Marketing to busy managers

[mylocalentertainment]

Hi guys
I am about to start a major push at advertising my business in my local area. I’d like to get your thoughts on how you think its most polite and effective to get in touch with managers of local entertainment services.

I am at the moment planning a foot journey into areas and walking into business with the intention to find a good time for me to come back and speak with whoever is in charge of the advertising for the company. My thinking behind this was to detach my business with those many businesses who will have someone phone the business and offer them the world and attempt to sign them up there and then on the phone. What do you guys think?

I have sent letters before to a small amount of business explaining about the site and had no replies in digital, post, or telephone. :(

Kind Regards
Ian

[daveashton]

Hi guys
I am about to start a major push at advertising my business in my local area. I’d like to get your thoughts on how you think its most polite and effective to get in touch with managers of local entertainment services.

I am at the moment planning a foot journey into areas and walking into business with the intention to find a good time for me to come back and speak with whoever is in charge of the advertising for the company. My thinking behind this was to detach my business with those many businesses who will have someone phone the business and offer them the world and attempt to sign them up there and then on the phone. What do you guys think?

I have sent letters before to a small amount of business explaining about the site and had no replies in digital, post, or telephone. :(

Kind Regards
IanOn spec puts pressure on the prospect i.e. because they are not expecting you , are probably very busy and do not want to be rude. Hence in general this has a low ROI

Telesales works well but unfortunately there are very differing levels of skill here so buyer beware. This however if you a lucky enough to get a good person work very well for you.

Letters are ok but you need to follow them up. Your worst case scenario should be No thanks because....... At least that way you learn what they like and what the don’t like so you can improve.

Next option (product dependant) is run an event. A different type of letter and sorry but again follow up on the phone.

Last and best is find someone who is selling to this person and offer to work with them on a marketing campaign. Working with incumbent suppliers is often not done but provides by far the best results


Good luck

PS Because you said local I have not gone down the SEO / PPC route.

[mylocalentertainment]

I have actually been in contact with two close friends from my telesales years and hopefully they are going give me a hand at promoting to businesses in the early stages, they've got about 10 years of experience between them so I have high hopes for them promoting the business.

So the best idea is to mix it up a little, to approach each business and look at the best way of trying to get the info across effectively and politely and the idea doesn’t just get thrown in the bin and I get the “no, thanks!” like you say.

I am spending a lot of time on the SEO side of the business. We do need to get the prices, info and payment section up and running so those managers and advertisers can see what we're offering online.

The problem I have in the Plymouth area is that some managers have had a lot of bad experiences with web designers and entertainment directories :) . Which is why it is taking me a while to get each business?

Can anyone offer any advice? Has anyone personally had problems with what I have been talking about and know way’s they would personally like to be approached or believe that others would be more receptive when approached?

Thanks for the advice Dave
Cheers
Ian