> See, now you're complicating it - people new
> to the area and getting others to
> participate. These complications become
> reason to not do it.

> Just do the simple flyer all on its lonesome
> and see how it goes. Straighforward and
> simple... and thus, likely to actually get
> done.

Sorry if I wasn't clear. I do intend to suggest Tom do just the flyer, by himself, w/o targetting other than perhaps by zip code. The additional twists was just me thinking out loud, as it were, for what I might do to expand on the idea down the road.

> As for delivery... if the cost is too
> prohibitive, then YOU offer to do it, for a
> percentage of the profits the promotion
> brings.

Thanks, but that's not a service I want to get into. It shouldn't be TOO hard to find a couple or three semi-responsible kids to do the footwork, especially with Tom's contacts at his kids' school. (Though I'm not sure how high the grade levels go.) I guess a bored housewife/househusband wanting to get out of the house for awhile is also a possibility.

> Here's how his database can be computerized
> and marketed to without Tom needing to go
> into debt:

> 1. YOU use your computer to hold and manage
> his database. And YOU enter all the details
> for free.

> 2. Whenever marketing is done, YOU get a
> percentage of the sales as your fee for
> managing his database.

At first, I balked at this (see my response to Ken's post above). But, I suppose I could do that and hire someone myself to do the initial data entry -- we're talking multiple fields of data for each of several thousand patients, folks. And, if Tom didn't want to do a percentage-based deal, we could do a fixed monthly fee, like the "Local Email Club" that Jim E. and others do.

I see two main problems, however. First is the need to decipher Tom's records. Granted, I only got a brief look at a few pages. But, not only are they in handwriting that is typical of a medical professional, but they also have various little notes in the margins and such. Some of this can probably go in generic, memo-type fields, but others may need to so into specific (possibly customized) fields. As I'm thinking about it, this may be resolvable w/o TOO much pain. Tom would, of course, need to go through the files himself before passing them along (in batches) for input. In doing so, he might be able to clear up some of the writing and maybe even color-code certain types of notes to be entered into certain fields.

My second concern is perhaps a bigger roadblock to this idea. Namely, as you may have inferred from the above, Tom wants to put more than just simple customer-profile info in his new database. He also wants to keep prescription info and complete patient histories, perhaps even more admin-oriented stuff, too (especially if he opts to go with actual Practice Management Software like OfficeMate, which he asked me to look at). Plus, he keeps talking about being able to carry it with him, which is why he wants a laptop. But, with some duplication of effort, I may be able to handle just the mailing list end of it.

> No. He stocks higher-priced frames. That
> doesn't mean he PUSHES the FASHION aspect.

I guess I should have added "in one sense" to the end of my sentence. I suppose it depends on your definition (at least, in this instance) of the work "push". In any case, the point here, I think, is whether or not Tom EMPHASIZES the fashion aspect over other benefits. It probably depends on the patient. In general, I would guess 'no'; but, if Tom knows the person is particularly interested in fashion or he can make an educated guess based on appearance or something they say, then I'm sure he would talk up that particular "benefit".

> The point being: The fashion trend crossed
> paths with my chosen style and then moved
> on. So any glasses seller who sells the
> latest Trend - regardless of sale price -
> will generate increased sales. And more so
> when they PUSH the fact they have the
> lastest glasses.

Good point. He could certainly benefit from keeping an eye on trends. I know he does to some degree, at least, but I don't know how much he pays attention to the Hollywood scene.

> He's got to get 'em in the door first. Half
> the battle is won once they are in the door.

Yes, we're all agreed on that. :->

> Another service he can offer: Pick and
> deliver glasses in need of repair - do it
> for free or charge a nominal amount, like
> $5, for doing it. (Dry cleaners increase
> their business by offering pickup and
> delivery. And remember the "framing
> guy"?)

I doubt he would do this himself, so it would be a matter of whether there was enough demand to justify hiring someone P/T (or on-call F/T) to do the driving. Or, perhaps he could use OPR -- like the dry cleaner's deliveryman -- in exchange for a cut.

> Besides perscription sunglasses, does he
> sell sunglasses people without eye problems
> can wear?

I think so.

> I don't know much more about his business
> other than what you've posted here but I'm
> now thinking, affiliates - not necessarily
> online - and a small network of salemen and
> women who get a percentage of sales they
> generate - without being paid retainers
> (commission only). Sort of like
> dropshipping.

Maybe I'm dense or I just need to go to bed, but I'm not getting just who these commissioned salespeople would be. Business owners or commissioned salespeople in other industries (e.g., insurance, cars, clothiers, jewelers) who would make referrals and/or hand out flyers or coupons? Or just Joe or Jane Citizen who may or may not be employed elsewhere? Or...? Could you flesh this out a bit more?

Thanks,
Chris