Can I get some advice...?
 

As I had posted before I am just beginning an advertising flyer distribution biz in my city.
I do 5,000 flyers in a bag & hang them from doorknobs of affluent homes here.

The rub is that it is just my daughters & I to sell, bag & distribute all 5,000. In the present hours that we have to donate to this project it will take us 33 days to deliver all 5,000. We sell the project saying one batch will go out per month. That means we will work every day of the month distributing & then some. Not counting rainy days or Sundays or ANY day off for anything unexpected. I charge $120 for this service per biz in the bag.

My Q is: I really need to think about cutting it down to 2,500 homes that it goes out to, but can't really afford to do it much cheaper if any at all. If I do cut it down, what should I cut the price down to?

The business model that I took this off of charged for 10,000- $400. So I cut it down some & did 5,000 for the $120. Using that model I SHOULD charge $100 for the 2,500, BUT...and my second Q here...
Will the advertisers that I ALREADY have (I just started & am still distributing last months, which was our first month) agree to cut down to distributing only 2,500 & STILL pay almost what they were for the whole 5,000???

I hope I am being clear, I'm trying to rush to get the girls to school, but I also have to meet with a new potential client this am, & was hoping to have some answers from you pros before that to kind of guide me on what to say. (I told this man on the phone yesterday that we do the 5,000, but I'm thinking of just being honest w/him that it is taking too long & we need to cut this months run back.)

Well, thanks for the help, sowpub members!!:) I'm kind of in a spot to really need some business wisdom here & I'm sure glad we have this forum to communicate like this!:) :)

Re: Can I get some advice...?
 

Thanks for asking Bea.

Some ideas:

1. Ask the newspaper delivery person to add your envelope to all the newspapers. That way - you just collect the orders and you pay someone else to do the distribution.

2. Here is a simple idea to test with pricing without getting a lot of complaints from current clients. Give two options, then cut the one you don't like after some time.

For eg: You could raise your prices from $120 to $150 easily for 5,000 distributions. So you could do this:
Option A: People pay $150 for 5000 houses
Option B: People pay $100 for 2500 houses

After a month or two, you get rid of option A. If your clients complain - you can simply tell them that the other option was better for your business. If the difference isn't much, most of your clients will switch to the other option without a lot of fuss.

(Btw, I think $120 and even $150 for 5000 is way too cheap. You should increase your prices. Most flyer distribution services charge close to 10 cents per flyer - or $100 per 1000 flyers - even if its co-op.)

Sure, Bea, we always have a lot of advice here...however
 

it comes back to what YOU want to do.

So, let's take a look at this thing.

It's taking longer than you thought it would. You have a distribution problem. Possible solutions:

Outsource this or hire other people to do it. Problem: COST.

IF you do let others (think high school kids, maybe clubs or athletes) deliver these, you have to pay them...which frees up your time to get more ads into the thing to cover your added distribution costs.

Since it is a start-up, you don't have any ideas how many advertisers you already have will sign back up with you. That is an important thing, because retention of advertisers will mean you have to do less and less as time goes on.

You could reduce the number of homes delivered too, but you'll be hard pressed to retain any of the current 5k ads for pert near the same price.

IF they are offering a coupon, then they will know the effectiveness of your ad delivery service very quickly...and you don't have enough time under your belt to offer any stats or show the effectiveness of this advertising methods. Which makes the initial sell even tougher...especially if you reduce the number of homes.

My advice is to do a cost analysis or profit analysis sheet.

How much time is needed to deliver the 5k?
What is the cost of delivery? And you and family have time value, but would a "club" at school do this for a flat fee of say, 250.00...and if a club has 10 members, each member only has to do 500 or a one or two day effort.

In order to make up that 250 (just a figure, could be more) how many more ads would you have to include to make up the difference?

How much time will it take to get those?

IF you were to get a bigger group, say like the Soccer TEAM, with a couple of dozen members to deliver the flyers, it could be done in ONE day...and perhaps allow you to INCREASE distribution area and increase your ads cost and their perceived value.

WHERE are your advertisers currently using? A half page ad in one of those coupon booklets that comes via US Postal Service runs several hundred dollars, is your delivery more targeted and how does it compare with other advertising opportunities?

Sit down. Take a deep breath. Grab a few pieces of paper and start scribbling on them.

What did this first RUN teach you? COULD it be profitable IF.__________ and if so, then what would it take to do _________

whatever that might be.

How good are you at getting advertisers? Can you get MORE and MORE to fill up the bag to allow you to buy distribution?

Well, there are more questions than answers for you...I think it is great you started something and found out some things, like the time it takes to deliver.

There is a lady here in Akron named Ceil Bush, who started something very similar to what you do many years ago...today, her Gold Clipper Magazine is a huge success and she's branched out across the area {www.goldclipper.com }...but her first year (or two as I recall) was pretty much month to month and mouth to mouth...AH, as is often the story of success.

But Bea, only YOU know what you want from this thing? If it is just about dollars and income, I think there might be a more profitable type of "hotsheet" for you to consider, delivering those same ads, in a different format, to places where there is a "trapped audience"... only instead of one at a time, deliver 100-250 and do it in just a few hours a week.

As Phil would say, TWIST and turn what you are doing and try to see how different or profitable you could make it.

Gordon the ADVICE giver (and remember advice is like noses, almost everyone has one) Alexander

PS. GOOD ON YOU for doing a project, the lessons you'll learn will be invaluable to your future efforts.

Re: Can I get some advice...?
 

Thank You, Ankesh, Gordon & James Anthony.
I appreciate the quick replies...I'm getting there...doing some figuring.

James Anthony, you asked a few Q of me: No, I don't print - they supply whatever they want in the bag. :-)

Hours to bag were apx 22.

This month (the first) we had 4 advertisers, supposed to be 5 but one had a time problem & couldn't get her things printed in time. So $480.

Lots of promise to this biz opp. here in my city, just it takes LOTS OF TIME to distribute!!! (I loved Gordon's idea of having a school club do it. I would just have to assign certain people certain areas since I only deliver to the homes with incomes over $35,000. This is part of what makes it so hard to do, though, b/c those homes typically sit in a nice sized lot, making it harder to just 'walk it'.)

I do appreciate the replies & help. I guess my reply to Gordon's "blanks" would be it would be so much better if I just had help to distribute these things!!! lol Everything would be so much better - I'm really about to pull my hair out with it!

Thanks all - I appreciate ya!

Re: Can I get some advice...?
 

Hi Bea,

When I work my address america biz... we usually deliver 100 flyers/hour/person on average. Some more some less depending on how close together the houses are. I pay my flyer guy 10 cents/flyer. So he earns about $10/hour.

If you paid someone a similar rate it would cost you $500 to distribute 5000. I'd say you need to increase your price or get more advertiser's/bag.

One more comment... if you can find target neighborhoods that have mailbox poles by the road, you can drive the route and significantly cut your delivery time down. Just make sure to place the bag somwhere on the pole NOT ON OR IN the mailbox (against federal law).

HTH

If I COULD put them on mailbox poles...
 

That would definitely help! (Putting them on the poles).
Yes, it is 22 hrs total & then about 33 hrs total for all 5,000 w/all of us delivering, b/c I drive while they walk up to each house.

I would like to increase subscribers in the bag, but it IS disheartening that even if I have 20 (about max) that would be only $2,000 per month! :-(

Well, gotta run! Time for that appt. Wish me luck!

Re: Can I get some advice...?
 

2 possibilities;

1) Ask your local newspaper if they allow "inserts". Then show them your "package" and ask what they'd charge.

2) There's a woman in Eugene, OR who has a "Weely Route" where she makes up a "Hotsheet" of local ads around both sides and across the bottom of an 8 1/2 by 11 sheet. Her "MastHead" is at top (which says, The Weekly Dispatch, "All The News and Gossip that's Fit to Print") In the middle is her "News and Gossip" about what's happening in the local area (Downtown and College areas)...Shows in Town...Attractions.

She prints up 5,000 a week and distributes 100 or so to restaurants and mini-markets....on Monday. She gets 20 ads consistantly and charges $180/mo if they pay monthly...or, $480 if they pay for 13 weeks in advance.

There's also a "Flyer Distribution" co around Portland that charges 7cents per Flyer for 5,000 and 5cents per Flyer for 10,000 distributed. I think you need to raise your fee to at least 5cents per 5,000 ($250ea)

Don Alm

Re: Can I get some advice...?
 

Ok! Whew! Back from the meeting w/the new prospective client...he thinks it's a wonderful idea & told me he would be willing to pay $125 for 2500. (That's good) & his input is that he wouldn't want to be in the bag w/more than 8 other advertisers. I can see his point & kind of agree to it, although that WILL cap my income from this particular project at around $1,000. It may make it an easier sell, though & make more loyal advertisers, in turn, though.

NOW, though, I just have to "face" my other advertisers & tell them that it is just NOT working out to do 5,000 a month...any suggestions on "how" to break it to them?:confused: :confused:

Thanks,
Bea

Re: If I COULD put them on mailbox poles...
 

Thanks for doing something.

Seems to me you need to Run The Numbers.

At the current Rate, 55 Man Hours is giving you $480 - minus gas and bags - for an Hourly Rate of $8.77. With that kind of money, you are better off getting a job - or another part time job on top of your existing job. You'll make more money with less headache too.

To Boost Profits: Make sure one of the flyers in the bag is for your flyer delivery service. AND, if you sell a product or different service, make sure That is also a flyer - or on the other side of your flyer which advertises your flyers delivery service.

Thus, your thinking changes. You are spending time deliverying flyers for your other business - but - getting paid for it by businesses who also need flyers delivered.

Also know, you Will have a Constant Fight to get advertisers. Flyers are Not like local newspaper ads, where businesses just run them all the time. Businesses think of flyers as once or twice a year deals, or more intermittent and not regular like once a month. You need to know this, and what you are likely to face on a monthly basis, so you can make an informed decisions as to whether you want to continue this line of business.

As for appointments... Why are you making face-to-face appointments? Is it Just to Pick Up Flyers - or - is this a Sales Meetering where you Try to Convince the business owner to use your service?

Are you looking for this business to Replace your current income or be in Addition to it? If to replace, then why are you complaining about how long it takes to do the work? Because that would indicated you are not willing to spend as much time in your own business as you are working for someone else. Which is a fine way to think, if it urges you on to make the business more efficient for you. And is how most people tend to think of their sideline or income replacing projects - they are willing to work for someone else for less than they are willing to work for themselves.

If this business was how you imagine it to be... how would it be working? Would You still be deliverying or other people? If other people, how much would you be paying them? How much would you be charging the client? Why don't you charge the client that much right now?

Michael Ross

Re: Can I get some advice...?
 

..."How To Break the News to your Sponsors"

Just go to them In-Person....explain that you MisCalculated and made a Mistake and you just can't afford to do the job based on your Initial Rate. Be honest and tell them when you "got out into the field on your first delivery...you discovered the delivery would take MUCH longer than you expected.

Tell them you REALLY need to charge "X" (I suggest at least 5cents ea for 5,000 HAND-DELIVERED.....$250) You can apply their initial payment towards the NEW price.

MOST people will understand....some won't and will probably want their money back. Just replace these with new clients and chalk it up to "experience".

When I look at "Pricing" my programs....I try to bring in all my costs...then add on what profit "I" would like for my effort.

Here's a REAL LIFE situation that just happened to me...where I had to "Go Back To Clients and tell them I couldn't do what they paid for";

I had signed up 3 hotels for my "TV Channel Stands"....had gotten 5 advertisers based on the number of rooms in the 3 hotels....then...when I went to 1 of the hotels to look at my "Final Proof"....the GM told me she had "changed her mind" and was going to have her "Sister" sell the ads for HER location....because her "sister" could "use the money".

I reminded her that she had SIGNED AN AGREEMENT whereby she agreed to let ME provide Tv Channel Stands for her rooms. She said she "didn't care"...her "sister" was going to do this.

Soooo...I went back to all 5 of my clients, who had all paid me based on X rooms....told them I would return part of their money OR...if they were counting on THIS hotel....I'd return ALL their money.

The result was..... I kept all the accounts.

So....just go back to your clients and explain you can't do the job for what you charged and you would return their money for the part of the job you haven't done yet....or....they could pay an additional fee which you feel is FAIR.

I think they will understand....especially if you are "humble" and "honest" and "blink your eyes a little". (just kidding)

Don Alm

Thats A Rotten Deal
 

[I reminded her that she had SIGNED AN AGREEMENT whereby she agreed to let ME provide Tv Channel Stands for her rooms. She said she "didn't care"...her "sister" was going to do this.)"

Boy Don, thats a rotten deal. YOU basically GAVE her the idea, and then she goes off and does it herself...and I'll bet her sister doesn;t sell many anyways.

Shows how in so many situations, people will ignore contracts they've signed when they see $$$$ signs...

Bruce

Re: Can I get some advice...?
 

Well first of all you certainly shouldn't let a prospective advertiser tell you how to run your business.
If your original thinking was to generate $3k in ad revenue, and he will participate only if he is one of 8 adverts........
This contract will end up costing you $2k per month and is not be worth including in the program.

A better way may be to overcome his objection and get him in a bag with 25 other adverts for the same money he offered to pay to be included in the original

Learning to overcome objections is the key to making any sales.


If he states " I only want to be in the bag with 8 other adverts"
Don't agree, make him answer! Ask "Why"
If he says " I don't want to be lost in the shuffel"
If you are in a position to offer an exclusive say something like
" I don't normaly do this but, What If you are the only X type of business in the bag, will that work better for you?"

Don't risk ruining your businesses profitability on a 1 time payment of $120.

No one knows better than you what your situation is, so if you can only get 2500 out per month, that is all you can do.

I would try to fulfill this months agreement and then approach them next month with your new #'s

Honesty wil not hurt you, especially in the long run.
If you plan on running any type of business in that community for very long,
Honesty and truth about your situation will speak loud and clear about YOU!

If nothing else Bea, you are doing more than most people that visit these boards looking for advice, You have really gone out and tried something!

One last bit of free advice.......
Now that you have gone through one full cycle with this venture, sit down and rework the numbers until they work. If the numbers don't end up working dump the project and move on to your next venture!

Best of luck and Congrats on DOING SOMETHING,
Jason

Re: Can I get some advice...?
 

Next time,
If I were armed with a signed agreement and had already signed the ads,
it would be far less costly and troublesome to get the agreement enforced legaly by a small claims court.
Would take about 1 hour to do and cost $85, (in my area)

Don states that he gets $20 per room profit from this program, so any more than a 10 room hotel I would most certainly get the judgement in small claims court at a cost of 1 hour of time and a $85 filing fee.

You should consider this next time a person doesn't stick to their signed word.
Will save you face with current advertisers and you will get paid for the service that you provided.
Best of luck,
Jason

Re:gotsome advice fer ya...maybe
 

I did something similar to this with the flyers at the pizza guys...and it worked out ok...

the flyers went out with the pizzas...so , you would go to a pizza place in the affluent area....

sell more ads....particularily for stores OUTside the affluent area...print up the flyer with all those ads...
split the profits with the pizza place....

not a gold mine...but I would (will )do it again....

another option I am working is to have a 'goodie' bag for all these conventions and bronco riding events we have here each year...
tried doing something like that at the fair and was told I had to bid on it ...for next year...

at any rate, there are a bunch of cars in line..waiting to gain entrance into these things, so I was thinking ...why not just get a couple of gurls to handout the bags before these people go inside...

so ....I checked with the city ...didnt want the gurls being arrested for blocking traffic !....and yep....gotta have a license ...and stay on the side of the road....so ....that is not good...

I am thinking....tie your flyer in with something for the kids ....then go to the local schools...give em to the kids ...who take it home...

just have to figger out HOW to get the kids to take the flyer home...have to have a reason for them to do that ...


oh well..just some thoughts of mine....

thanks
bob

Yeah right....
 

Apparently you haven't done much of "this" kind of business.

1) Filing a suit against a local business person ain't gonna do much fer yer "image"

and...

2) I got better things to do than fill in forms at the Courthouse and go thru the process.

YOU file the forms...pay the fee...attend the hearing...and let other biz people in town know YOU are suing another biz person. She happens to be a GM of a local motel. If word were to get around that I filed a suit against a fellow motel manager...the other GMs would avoid doing business with ME.

Thanks for the "advice"....but I will ignore this and ferget about it.

Don Alm

Thanks, everyone!
 

I really appreciate all the care you all have taken to answer & send some good 'ol fashioned advice my way!

(Family breakup forces me to be mom & pop right now, so but I may go back to his city or may not...unknown at this time.;) Time will tell... ) Right now it's just really important that I meet the bills, which happy to say I AM at least doing! \0/

Thanks for everything - your advice means alot!

Re: Yeah right....
 

***Apparently you haven't done much of "this" kind of business.***

Nope, in my area, the premium tv providers give them a real nice looking one every month.
For the smaller hotel/motels the pizza joints provide them with their exclusive ad (similar to the Pizza Hut one that you show on your site)
They don't go through a middle man such as yourself.

If the concept works in your area, great, and more power to you!

***Filing a suit against a local business person ain't gonna do much fer yer "image"***
I don't know about that, businesses sue other businesses every day and they continue to business with one another. I have worked for 3 diff law firms in my area ( at diff times) providing info on businesses that other business want to file a claim against.
If anything, I would think that it would have made this woman understand your are in business to make $ and are not going to play games.

***
I got better things to do than fill in forms at the Courthouse and go thru the process.***
That is your choice and as a business owner you can do what ever you wish.
I was simply providing you an alternative so you didn't have to go back to you clients and tell them that someone bowed out of the deal.

You stated that she was a GM which means she most likely has a boss above her that certainly wouldn't want to hear the GM signed a deal and pulled out later.

You most likely wouldn't even have to file papers or goto a hearing.
Simply by aggressively showing your cards, you could have had her honor her contract without doing anything except mentioning the possible outcome in which she could lose her job.

***YOU file the forms...pay the fee...attend the hearing...and let other biz people in town know YOU are suing another biz person. She happens to be a GM of a local motel. If word were to get around that I filed a suit against a fellow motel manager...the other GMs would avoid doing business with ME.***

I would file the papers instead of going back to 5 paid clients and telling them that the deal may not work because I didn't hold my end of the bargain.
People in business sue other buinesses al the time, its part of the "game"

Like I said above, if you show your cards knowing she is only a GM, she may re-think her decision.
I would rather do no business than back down from a GM for fear word would get out that I tried to enforce a signed contract.

You can FERGET what ever you want, however this is sound business advice, plain and simple!.
Again,
Best of luck,
Jason

Question for ya, Bea
 

How are you contacting the potential advertisers (businesses)?

It's interesting to me that this thread came up now as I was thinking about this idea for myself. Secondly, I think your price is to low. $200 is fair and I'm wondering if $197 would be a magical price to test. 20 flyers in the bag.

Re: Can I get some advice...?
 

Hi,
I just pick up the phone & call them...it weeds out people who aren't interested very quickly & saves the leg work of walking.

I'd like to hear how it goes if you do decide to try the $197. I would not mention how many (20) would be in your bag unless they press you about it, they are very picky about that part of it.

Please do let me know.
B