Just a quick question tonight regarding when you are targeting small businesses.
I have noticed that some don't put their business/home address on their webistes but instead have one of those send me a email type of things (sorry don't know the techy name for it). where you type in your details etc and then put in the comments box reason for email, ie you want them to come round and give you a quote etc.
My question is if you have a standard letter that you send out to perspective new clients would you fill in one of these and copy and paste you letter into the comments box? And if you did that would it come out ok at the other end?
Also how many of you have actually got replys from emails you have sent out marketing yourselfs etc.
Personally I wouldn't use a contact us form to send a sales email. I receive them, and generally delete them straight away. Email marketing works if people opt into it. Put something on your website your users want and give them it in exchange for their email address. Get their permission to send them things. There is spam legislation in the UK which it would pay to read up on if your are going to be sending emails to people who haven't asked for them.
I still get better returns from a proper letter. Somehow it carries more importance than an email, especially an email from someone you don't know.
I did send one last night and then afterwards thought about it! It was postcard advert that I got through the door and judging by the phone number are about 5 miles away from me. They didn't have an address or a proper email address so that why I couldn't send them a letter. I do prefer to send letters.
Rather than start a new thread I thought I'd keep this one going. Has anyone targeted Beauty Salons/Nail Salons?
There seem to be a few new ones in my area so thought I'd have a go at them. Any tips on this sort of business? Apart from does anyone think having your feet nibbled by fish is just disgusting! Someone told me they don't change the water until they have had a few clients? That kind of put me off.
On a serious note are they a good client to go for?
thanks
-- Edited by Amanda on Monday 14th of May 2012 04:46:47 PM
I did a bit of targeting of mobile beauty technicians with little joy. Far be it from me to say, but I got the distinct impression that those who pay tax were in the minority. I've never tried actual salons so I'd be delighted to hear how you get on.
Ive always thought this was an interesting subject as I believe it is illegal not to display certain information on a website as per The Ecommerce Regulations, passed in 2002 " certain information is listed on a website, including, "where the service provider is registered in a trade or similar register available to the public, details of the register in which the service provider is entered and his registration number, or equivalent means of identification in that register".
Im surprised how many havent been pulled up on this yet.
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Donna Curling - Complete Book-Keeping Ltd (CBKLtd) - 07939 101900
Its a difficult one as the Ecommerce regulations take no account of the nutters out there.
As always, regulations are drafted by those who see only a perfect world full of honest people. They gear such regulations to protect the general public and give no consideration to protecting business from the general public!
When I speak with potential clients they get all the information (in writing) about my busness that they could even need. But for the website whilst the information in on there I try to hide it so that it needs a bit of searching for... Although anyone with half a brain cell would know that they could just go off to webcheck to find what they need (downside of being incorporated).
However, at least I feel partially protected from those who don't possess half a braincell.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
well just got some good news and thought I'd share it.
I have been sending out letters this last 2 weeks regarding new business. Just got a phone call from someone local who wants to start using me from August. It will be doing all the financial stuff for his business and the payroll. I was abit shocked but also pleased! It will be a very decent size of account which is funny as he's the largest one I sent the letter to all the rest are small guys, and I was thinking oh welll a couple of small ones will do! He will replace my one that is just going.
Out of interest guys when you send out letters for marketing, how many do you try to do in a week, fitting it around actual working and looking up names etc on the internet. I find that I use quite abit of time researching names/business on the internet and then send out the letters and I keep a spreadsheet of who I have sent the letters to so I can follow them up (if I get the time).
Is there a quicker way of doing it I wonder??............ Does anyone else keep a spreadsheet of who they have sent them too? I bet Peasie would have a spreadsheet, hes got one on everything!
Hi Amanda, when I stared sending letters I was doing them at a rate of about 20 letters 3 times a week. This was a manageable number to send but also to followup later. I did use a spreadsheet to begin with but changed fairly quickly to a proper customer relationship management package. The one I chose was amphis customer, it was less than £100 and has paid for itself many times over. Again when I started I was researching each business myslef for addresses and contact names. I then bought the details in from a company who supply details of startups, but I found them poor. Finally I engaged the services of a VA to do the research for me, this worked quite well. I wish you luck.
Another wee point. When I started I was printing letter, stuffing envelopes, messing about with stamps and walking to the post box. Then I found cfh docmail which I used until imail came along. I now use them for every letter I send as it's as easy as clicking print and they do the rest.
