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Low hanging fruit...."local" businesses ripe for your services

by Jerry McGough
9 replies
Thought I'd start a thread where you can tell us where you've found local businesses that show they're willing to spend money on services.
These businesses are a good place to start......

Examples:
Local businesses that use:
-decent sized yellow page ads
-coupon mailers, like ValPak
-ads in newspapers
-sponsors of youth teams
-ads in church bulletins
-local billboards
-direct solo mail you've received
-trade shows

One more prime target.....new businesses

Where else have you spotted them ?
#businesses #fruitlocal #hanging #low #ripe #services
  • Profile picture of the author somacorellc
    Television. There are a LOT of crappy locally made commercials out there. It costs a ton of money to produce the commercial, then have it on the air. These companies are often practically begging for a better way.

    Twitter. I know, twitter is free. But when you see a company start a new twitter account with 5 posts and they're all "come try our steak!" you know they're looking for a little help.

    I personally buy a lead sheet for new businesses from infousa.com and get those delivered every week. Great starting point with new businesses to get everything set up right the first time.

    This URL is pure gold: yellowpages.com/[city]-[st]/recent/1
    Yellowpages will show you a list of recently added businesses in any city with this URL. Just type in the city and state, so like: yellowpages.com/phoenix-az/recent/1 will show you all the recently added listings in Phoenix.

    Of course you have to wade through all the chains, but it's a good resource to have for recently opened businesses, and it's free.
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    Web Design Columbia SC
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  • Profile picture of the author Seantrepreneur
    In my experience I have not had GREAT success going after new business because typically they have very limited capital. That is just in my experience that's not to say don't do it.

    Now, if you can find a start up with deep pockets thats a different story. Some start-ups have a large bank or personal loan burning a hole in their pocket. Show them the value you can provide them and they won't mind spending a chuck of that with you.

    I have had more luck with networking events, making profession contacts and setting up a referral relationship.


    Sean
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    -------->Started with $500 on Amazon and building it from there. Week #1 income report is live ($593.78 in revenue)<----------
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    • Profile picture of the author midasman09
      Banned
      Put on yer "Thinking Cap" re: New Businesses;

      Instead of thinking of ways to "Sell' a program TO New Businesses....why not think about ways to USE New Businesses to make some moola?

      Here's what I mean; New Businesses MUST Register in my town (in most towns) and pay a $50 New Business Fee! Every month I get an email from my local City Hall with the NAMES and Addresses of these NEW Business Registrants.

      So...I put together a "Welcome New Business" package. In it were Reports and Articles of interest to New Biz owners. AND....Discount Coupons from local businesses; (Accountant, Attorney, Sign Painter, Insurance guy, Restaurants, etc....ONE of each type of biz)

      I was surprised to find that in our small town of 20k....there was an average of 50 NEw businesses starting up every month (Don't have a clue about nowadays) So....I made a Mock-Up and went around and solicited the various categories...charging $4 per New Business.

      When the smoke cleared and I was ready to go....I had 32 DIFFERENT businesses (ONE in each Food Category also)...for a tidy little income of $200 average/mo x 32 = $6,400!

      In fact....now that I think about it...I'm going to look thru my "archives" and see if I still have some of my "Welcome" Books.

      Don Alm....Idea Guy
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      • Profile picture of the author rambo9600
        Originally Posted by midasman09 View Post

        Put on yer "Thinking Cap" re: New Businesses;

        Instead of thinking of ways to "Sell' a program TO New Businesses....why not think about ways to USE New Businesses to make some moola?

        Here's what I mean; New Businesses MUST Register in my town (in most towns) and pay a $50 New Business Fee! Every month I get an email from my local City Hall with the NAMES and Addresses of these NEW Business Registrants.

        So...I put together a "Welcome New Business" package. In it were Reports and Articles of interest to New Biz owners. AND....Discount Coupons from local businesses; (Accountant, Attorney, Sign Painter, Insurance guy, Restaurants, etc....ONE of each type of biz)

        I was surprised to find that in our small town of 20k....there was an average of 50 NEw businesses starting up every month (Don't have a clue about nowadays) So....I made a Mock-Up and went around and solicited the various categories...charging $4 per New Business.

        When the smoke cleared and I was ready to go....I had 32 DIFFERENT businesses (ONE in each Food Category also)...for a tidy little income of $200 average/mo x 32 = $6,400!

        In fact....now that I think about it...I'm going to look thru my "archives" and see if I still have some of my "Welcome" Books.

        Don Alm....Idea Guy
        I find that almost impossible. 600 new business startups per year in a town with 20,000 people?
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      • Profile picture of the author jct226
        Nice Don...that got my mind racing with ideas.
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    • Profile picture of the author Charles Harper
      Originally Posted by Seantrepreneur View Post

      In my experience I have not had GREAT success going after new business because typically they have very limited capital. That is just in my experience that's not to say don't do it.

      Now, if you can find a start up with deep pockets thats a different story. Some start-ups have a large bank or personal loan burning a hole in their pocket. Show them the value you can provide them and they won't mind spending a chuck of that with you.

      I have had more luck with networking events, making profession contacts and setting up a referral relationship.


      Sean
      Like Seantrepreneur, I have had the most success at Networking groups like BNI. I would also add to that, LinkedIn.

      CT
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      • Profile picture of the author amulektwo
        I think the best way to get Clients is to work within your own Network Of people That you already Know...Why Because these people already Know like and trust you....Just Let people that you are friends with what you are doing and you will be surprised how much they will be willing to help...You never know who people may know...Just open your month and be friendly...but make sure you know what the heck you are talking about and try to build your social proof.....Just my 2 cents
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  • Profile picture of the author racso316
    meet-ups, referrals, endorsements
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  • Profile picture of the author NewParadigm
    A great way for new clients is community continuing education. They have all kinds of classes on nights and weekends, from one session to multiple sessions.

    What if you taught a "How you use internet or mobile marketing to get new customers"? course for small biz.

    They pay you to come listen to your pitch. Your pitch is informational and establishes authority. Many of them will corral you after class and want to hire you to do it.
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    In a moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing. ~ Theodore Roosevelt

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