Using the "Puppy-Dog" to make easier Sales

I thought I'd drop in and mention a Sales Technique I used MANY MANY years ago in my first year of sales and can be used today to make EASIER SALES of anything...including On-Line stuff;

A company near where I lived was making "Water Filters". These were small, aluminum can looking things with a spout. It sat on a counter near the sink. When you wanted clear, filtered (charcoal filter) drinking water...you attached the hose to your faucet and ran water thru the unit and you filled a gallon jug with clear, clean, filtered water.

Well...instead of trying to sell these thru retail stores...the mfg set up a Sales Force where each salesperson got 10 units a week...on a Friday afternoon. The sales people (myself included) would then take a Territory...go down one side of a residential street and back the other side...stopping at each house...offering to "leave the unit for a week" and you'd be back next week to either pick up the unit or a check.

Well...this was called "The Puppy Dog". (If you give someone a cute, little puppy to take care of for a few days or week...there's NO WAY you were going to get it back)

So...fast forward to this day and apply it to Websites or...Mobile Marketing or Videos.

As an example: If you create a website for a Roofer (or Chiropractor or Dentist, etc) and offer that site to 10 Roofers with the first one who pays for it, gets it....whala! (Puppy Dog!) It's ALREADY BUILT...all you are looking for is a "Renter".

Or...Offer to Create a "Mobile Site" for a business at NO obligation (This is where consumers can access information and even Videos about a business...on their CELL PHONES. Gather the info put up the site...show the owner and tell him you'll be back in 2 weeks. Chances are...he WILL BUY! (Puppy Dog)

Walk into ANY Retail Store (or Service business; Roofer, Plumber, Electrician, Heating & Air Cond, etc) ...ask owner if you can "Make a Video" of his business (store), at NO up front fee or Obligation. Take digital photos and make a Video/DVD with PhotoStory3...go back to store...show owner video you created on a Portable DVD Player (Phillips, $88 at WalMart) and whala... chances are HIGH he will buy. (Puppy Dog)

I've specialized in Restaurants because they take GREAT PRIDE in their "Interior Decor". They spend much time and money on their Interiors, only problem is...to SEE their Interior Decor you must be INSIDE.

I offer to make a Video of their restaurant including many shots of their Inside and Plates of Food. I show the owners a Sample of what I've done, by running my Portable DVD Player (Phillips, $88 at WallyWorld)

They give me the OK. I take shots with my Kodak Easy Share Digital. Go to my office and create a Video with PhotoStory3...then burn it to a DVD with Sonic ($19.95 on PS3 page)....put the DVD in the Portable DVD Player and go back to the restaurant.

When owners sees what I've done...he BUYS! (Puppy-Dog)

Also...let's say you do SEO or AutoResponder Service and you want to get some business from biznesses with existing websites. Make a Full Color POSTCARD of the first page with a Photo and Boxes with arrows pointing to how you can Improve their site.

This is a form of the "Puppy-Dog". When they get THIS PostCard with THEIR Website on it....they HAVE TO LOOK AT IT! It's THEIR website. Now that you grabbed their attention...you tell them what's wrong with their site and how YOU can improve it.

Works for me!

Think about "Puppy Dogging" your sales.

Don Alm...sales guy
"50 Ways to Make 50 Grand Starting with $50"
http://www.midasreports.com

Forgot to show one of my first "Restaurant Videos" I made using the "Puppy-Dog" technique...creating the product FIRST then asking for Payment.

Here's the Link; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kTOIMJkAK8

I now charge $350 for Video + $200 if they want me to put Video on YouTube and 20 other Video sites + $375 for 3 months on my "Restaurant Website" ($125/mo)

Don Alm
"50 Ways to make $50,000/yr Starting with $50"
http://www.midasreports.com

Don -- easily add $200 or more...

http://videotestimonials.synthasite.com/generic-version

Cheers.

-- TW

Thanks guy. Good info.

Where you ben? What you ben up to? Haven't seen many of your posts around.

Don Alm

Originally Posted by Adman

Thanks guy. Good info.

Where you ben? What you ben up to? Haven't seen many of your posts around.

Don Alm

Hi Don...

I've "ben" trying to take ACTION on some things -- and part of that 'formula' is staying AWAY from forums!!

I'm planning to make this my "Summer of Alm."

Targeting 3-4 local towns/cities.

Modest goal = extra $350/wk (avg.) -- WITHOUT spending extra 9-million hours/wk to do it!

** Your free-to-participate "Christmas Coupons" method (in summer)

** Not-so-free coupon idea(s), like pizza boxes, etc.

** Plus "Motel Channel Guide" in nearby town that is a BIG tourist spot in August (only).

Wish me luck + watch this space.

-- TW

PS: I don't know if your report mentions this -- good prospecting tool is "Entertainment Book" and PLACEMATS at local DINERS!

Sounds great TW. Our country may be heading downward, economically BUT,....YOU don't have to participate in it!

As long as there are businesses STILL OPEN...trying to get customers, clients or patients...YOU can not only survive but....THRIVE.

Yup. The TV Channel Guides are great for businesses trying to reach Tourists....and as long as the Hotels/Motels stay open....you CAN make good money putting Ads in EVERY ROOM where Tourists will see them.

Placemats too....are still going strong. I don't do those anymore but I know sales buddys who are STILL making a good living with them.

I helped a single mom get started with the Plastic Table Toppers that sit on tables (3-Legs, 6 sides for ads, 2 ads per side, that sit on each table and STAY on the tables. If you look straight down on these it looks like a "Y") and she is having NO problem getting $2 a Table per month from 12 advertisers. She just finished a 30 table restaurant. 12 x $2 x 30 = $720 A MONTH!

Who would ever imagine businesses would pay $60/mo to be on 30 restaurant tables....$24 per Table x 30 tables...$720 a month. This is her 5th restaurant and she only "works" a few hours in the morning. Her first restaurant she only got 6 advertisers, 1 advertiser per side...6 sides paying $12 per table. But, Hey!...$12 x 30 tables ($360/mo) sure beats having to bust her buns waiting on tables.

Why look for a J.O.B.?....create your own!

Best to ya TW,

Don Alm
http://www.midasreports.com

Originally Posted by Adman

Placemats too....are still going strong. I don't do those anymore but I know sales buddys who are STILL making a good living with them.

When I said placemats, I meant the placemats that are ALREADY at diners, etc. make good PROSPECTING tools -- that is, call the biz's on the placemats to see if they want to do OTHER promos.

-- TW

Absolutely. I call it the "TAP" List.

Whenever I begin a program I stop in at the Chamber and/or Visitor Center and pick up brochures or magazines with "advertising" in them.

I also look on front desk counters or Lobbies of Hotels/Motels and pick up any publication with "Ads" in it.

Because..."Advertisers Advertise"!

Same with the Yellow Pages. Any business that has a one-line Listing does NOT believe in spending money on "Advertising".

Actually....many of my own programs are used as "Tap Lists" for other advertisers. I see MY Ads showing up in many other places. Someone sold my advertiser on advertising in their program.

Which is OK because "Getting More Business" is what it's all about.

Don Alm
http://www.midasreports.com