Direct mail..

[Anonymous]

Hi guys,

As you probably know I recently started a PR consultancy business.

I am looking to prospect possible clients and I hoped to get your opinions, I was thinking that I would send them a letter about the consultancy and explain how we could help.

What are your thoughts on this?
Thanks,
Shakuna

[Alpha]

Direct mailing will have a low response rate. It can be improved by using it as a precursor to following up with a telephone call (either by yourself or using a telemarketing service)

It often is a case of try it and see.

ps there are two posts below this asking for PR companies. Have you contacted them to see if you can do some work for them?

[top-click]

Hi Shakuna,

Can you tell us a little more about who your target audience is - what sort of prospective clients you are targeting - in my experience there are several ways to approach businesses depending on their size, activities etc

Regards
Rob

[Anonymous]

Hi Rob,
Thanks for your reply.

The prospective clients I have in mind are diverse in their activities; however they are mainly small to medium in size.
I am planning on approaching a local bar, a nightclub, an independent retailer and a local attraction to name a few.

Any advice you could give me would be great.

Shakuna

[top-click]

Hi Shakuna,

Business events held by businesslink/chamber of commerce might be a good way to get in front of those kinds of people (business link is free I think!? - and CofC charges a small membership fee) Adwords may provide you with some leads (but I would say that! :))

Also, the business sections of your local press may be worth approaching to see if they would run a bit of editorial/advertorial.

Best of luck
Rob

[c4l]

Isn't cold calling/tele-marketing illegal?

I thought it was - something to do with preference services?!?

[Alpha]

Simon

It is only against the law to call someone who has registered with the telephone preference service (TPS) or mail someone who has registered with the mail preference service (MPS).

Anyone wishing to carry out these activities are required to check that their targets are not registered with the above services first.