Flyer Support

[On Call PC Solutions]

Good Afternoon Forum

I wanted to hear your thoughts on an idea I had. Last Saturday when I was doing a marketing run and meeting with some business owners I had an idea. Basically, for the businesses that support me by making my cards or flyers available, I would create a two sided "On Call PC Solutions" supporter page... Full color and all. The contents of that page would be the businesses (non computer of course) name, location, contact, and website if one is available. I would give this to my customers as they get the carbon receipt for service or sale back. I have decided to do this already, but I haven't actually made the sheet yet. When I make it, it will be very clean and professional looking like all my other stuff is. What are your thoughts on this?

[exor]

Sounds like a great, innovative reciprocal advertising idea! I think that if you can find a number of small businesses who are craving to get their message out, and if you pitch it well to these businesses, then they will be willing to help you. I'd like to hear how this goes.

[On Call PC Solutions]

I will let you know. Thanks.

[exor]

You're welcome. More thoughts:

• include larger sections for different level of sponsorship
• promise to include sponsors at the end of your email newsletters

[ineedatech911]

So what were the results? How is this working out for you?

[On Call PC Solutions]

Good Morning
I have actually done it. I did not do it in the way I initially envision it. Instead it came to me to do it better. I have created an “affiliate” (http://www.oncallpc.net/Affiliates.html) page that has these business on them. I did my pitch to businesses telling them of what my intentions were concerning my website. For my existing businesses affiliates I am offering a FREE tune up to the person who is actually promoting my business (if they are in or near Greensboro). Every month I will be going to their house, do the tune up. During the tune up, I am talking to them, about things like “what peeked your interest in…” Most importantly listening, really listening. Well the response has been so much better then I could have hoped for. The standard tune up usually takes 15 – 30 minutes. During this time I get to communicate with them and MOST IMPORTANTLY keep them aware of my presence.

Another part of my affiliate program is located on my “Special Offers” page. There is a link (currently inactive) to “Supporter of the Week” (http://www.oncallpc.net/SpecialOffers.html), which the affiliates I have talked to LOVE. It will be a full page bio / ad. They provide the data info; I put it on the site.

The response I have gotten about my new affiliate program is awesome. Since I started it I have picked up 7 businesses. This weekend I have 8 possible apartment complexes to add!!! I ‘m thinking about offering “corporate discounts” for them @ about 10% – 15% continuous or 20% first time. Not sure how I want to do that.

All of my affiliates have a stack of my “budget flyers” (the cheap yellow paper ones with high volume services and cost listed, along with a discount) places in high traffic areas, like at Pizza Hut, on the counter where ppl pay, or in the hair salon next to the magazines. For Properties, they are put into new tenet packets.

That’s where I am at with that endeavor. It hasn’t generated a whole lot of business yet as it has just kicked off not to long ago and I am in the process of still adding affiliates and calling the existing ones. They are moving my flyers though to willing recipients, not car doors and empty apartment homes.

Another benefit to this is when I do the tune up, the affiliate sees the quality of work I do and can better advocate my services if asked or prompted. I went to a salon yesterday to thank personally one of my affiliates for a testimonial she left on my website (http://www.oncallpc.net/Testimonials.html ) and when I went in, EVERYONE was aware of who I am and what I do. That’s nice.

I am open to suggestion on how I can make my affiliate program better. In the long run I see myself having an online directory with my supporters. I came up with that idea several months ago, then I saw it on another Tech business site. They did it nicely. Later I will put these businesses into what I wanna call a “freshman kit” because Greensboro is a big place with many colleges, UNCG, NCA&T, GTCC (Several Campuses), Greensboro College, Bennet College, High Point University (High Point), plus a bunch of little colleges. These kits could help a freshman acclimate themselves with Greensboro.

[exor]

Awesome job. Sounds like you're turning into a marketing guru If you can bridge the gap b/t marketing and computers, that can take you a long way. You've discovered some excellent ways to promote your business!

[On Call PC Solutions]

Thanks.

[trigger_this]

I understand the online parts.

But let me see if I understand the in person sponsor stuff...

You go to a business expo or what have you to find business that would like to be on your flyer given to your customers during transaction of their service or products?