Flyers to advertise and also as a side biz?

As a friend and I were talking about "slow business" (he's a small construction contractor i.e., room additions, patio decks, anything construction related really), I started thinking about some "door hangers" I've had sitting in my basement for the last year (about 1,000) that were just going to waste!

I said "let's put in a flyer for each of our biz and put them out in the local neighborhoods!" He thought it was a great idea. And of course, so did I. He does construction, I buy and sell houses on occasion. Good fit, non-competitive, etc.

Then I realized there might be another opportunity here. I could add some other local businesses to the flyer mix, get my flyer and delivery covered for free and maybe make a dollar or two!

As a quick test, I went to an local online bulletin board and sent an email to about 15 people who had posted small business ads there (local service type biz'z). Basically I explained what we were doing and ask if they'd be interested in joining us in our "quest for new customers" by adding one of their flyers in with ours.

I quoted a price of $25 for 200 houses (12.5 cents a house) as long as they would provide their own flyer. So far 2 out of the 15 responded, both said "yes".

I could easily fit 10 flyers (8.5 x 11 sheets each folded in half) into the bag without looking over-stuffed. 2 Freebies (me and my buddy) and 8 pay the $25 = $200

I've got two great kids in the house that are always interested in making some extra money. One will put the flyers in the bag, the other will deliver (or I could myself if needed).

I can pay my son to deliver (3.5-4 hours to deliver to 200 homes, hmmm say $50). And pay my daughter $20-25 to fold & stuff them into the bags (while she talks on the phone, watches movies on the computer and text 20 friends, all at the same time ... she's a real multi-tasker).

I would still have about $125, minus miscellaneous cost (my kids may negotiate for more, they're tough), so maybe I only make $100. But my flyer/ad is out for FREE.

I was thinking about putting a "Million Dollar Bill" (real EYE CATCHERS, I know sowpubbers have seen them) into the bag (bags are clear plastic) so the $ Bill could be seem right off to catch attention ... add a letter/message, something to the effect of "WANTED, Local biz'z Looking To Add More $$$ And Customers" (still thinking on that), and include the message I sent to the other local bizz'z via email that I spoke of before ... and then taking a drive to visit some local biz'z to drop them off to the owners/managers of other locals who might be interested in joining in on flyer idea.

It seems like something that could turn into a small profit center.

I'll start with 200 houses, 10 biz'z, and maybe do 200 more each week?

Any thoughts on this plan/idea?

Thanks,
Mike

Based on my experience I've found that businesses want a minimum of 1,000 delivered.

And...if you charge 8cents each...that's $80 per bag x 20 = $1,600...which now makes it "worth" your time.

In fact...a couple years ago...a buddy put together a program which involved placing "Business Listings" (Name, Address & Phone) on 2 lines, in alphabetical order...in 2 columns....on a 2-color, "Refrigerator Magnet".

The "Fridge Magnet" offered a "handy, reference guide" to local businesses.

He could fit 36 Categories (18 to a column) with Exclusives in each Category.

As I recall, he charged $169 for 2,000 pieces ( 8 1/2 cents each) and easily filled all 36 spots (36 x $169 = $6,084 gross)

He just "went down the street"....cold...showed a sample mockup to the biz owner and they either bought or didn't...a "2-minute pitch".

He also went to restaurants at lunch time and caught "service-people".

If you'd like to see what this looks like...send me an email to [email protected]
I can also tell you where he got the magnets.

Don Alm

For a lot of people that's probably a better way to go about it. But for me and my low key / no pitch (not even a 2 minute pitch) style, the simple easy "small bucks" way is easier to get started. "Columns, magnets, 1,ooo's delivered" is more than I'm willing to deal with at the moment.

The simplicity of what I spoke of before is what makes it attractive for me (and for those I contacted). "200 flyers on the doorstep for $25" cost me nothing. No "mock ups", no "real sales pitch". Simple and easy.

And in the words of one of the people who emailed me a "YES, count me in": "what the hey, for $25 ...why not?"

$25 is easy for even the smallest of businesses to handle. And this is something my son could handle on his own if he wants to. Simple simon is me.

Mike,

Google...

Flyer distribution... ideas, tips, businesses, biz, help and other related Keywords...

Study some of the established Flyer businesses out there and let the Competition Help you design your business model... After all the Good ones know what they're Doing...

Give your Flyer distribution business a Professional look by Creating something Fresh & Different maybe with a Smart... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unique_selling_proposition

Seriously Consider...
http://www.vflyer.com

And Develop your Flyer distribution concept Offline and Online... VFlyer can Do both...

Phil

You're right Phil! I actually pulled out all my "Jay Abraham' and "Dan Kennedy" info to review over the next couple of days. I hadn;t considered VFlyer but it's something I'll definitely look into.

As far as USP goes, I think I'll relate it to the fact that I"ve NEVER had a doorhanger on my door in the 6 years since I've been living in this area. It's new, it's different, it might just get some attention if for no other reason other than the fact that it just isn't used around here by anyone as an advertising medium.

And I think by adding the "Million Dollar Bill" to the front of the package, it will get attention ASAP from the curious homeowners. I may rethink that, but at the moment, the fact that the "message delivery method" (the doorhanger & $$ BILL showing) is different, will set it apart from the typical flyer, postcard, letter, etc. that most small biz owners are use to.

Only testing will tell, right?

I get door hangers left on my door all the time. I bet at least one a week. Usually food related. And I admit it I check it out to see if they are offering a good deal. But for some reason I rarely if ever have had more than one left at a time. I always thought it was odd. I think the places here always hire a person themselves to do it and pay them minimum wage. Maybe they just haven't been approached with an option.

Scott S.
http://www.urldecoy.com/