Milt'y Base..Should I do a rental guide or what?
 

Hi, everyone! :)

I live near a large multi-branch military base now & was thinking of what to do here to capitalize on all the activity that's always going on here. The possiblities are just limitless!!! ~lol~

One thing in particular I'm thinking of is a Rental Guide. You know, where I put out a listing (with all the details of each house) of available rentals. I knew a lady that did this in Oklahoma City & called it Stricly Rents. But she did a little paper & also put out "Strictly Jobs" while she was at it. I know she had to be very busy!

But I do have some Q's I'd like your opinion on, like how should I charge? I could give it free & charge the consumers to buy the publication - (I would staple it shut) or I could of course charge agents & landlords to be in it...not sure about that one, how well it would work. Also, it will have to start out as a one page deal, b/c I don't have $500 to put into it for printing just yet.

Anyway, I'd like to hear/see some ideas, if you would. Anything is appreciated as I'm just brainstorming right now. (Oh, I also thought of sending it via email.)

Thanks,
B.:)

Re: Milt'y Base..Should I do a rental guide or what?
 

I think you'd have a hard time getting people to BUY the guide - after all, much rental information is available for free, such as in daily newspapers.

It would be more viable, I believe, if you charged people to advertise within it - not only landlords but other agencies that cater to people newly moving into rentals, such as cable TV services or carpet cleaners.

Good luck!

Diana
http://www.PublicityTrafficSystem.com
Create a tidal wave of targeted traffic to your website through the power of TV, radio and print publicity - absolutely free!

Re: Milt'y Base..Should I do a rental guide or what?
 

Thank you, Diana for your comments.:)

I did think of doing that, & that is a nice thought, I am just *so* tired of selling advertising! ~lol~

The real draw of these kinds of ads is that you can put real DETAIL into these ads. Like who takes pets, what type of house this is, etc. and also the can be mailed out of town to people wanting to move in or knowing they'll be here soon, since this is military.

I also thought of putting it onto a website...so much easier on me - (KISS theory here.) then I could just give them access thru a password-but that could be a problem on it's own as I don't know how to do that! lol Think I'll just stay away from that one, thinking of it!

Thanks! Looking forward to hearing some more input, too! :)

~Bea

Re: Milt'y Base..Should I do a rental guide or what?
 

Hi Bea,

How about something Different... :)

Keep in Mind military is a "Hot" Topic these days...

Think about Military business ideas by Brainstorming particular Services and Products that Military families may Require...

How about becoming a Specialized consultant and starting up a Network of Military Newsletters/Blogs with Quality content matched with Advertisers who want to reach those readers...

Online, there are Many Advertising networks available...

Could someone else Startup the following idea at a different level with a Fresh “twist” :)

Read the 2nd story... At Their Service...
http://www.entrepreneur.com/magazine...rch/69250.html
http://www.militaryexits.com/

Some Food for Thought... Google is Full of Military ideas...

http://militaryconnection.com/
http://www.armystudyguide.com/
http://www.militaryhandbooks.com/

Consider Branding & Blending Military Hotsheets into the above ideas...

MilitaryHotsheet/MilitaryHotsheets dot com (both available) ;)

Phil

Re: Milt'y Base..Should I do a rental guide or what?
 

Thanks, Phil! :)

Btw, Phil
I bought the hotsheet deal, & have lost my login/website info...can I regain that?

Thanks!
~Bea

Re: Milt'y Base..Should I do a rental guide or what?
 

Bea,

If you mean the login/website info with your web host...

Usually there's a link for retrieval or just email support...

If that's not the Question... explain...

Phil

Re: Milt'y Base..Should I do a rental guide or what?
 

http://www.militarybyowner.com/terms.asp

http://www.militaryforsaleforrent.co...ip_plans.shtml

http://www.business.com/directory/ae...e_communities/

Payday loans:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...2/ai_n14609295

"Entertainment"
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/ar...333899,00.html

Military Housing Offices
 

Aloha B,

Just realize that your competition is going to be the military itself. Every military base has a "military housing office" that you are REQUIRED to visit upon arrival to a new duty station.

Their mission?

To assist military members in finding housing. So I am not sure you will find a starving crowd.

Respectfully,

Jason Cain

Why not target the families of the service folks
 

.... what happens near to us is that there can often be a demand for holiday accommodation for folks visiting their service families. Mothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles look for good value hotels and bed & breakfasts, eating places, visitor attractions .....

... I hope that doesn't distract you from your main idea?? -

Margaret

Re: Milt'y Base..Should I do a rental guide or what?
 

Ok, well, Hmmm...

I didn't realize that they had the housing office, either. I think I'll keep looking or perhaps, just try it by putting a juicy ad in the paper.

Thanks to everyone who answered! :)

Phil,
I have lost the actual website where I CAN log into.

Does that help?

Thanks,
Bea:)

Re: Milt'y Base..Should I do a rental guide or what?
 

Bea,

Even though they may have a housing office...

For whatever reason...

Many in the Military still choose to live outside of those boundaries and families always Use businesses & services in other Communities...

Just Think outside of the Box no matter the Concept... :)

Regarding your website problem...

Who is your web host?

Google them and click on Contact/Support...

Phil

Re: Milt'y Base..Should I do a rental guide or what?
 

I can agree with Phil from personal experience.

When I was in the military I rarely ever stayed in military housing.
One group in particular I found also never stayed in housing.

Those families on their last tour and this was the city they
planned to settle in.

Also military housing can have a waiting list which sucks and
the higher the rank the faster you move up the list.

It's Not Just For On-Base Housing...
 

Aloha Garth,

The Military Housing Office serves two purposes. Yes, it helps people get in to on-base housing, but it also connects military members with landlords out in the community.

Here is just one of the services I was talking about...

Automated Housing Referral Network

Aloha,

Jason Cain

Don't Give Up Just Yet...Here's Three Ideas
 

Hi Bea,

I served for over 20 years in the U.S. Air Force. Each time I was selected for reassignment, I received a “Sponsors Package.” It was a large manila envelope which contained really cool information about where I was being reassigned. I’m willing to bet the other branches of service do the same.

The Base Personnel Office usually was the central authority for the content of the Sponsors Package. Personnel in the unit orderly rooms would go and get however many packages they needed when they needed them. (I’m sure you could get a good rounded number on how many are distributed each year.) They probably send out thousands each year, each base. Not everyone who gets orders for reassignment actually arrives for various reasons.

Also, the central office where families get all kinds of goodies (free oil changes, one or two days of free day care a month, free lawn care, etc.) is the Family Support Center. The folks there are just about as nice a people that you’ll ever meet. They have a section just for supporting the families of our deployed troops.

Become friendly with the offices on base which will be distributing your material. I’m sure they’ll be happy to include what you’re offering to their distribution system, for free (they can’t charge for this!)

1. Get the distribution number of the sponsor packages. Make a Hotsheet of local business which offer military discounts.

2. Ask local businesses what they would be willing to give-a-way or discount to support the families of deployed troops. You goods will be distributed through the Family Support Center. They verify who is actually deployed. They usually hand the goodies packages out just before the family member deploys.

3. The base where I work now, as a civilian employee, has a humongous civilian workforce. The civilian personnel office holds a big hiring event each month at the local State workforce services office. At this event, they too hand out a “welcome” package.” Good for distributing “We support those who work at xxx” offers.

Tim

Tim & Phil...
 

Wow, Tim
That's a goldmine of information! Thanks!! :)

Phil...
My face is red, hon. You know - I was thinking you are the one here that writes the info on hotsheets...I know now it's Pete...sorry for the confusion! ~lol~ I cannot believe me at times & you were so helpful, too!

Thanks to all who participated here!

Bea