Offline Marketing ~ Part 1: DrawingsWritten by Kara Kelso
Offline Marketing ~ Part 1: Drawings by Kara Kelso http://www.momsmarketonline.comThere are many different ways to market offline, each important to your success. One of these being drawings. Not only does having a drawing bring attention to you and your product/service, but also brings you leads. To get started, you will need to first decide where you will be placing your drawing box. Make a list of a few local businesses that your target audience visits. When you approach business owner, be sure they know what's in it for them. Offer their customers a chance to not only win something free from you, but also from place of business you will have your box in (you will be buying this, of course). You should also put up flyers advertising drawing, and let business owner know this. Once you have place and items in order, next step is to make or buy box. You can easily create a drawing box by cutting a slot out in top of a regular box then printing a flyer off explaning what drawing is for to tape on side. Entry slips can also be easily created on Microsoft Word or Word Perfect. Be sure to include name, address, phone number, and email address on entry forms.
| | Ask For A Better PriceWritten by Willie Crawford
Years ago, I was in US Air Force, stationed at Clark Air Base, Republic of Philippines. I loved place and regretted when our unit was moved. The biggest lesson I learned during my tour of duty there was to bargain. This was a concept that was, and still is, foreign to most Americans.One day while in "the market" I saw a shirt that I really loved. It had a drawstring waist and was made from an old flour sack which had been printed. I asked "how much." The salesclerk said $20. I said thank you and walked away. She yelled, "wait brother, you're suppose to bargain." I ended up getting that shirt for only $4. That was custom in most shops that I went to in Asia (outside of Japan). If you were willing to pay three times as much as what they would have settled for, then that's what you paid. They also generally quoted you a price based upon what they estimated you could pay. In my present life, I continue to learn importance of bargaining both online and offline. Offline, we all know importance of bargaining with your local car dealer (as an example). Many people do it with jewelry or furniture stores. As an online business person it's also important to realize that you don't have to settle for posted price. Often, all you need to do to get a better price is ask for it. Any merchant hungry for a sale is likely to lower his price a little if you just ask. Many merchants will probably hate that I just pointed this out to you. Let me give you a few examples. When I place ads in ezines, I frequently ask ezine publisher for a lower price, a special if I purchase a package, or for premium placement. If you ask many ezine publishers to put your ad up top, or in middle of an article, they will agree - especially if they do not think that they will make sale otherwise. When I set up a recent merchant account, I merely involved two providers in a bidding war. Whether you realize it or not, they do have some discretion on what they charge you to set up a merchant account. Simply shop around and then see how bad they want your business. What I discovered in process is that 2.35% rate I am most often quoted is not absolute lowest. In-fact, I can set almost any internet-based business up with a merchant account with a lower rate. Heck, I can get you 1.99% if you are one of my clients and have good credit!
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