Based on previous information about the number of Nancy letters being mailed and the number of orders received, I calculated that the letter was pulling about 2%.

And at that rate, you aint gonna get rich. You're lucky to break even!

The REAL MONEY, in my opinion, was in the back end... a framed coat of arms for $20. A family name book (phone book?) for something similar, plus other similar items.

But even IF the initial mailing did produce a profit, I could not, in good conscience, sell the item or a framed coat of arms...

My research also reveals that a coat of arms was an individual thing... NOT something passed down from generation to generation. The coat of arms was given to the individual of the time.

And while the customer might not know... *I* would know.

If you want to do the coat of arms thing, just do it. Halberts is now out of business. I even bought one during my research into this idea - I got a cheap plastic shield with a sticker on it for $40 or $50 ($80AUS - $100AUS).

But make sure you a clear with yourself that you are probably selling a fraudulent product.

(see links below)

If you want to do something similar - sell a simple one page info. product that touches on historical ideas - why not a brief history of your town? Or historical data related to certain businesses/industries.

You just might discover you can put together a themed website with related products like:
http://www.combatwrestling.com/
http://thinkandreachpar.com/tarp/
http://www.prosperballoons.com/

You don't have to start there... you can grow to it.

As for simple ideas... re-read BYBA - not available anymore at any price, but you've been around long enough and should have a copy.

Links relating to Halberts Coat of Arms (there are plenty more if you wish to do your own search about the genuineness of crests):

http://www.baronage.co.uk/bphtm-01/caveat02.html
http://blacksheep.rootsweb.com/halberts.htm
http://www.ancestry.com/library/view/columns/eastman/3538.asp

Michael Ross.
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