Advice on marketing plan?

[Remipub]

Happy almost Thanksgiving everyone!

First a little background info... I've always felt that door hangers are under utilized and in the interest of trying to learn why, I poured into research on the subject. My research led me to a few conclusions ... door hangers can be very effective for the right type of business, but (despite being less expensive than direct mail) the cost and logistic concerns makes it hard for small businesses to take advantage - and local small businesses are those who would benefit the most! With that in mind, I've developed a turn key business opportunity for door hanger marketing.

Now for the advice ... I have the opportunity all put together, but I need people to sell the product/service. My intention is to recruit "independent publishers" - essentially like franchises. These individuals will be self employed, but we provide them with the tools to make it all happen. I created an information packet that I want to send out to prospective opportunity seekers and I hope to get advice on the content and presentation of this information - plus any suggestions on the best way to advertise the opportunity would be great.

The information packet is a 10 page pdf file - if anyone would like to help with the critique I'll be happy to email you the file.

Thanks in advance!
~T

[Steve B]

I will.

I researched into buying a franchise before we started our coupon magazine, then I ended up doing it myself anyway (I usually don't reference our coupon magazine on this forum since my wife now does most of the work).

The only thing I would add is that selling advertising to local businesses in this economy has proven nearly impossible for us. We are skipping the January edition because we just can't sell enough space to even come close to covering the costs. I'll admit my wife and I aren't very good salespeople either.

[vangogh]

I'll be happy to review your PDF. It might be a week or so before I have a chance to read it, but if you send it or a link to it my way I promise to read it and offer some thoughts.

[KristineS]

I'm up for reviewing as well if you're still looking for reviews.

[seolman]

Drop me a copy too. I think it sounds very interesting. Gimme at least a few days.

[Remipub]

Thank you all for the help ... so forgive me if this is a stupid question but Kristine and Soelman, I couldn't find an email address for you. Where should I send the file?

Thanks again!

And Steve ... I appreciate the input you sent me, especially considering you have experience in the world of coupons, etc. Thanks for going above and beyond in your advice.

[Blessed]

Hi Remipub! I'd be happy to look this over as well - I've done a bit of coupon/advertising selling recently and in the past... I've just been a bit absent from the forum lately - we had a couple of busy weeks!

[KristineS]

Remipub,

I'll PM you with my e-mail. I thought I put it in my profile, but perhaps not.

Sorry about that.

[vangogh]

Just letting you know I haven't forgotten. I did get your email with the PDF. It'll be a few more days before I can read it and offer thoughts. Just finishing up a vacation and will be back to work in a few days.

[KristineS]

I got the e-mail too. I will try to get to it this week.

[Blessed]

And I got the email too... but it's been a rough day... :rolleyes: hopefully tomorrow will go better!

[Paul Elliott]

I'll be happy to look it over. I have done a lot of door hangers for clients.

One caveat-- Many municipalities have ordinances prohibiting door hangers. In addition to that, many neighborhood associations have also ruled them verboten. Be sure your prospective customers do their research carefully in their intended areas of service.

There are some neighborhood associations that will approve it, when they have reviewed and approved your piece.

Paul Elliott

[Remipub]

Thanks all. No worries on any delays ... I'm grateful for the input so I'm not about to complain if it takes a few days! Get to it when you can. :)

And Paul, can you PM me with an email address where I can send the file? Also, I'm curious about the municipalities prohibiting door hangers. In my research I had been told by some that this was the case, but every time I followed up by contacting those in charge, no actual government authority could confirm a prohibition. In fact in one case I learned that the very government in question used door hangers themselves! I'd love to find a place that has an anti-door hanger ordinance so I can look into the verbiage of the rule so if you know of any, please let me know.

Thanks again everyone!

[Paul Elliott]

Also, I'm curious about the municipalities prohibiting door hangers. In my research I had been told by some that this was the case, but every time I followed up by contacting those in charge, no actual government authority could confirm a prohibition. In fact in one case I learned that the very government in question used door hangers themselves! I'd love to find a place that has an anti-door hanger ordinance so I can look into the verbiage of the rule so if you know of any, please let me know.

My memory is vague. My last campaign was about 12 years ago. Before that one of my clients ran into such an ordinance in one of the cities around Dallas, TX. If you want to follow up, try Richardson, Plano, Frisco, Colleyville, Southlake, Carrollton, or Coppell. We were doing a lot of areas. As I recall there were some homeowner associations in upscale areas that didn't permit them. I think they were in areas of Frisco and Plano.

One client told me that one municipality had an ordinance against handbills under windshield wipers in parking lots. They initially told him he couldn't do door hangers until he showed them that according to their wording his door hangers were exempt.

Another client told me he got approval from an HA to do so. I'm not sure that was anything formal with that HA--probably simply a power issue.

Sorry I can't be any more specific. I was desigining the programs and telling my clients to check on the ordinances and HA regulations of the areas they wished to distribute to.

Paul