Advice Neeed - Is This Idea Viable?

[uksbc]

Hi All,

As some of you may be aware The Small Business Help Centre is now growing at a massive rate. With user numbers, recommended suppliers, content contributors, associate and free member numbers growing daily

My question is.. Do you think it would make sense to also move The Small Business Help Centre more offline by producing a printed version?

We already act offline by arranging face to face free consultations in which we can keep our clients up to date with products and services available from our recommended suppliers but without a massive recruitment campaign we are limited in the amount of people we can see week to week

If we produced a magazine version of The Small Business Help Centre with offers, advertising, directories, product and website reviews, features, editorial content, advertorial content etc etc would it work??

In terms of fees and frequency i was considering that it would be distributed monthly. Cost would be FREE to associate members and £2.50 to £3.50 for free members or subscibers depending on production costs

I am aware that costs are going to be significant so i need to know there is a market for it so all feedback would be much appreciated!!

Please either post here or pm me with your thoughts

Thanks

Del
:D

[clairemackaness]

Why not go for a regular e-newsletter it would keep costs down?

it depends if your looking to make money out of the idea or just increase site traffic/membership to the site.

[uksbc]

Hi Claire,

From experience an e-newsletter does not seem to get actually read as much as a tangible paper product and this seems to be the feedback we are getting.

i include myself in this bracket. i would much rather pay and read a newspaper on a sunday than read it online or via email

in terms of making money, i would be happy if it simply covers its costs and helps promote the brand name rather than becoming the main source of income

[Mwebb]

There is another option with the e-newsletter. Have a look at www.marketingtips.com and look at their desktop marketer software.

You could allow members to have the newsletters sent straihgt to their desktops. It improves the level of reading by loads.

I am affiliated with these, but link not included.
Michael

[Jayne]

Hi Del,

I like the mag idea, I like to read from real paper too, it's not the same on the computer.

It's a shame you aren't mobile. Like the RAC do at big boot sales etc. They have a caravan sort of thing and you can chat to them. I think this would be perfect for you and you could take your cute doggies and double customers(especially the ladies, most love cute dogs) :lol:

Jayne :D

[uksbc]

(especially the ladies, most love cute dogs)

could not agree more Jayne!!

the best way to attract the ladies is to go out round town with the dogs, my daughter (9yrs) and my son (7 months)

if i could take them all to nightclubs i would be sorted!!! :twisted:

Not that i exploit my pets and kids at all!! lol

I am a bad, bad man :roll:

Del

[uksbc]

On a serious note, i have considered leasing a van and having it sign written and then include an "ask driver for details" type thing but not sure on this yet

[Jayne]

Get a campervan and do an advertising road trip, bet you'd have fun and get your name around. There's lots of gala things going off over summer.

And don't forget the dogs.

Jayne :D