most effective LOW COST advertising

**leong5808** · 01-25-2006 10:50 AM

plz help me on that .... just want to get more info before start up a advertising....

thanks....

Dan Lee

**The Weez** · 01-25-2006 11:06 AM

What are you Advertising for?

**akula** · 01-25-2006 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by The Weez

What are you Advertising for?

good question

**nado** · 01-25-2006 10:43 PM

Word of Mouth... free and the most effective advertising you can get without starting a pyramid scheme

**leong5808** · 01-26-2006 04:49 AM

Im starting with a security installation and services like CCTV and Alarm system ....

thanks ..... what is the best way to let them know we are always around them when they need this services?

**akula** · 01-26-2006 05:31 AM

Originally Posted by leong5808

Im starting with a security installation and services like CCTV and Alarm system ....

thanks ..... what is the best way to let them know we are always around them when they need this services?

Ok, as a rule of thumb, there is a holy grail of marketing. If you can create it, your chances of success improve dramatically. I'll cover this issue first and then deal with the cost of customer acquision.

The holy grail of marketing is to viralize your product. Viralization means constructing your product in such a way that by simple virtue of using it - your customers advertise the product for you.

Example 1: Ferrari cars. Because they are so distinctive, just by using them (i.e. driving) people advertise this brand of vehicle on behalf of Ferrari's management.

Example 2: Hotmail. By the simple act of using Hotmail (i.e. sending email) customers advertise this product because of the inbuilt "Get Hotmail account" message in their email.

So as a rule of thumb - the best way for you to have free advertising, is have someone else pay for it - in this case - the customer pays for your advertising because they deliver it - free of charge to your prospects.

With security installations: it's probably not my job to figure out how to viralize your product.

Cheap Advertising. Advertising cost is measured by cost of acquisition.

These are the historical rules of thumb. I'm not sure how correct this is, but you get the point. Search marketing (Google Adwords) has the lowest cost per customer acquisition than any other tactic currently available.

You should Google "customer acquision cost trends" or something.

Direct sales: $22,000 (in house employee)
Indirect sales: $5,000 (outsourcing/ contractors)
Direct mail: $70
E-mail: $60
Airplane banners: $55
Online banner ads: $50
Yellow pages: $20
Search: $8.50

Shameless self promotion. We'll give you a free HotBlog account (so you can instantly put your business on the net) if you let us manage your search marketing campaigns (so we can help you benefit from the cheapest and most effective advertsing aroung). Basically, in like a 5-6 hours, you can be servicing sales leads on your very own website, and it will only cost you like 10c per sales lead. On an average sale value of several hundred dollars, using HotBlog Plus, you can lock in a return on invetment of 1,000% plus (i.e $10 back for every dollar spent).

Try our online ROI calculator to see how much you can make with HotBlog: http://hotbusinessblog.com/FREE_ROI_Calculator

**tallpoppy** · 01-26-2006 12:56 PM

A good way to viralize your security installation company is to create stickers with your logo/company info on them. For example, the stickers would say something like, alarm x was installed on this house by company abc. Pass the stickers out to your customers to put on their windows. This will help to get your name out there to people who come to the house, free advertising, as well it helps to promote that, that particular house has a security system installed. So your customers will most likely be more then happy to use your stickers, its really just another security precaution for them.

Also, lawn advertising, when installing security systems, ask your client if you can place a sign on their lawn. Kind of like a for sale sign, but instead saying this house’s security system is being installed by company abc. It helps to promote to the neighbourhood that they are getting a security system, so don’t rob us; this will most likely strike interest with neighbours and so they will more then likely ask you to install one next at their house, if they don’t already have one. It will probably get them worried if they don’t have a system because they will wonder why their neighbour is getting one, etc. etc..

If you need help designing your stickers, signs, or anything else, please let me know as I work for an advertising & design company and we’d be more then happy to help you out.

Cheers!
P

**The Weez** · 01-26-2006 02:10 PM

I’m not totally sure if this is legal but I have seen people put those lawn signs up next stop lights. I’m guessing that people with disposable income are the people most likely to purchase such a security service. You might be able to combine the two ideas and put the signs up in the neighborhood (but not in the yards) where people can afford it or have something to protect. It’s cheap and easy, but that’s my idea. GOOD LUCK!

Got Another- I’m not sure how hard this would be, but you could find people who are selling their house and or buying a new one. New married couples buying their first house might be interested because they are thinking of their babies and the people selling the house now have something to add to price. Good luck again!

**leong5808** · 01-26-2006 04:33 PM

thanks for all your guys reply ....

Hi tallpoppy,

yes ...i would like to design it and how you going to help me ??

thanks ...

**joshw** · 01-26-2006 05:49 PM

Wrap your car or get a magnet for your car. You will be the only one in town. I'll bet you get calls from it....especially if you park at places where mothers of young children frequent.

Oh wait, I'm assuming you are starting with residential stuff, correct?

**tallpoppy** · 01-30-2006 09:27 AM

Leong,

Would you like us to design the stickers & lawn signs for you?

Before we can do that for you, you need an identity. Do you already have an identity created? An identity will help consumers associate your company with the services you offer, like McDonalds and the big yellow M. If you need an identity we can also help you create one.

Let me know, give me an email at paulo@tallpoppy.ca

Best regards,

Tallpoppy

**leong5808** · 02-03-2006 07:32 PM

Yes , i started with residential stuff....what do u mean by get a magnet for my car?

is really not easy to start a part time bizz....

Thanks ...your alll reply...

Dan

**Donedeals** · 02-07-2006 02:59 PM

My friend is in that busines and he has a referall bonus in place. I think he offers $50 for the ones that turn into a sale. Market it so that they can get free monitoring with a refferal.