And then I have Portland Oregon right across the river.

I don't think I would want to do anything that big though. Then it just becomes another job, with lots of employees and headaches. But $5K to $10K a month should be pretty easy to do.

Tim Pears

bob ross

yes I was joking, subtly referencing your 100,000 postcard printing cost

Thanks a lot tim for the kind words.

timpears

Cute. I see, making fun of me because I am deaf in one eye and can't hear out of the other one.

Tim Pears

KaterSD

Id be interested in a template to get 15 business on one card front and back, the sales picth, the sales process, niches to target, possible offers,

I don't really think it matters whether there are schools around or not many people right now are in a coupon FRENZY, because of the couponing shows.

I think as long as the offer is good you shouldn't have any problems getting a response, but if its your average buy a pizza for $14.99 people will be blind to that.

You can even build an sms list for the advertiser with this method. Have them opt in for the coupon instead of just giving it to them.

Vikuna2009+

You are just a wealth of information, aren't you, lol. Very good advise given, indeed.

What I am interested in are the "overs". How can I in their lingo, talk about that. Not only to squeeze out an extra 100-200 but what about the rest? Might not fit a 9x12 but something will fit. If you have that knowledge and wouldn't mind expanding on that, I'm all ears

Thank you, Eva

timpears

I did a search to see if anyone was doing this in my area. Should have done this a long time ago but finally got to it. I have never got any of these coupons so little chance that it is being done in my area.

But, what I did find was a site that offered coupons to download, sorted by zip code in my area. Money Saving Coupons Vancouver WA, Camas WA, Battle Ground WA, Brush Prairie WA, Washougal WA, Ridgefield WA - Money Saving Coupons Vancouver WA, Camas WA, Battle Ground WA, Brush Prairie WA, Washougal WA, I clicked on the 'coupons by city and zip' link and was presented with all the zip codes for my city. When I click on any of them I am taken to a list of offers that I can click on and get a coupon.

So this looks like a list of clients to go pitch to to me. How can they resist getting their offer placed with every resident in their zip code for just five cents each?

Tim Pears

Kevin AKA Hubcap

I understand you're interest in the above *but* you make it seem as if these things are deep dark secrets which once revealed will magically give you unlimited wealth.

Often, when you put in the work, the "secrets" will reveal themselves.

Do what Bob did. Research, form a plan, act on it, get feedback, revise, then act again.

Even if he gave you his exact sales strategies/methods there is no guarantee they'd work for you.

After all you're you and Bob is Bob.

You've got plenty to start.



Take it from someone who use to chase after secrets (me)

RedShifted

All I know is in my area this is not even near or close to saturated its pretty easy to tell just by checking your mail everyday imo.

Its simply not done and I'd imagine in the majority of my county and state not done.

So I am absolutely taking advantage of this market I actually believe its so small it would be very difficult to saturate. Plus considering a lot of people are naturally insecure and just won't do it.

I already have my plan laid out pretty strategically at this point. I love you Bob Ross and have no idea who you are.

bob ross

I still can't send PM's yet so I'm really sorry to those who probably think I'm ignoring them.

aeroturner

This is a pretty cool information from you bob..sounds good !! you have given us more stuff..Thanks for sharing this info

jordans9

Thank you Bob for the great information you gave here. I have a few questions if you don't mind.
Does the company or local business provide their own design ?
Does any of them ask for a lower price? if they do, how you convinced them to stick with the regular price you set?

Pro Thinspiration | Thinspiration Diet | Pro Ana Thinspiration

timpears

Hey Bob, do you mail out to all addresses, or just residential? I didn't see a real need to mail to businesses, but then maybe I was wrong.

Tim Pears

BarbaraP

If you're coming into this thread, go back and read through the posts. Very detailed info on exactly how and why Bob created this postcard marketing for offline biz. More bonus ideas from other warriors.

You could combo a QR code and mobile site upsell offer into this direct response postcard sale.

collegetokens.com site mentioned in earlier thread is interesting concept, like the guy that's creating a local business directory as upsell. More options for you to sell your clients.

Thanks Bob Ross! for sharing all these details, especially the paper specs, size, and quantity because anyone can take your info and get quotes from several printers online. Why would we expect Bob to tell us his printer with or without a WSO? I mean he gave us the entire biz concept and details right down to the type of paper used and how to work the USPS system.

Partner with a local printer for their ad + your marketing coaching in exchange for hefty discount or free?

Business Owners do not have time to think about their marketing. If they did, they would not waste their money on magazines, billboards, yellow pages and newspaper ads.

Do an "editorial" calendar like magazines do, so you pre-sell multiple mailings and get businesses to think about you and smarter marketing. If you pitch mobile marketing, or your online business directory, do the same thing - create an upsell feature for your online directory and help remind them what to say when to prospects. New Year inventory clearance sale postcard for retailers. January Bridal Planning - not everyone can afford the $$$ newspapers charge for ads/booths at those events.

February, feature a product for Valentines. Spring Break. Easter. Mother's Day. Father's Day. Summer Vacation - Car Maintenance - Teen Driving School. Back to School - Supplies, Eyes Checked-Teen Car Insurance. Halloween Costumes and Decorations. You'll look like an expert they can rely upon. Link it all together for them online.

When you wonder if this could really work, consider the magazine publisher that sold tens of thousands in ads to dozens of biz owners and did not publish a single issue for 14 months. He pocketed the money. He stiffed two graphic designers, three printers and got away with it all until he took $500 from a local chamber of commerce and used their name to sell their members tiny $400 ads. When no issue appeared in 6 months, they filed a complaint with the state AG's office. This was a slick salesman. He printed one issue with less than half the circulation promised to satisfy the AG. He sold all those ads with a mock-up.

Local biz will invest if they believe you want to help them get more business and trust that you will produce what you say you will. If you deliver, they will repeat and trust because you are the rare marketing person who has done what you promised. If you have ever owned a storefront, you would appreciate the pile of ad sales BS every local biz owner stands in.

That's why this works. It is touchable, tangible. Maybe Bob said it -- Opens door with something they understand -- print and direct response mail, and the results pave the way to your upsells and Internet/Mobile?Social Media Marketing services.

Cheers.

Karen

Hi Tim,

I figure that when the card ends up in the hands of a local business owner who isn't represented on the card, they might call you to find out how to get on the next issue of the card. I'd include the business addresses for that reason.

Karen

P.S. Another thing that would make it good to include the business addresses, if your advertisers are on the routes the cards are delivered to, they get real life proof that you actually sent the cards as you promised.

---<--<-@ Local Florist in Little Falls, NY @->-->---

Vikuna2009+

Two excellent points to ponder! This thread has definetly turned in to a "how-to guide" for anyone willing to do the groundwork. After that, do more than one area at the time and watch your profits double, Eva

You could also give each biz a stack of them, figure out a way how to track those separately and compare notes for how many coupons were brought in.

Francine Thomas

Thanks for sharing Bob, It sounds like a great idea.
I have a few questions for you and I sent you a message about it.

greggorio28

Bob, I am EXTREMELY intrigued and interested in this....

I'm a graphic designer who lives in a densely populated Philly suburb with tons and tons of small businesses who have been in existence for many years. Its so freggin simple and sounds quite effective. I love the notion of branding the monthly postcard to create some consistency and community. I could easily lay this out and design the ads myself using my software....and I have a couple online print vendors that could easily do this. So its a double-sided postcard, 8 ads on each side right?

I would love to discuss this further....you just sparked a mega flame in my mind! Its like you put the work in once....pray for a nice return on their investment...then simply update and re-order it every month once you get rolling....WOW!

If I were to get started on something like this myself, what would be the beginner steps you could advise me on? I really appreciate this idea....the hardest part will be the first round to convince each business that its legit and WILL be seen by approx 10k residents. Should I create a mockup as a sample? Any help is HUGELY appreciated!

Thanks,
Gregg

Professional graphic designer and entrepreneurial Jedi Knight in training...check out my portfolio

sirblade

Hi Bob,

Thanks for all the info - such a great idea!

Im in the UK and our post office doesnt offer the same service as yours.

Having seen the picture of your daughter holding a card it strikes me that (and please forgive a silly question!) they will be far too big to fit into a letterbox/mailbox !

Do your postman knock at each door and hand the cars over in person or are they folded?

Thanks and sorry if you answered this earlier..

Steve

Vikuna2009+

For those of you reading this thread for entertainment value only, keep on doing it and leave the prospering for DOING to me, lol. If you are serious, visit all the links so generously provided by other Warriors, you will learn a lot.

I myself, am going to a seminar today (found in one of the links) provided by the USPS to learn more and ask all my questions. Will report back!

Got to go, take a shower, dress for success and GET GOIN' , Eva

Sebulba

I think that is one of the huge advantages to this program. the card is so stinking big it's unavoidable to the householder. It will just get curled up in the box, but then pop open when they start looking at their mail. It's genius.

Seb

https://2021rocket.com
https://gmbliftoff.com/

Kevin AKA Hubcap

^^^ That's key. Many people are asking questions that noone can answer. The foundation is laid. It's up to you to frame it.

It might just be me but I "hear" a lot of questions that sound like reasons not to give this a shot.

Look, you're not going to know everything and that's OK. Bob's been doing this for a while. Ask him if he knows everything and I'll bet he says "no".

Once you've done your due diligence the only way to get "your" answers is to go get some expereince.

Now go get 'em!

ConradDeas

Funny I got one of these in the mail last week and thought to myself, I could do this for my clients.

I'm not sure exactly how the company pictured below set it up, but IF they charged $700 ($.07 per home) like they advertise on their side, to the two businesses on the other side, that means they got their advertising for free basically since its about $1400 to mail to 10,000 homes. I guess that would be a good way to test a route as well to see if its effective before you sold it to 16 businesses.

I definitely like Bob's methods better, but this is just showing you someone else using a similar model. This is a regular size sheet of paper 8.5" x 11", glossy both sides, folds just like paper, but heavier stock than paper. I'm not in the printing industry so I don't know what the technical name is for it.

As you can see in the second picture, the advertising definitely worked because I've already used one of the coupons.

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KaterSD

Nope your wrong, I dont make it seem like they are deep dark secrets. Some things are a secret which bob decided not to disclose in case of a future WSO. Which is perfectly fine

I never said that once the secrets are revealed they would magically give anybody unlimited wealth, so your assumption is wrong.

Your right often when you put in the work the "secrets" will reveal themselves, but why do that when you can have a WSO lay out a plan, tell you what to avoid, and tell you what worked?.

I mean that's a reason why most people buy WSO's to do what worked for someone else and avoid the same mistakes. Yes, you have to add a twist to things to make it work for your self, but that is besides the fact.

Anyways im glad your no longer a "secret chaser".

bob ross

Sometimes they do, which is really nice. No, most won't directly ask you for a lower price, but pricing everything properly is something that probably will make or break your success with this method.

There's a lot that deals with pitching them to provide enough value to get them to realize they are getting the space for far less than it's worth. I could write a book on that, so unfortunately it's just too much info to post here.

Thanks for liking this whole idea!

I've been experimenting with both and I think Karen had a good response to it. Don't go too business crazy though.


Thanks. I didn't get a PM from you though, and I can't reply back yet because I don't have the post count high enough.

Thanks a lot for the kind words! I really appreciate that you love this system like I do. I'd love to give you a bunch of steps but I've given soo much information out at this point, I'm just not comfortable to give it all way after I've worked so hard fine tuning it.

Mockups are CRUCIAL. You won't sell much of any of the spaces without one.

thanks for the nice words mate. I wish I knew more abot the royal mail but you're probably right about them not having anything like it. You might want to at least search and see if there's a saturation program with them that might work. The problem will just be the cost if they don't, but try and see to make sure.

the cards are indeed really large, and some of them won't fit into a mailbox the way they are. The mail carriers will wrap them around the other mail but I've never seen them crease them, which is very important. You want the cards to come as undisturbed as possible. They are REALLY impressive to see particularly when printed on thick cardstock and double UV coated.

Eva, thanks for cheering this system on, it's really exciting to see people get out and take action on it.

bob ross

conraddeas: that's pretty interesting, it's funny how stuff suddenly appears once you learn about it.

Those look like they are printed on 100lb glossy paper which is really weird. I print flyers up on that same stock and I couldn't imagine sending those out in the mail.

I notice that they did use the EDDM program via the indicia. The difficult part with selling mail that's dual or solo is that the price has to be pretty high to be profitable. Postage alone using EDDM for 10k pieces is over $1400 and that's not including the printing cost or any profit.

vivi62

Theres certainly a lot of information to take on board,wondering if this could be rolled out in uk, obviously different prices needed but on a smaller basis it may be possible to do.
thanks
vivi62

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timpears

I found this TNT Post - Mail Delivery - It's our business to deliver yours. I am not sure what they do, but it looks like they provide some bulk services for postal delivery. I have been out of the UK for too long to remember how the post works there. But check that link out and see if it is something that can help you.

Tim Pears

greggorio28

Thanks again Bob. I have re-read this entire 4-page thread from start to finish and have some nice groundwork laid. I do have a few specifics to iron out but this is all part of the work....although I would GLADLY pay you for your time to help me smooth out details such as layout tricks so that ads do not interfere when cut out, etc. Also your opinion about using a local printer when you run the risk of a copycat DM campaign.

I actually got 2 great quotes today from 2 local printers but am now weary about using local vendors for that very reason. Again, I'd gladly pay you for your time to help me launch my own campaign...Im really fired up over this!

Professional graphic designer and entrepreneurial Jedi Knight in training...check out my portfolio

timpears

When you say that, does that mean you have to do an ad for their establishment, or just a sample of a card with ads for other merchants on it?

I have been wondering about this, and wondered if I could get away with printing a sample card on regular 8.5" x 11" stock, or I have to get a sample of the real card? I seem to remember that one of the printers offered a sample five cards for a fee. But I don't remember which one it was. I don't have a large format printer to do one of my own, so I am not sure how to do this.

Tim Pears

greggorio28

*ADMIN*
I cannot send PM's so can I post my email address and request this OP to contact me to discuss details privately? I'm kinda new here and dont know all of the rules yet....

Thanks

Professional graphic designer and entrepreneurial Jedi Knight in training...check out my portfolio

timpears

Post your email but don't post it in email format. Use the name (at) domain (dot) com format. To avoid the scrapers.

Tim Pears

greggorio28

OK Tim, thanks for the instructions. Admin, if this is a mistake please let me know, but I dont see how this would bend any rules or violations.

Bob:
I have a proposal for you, please shoot me an email: gregg (at) y3kdesigns.net to discuss details. I have a solid gameplan now and just wanna pick your brain about a couple specifics. Thanks!

Professional graphic designer and entrepreneurial Jedi Knight in training...check out my portfolio

dtaylor

How much lead time do you usually allow?

For example, if I were talking to a customer today, when would the mailing actually go out? Do you allow 30 days? Does the question even arise in conversations with clients?

Thanks,
DTaylor