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Started A Business On Friday Using Direct Mail - Here Is The Result

by SubUrbanHype
27 replies
I passed out a little over 400 flyers/letters on friday, and by today (sunday) I've had 35 phone calls, 6 potential client call backs, and 6 clients. 3 of which paid upfront.

I've been dabbling in marketing for a few years now. Haven't had any real luck in it to be honest. I knew about all the strategies, read all the books, bought the courses... yet none of that ever translated into actual money in my pocket. I could even say that I actually have spent more money trying to learn how to make money than I actually made lol.

However over the last 2 months I've gotten really serious about making more than just a living for myself. So I started to set some really time strict goals for myself, and decided that I would for the next 90 days just take MASSIVE ACTION. Just to see what it would be like.

So far I am thrilled with the results. With the help of a lot of the members here in the Warrior Forum, a few good used books, and a huge appetite for failure. I've actually turned a profit.
#business #direct #friday #mail #result #started
  • Profile picture of the author ivanela33
    Was the type of business internet marketing related?
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    • Profile picture of the author SubUrbanHype
      Originally Posted by ivanela33 View Post

      Was the type of business internet marketing related?
      No. However I did use a great deal of internet marketing techniques in order to make everything work.
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  • Profile picture of the author Volux
    Yeah, I'm interested in knowing what you were selling.
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    • Profile picture of the author SubUrbanHype
      Originally Posted by Volux View Post

      Yeah, I'm interested in knowing what you were selling.
      It was a rubbish removal service.
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  • Profile picture of the author Eddie Spangler
    How much are you charging and how often do you remove the trash?

    Its always cool to see someone ask for help and then actually follow
    through, keep it up.
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    • Profile picture of the author SubUrbanHype
      Originally Posted by Eddie Spangler View Post

      How much are you charging and how often do you remove the trash?

      Its always cool to see someone ask for help and then actually follow
      through, keep it up.
      Thanks.

      Its a once a week thing for $20 per month.
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      • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
        Originally Posted by SubUrbanHype View Post

        Thanks.

        Its a once a week thing for $20 per month.
        I honestly think the reason you got such a response is that you have an unbelievably low price

        If you sold gas for a buck a gallon, what kind of response would you get?
        The same as you.

        I pay $89 a month, for one pickup. You could double your price and still get good responses, I think.

        You get business by being the cheapest, that's a valid way to get customers. But you don't have to be half of what the other guys charge. 20% less will still get you a great response.

        Good luck with your venture.
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        • Profile picture of the author ronr
          I agree with Claude.

          Good job for taking action but don't be so much less than the compeitition that it sounds too good to be true. In reality most people probably don't have any idea what it costs for this service. So even if you charged a similar amount that others are charging, or even higher the fact that YOU took the initiative to market yourself will get you business.

          Ron


          Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

          I honestly think the reason you got such a response is that you have an unbelievably low price

          If you sold gas for a buck a gallon, what kind of response would you get?
          The same as you.

          I pay $89 a month, for one pickup. You could double your price and still get good responses, I think.

          You get business by being the cheapest, that's a valid way to get customers. But you don't have to be half of what the other guys charge. 20% less will still get you a great response.

          Good luck with your venture.
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        • Profile picture of the author John Durham
          Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

          I honestly think the reason you got such a response is that you have an unbelievably low price

          If you sold gas for a buck a gallon, what kind of response would you get?

          Claude you always hit the nail directly on the head, dont you?

          Im going to start calling you "The nail on the head hitter guy", or the "head of the nail hitter guy", or "The guy who always hits it on the head when he's hitting nails guy", or the... Well, you get the point.

          Kudo's top the OP on the massive action.

          -John
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          • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
            Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

            Claude you always hit the nail directly on the head, dont you?

            Im going to start calling you "The nail on the head hitter guy", or the "head of the nail hitter guy", or "The guy who always hits it on the head when he's hitting nails guy", or the... Well, you get the point.

            Kudo's top the OP on the massive action.

            -John
            John; Well, my head looks like it's been hit by a lot of nails. Does that count?
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        • Profile picture of the author SubUrbanHype
          Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

          I honestly think the reason you got such a response is that you have an unbelievably low price

          If you sold gas for a buck a gallon, what kind of response would you get?
          The same as you.

          I pay $89 a month, for one pickup. You could double your price and still get good responses, I think.

          You get business by being the cheapest, that's a valid way to get customers. But you don't have to be half of what the other guys charge. 20% less will still get you a great response.

          Good luck with your venture.
          I would like to agree with you. I know the bigger companies charge about $60-80 per month. However the people in my target area never had to pay for it themselves because it was always included in rent.

          But then again, maybe you are right. I should charge more, I just need to tweak my system a bit more.
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          • Profile picture of the author Biz Max
            That is a superb response for this type of thing. You say you used direct mail but
            then say you passed them out. Were they mailed?

            Was it a letter or a flyer? (big difference)

            I feel the term 'massive action' is being abused in this thread. Chucking out 400
            flyers is not 'massive', it is just an action.

            I applaud the endeavor but I'd just like some clarity
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            • Profile picture of the author SubUrbanHype
              Originally Posted by OfflineGold View Post

              That is a superb response for this type of thing. You say you used direct mail but
              then say you passed them out. Were they mailed?

              Was it a letter or a flyer? (big difference)

              I feel the term 'massive action' is being abused in this thread. Chucking out 400
              flyers is not 'massive', it is just an action.

              I applaud the endeavor but I'd just like some clarity
              I passed out 400 sales letters that were folded in envelopes. I admit it isn't the most massive thing ever, but looking at it the way I do that I got the idea Thursday, created the sales letter and passed them out Friday, and collected on Sunday is huge in my book.
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              • Profile picture of the author xlfutur1
                Originally Posted by SubUrbanHype View Post

                I passed out 400 sales letters that were folded in envelopes. I admit it isn't the most massive thing ever, but looking at it the way I do that I got the idea Thursday, created the sales letter and passed them out Friday, and collected on Sunday is huge in my book.
                Can you be more specific on how you passed them out and to whom? Were these homeowners, businesses, apartment dwellers, etc. ? Did you leave them on doorsteps or did you actually hand them to someone in person?
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                • Profile picture of the author SubUrbanHype
                  Originally Posted by xlfutur1 View Post

                  Can you be more specific on how you passed them out and to whom? Were these homeowners, businesses, apartment dwellers, etc. ? Did you leave them on doorsteps or did you actually hand them to someone in person?
                  I left them on the "apartment dwellers" door.
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              • Profile picture of the author Biz Max
                Originally Posted by SubUrbanHype View Post

                I passed out 400 sales letters that were folded in envelopes. I admit it isn't the most massive thing ever, but looking at it the way I do that I got the idea Thursday, created the sales letter and passed them out Friday, and collected on Sunday is huge in my book.
                It is big, if you are not used to doing it. I have passed out 1000 flyers in 2 days and
                I don't consider that huge. For me, if I would have passed out 400 pieces and
                received an 8.75% response in two days, on a weekend. I'd be preparing 800
                more to go out tomorrow.

                Now, as to your response and close rate. Did you reveal the pricing of the service
                in the piece?

                I'm sorry if I seem skeptical but I am. Forums are loaded with bs.
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                • Profile picture of the author SubUrbanHype
                  Originally Posted by OfflineGold View Post

                  It is big, if you are not used to doing it. I have passed out 1000 flyers in 2 days and
                  I don't consider that huge. For me, if I would have passed out 400 pieces and
                  received an 8.75% response in two days, on a weekend. I'd be preparing 800
                  more to go out tomorrow.

                  Now, as to your response and close rate. Did you reveal the pricing of the service
                  in the piece?

                  I'm sorry if I seem skeptical but I am. Forums are loaded with bs.
                  I did not reveal the price on the letter. I left a number to call if people were interested in receiving an introductory special by the end of the weekend.

                  I am crafting another batch of letters to go out for next week. I am spending this week asking myself some questions about how to optimize what I am doing.
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          • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
            Originally Posted by SubUrbanHype View Post

            I would like to agree with you. I know the bigger companies charge about $60-80 per month. However the people in my target area never had to pay for it themselves because it was always included in rent.

            But then again, maybe you are right. I should charge more, I just need to tweak my system a bit more.
            Maybe. Maybe not. Ask yourself a couple of questions;
            Do you really want to work in that immediate area?
            If you drive a few miles, wouldn't you be able to double the price you charge and still be the best price?

            I honestly think you are simply advertising in the wrong area. Based on what you have told me.
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      • Profile picture of the author sandalwood
        Originally Posted by SubUrbanHype View Post

        Thanks.

        Its a once a week thing for $20 per month.
        Congratulations on your success. I'm gonna bet you will tweak it and make a ton of money.

        Tom
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve The Copywriter
    Just wanted to say well done.

    You found people that may need a service.

    Told them you'll do it.

    And with the power of advertising they've told you they want it.

    Perfect.



    Steve


    P.S. And looking at the figures - 400 Flyers/Letters bringing in 35 calls in 2 days.

    That's an 8.75% response. With 3 clients who have immediately paid.

    Plus many more who will sign up and pay.

    Impressive.
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  • Profile picture of the author TJ Rose
    You said throw keywords most won't warriors never do: MASSIVE ACTION. Good job.
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  • Profile picture of the author mrjosco
    Good job!

    Too many people are looking for 'quick' fixes - and there are some super talented/lucky marketers who can build a functioning, viable business with some 'easy' or 'quick' strategies... But those are usually just the ones selling the easy or quick strategy guides.

    Every week I talk to my sales people and they have all these high cost marketing 'ideas' to make their life easier. I have to remind them - they get customers when they put their boots on the ground and their knuckles on doors.
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  • Profile picture of the author IM nice guy
    That's awesome man, now just keep pushing and scale up!!!

    You've actually inspired me again to take action and start doing direct mail. At the moment, I'm all cold calling, because it gets me results, but I think direct marketing is the way to go, as people come to you, and you don't have to annoy people that have no interest whatsoever.

    I'll be getting into some direct marketing very soon, March or April
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Originally Posted by SubUrbanHype View Post

    I passed out a little over 400 flyers/letters on friday, and by today (sunday) I've had 35 phone calls, 6 potential client call backs, and 6 clients. 3 of which paid upfront.

    I've been dabbling in marketing for a few years now. Haven't had any real luck in it to be honest. I knew about all the strategies, read all the books, bought the courses... yet none of that ever translated into actual money in my pocket. I could even say that I actually have spent more money trying to learn how to make money than I actually made lol.

    However over the last 2 months I've gotten really serious about making more than just a living for myself. So I started to set some really time strict goals for myself, and decided that I would for the next 90 days just take MASSIVE ACTION. Just to see what it would be like.

    So far I am thrilled with the results. With the help of a lot of the members here in the Warrior Forum, a few good used books, and a huge appetite for failure. I've actually turned a profit.
    Congratulations on getting those flyers out there. So now you have a starting point for your numbers. About 10% callbacks, 1.5% conversion. For your first direct mail piece, not bad.

    Now work to improve your marketing and those numbers. Can you get more than 10% to call you? Can you convert better than 17% of those who you speak to?
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve The Copywriter
    There's lots of potential.

    Once your "new" customers are delighted with the trash removal.

    You can add more services to your business.


    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author bagl8713
    Local marketing can be an easy task to head up in a smaller area. People are uneducated and want to place the effort into other people's hands. That's cool to see you've gotten that kind of response already!
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    • Profile picture of the author umc
      Claude has obviously given you a lot of good advice already. I was thinking though, that if you could get enough clients in an apartment community, it might be worth the lower fee. Think of it as "wholesale" work, to some extent. In the cleaning business, we can charge much more to clean a single family home than we ever could get in a rental setting, not just because of the size difference, but because of the fact that apartment communities want a deal for the volume of work that they provide. I'd personally rather go the more "retail" route by cleaning single family homes, but where did we get our start? Apartments. Why? They allowed us to make more money initially than we could any other way due to the concentration of work in one area, and a house cleaning service takes longer to build up from nothing. Now we focus on retail work, but you have to start somewhere. Congratulations on taking the initiative to do something, and you'll learn as you go. It is really the best way.
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