mailers valpak, advo question

[guitardood99x]

Hi,
I recently got in touch with a mailer company that does the missing children ads to check their prices and found that for 1500 dollars they will send out 20,000 advertisements. My question is, would this be an insane, move would I be able to make a profit and has anyone tried this. I figure if i got less than 1/2 of a % i would more than make my money back but hey Ive heard as much as a 2% return which would make around 20 thousand dollars. I do know that there is no way I could possible do 400 repairs a week without hiring people... is this even possible?
Thanks

[GlassStarz]

Here we have the Buyer Digest a paper that evry postal customer gets free weekly and in most cases actually gets read you can put an insert with them for a lot less than that I have a customer who has a fleet of carpet cleaning trucks who only does the B Digest with huge success

[Shepard]

Numbers. .005 to .02 is indeed the conventional % to be expected from people that have a need. You must consider however that of the 20k recipients, only 10k of fewer currently need you. I think your benefit would be more long-term.

There seems to be a "thing" in marketing wherein folks need to see something 5 times before they remember it. So, if they see "Guitar Dude Windshield Repair" 1 time and a week later they need a repair; they won't even think of you... but, if they get a mailer (1) then they see your add in the local newspaper (2) then they hear about you from a friend (3) then they get another flyer (4) then they see your vehicle magnet (5)... now, when they think of windshield repair, they will think of Guitar Dude...

I think it depends on your budget... if you have allocated $20,000 to marketing for 2007, it is probably a good idea, but any less and I think you can get a bigger bang for your buck other ways... vehicle magnets...

[guitardood99x]

Hi,
exaclty how effect are vehicle magnents? Anyone got a ruff number of repairs they recieve from advertiseing on your vehicle?

[Shepard]

I do about 1400 repairs each year, and my rough guess is that 20% to 30% come from vehicle magnets... less than $300 to really make your car stand out.. 1 good day and the investment is paid for!

[Onsite]

Shepard,

How many years have you been doing repairs? And was has been you best way to market to get new jobs?

[SGT]

I do about 1400 repairs each year, and my rough guess is that 20% to 30% come from vehicle magnets... less than $300 to really make your car stand out.. 1 good day and the investment is paid for!

WOW. I certainly think you are the exception. 20%= 280 30%= 420 repairs. By any standard, that is quite a return on an investment so small such as vehicle signs. Good for you. I would love to see yours signs. Why not take a picture of them and share with us?

[guitardood99x]

Why do so many people have to flame people? I mean cant we all just get along... Ive noticed this alot lately.

[maxryde]

Magnets are fine and yes you'll get some sales but a professional appearance is hugely better. I watch the folks who I pass on the road, as I am one of them. My opinion, if they have a chinsy sign, I ignore it. If they have a catchy logo or wrap I check them out. I think that while my motives are different that the general public and I have used magnetic signs in the past, I believe that a professional approach is going to reap better rewards. You won't get a ton of business from either, but you will get more respect from the latter. No matter what signage is very important. For me the price of lettering my service rig was like $250.00 When I bought magnets it was an internet deal that is no longer in business for $50.00 for 4 signs. Now the folks there at the sign shop did a great job and the deal... Well I have not found that again. BUT I get a great deal of respect over what I received via the magnets so... My opinion, spend the extra few bucks on the vinyl. JMO Scott

[Bois]

Hi,
exaclty how effect are vehicle magnents? Anyone got a ruff number of repairs they recieve from advertiseing on your vehicle?

Last year only 5% of my retail customers got my number off my vehicle OR flagged me down.

Dale...