Will handing out flyers work for my website?

**stlsmoore** · 01-15-2008 10:20 PM

Hello everyone I'm starting a business in my local area selling used computers that are restored back to new. I'm pretty much bootstrapping everything with a couple of partners.

I plan on getting some professional graphic flyer's made and start handing them out locally. Really I'm going to start very small and hand out flyer's in my neighborhood and then progressively to wider areas. While this will not be my only means of advertising I was wondering would this work for an E-Commerce website you think

**MASapparel** · 01-15-2008 10:25 PM

I think first you should get a good site up that will appeal to your customers.

We can work something out very cheap for you if you are interested. Just simple and to the point, like what you have now just a little more pleasing to the eyes.

info@makeascenenow.com

**stlsmoore** · 01-15-2008 10:30 PM

Thank you I'll keep that in mind, the site I have up is just a place holder until we actually get web hosting up and going sometime next week. We plan on laying out the E-Commerce site exactly how we want it, then have a web developer go through and make it look professional. The problem lies in that we aren't sure how much this is going to cost us yet to do it this way.

**rogercbryan** · 01-15-2008 10:41 PM

Where would you pass out these flyer's? I think this is a poor marketing plan for your type of company. You could have a much wider yet targeted campaign by listing some of your computers on Craigslist. One free listing can get over 100 clicks from people who are looking for your product. Selling used computers in a niche and the likely hood of you passing out a flyer to a person on the street who is actually looking to buy a used computer is slim.

From a cost stand point as well
100 clicks from people looking to buy your product on craigslist
Cost $.00
Time 5 min to make post

100 flyers passed out on the street corner
Cost (flyers) varies (but is not free)
Time HOURS

Just some food for thought.. there is money to be made in this type of service as I had a cousin in Cleveland who made a living doing this.

Please be careful where and what you advertise as many people in this line of work sell computers with bootleg versions of windows on it... stay away from eBay if you are doing this...

If you are in the DC area we have a live auction once a month with government surplus computer P2, P3, P4 and monitors... I have about 40 in stock and we sell them extremely cheap... PM me for more info.

**ahwoogah** · 01-15-2008 10:57 PM

Yes this method works!!! i attend univ of ill and i pass them out to everyone i see i got flyers post on doors at my apt and signs on busy streets. this method is mos def effective

**stlsmoore** · 01-15-2008 11:10 PM

I see what you're saying rogercbryan thanks a lot for the advice and perspective. Craiglist was on my list of marketing strategies to implement along with a few other free online local advertising as well.

I figured we would hand out flyers since we were going to focus on local potential customers to begin with in order to help get the word out. Also we have a few businesses that will let us place flyers in their shops so I figured that would help.

Rogercbryan I don't know if it's just my city or if this is a nationwide thing but I notice a lot of my local competitors rarely advertise or market themselves at all. After a 2 months of research I couldn't figure out why. I even talked to a few people who use to work for one of my local competitors. He mentioned that a lot of local competitors at least in my city focus on making just enough to break-even. Even there websites are abysmal.

Anyways back on subject I'll def. PM you in the near future and check out your auctions. One of the major deciding factors for me to actually start this biz is because I have a very good source for getting my product. That and we have a good contact for advertising in a newspaper for a particular region also. All of our computers will come with a COA and the CD that goes along with each system so hopefully this works out well. Thanks again for your help Rogercbryan.

**rogercbryan** · 01-15-2008 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by stlsmoore

Rogercbryan I don't know if it's just my city or if this is a nationwide thing but I notice a lot of my local competitors rarely advertise or market themselves at all. After a 2 months of research I couldn't figure out why. I even talked to a few people who use to work for one of my local competitors. He mentioned that a lot of local competitors at least in my city focus on making just enough to break-even. Even there websites are abysmal.

A lot of people run small companies just to survive. The problem with that is they are not well capitalized when a problem comes up. If the economy goes into recession or if they have a larger personal expense many of these places will need to borrow money to stay open or they will go out of business.

Something like only 5% of small business make it to $1M in sales (Donnie Deutch). Letting your company be all that it can be takes hard work, long hours, and proper planning. By being on YE you are already heading in the right direction on the planning part... Have you written a business plan yet?

**stlsmoore** · 01-15-2008 11:30 PM

Yup Business plan has been created and I'm surprised already how much it helped me keep things on task. Since I have it all written out I don't have to remember all the ideas in my head, it's been a good reference so far.

**allysa** · 01-17-2008 03:16 AM

If your selling locally, yes, this thing will work. You are directly advertising it to your target market.

Well, looks like it was well planned out. I wish you success on your business.

**rogercbryan** · 01-17-2008 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by stlsmoore

Yup Business plan has been created and I'm surprised already how much it helped me keep things on task. Since I have it all written out I don't have to remember all the ideas in my head, it's been a good reference so far.

Have you had someone with industry experiance take a look at your plan? You can try SCORE or someone in business that you trust. You would be amazed at what a fresh set of eyes can find. Good Luck!

**Landwatch.com** · 01-17-2008 11:27 PM

You should go for flier and banner ads, this will help you gain a little foothold in the market. Through fliers and banners what you do is that you create a brand awareness among the locals, however, your should even join various forums and must try to promote your services. All the best.

**stlsmoore** · 01-17-2008 11:49 PM

Thanks guys for the replies first off.

The main reason I wanted to use flyer's at least starting off is because we are basically boot-strapping this business. We're starting off VERY small and plan on growing it with baby steps. This is just going to be a part-time business until I can make as much money with my business as my day time job (which shouldn't be hard to accomplish lol). I figured flyer's would be a great way to target customers in smaller amounts we can handle without being to overwhelmed.

While I haven't talked to a SCORE advisor since writing my plan I did get some pointers before hand on ideas to think about. Especially regarding services and support since the product I deal with it goes hand in hand with it.