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View Full Version : Advertising?
beautigal
09-26-2005, 05:47 PM
Hello,
I was just wondering how much businessyou get by putting up flyers? Has anyone actually gotten calls that they know came because of their flyer, or from handing out business cards to random people? I attend college, and I wonder if it would be a good idea to put up my business card or a flyer on the bulletin boards at school?
I am trying to think of ways to start having parties. My friends and family really do not seem interested in hosting one.
So if anyone could give me some ideas that would be wonderful. I know I just started, but I am starting to feel a little frustrated. Two people that said they would hostess a party for me before I started pretty much backed out. They were like, "hey you should do that, I will host a party for you," and now when I askits like "I don't have anyone to invite, and I really can't now."
Anyway, I need to get my name out there and I am just wondering what forms of advertising are the most beneficial and profitable.
Thanks everyone! I love this message board, I have really learned a lot!!
I was just wondering how much businessyou get by putting up flyers? Has anyone actually gotten calls that they know came because of their flyer, or from handing out business cards to random people? I attend college, and I wonder if it would be a good idea to put up my business card or a flyer on the bulletin boards at school?
I am trying to think of ways to start having parties. My friends and family really do not seem interested in hosting one.
So if anyone could give me some ideas that would be wonderful. I know I just started, but I am starting to feel a little frustrated. Two people that said they would hostess a party for me before I started pretty much backed out. They were like, "hey you should do that, I will host a party for you," and now when I askits like "I don't have anyone to invite, and I really can't now."
Anyway, I need to get my name out there and I am just wondering what forms of advertising are the most beneficial and profitable.
Thanks everyone! I love this message board, I have really learned a lot!!
UNcommonScents
09-26-2005, 06:29 PM
Hi Lisa,
Congratulations on your new business venture! Starting out can be
difficult, but don't give up. What company are you with? You will need to
identify your customer base and try to target people who will be
interested in your products in some way. Fliers on campus will only be
effective if you are reaching the right people. (For example, when I was
living in a dorm, I didn't have much need for tupperware.)
Here are a list of possible "leads" for you to consider:
-Have a button or pin made up to attach to your purse/jacket/
backpack. This is a great way to advertise what you do and have people
who are interested in what you sell come to YOU. I have a clear plastic
tote from Clinique that I use as my "walking billboard". I place a copy of
my company's catalog facing outward on either side, and carry along my
purse, book, etc. in this tote every where I go. People who are tea lovers
are automatically curious and ask me about it- a fantastic way to gain
new customers!
-Open houses and tradeshows/expos/craft shows are also a great way to
introduce your product and get your name out there. Because you are on
campus, an ideal opportunity for you would be to have a booth at the
next job fair and recruit other people to do what you do! You may or may
not get recruits, but it will be a great opportunity to network, hand out
your business cards, and get your name out to the public.
-Fundraisers are another option that may be successful for you-
depending on which company you are with- perhaps you can work
something out with local sororities to host parties and donate part of the
proceeds or the hostess benefits which can then be raffled to raise
additional funds.
-Have you asked your friends/family/etc. who do not want to have an in-
home party if they would consider doing a catalog party or show your
catalog to friends and coworkers? If you are like me and find it difficult to
ask this of people, start by just asking if they will show your catalog or
place it in their place of business. This has generated many leads for me
and has led to people offering to do catalog parties.
-If you have any friends or relatives who are teachers, have them put your
catalog in the teacher's lounge. As a former teacher, now staying home, I
can attest- teachers LOVE LOVE LOVE to look at catalogs and order stuff
on their lunch hour!
-Likewise- if you know anyone who works for a large company or firm,
ask them to place catalogs in the lounges. Or if they have an online Buy/
Sell/Trade email post, ask them to post a message for you. I have had
several large catalog parties through my husband's company this way.
-Place a self-made flier ad in your car window. Perhaps just your
company logo, your name as consultant and contact info
-Solicit your business card everywhere you can on local bulletin boards
etc.
-Create a signature line in your email and on bulletin boards (like this
one) so people can SEE what you do and which company you represent.
People can't buy from you if they don't know what you're selling!
Likewise, if applicable, use your company products as often as possible,
so that when people comment on them or ask you about them, you can
tell them what you do!
Most importantly, TALK about what you do and don't be afraid to ASK ASK
ASK!
It's not uncommon to have a slow start when you begin with direct sales/
party plans, but once you get those first few parties booked, things will
start snowballing for you!
Best of luck to you in your new business venture. This is a great place to
ask questions and get fabulous advice. Please be sure to give an update
with how you are doing. smileys/smiley17.gif
--Kitt
Congratulations on your new business venture! Starting out can be
difficult, but don't give up. What company are you with? You will need to
identify your customer base and try to target people who will be
interested in your products in some way. Fliers on campus will only be
effective if you are reaching the right people. (For example, when I was
living in a dorm, I didn't have much need for tupperware.)
Here are a list of possible "leads" for you to consider:
-Have a button or pin made up to attach to your purse/jacket/
backpack. This is a great way to advertise what you do and have people
who are interested in what you sell come to YOU. I have a clear plastic
tote from Clinique that I use as my "walking billboard". I place a copy of
my company's catalog facing outward on either side, and carry along my
purse, book, etc. in this tote every where I go. People who are tea lovers
are automatically curious and ask me about it- a fantastic way to gain
new customers!
-Open houses and tradeshows/expos/craft shows are also a great way to
introduce your product and get your name out there. Because you are on
campus, an ideal opportunity for you would be to have a booth at the
next job fair and recruit other people to do what you do! You may or may
not get recruits, but it will be a great opportunity to network, hand out
your business cards, and get your name out to the public.
-Fundraisers are another option that may be successful for you-
depending on which company you are with- perhaps you can work
something out with local sororities to host parties and donate part of the
proceeds or the hostess benefits which can then be raffled to raise
additional funds.
-Have you asked your friends/family/etc. who do not want to have an in-
home party if they would consider doing a catalog party or show your
catalog to friends and coworkers? If you are like me and find it difficult to
ask this of people, start by just asking if they will show your catalog or
place it in their place of business. This has generated many leads for me
and has led to people offering to do catalog parties.
-If you have any friends or relatives who are teachers, have them put your
catalog in the teacher's lounge. As a former teacher, now staying home, I
can attest- teachers LOVE LOVE LOVE to look at catalogs and order stuff
on their lunch hour!
-Likewise- if you know anyone who works for a large company or firm,
ask them to place catalogs in the lounges. Or if they have an online Buy/
Sell/Trade email post, ask them to post a message for you. I have had
several large catalog parties through my husband's company this way.
-Place a self-made flier ad in your car window. Perhaps just your
company logo, your name as consultant and contact info
-Solicit your business card everywhere you can on local bulletin boards
etc.
-Create a signature line in your email and on bulletin boards (like this
one) so people can SEE what you do and which company you represent.
People can't buy from you if they don't know what you're selling!
Likewise, if applicable, use your company products as often as possible,
so that when people comment on them or ask you about them, you can
tell them what you do!
Most importantly, TALK about what you do and don't be afraid to ASK ASK
ASK!
It's not uncommon to have a slow start when you begin with direct sales/
party plans, but once you get those first few parties booked, things will
start snowballing for you!
Best of luck to you in your new business venture. This is a great place to
ask questions and get fabulous advice. Please be sure to give an update
with how you are doing. smileys/smiley17.gif
--Kitt
beautigal
09-26-2005, 07:13 PM
Thank you Kitt - You are so awesome!! smileys/smiley32.gif smileys/smiley1.gif smileys/smiley32.gif
I am with BeautiControl and I love the products, so hopefully that will show when I am talking with people about what I do.
What a great idea to get a button - in fact all of your ideas are great! I am going to start with the button and work my way down the list of ideas you gave me. It makes me feel good to hear that you have confidence in what I am doing!
That is so cool that you are a teacher, what did you teach?I am going to school to be an elementary teacher, with a possible math minor. I will hopefully be done in about a year and a half.
I just want to thank you again for taking so much time to help me out! It is people like you that help others succeed and feel good about what they do! I will for sure keep you posted on how I am doing!
I am with BeautiControl and I love the products, so hopefully that will show when I am talking with people about what I do.
What a great idea to get a button - in fact all of your ideas are great! I am going to start with the button and work my way down the list of ideas you gave me. It makes me feel good to hear that you have confidence in what I am doing!
That is so cool that you are a teacher, what did you teach?I am going to school to be an elementary teacher, with a possible math minor. I will hopefully be done in about a year and a half.
I just want to thank you again for taking so much time to help me out! It is people like you that help others succeed and feel good about what they do! I will for sure keep you posted on how I am doing!
psbp
09-26-2005, 07:39 PM
Hi Lisa!
One simple thing that I do is wear my name tag each day. I think of it as my "business attire"! So many people look at it and wonder what BYB is, that it's easy to start up a conversation!
Good luck with your new adventure!
smileys/smiley1.gif
One simple thing that I do is wear my name tag each day. I think of it as my "business attire"! So many people look at it and wonder what BYB is, that it's easy to start up a conversation!
Good luck with your new adventure!
smileys/smiley1.gif
Bev S
09-27-2005, 05:55 AM
Wow Kitt! Those are awesome answers! I love the idea of the button. I used to be a party consultant and I had a sparkly pin that said, I do parties! I got comments constantly from people asking me what kind of parties I did!
I'd love to come up with some kind of slogan for my business that would get people to ask me about my business. I thought about just saying, "Read any Good Books lately?" but I'm not sure that would be enough to get someone to make a comment.....
Any idea on what a Christian book business button could say????
Bev
I'd love to come up with some kind of slogan for my business that would get people to ask me about my business. I thought about just saying, "Read any Good Books lately?" but I'm not sure that would be enough to get someone to make a comment.....
Any idea on what a Christian book business button could say????
Bev
