Magnet Directory - HELP ME BRAINSTORM! | Warrior Forum - The #1 Digital Marketing Forum & Marketplace

10 years ago

Hi there,

There's tons of threads here on this - a quick search will get you better gas mileage than starting a new one.

All the best,

Sasha.

Thanks
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upmatthews 10 years ago

I don't know how many magnets you plan to distribute, but why not have the participating businesses help distribute them? Depending on how many magnets, they can take a "big chunk" off your hands..

Good Luck
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facetofacesales

10 years ago

-Insurance company
- pressure washing
- Tree Service/Cutting down trees
- Lawn Service
- Car Dealerships
- Body Shops
- 20 min oil change shop
- Dentist
-Orthodontist
- law offices

Thanks

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javarog

10 years ago

Have you stopped to think that there are a ton of stainless steel refrigerators out there that the magnets will not stick to? However there is alternative material.

Thanks
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midasman09

Banned 10 years ago

I HAD to jump in here for 2 reasons;

1) I did the "Magnet" thing some yrs ago. I called one, "Welcome Magnets" and sent them to "New Movers" every month.
Important Numbers at Top and 4 columns of Ads below.
The other one I provided for Restaurants to give out with their "Take Out" orders. In center was a modified "To Go" Menu and around edges was Ads.

2) Do NOT ever....do part or all of your distribution by giving the Ad Item to participating Advertisers!!!!!!!! Because they will NOT distribute them!!!!

Don Alm....experienced Sales & Marketing guy

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MartinBuckley

10 years ago

Jon, really nice to see someone taking action and I wish you much success!

Here are a few other businesses that might buy advertising on your magnet:

* Computer Repair Shop
* Pest Control
* Carpet Cleaner
* Florist Shop

I hope this help.

To your success,

Martin

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Jon Martin

10 years ago

Originally Posted by MartinBuckley

Jon, really nice to see someone taking action and I wish you much success!

Here are a few other businesses that might buy advertising on your magnet:

* Computer Repair Shop
* Pest Control
* Carpet Cleaner
* Florist Shop

I hope this help.

To your success,

Martin

Nice suggestions - they're really solid because it's very easy to get in touch with DM's. Got me thinking and I realized I know few people who run computer repair / assistance businesses - perfect!

Appreciate the help and advice from everyone. Feel free to jump in and share your ideas if you haven't yet.

Thanks
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upmatthews 10 years ago

Well... I would have to disagree with not allowing advertisers distributing some or all of the magnets, I've seen and have been involved with this type of program and it works. It won't work if you're "lazy" and don't present it as "part of the program" and is included in the contract/agreement.

A number of years ago I helped a friend that had a similar program w/magnets for local businesses. Part of the presentation included a requirement to distribute a certain number of magnets, as a way to promote themselves as well as other local businesses. In doing so, they received a "discounted rate" for having their information included on the magnet.

My friend suggested ways they could distribute the magnets, mail to current list, offer at checkout, leave one with a customer in home, etc. He set a 3-month time period to distribute the magnets and followed up regularly to find out how many magnets they had left. Some businesses distributed all of them in a few weeks while others took longer. In fact, some of the faster distributing businesses took remaining smaller businesses that were slow in distributing the magnets and did it for them. It was presented as a "team effort" and it ultimately was one.

All in all it was very successful for all involved. It takes effort from the marketing consultant, but it was well worth it.

Side note: one of the better methods of distributing the magnets was a successful real estate agent, that regularly mailed to a "farm area" and included a magnet with one of their newsletters. It added to the postage, but was not a hard sell, as she was on the magnet. (It also helped sell her on being an advertiser on the magnet)
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AmyKay

10 years ago

I've done this successfully in my own small town and one nearby town. Couldn't make it go in the third town, though. I think the distribution method is key in your profit AND in your pitch. The one I did in my town was super easy to sell. There was a town parade coming up, and I told the business owners I would pass out the magnets during the parade. Sold all my spots quickly and effortlessly. Then I paid some teenagers from church to pass them out during the parade. (I got permission from City Hall first, of course.)

In the next town, I did the method where each person on the magnet would get some to put on their counter and pass out. I thought it was brilliant at the time, but turned out to be a MUCH harder sell. In the end, I had to barter just to fill the magnet. I couldn't even get it off the ground with this method in the third city.

So, in the end, I'll never try again with that distribution method. I will most certainly do the parade magnet again this fall. New businesses have already told me they want in! I'll raise my prices, print more, and make the magnet a little bigger, too. So, try the method with teens passing them out door to door, and report back on how that goes. I think they make doorhangers that have magnets on them, actually. Might be a cool idea.

Good luck! It can be quick and easy, or really hard. I've done it both ways!

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Jon Martin 10 years ago

Thanks for the response, Amy! In my city we have quite a few festivals in the summer and so I can see hiring some teenagers to distribute being a good idea.

I think it could be a good selling note to tell the prospects that they're being hand distributed to ONLY the people who want one (is. The people who take a free magnet). This way, they know that the magnets made will be given to interested potential clients and not thrown right away.

How much did you end up charging per space? How much do you plan to charge next time?

Also, how much did you have to shell out to get the magnets distributed? (And how many magnets?).

Did you cold call or walk in with a sample when selling the ad spots?

Thanks!!
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SashaLee

10 years ago

Hi there,

Most modern refrigerators have stainless steel front panels and magnets won't stick to them...you might want to think about something like this instead:

Stainless Steel Magnet Stainless Cling

Of course, most offices will have steel cabinets, so you will be fine there.

All the best,

Sasha

Thanks
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Jon Martin

10 years ago

Originally Posted by SashaLee

Hi there,

Most modern refrigerators have stainless steel front panels and magnets won't stick to them...you might want to think about something like this instead:

Stainless Steel Magnet Stainless Cling

Of course, most offices will have steel cabinets, so you will be fine there.

All the best,

Sasha

To people who have done the magnet directories in the past:
Is this going to be an issue at all?

Thanks for evoking the convo, Sasha. I hope it's not something I'll actually need to figure out. I have a hard time believing that the majority of refrigerators are stainless steel nowadays, even in 2013. I guess it's a viable thing to think about though.

Thanks

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AmyKay

10 years ago

Will think about the clings. At the very least, if they don't have a fridge, it's a very sturdy "business card" list of phone numbers that hopefully they will keep handy.

I don't have all the exact numbers handy, but here's a rundown...

I charged $97. Listed just their name (or what they do, 3 words max) and their phone number.
I printed on a 3x4 inch magnet. I think I sold 12 spots.
Printing cost around $350.
I paid 4 teens $25 each to pass them out. GOOD money for them. It only took them about 20 minutes! They came back and asked for more because they ran out, and people were walking up to them asking for them! And I had given them strict instructions to only give them to adults, and not to be pushy. So, yes, they went to people who wanted them!

So this year, I may charge $127, but print 1500. This is risky, though, because that $97 price point seemed like such a sweet spot. I'm afraid that once I go over $100, no matter the value, their brains will not be as open to saying "yes." Honestly, I may just keep it at $97, but sell more, so I can still print 1500. My plan is to always over-deliver. Last year I over-delivered by printing bigger magnets than they expected.

Oh, and I cold-called. It can take a few calls or days to get the decision maker on the line, but once I did, I sold it quickly. Now, for the other towns, I went door to door, and found it to be a big waste of time because most of the owners were not there. So, for me, calling is more efficient.

For payment, I took check by phone, and printed the checks. There are numerous threads on this. A couple owners preferred to mail me a check, but most didn't even question it. Easy, peasy!

Thanks
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Jon Martin

10 years ago

Originally Posted by AmyKay

Will think about the clings. At the very least, if they don't have a fridge, it's a very sturdy "business card" list of phone numbers that hopefully they will keep handy.

I don't have all the exact numbers handy, but here's a rundown...

I charged $97. Listed just their name (or what they do, 3 words max) and their phone number.
I printed on a 3x4 inch magnet. I think I sold 12 spots.
Printing cost around $350.
I paid 4 teens $25 each to pass them out. GOOD money for them. It only took them about 20 minutes! They came back and asked for more because they ran out, and people were walking up to them asking for them! And I had given them strict instructions to only give them to adults, and not to be pushy. So, yes, they went to people who wanted them!

So this year, I may charge $127, but print 1500. This is risky, though, because that $97 price point seemed like such a sweet spot. I'm afraid that once I go over $100, no matter the value, their brains will not be as open to saying "yes." Honestly, I may just keep it at $97, but sell more, so I can still print 1500. My plan is to always over-deliver. Last year I over-delivered by printing bigger magnets than they expected.

Oh, and I cold-called. It can take a few calls or days to get the decision maker on the line, but once I did, I sold it quickly. Now, for the other towns, I went door to door, and found it to be a big waste of time because most of the owners were not there. So, for me, calling is more efficient.

For payment, I took check by phone, and printed the checks. There are numerous threads on this. A couple owners preferred to mail me a check, but most didn't even question it. Easy, peasy!

Thanks for sharing the experience! I have another question I'll PM you about. Appreciate it!

Thanks

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Jon Martin

10 years ago

Hey Guys,

I'm going to try cold calling some businesses to offer spots on the magnet. I'm having a little trouble coming up with an opening/pitch and I was hoping I could get some feedback, advice, or ideas.

Here's what I currently have but I know it can be improved. Hopefully someone reading this knows HOW I can do so.

Hi there, is the owner in today?

Oh, perfect! My name's Jon and I work with small businesses just like yours here in London. Right now I'm actually creating 2000 refrigerator magnets to promote LOCAL businesses in the area, and I was wondering if you'd be interested in having your business on the magnet so that you can get your phone ringing with some new customers?

Let me know what you guys think. Appreciated, as always!

Thanks

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Eddie Spangler

10 years ago

Tell people that they are going to be on a refrigerator magnet and they will get business and you will mainly get not interested and laughs.

But then again if you are only trying to get $100 from each person then you can pretty much sell them ANYTHING that sounds REMOTELY legit and they will give it to you, forget the cold calling on the phone, walk around to businesses in the area, show them what you are doing and you can sell 12 spots in a day or two.

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Jon Martin

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Eddie Spangler

Tell people that they are going to be on a refrigerator magnet and they will get business and you will mainly get not interested and laughs.

But then again if you are only trying to get $100 from each person then you can pretty much sell them ANYTHING that sounds REMOTELY legit and they will give it to you, forget the cold calling on the phone, walk around to businesses in the area, show them what you are doing and you can sell 12 spots in a day or two.

Hey Eddie! Thanks for dropping in!

I'm definitely going to try walk-ins in combination with cold calls. I'm seeing if my magnet manufacturer can send over a few samples - that way I'll have something physical to show the decision makers too.

Thanks

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Jon Martin

10 years ago

Good news guys...

I JUST SOLD MY FIRST AD SPOT!!

Kijiji (Canadian equivalent to Craigslist) is KILLER!

I looked through the services section of my local online classifieds and selected plumbers. There were dozens of plumbers looking for new customers on there with ads. I knew this was valuable because:

a) It's easy to get in touch with the decision maker (usually has a cell number)
b) The fact that the ad is up is proof that the business is actively seeking new customers.

I only sent out 12 or so emails and about an hour later I got a phone call saying "I just got your email for the fridge magnets, how much??".

I told him I'd get his number on 2000 magnets for $200. He thought that was a pretty good deal, and he's driving over in an hour to drop off the payment IN CASH and collect the receipt.

Wow. I'm so pumped. I have a feeling these ad spots are going to sell fairly quickly. First time I've ever really used email to contact a DM and in this case it worked out.

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AmyKay

10 years ago

Wow, I can't believe email worked! Good for you!

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Jon Martin

10 years ago

Originally Posted by AmyKay

Wow, I can't believe email worked! Good for you!

Neither can I. I never delve into email when I sell websites. I emailed some painters through kijiji after this and guess what.. ANOTHER INTERESTED LEAD! Gonna close it in a bit when he emails back his phone number. Seems like it'll be an easy one too.

This is amazing! Take action, guys.

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donza

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Jon Martin

Neither can I. I never delve into email when I sell websites. I emailed some painters through kijiji after this and guess what.. ANOTHER INTERESTED LEAD! Gonna close it in a bit when he emails back his phone number. Seems like it'll be an easy one too.

This is amazing! Take action, guys.

Great stuff Jon. . What I like about the magnets is I can really see the value in advertising on them. If I received one I'd put it on my fridge and would definitely call a few of the numbers over the course of a year. Also. unlike many other forms of advertising there is no need to offer a steep discount to get customers.

Cheers Don

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Jon Martin

10 years ago

Originally Posted by donza

Great stuff Jon. . What I like about the magnets is I can really see the value in advertising on them. If I received one I'd put it on my fridge and would definitely call a few of the numbers over the course of a year. Also. unlike many other forms of advertising there is no need to offer a steep discount to get customers.

Cheers Don

Thanks for the input, Don! I agree.

Update: I've been sending out some emails (probably 100 or less) and I have 2 closed sales already, and 4-5 prospects have emailed me back asking for pricing and showing interest. This is great!!!

Never thought email would convert this well for selling magnets. I'm pleasantly surprised so far!

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Jon Martin

10 years ago

Just got a call by another interested prospect! That's 3 from a few measily emails. I'm surprised. Must be my lucky day! Couldn't close it right away (he had a very thick accent, hard to have a conversation) but he has a genuine interest and wants me to email him some details (probably a mockup too).

Thanks

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Adrian John

10 years ago

Do you have a appealing design in mind Jon?
I want to try this locally too and I want to see what design seems to work best and have the most benefits for the advertisers.

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Jon Martin

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Adrian John

Do you have a appealing design in mind Jon?
I want to try this locally too and I want to see what design seems to work best and have the most benefits for the advertisers.

Nothing specific. It's going to be a large magnet with a nice header and nicely aligned text. Maybe a nice background color too. It's obviously important to make it look as nice as possible so that people will want to leave it on their fridge. I'll probably outsource the design to a pro.

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MartinBuckley 10 years ago

Hey Jon,

I was just wondering if you have found the printer you are
going to use to get your magnets printed and if so have you
figured out your estimated costs and profits yet?

All the best,

Martin
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mrjosco

10 years ago

Yeah, hoping for an update! Get any more spots filled?

ALSO - I am thinking I can also add some extra *ZING* to the offer by including a one page mobile website (with upcharge for full website).

I mention this because the Jon, you mentioned you do web design and web marketing too.

Since everyone and their mom is calling these businesses offering web services, I can walk in and say "I am a local marketing expert that specializes in both 'traditional and guerilla' local marketing techniques. One of the things I am doing is putting together a magnet, blah blah blah"

"I am looking to get this magnet space filled quickly. I noticed your business website is not mobile ready. If you cut a check today I will create a FREE mobile landing page with click to call and click for directions"

Might let you charge a little more for add space, since you are adding more value, and it can open the doors for a world of web related marketing opportunities without ever having to PITCH web related marketing services. Just a thought.

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QRtstry

10 years ago

Hey John, I'm totally new to this forum but I had to reply because I've developed something that relates specifically to what you are trying to do with the magnets. I've changed the way QR codes function and have developed a management system that allows multiple advertisers to share space on a single QR code. Think about interactive, scannable magnets with programmable special offers on the other side! I'm working on writing a turn-key program to make it easy to sell, too. If you are interested, contact me and we can chat...

Thanks
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midasman09 Banned 10 years ago

Jon.....one MAJOR problem with trying to sell and Ad Program with anything other than "Personal Visits"....where you walk in....show the "person who writes the checks" how your program can bring them more business....;

Once you sell the first one....you are now committed! You either have to fill ALL the Ad Spots or....give refunds to those who've paid in....or....decide to take a loss and go ahead with the program with the few who paid in.

"In-Person" sales has always worked for me. Phoning....email....direct mail are IFFY. I have enough confidence in my sales abilities that I can collect money from the first advertiser of a 20 to 30 ad program and have NO concern that I will FILL the spots.

So....consider In-Person sales!

Don Alm....long-time In-Person guy
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Ant Cash

10 years ago

Originally Posted by QRtstry

Hey John, I'm totally new to this forum but I had to reply because I've developed something that relates specifically to what you are trying to do with the magnets. I've changed the way QR codes function and have developed a management system that allows multiple advertisers to share space on a single QR code. Think about interactive, scannable magnets with programmable special offers on the other side! I'm working on writing a turn-key program to make it easy to sell, too. If you are interested, contact me and we can chat...

Hi my friend i am Definitely interested in your program.. where can i see it?

Thanks
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QRtstry 10 years ago

Originally Posted by Ant Cash

Hi my friend i am Definitely interested in your program.. where can i see it?

Thanks for your interest, Ant Cash!

My company, QRtstry, has developed a QR code management system that allows for new content to be delivered with each and every scan!

Here is an example of the codes basic function that we did as a demo for the fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon.

The first time you scan it, you are taken to a landing page description. You can click the button at the bottom "Take me to the deals" or scan it again and be taken to the next participating advertiser without the description page coming up again. Scan again, next advertiser, etc.

We are launching a new Qpon Roulette branded magnet product using that same system to help businesses immediately reach more consumers, share customer networks, deliver a monthly email offer, and spend less money on truly effective mobile marketing.
It looks something like this:

The content is still being designed and developed, but you can scan it to see what we have so far. Repeated scans will deliver different coupons. Right now coupon images are placeholders. Final coupons will look more like this:

The program will include features like:

-Monthly sweepstakes email list builder and mailing service
-A self-managed advertiser dashboard for changing content and accessing statistics
-Custom trackable coupon generator with email and Facebook sharing
-Mapping
-Click to Call
-Coupon "micro-site" listing all current offers (browse for deals)

We are currently looking for resellers to help us introduce this unique marketing product to businesses across the country. Campaigns can be customized to meet the needs of your specific target market. Contact me to learn more about how you can use this system to create an excellent additional revenue stream.
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