Idea marketing to small businesses in Atlanta

I am launching a small business eMarketing firm in Atlanta
http://www.ActiveImprovement.com and will appreciate any ideas reaching
small businesses in the local area.

Thanks,
Ivan

"IL" <notvalid@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:c7ug8c015pb@enews2.newsguy.com...
>
> I am launching a small business eMarketing firm in Atlanta
> http://www.ActiveImprovement.com and will appreciate any ideas reaching
> small businesses in the local area.
>
> Thanks,
> Ivan

I bought a machine shop in Denver back in 1967 and had to find work right
away to pay the interest, capital, payroll, taxes and all expenses. I worked
up a postcard and had it printed. Then sent it out to all manufacturers in
Denver. It promissed them emergency overnight service on any critical
time-based machine operation for free as long as they gave me the card. I
suggested they hold onto the card until needed. Over the next few months I
got enough new business that I managed to bring the business into
profitability.

People are scared silly of their computer systems crashing. Few have
reliable help. You've heard it said that the lucky people on this planet
have a good dentist, mechanic and handy-man. In today's environment I'd add
computer handi-person for business related stuff.

Go to your local Small Business Development Center (not SBA nor SCORE) and
sign up as a client. Then ask for a database dump of all businesses with
more than 2 emplyees and less than 10. Send them a card offering instant
response to any ebusiness problem (computer) as a means to introduce your
fantastic service to them.

Wayne
spread the word on my son's unique, exciting, unusual, phenomenal idea
www.rcsailcars.com

> >

Great suggestion Wayne, on the post card and the Small Business Development
Centers. Atlanta is filled with small start-up businesses that would be very
interested in this type of eMarketing concept.


"Wayne Lundberg" <Waynelund@example.invalid> wrote in message
news:c819b1020gp@enews2.newsguy.com...
>
>
> "IL" <notvalid@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
> news:c7ug8c015pb@enews2.newsguy.com...
> >
> > I am launching a small business eMarketing firm in Atlanta
> > http://www.ActiveImprovement.com and will appreciate any ideas reaching
> > small businesses in the local area.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Ivan
>
> I bought a machine shop in Denver back in 1967 and had to find work right
> away to pay the interest, capital, payroll, taxes and all expenses. I
worked
> up a postcard and had it printed. Then sent it out to all manufacturers in
> Denver. It promissed them emergency overnight service on any critical
> time-based machine operation for free as long as they gave me the card. I
> suggested they hold onto the card until needed. Over the next few months I
> got enough new business that I managed to bring the business into
> profitability
[ Remainder of quoted material elided by moderator. -JimL ]

Q.

I am launching a small business eMarketing firm in Atlanta
http://www.ActiveImprovement.com and will appreciate any ideas reaching
small businesses in the local area.
Thanks,
Ivan

A.

Several tidbits here for you, Ivan.

1) It is true that there are droves of small outfits in Atlanta that
could potentially benefit from your service, However, there are also
lots of consulting firms offering some form of retention services as
part of larger customer care or marketing service packages. The Keyword:
SEGMENT and niche market to a specialized target for starters. Expand
from there. Example: "I specialize in doubling Client retention for
health clubs - that translates into 200 -300% net gains over a 3 year
span". (Name your niche).

2) It's been said that Atlanta is the largest SMALL TOWN you ever want
to visit. A lot of owners in the Atlanta area are from the southeast
(NC, SC, TN, AL, Upper FL). If you are also, that translates into an
advantage and if not a bit of a competitive disadvantage. You, friend,
are in the "Bible Belt" dealing with a southerners business perspective,
in probably 50% of the cases or better. (Not saying it is somehow better
or lessor, just transferring some knowledge).

The Keyword here is: (inter)PERSONAL Contact. Try to engineer personal
contact into your sales cycle if at all possible. They will want to see
what you "look and act like". Example: "I would be happy to SWING BY on
my way to supper, and let's see if i can't give you some marketing ideas
over a good seafood platter". (And no, I'm not kidding).

3) Consider Using two or three a) Barter Services and b) Marketing
services.

Have the barter services "introduce" you to their members. Since your
service is general, you should get some interest. The services will also
have a few big names involved with them. Closing these guys allows you
to add the big regional names to your client list (if you can broker
barter deals with them), and further add to your credibility. Barter IS
CASH after you convert it out to a liquefiable commodity, or use it to
reduce your operating or living costs. (Most people don't realize that a
dollar saved is equal to TWO DOLLARS EARNED).

Have the marketing services (who are target marketers) broker you out as
an enhanced service to their clientele and take a slice off the top. Put
together a package just for them.

4) Lock down the areas within a 5 mile radius of a Superwalmart store...
and target the services the "big box" is displacing. Surely those guys
have "got to" be losing a little sleep. Create a 'consumer advocacy'
scripted retention program focused on QUALITY. Example: "Mr Mechanic,
there are somethings cheapness just can't buy, like better service. I
feel YOUR customers need to know this before they go chasing rainbows
down the street here shortly", etc.

I'll tell you a true story. I went and had my oil changed at Walmart=99
once, because they were across from another appointment. Never again.
These jokers never even changed the oil. Just wrote up a ticket and sent
me back down the road! (YIKES).

Yes, following the wake of Walmart is good.

Also, budget permitting, supplement with:

5) Chamber of Commerce (Networking/ Functions)
Atlanta Business Chronicle Mag
Atlanta Magazine
Atlanta Tribune

My number #1 rule for marketing in the South:

"Spend less time conversing PLANS and more effort planning
CONVERSATIONS"

All the best...

~zion~