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Car windshield flyers to advertise... Is it Okay??? 2
- Thread starter mark01
- Start date
There's a chance you would be charged with littering (if they blow off the car, or if someone just throws it on the ground).
Is it effective? I would guess it's more effective than direct mail, which has around a 2-5% response rate. My concern would be that you might appear "cheap" by doing this. I would make sure the flyer looks professionally done.
Brightly colored paper is probably more effective than plain white, I would guess.
Chip H.
____________________________________________________________________
If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first
Is it effective? I would guess it's more effective than direct mail, which has around a 2-5% response rate. My concern would be that you might appear "cheap" by doing this. I would make sure the flyer looks professionally done.
Brightly colored paper is probably more effective than plain white, I would guess.
Chip H.
____________________________________________________________________
If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first
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2
- #4
What is the target of your business?
Are you targeting the home/personal user?
If so, I would recommend getting your flyers out to houses directly. There are two reasons for this:
First, you can focus your attention on very local business. It is far less costly to have clients in one geographic area.
Second, you will likely run into people who are having problems at that particular moment. You'll get a chance to talk to them and perhaps service an account right then.
If you are targeting businesses, I would say that flyers on cars would be extremely inneffective. You need to get your message in front of the right people - your target is business owner/CFOs/controllers, or the IT Department.
Personally, I never market directly to IT. My consulting is rather niche and I would rather make my ROI case with the person who feels/sees the pain. That is in the executive offices...
I hope this helps.
Matthew Moran
Are you targeting the home/personal user?
If so, I would recommend getting your flyers out to houses directly. There are two reasons for this:
First, you can focus your attention on very local business. It is far less costly to have clients in one geographic area.
Second, you will likely run into people who are having problems at that particular moment. You'll get a chance to talk to them and perhaps service an account right then.
If you are targeting businesses, I would say that flyers on cars would be extremely inneffective. You need to get your message in front of the right people - your target is business owner/CFOs/controllers, or the IT Department.
Personally, I never market directly to IT. My consulting is rather niche and I would rather make my ROI case with the person who feels/sees the pain. That is in the executive offices...
I hope this helps.
Matthew Moran
- Thread starter
- #6
When you indicate "computer consulting", what do you mean?
Most important: do you have a market? I'm not saying you can't go outside of that market but identifying who is likely to use your services will dictate how/where you will market.
I market my services to mid-sized companies (those with 30-200) people, that are growing and profitable, within a very small geographic area. However, I was referred into the company I am consulting for right now and this is one small unit of an much larger company. As a small unit it has 370 employees - which is larger than my targeted client.
Targeting a market doesn't limit you - but it does help you focus.
Simple question: What does your ideal client look like?
Thanks.
Matthew Moran
Most important: do you have a market? I'm not saying you can't go outside of that market but identifying who is likely to use your services will dictate how/where you will market.
I market my services to mid-sized companies (those with 30-200) people, that are growing and profitable, within a very small geographic area. However, I was referred into the company I am consulting for right now and this is one small unit of an much larger company. As a small unit it has 370 employees - which is larger than my targeted client.
Targeting a market doesn't limit you - but it does help you focus.
Simple question: What does your ideal client look like?
Thanks.
Matthew Moran
Flyers on the windshield? If you can't see outside through them, you may get in trouble in some states, if not in all of them.
Also, obstructing windshields is frowned upon by police who like to see inside through them.
Most "serious" card ads are placed on the body of the vehicle -- while keeping windshields free of any writings.
Also, obstructing windshields is frowned upon by police who like to see inside through them.
Most "serious" card ads are placed on the body of the vehicle -- while keeping windshields free of any writings.
If you're using your car for your business, have you thought of applying some vinyl graphics to it?
Chip H.
____________________________________________________________________
If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first
Chip H.
____________________________________________________________________
If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first
Um...Dimandja, I believe he was referring to leaving flyers on the windshield of cars in a parking lot (one flyer per car), not covering his car windshield with flyers. (-:
mark01, you say you need some free advertising, but if you figure up to cost of having the flyers printed (even if you do it yourself), wouldn't it be just as easy to run an ad in your local newspaper? You would reach a lot more people in a lot less time.
Hope This Helps!
Ecobb
Beer Consumption Analyst
"My work is a game, a very serious game." - M.C. Escher
mark01, you say you need some free advertising, but if you figure up to cost of having the flyers printed (even if you do it yourself), wouldn't it be just as easy to run an ad in your local newspaper? You would reach a lot more people in a lot less time.
Hope This Helps!
Ecobb
Beer Consumption Analyst
"My work is a game, a very serious game." - M.C. Escher
Also, depending on the target of the consulting, it is often useful to begin attending the Chamber of Commerce events in yours and neighboring localities. Many events are business card exchanges where you come in contact with other local business owners. A friend of mine met the owner of a local car dealership and got a web design contract as well as a service contract to clean their computers of malware/spyware (update protections, etc) on a monthly basis. He then realized he should market to auto dealers in general....
~Thadeus
~Thadeus
GlenJohnson
MIS
Here's what you wanta do. Start listening to the most popular talk radio show in your area. When they start a drive for something, call them up, and tell them that anybody that donates more than $25 for the cause, you will give them one hour of FREE computer consulting. Doesn't matter if it's for home or business, $25 gets them one hour free. This will get you publicity, and show people you care about helping the community. Last, make sure you FOLLOW THRU with anybody that donates the $25. Good luck.
Glen A. Johnson
If you're from Northern Illinois/Southern Wisconsin/Central Florida feel free to join the Tek-Tips in Chicago, Illinois Forum.
TTinChicago
Johnson Computers
![[xmastree]](/data/assets/smilies/xmastree.gif "[xmastree] [xmastree]")
Glen A. Johnson
If you're from Northern Illinois/Southern Wisconsin/Central Florida feel free to join the Tek-Tips in Chicago, Illinois Forum.
TTinChicago
Johnson Computers
- Thread starter
- #15
Okay, due to the negative opinion's about Car Flyer's, I have decided to put an insert in the local newspaper instead. I really didn't like the windshield flyer idea either.
Does anyone have an estimate on the response rate of a paper insert in the local newspaper? I have included a discount coupon on the flyer. I plan on submitting 1000 flyers to startout...
How many people do you think will respond?
Does anyone have an estimate on the response rate of a paper insert in the local newspaper? I have included a discount coupon on the flyer. I plan on submitting 1000 flyers to startout...
How many people do you think will respond?
Mark01,
I asked earlier about your market. Can you answer this question and we can provide a better response. I've personally assisted many consultant to go from making a couple thousand to between $7k-$12k a month in a few months time.
But these are, of course, small-business accounts - not home users.
So, once again, what is your market? What services are you planning on providing?
Matthew Moran
I asked earlier about your market. Can you answer this question and we can provide a better response. I've personally assisted many consultant to go from making a couple thousand to between $7k-$12k a month in a few months time.
But these are, of course, small-business accounts - not home users.
So, once again, what is your market? What services are you planning on providing?
Matthew Moran
- Thread starter
- #17
Home users you are on your own. They simply cannot produce enough revenue consistently for me to spend time on that market. However, a friend of mine made a flyer and passed them out in his neighborhood. He spent 30 dollars making black and white copies and picked up about $1,200 in home user work over the past couple of weeks.
He only does this part-time, so I consider that a pretty good return on his time and money.
Regarding business, I would get your material directly to them on foot. Unless you have name recognition, a flyer in a newspaper carries no weight. If you walk through a business district you can meet a few people while you distribute your materials. This creates opportunities for conversation and helps you be remembered.
Have a "elevator pitch" ready. A once-sentence "why you want me" statement. Take a business card and write any info you can on it. Follow up in 2-4 days. Continue to follow up until you reach someone.
Once you land a client, referrals, referrals, referrals - they become pre-sold, easy to land deals. Ask for referrals all the time.
That is the best I can give you. I don't think random, non-followed up flyers are very effective - particularly as you start out as an independent.
I currently work for a client that I landed by walking in the door and then following up. This year I have done $82,000 in business with them. My literature is a fairly neat but basic black and white 8.5 X 11 piece of paper.
It asks if their technology expenditures for the past few years have yielded the return on investment or increase in productivity they thought they would. If not, I can help!
I hope this gives you some ideas. Good luck and report back.
Matthew Moran
He only does this part-time, so I consider that a pretty good return on his time and money.
Regarding business, I would get your material directly to them on foot. Unless you have name recognition, a flyer in a newspaper carries no weight. If you walk through a business district you can meet a few people while you distribute your materials. This creates opportunities for conversation and helps you be remembered.
Have a "elevator pitch" ready. A once-sentence "why you want me" statement. Take a business card and write any info you can on it. Follow up in 2-4 days. Continue to follow up until you reach someone.
Once you land a client, referrals, referrals, referrals - they become pre-sold, easy to land deals. Ask for referrals all the time.
That is the best I can give you. I don't think random, non-followed up flyers are very effective - particularly as you start out as an independent.
I currently work for a client that I landed by walking in the door and then following up. This year I have done $82,000 in business with them. My literature is a fairly neat but basic black and white 8.5 X 11 piece of paper.
It asks if their technology expenditures for the past few years have yielded the return on investment or increase in productivity they thought they would. If not, I can help!
I hope this gives you some ideas. Good luck and report back.
Matthew Moran
- Thread starter
- #19
I'm not sure. I think he did about 120 but I will ask. All the accounts are local to him - right in his neighborhood.
Matthew Moran
Matthew Moran
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