BUSINESS CHAT
Who Said That?
Douglas
Wallace
Skeeter
I like blog and run a small business.
posts 993 | joined 14 Feb 10
07770 228844 web
ha ha....
26 Jul 2010 at 19:59 Douglas said ....5 months ago I put a card in the window of a very local newsagents.
he he.
I did it saying:
Graphic Design
Local rates for local people
some other bull on there too....
I do not sell "Graphic Design", although I did want something to allow me to meet other v.local people. Knowing that there is a shortage on the ground, I thought I would give it a pun and maybe meet some local trades people.
Today someone called my mobile from the card.
I am honestly more thrilled about that than anything else.
I made the most tacky of leaflets on purpose to try and suggest that it is "a local" doing it that has a little know-how. I only usually design marketing literature for digital, but I will extend in extreme circumstances - like meeting people.
I love stuff like this and it just shows you "how things work"...!!!
The "She" called and said she wanted biz cards and some other stuff... I'm now bricking it, cos I fear my prices might be too high for Donny. Eeeek. This will be fun. I'll have to make a fiver on the job at least.
On the basic premis, if I turn this customer in to five more, it will be quite cool....!!!! My reason for doing this is I wanted some local business buddies. I wish I had my "personal blog" in place, I would be doing PR all about it.
I thought I would share this with you all. This is a 'personal' success of mine.
Only difference is, this work will not really be like "proper charge out", it's like, well "meeting people".
BTW: note actually how long it takes adverts to work... despite the poor appearance of my advert, it still worked...!!!! AND best of all I spent "no time" finding her either.
If my phone had not been on - I would have missed my only lead...!!! Advertising Rocks..!!!!!
Who wants to interegate me?
OMG: Just realised my mobile is same here as advert - ooops (might remove it)
Skeeter, blogging here: http://www.tweetsbyskeet.com :: Bonus: Small Business Tips
Paul
Norman
OrangeTree Development
My name is Paul. I currently run the odd business or two, and also provide a business advice service. Like, advice from the real world.
posts 5125 | joined 14 Nov 09
01865 600365 web
In my businesses I refer to marketing as attention seeking. It focuses my mind on what I want to achieve.
This qualifies.
Paul Norman
OrangeTree Development
SoleHeaven
Douglas
Wallace
Skeeter
I like blog and run a small business.
posts 993 | joined 14 Feb 10
07770 228844 web
I've now had my chat with Mizz Lady from round the corner.
So funny. She has 2x biz and wants cards + website.
I really can't see how "enterprise" anywhere is that difficult, even if you have a skill that isn't recognised that well.
I hope this doesn't sound at all underhand, but I'm going to give her the cards under market rate and give her the web of her dreams and say quietly "don't tell your friends I did it so cheap" - this approach I feel will be particularly interesting in sparking peoples imagination imediately locally to me.
Somehow I think this reverse thinking might prompt a degree of interest in what people might call "stuff they do in London". Interesting biz no. 1 is taxis and biz 2 is weddings.
I have a feeling when I present her with an invoice, she might be inclined to "eat" it - that's a Donny thing.
I think I've just bagged myself some much needed "helping out locally" status. I fear I might actually feel a bit more normal again soon. For fun, I might give her some cards to distribute of my own and order them out of the half day it takes to implement her dreams. I will say I am amazed at how enterprising some people I meet are given the difficulties people are faced with.
I think I may also have just bagged myself a few taxi journey's. Nothing like a good trader.
I really hope she doesn't eat my invoice...!!! We also had a discussion about Facebook, at which point she said "my daughter uses it, but I don't know how to use those computers, she said I should get on Facebook". I'm pretty chuffed and unless someone wants to do a typical £1,000 website for under £ 150, please don't suggest I'm doing anything wrong - this is small business at the sharp end.
Skeeter, blogging here: http://www.tweetsbyskeet.com :: Bonus: Small Business Tips
Karen
OrangeTree
OrangeTree Development
Geek Girl I don't speak geek, but I do think in Flow Charts. OrangeTree Build systems that help build successful businesses.
posts 3600 | joined 16 Nov 09
01865 600365 web
what do you do with the VAT if someone eats your invoice?? ;-)
Well done with this one!
I like Doncaster more than I thought I would.
Karen OrangeTree
OrangeTree Development
Douglas
Wallace
Skeeter
I like blog and run a small business.
posts 993 | joined 14 Feb 10
07770 228844 web
Karen,
please, I'm not asking too many questions.
I think it best to work with people on their terms. If she eats my invoice, I will feed her some business cards to chew on, then print a copy invoice.
Donny is totally cool and totally real.
Generally, if I can help her make biz no.2 work, we will be pals for ever. My bit should be easy. I asked questions about business no.2 and she is very savvy. Quite why the chamber snobs and local organisations don't put real mechanisms in place to generate enterprise I don't know. The mind boggles, but I will continue as I am. Quietly and with a degree of selectiveness and precision.
Ohhh - and she also wants a few magnetic boards for the car vehicles too.
My findings: there is a lot of trade going on, it's just a bit different. I still think 4N could reach out and fill a huge gap - it's just there's some snobby people about.
Skeeter, blogging here: http://www.tweetsbyskeet.com :: Bonus: Small Business Tips
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