by Marcus Morrison
in Business / Strategic Planning (submitted 2011-06-02)
Many of us want to start a business that does not require heaps of start up capital, very little knowledge and income coming in almost straight away.
Having created a highly successful leaflet distribution business i would like to share with you the basic techniques on how to go about it correctly.
My hunger to be involved in business was on my conscious for a good year before i started coming up with feasible ideas that i could actually do. My main concern was the fact i had very little start up capital and believed i needed hundreds of pounds to start. I can honestly say you can start this business with very little start up capital but to make things easier you’re looking at a budget of £200
Now there’s not many businesses you can start these days for less than £200.
The first thing to do is to ask yourself the simple question who is your potential customer and how can they benefit from this service?
Having lived in London all my life i found it easy to figure out what companies are currently using direct marketing to advertise. How? Simply collect all your direct mail that comes through your letterbox in a month and all your friends’ ands families’ letterboxes.
These days many companies advertising is done via social media, PR or other new and up and coming methods. However there are hundreds if not thousands of businesses that rely on their local market to increase sales.
For example - a local pizza shop is not going to deliver to a customer that is 20 miles away, its just not going to happen. Therefore they need to target their local customers within a 3 mile radius and raise awareness about their service.
Having considered a group of businesses or individuals that you want to target the second thing to do is to target them. Even when i was a one-man band i ensured that my image was professional.
A website, business cards and references are essential.
By this i mean a basic 5 page website with pages - Home, About Us, Our services, Prices, Contact Us
Business cards can be bought very cheaply these days. 500 Full colour business cards will do fine with details Name, Job Role, Contact Number, Website
(References we will get into later)
New start up businesses in your local area are your main target market. You know they have just opened and they obviously need to raise awareness about their products or services.
I found that targeting businesses was best done face to face. You can build trust and a relationship with a Manager there and then. The only mistake i made was the try and "close" customers as soon as i met them.
By this i would explain what i do and highlight the benefits of using my service.
Explaining what you do and essentially asking for a yes or no there and then is a no no.
People are more likely to say no as they have only just met you and you are a stranger.
Having gone out and spoken to about 400 businesses without much interest i decided to change my tactic.
Your number one goal when going out and speaking to people about your service is to arrange a meeting.
As stated business owners will never make a decision on the spot and if they say give me your card "ill call". Chances are they never will.
Face to face sales - Going business to business and arranging appointments is the most highly effective way to get clients.
Once you are there you must ask for the Manager, he is the key decision maker not the person behind the counter.
You - "Hi there, do you know if the Managers around"? (Smile)
Them - "Yes one second, let me get him/her"
You - "Hi there, my names Marcus i own a small leaflet distribution business and im working alongside local businesses to help promote themselves" "Understandably i know your busy so can i arrange a time to pop back and explain further my services"
Them - "Yes Thursday at 10am should be fine"
You - "See you then" (shake hand)
This is over simplified but by reading this dialogue you can now understand you should never close people straight away.
Open them and introduce yourself and your service then go back on another day and close.
Once you go back be prepared to highlight the benefits of your service
- Increase sales
- Make people aware of your service/product
- Give people an incentive to come, for example 20% off"
References as i mentioned earlier are maps that you have previously done for clients.
What you will need to do is print off a map of a specific area and highlight roads.
This gives the client 100% trust that you will deliver ALL leaflets, honestly and to the correct places.
Obviously im guessing you haven’t had any clients at this stage so be honest and explain your situation.
Always mention they can pay after and they can go and knock on doors to ensure leaflets were all delivered.
Prices
You can charge your clients anything you want but a competitive price is around £30 per thousand.
This typically takes 4-5 hours to do, depending on the area. You might out source help from friends or family.
Making £90 per day !
Making your business more profitable is essential. This job is hard work and you will need motivation to continue. let me share with you the secrets of making £90 + per day.
Once you have a happy paying client the next thing to do it target another business in that area you are delivering. For a few more ideas of businesses you can target.
- Cab offices / business cards - Leisure Centres
- Take away restaurants - Personal trainers
- Small events - Dog walkers
- Decorators and builders - Pizza Places
- Gardeners - Mobile Hair dressers
- Domestic cleaning - Estate Agents
Once you have found another client you can deliver 2 flyers together. This is called combined distribution.
The reason i mentioned cab offices and business cards is because these are small. Its near impossible to put 3,000 full size flyers in your bag. This combined distribution only works if the pieces of material that is small.
Always tell your clients that you will be doing a combined distribution and offer a discount! 20-30% minimum. Some clients will not actually want you to do combined as the chance of a potential customer seeing a reading the flyer is slightly reduced.
More profits - Obviously your business is leaflet distribution but what i did was network with a local printer and explain what i did.
I asked for a 10 % commission for each client i could get to print with him.
So if the client needed 10,000 flyers printed and the quote was £400.
I would make a referral fee of £40. This may not sound allot but if done on a big enough scale you could be earning £100-200 per week just from referrals along with your distribution.
This works wonders as you can now tell your clients you can print and distribute for one set price.
Now you have all the information to start and grow your leaflet distribution business. Remember to keep an open mind and enjoy what you do.
For cost effective business start up packages visit
www.eagle-creative.com
Best Of Luck !
About the Author
20 Year old entreprenuer from London
Senin, 25 Juli 2011
How to excel in a distribution business?
by William King
in Business / Business Ideas (submitted 2011-04-26)
Distribution is an important element of the marketing mix and the supply chain management. Some of the companies have their separate distribution departments while others render the services of independent distributors. With some planning, your distribution business can expand to a considerable extent.
Optimizing the Strategy:
For independent distributors, it might be helpful if you inform the manufacturer or dealer about distribution strategy. And to effectively device that strategy, the business model of the wholesalers/retailers/dealers, should be thoroughly discussed with all the parties involved. Touch all aspects of distribution and marketing strategy, do you research on consumer response to certain products, competitor's strategy, from location of the wholesale clients/consumer to how you can safely deliver the goods in time. The compatibility of distribution strategy with the business model is the first rule of distribution business.
Price the Products Compassionately:
The distribution price is included in the retail price of the product. The shipping cost of certain items is higher and hence their retail price goes up. If you are a beginner and need to build contacts, you should start with reasonably lower rates. This would automatically reduce the Suppliers rates of the products and retailers and of course the end consumer will also benefit from it. With time, you would have years old contacts, tons of new orders and a solid reputation in the distribution field.
Know the "Who" part of Distribution:
It is important to know who benefits from your distribution efficiency the most. This will help you modify your plans accordingly and yield better results. If you intend to stick around in the business of distribution for a long period of time then this information is vital for your survival.
Spot the Potential Partners:
Distribution, even if at smaller level, needs partnership. It is one of those fields where two are literally better than one. So you are advised to look for individuals or companies who can help you start. Since every thing has a beginning and it does not always have to be a big one so the idea of working on someone's terms shouldn't be ruled out. Remember that in trade, someone's profit does not necessarily have to be someone else's loss.
Do the planning:
For distribution planning, it is only practical to include the Suppliers and retailers too. Since your successful distribution business earns revenues for them, they would be glad to share their invaluable experience. If you help them achieve certain sales target, there are fat chances that suppliers and retailers would offer you new contacts. So to excel in the distribution business, you got to play your cards wisely and fairly.
About the Author
William King is the director of Suppliers, Distributors and Wholesalers. He has 18 years of experience in the marketing and trading industries and has been helping retailers and startups with their product sourcing, promotion, marketing and supply chain requirements.
in Business / Business Ideas (submitted 2011-04-26)
Distribution is an important element of the marketing mix and the supply chain management. Some of the companies have their separate distribution departments while others render the services of independent distributors. With some planning, your distribution business can expand to a considerable extent.
Optimizing the Strategy:
For independent distributors, it might be helpful if you inform the manufacturer or dealer about distribution strategy. And to effectively device that strategy, the business model of the wholesalers/retailers/dealers, should be thoroughly discussed with all the parties involved. Touch all aspects of distribution and marketing strategy, do you research on consumer response to certain products, competitor's strategy, from location of the wholesale clients/consumer to how you can safely deliver the goods in time. The compatibility of distribution strategy with the business model is the first rule of distribution business.
Price the Products Compassionately:
The distribution price is included in the retail price of the product. The shipping cost of certain items is higher and hence their retail price goes up. If you are a beginner and need to build contacts, you should start with reasonably lower rates. This would automatically reduce the Suppliers rates of the products and retailers and of course the end consumer will also benefit from it. With time, you would have years old contacts, tons of new orders and a solid reputation in the distribution field.
Know the "Who" part of Distribution:
It is important to know who benefits from your distribution efficiency the most. This will help you modify your plans accordingly and yield better results. If you intend to stick around in the business of distribution for a long period of time then this information is vital for your survival.
Spot the Potential Partners:
Distribution, even if at smaller level, needs partnership. It is one of those fields where two are literally better than one. So you are advised to look for individuals or companies who can help you start. Since every thing has a beginning and it does not always have to be a big one so the idea of working on someone's terms shouldn't be ruled out. Remember that in trade, someone's profit does not necessarily have to be someone else's loss.
Do the planning:
For distribution planning, it is only practical to include the Suppliers and retailers too. Since your successful distribution business earns revenues for them, they would be glad to share their invaluable experience. If you help them achieve certain sales target, there are fat chances that suppliers and retailers would offer you new contacts. So to excel in the distribution business, you got to play your cards wisely and fairly.
About the Author
William King is the director of Suppliers, Distributors and Wholesalers. He has 18 years of experience in the marketing and trading industries and has been helping retailers and startups with their product sourcing, promotion, marketing and supply chain requirements.
Rabu, 13 Juli 2011
How To Sell Your Wholesale or Distribution Business
by Johnscotts
in Business / Small Business (submitted 2011-02-06)
If your Wholesale or Distribution business does less than one million dollars in annual revenue, it is likely that you can sell your business on your own. This can save you tens of thousands of dollars in business broker commission fees. The DIYBizSales.com Do-It-Yourself Business Sales System gives you the tools and the confidence to sell your Wholesale or Distribution business. The system is broken down into 9 easy to follow modules. These simple, bite-sized chunks take the "scary" out of selling your business.
These simple steps can be used to help you sell your Wholesale or Distribution business without a business broker. Unlike traditional business brokers, we don't charge huge commissions when you sell your business. Our flat fee model gives you the tools, tips, and techniques you need to sell your small business without a broker.
Step One - Getting ready to sell your business. When you decide it is time to sell your Wholesale or Distribution business, there are certain things you will need to do before you get started. Just like if you were trying to go on a road trip to a place you'd never been before, you'd want to have a map involved with the planning process, right? You will need to figure out the various types of buyers and what they are looking for before you get started:
Step Two - Prepare financial and other documents. We know: it's your very favorite way to pass a lazy weekend. Or as exciting as watching paint dry. But the reality is that prepping your financial documents is a component to success if you want to have the best chance of successfully selling your Wholesale or Distribution business for a fair price.
Step Three - What's your business really worth? This is one of the most important questions of the whole process. You've heard rumors and stories about this, but do you know what buyers are really willing to pay for a small business like yours? You'll have a much easier time selling your business if you know how much to ask for it, how Wholesale or Distribution business sales are financed, and proven strategies you can use to get the best price for your business.
Step Four - Create a compelling marketing packet to attract the best buyers. Advertising your Wholesale or Distribution business for sale is a balancing act. You need to be able to tell prospects about your great opportunity while maintaining confidentiality. This module teaches you how to create a compelling marketing packet that makes you feel comfortable posting for the world to see and makes buyers interested in learning more enough to contact you for more information.
Step Five - Finding buyers and getting them to respond to your ads. Here, we guide you to the places to find ready, able and willing buyers for your business. We'll show you how to write effective advertisements that help your Wholesale or Distribution business stand out from the thousands of other ads your prospective buyers will read. You'll learn the pros and cons of advertising in print and online. Plus, we'll give you a few out of the box ideas for finding buyers.
Step Six - Screening buyers to keep the good ones and say goodbye to the bad ones. An important aspect of selling your Wholesale or Distribution business is determining who's serious in their pursuit of your business and who's just kicking tires. In addition, confidentiality regarding certain details needs to be maintained. We'll help you start a meaningful dialogue with buyers and make sure you don't screw up your deal.
Step Seven - Negotiate a deal that will make it to the finish line. Unless you're looking to undersell yourself, there will be an inevitable bargaining process regarding your Wholesale or Distribution business sale. If you screw up the negotiation, you will lose money or completely drive the buyer away. We'll help you avoid common negotiation mistakes and ensure that you gain the upper hand as you move down the path of selling your small business.
Step Eight - How to survive due diligence. Details are crucial in Wholesale or Distribution business deals. If you don't put in the required amount of effort and focus, your arrangement will fall through when inspected. We'll help you avoid any sort of trouble in the legal and accounting departments, ensuring that you'll receive your payout with no following headaches.
Step Nine - Things to remember during closing and transition. You want your money. However, you'll need to make sure all of the smaller details of transition and making sure that the new owner starts out pleased with their deal before you enjoy your rewards.
Selling your Wholesale or Distribution business on your own can save you thousands of dollars and be a rewarding experience. It is a relatively straightforward process to sell your small business. It will take some work, but it is definitely doable. If you follow the steps in our system and consult your attorney and accountant at the right time, you can sell your small business without paying a big broker fee.
DIYBizSales.com offers inexpensive and easy to use flat-fee business broker services to help you sell your business without the obligations and large fees of working with a traditional business brokerage firm.
About the Author
For more information on Selling a Small Business; Sell Your Business Yourself and Businesses for Sale by Owner, For more information on Sell a Business, please visit our website diybizsales.com.
in Business / Small Business (submitted 2011-02-06)
If your Wholesale or Distribution business does less than one million dollars in annual revenue, it is likely that you can sell your business on your own. This can save you tens of thousands of dollars in business broker commission fees. The DIYBizSales.com Do-It-Yourself Business Sales System gives you the tools and the confidence to sell your Wholesale or Distribution business. The system is broken down into 9 easy to follow modules. These simple, bite-sized chunks take the "scary" out of selling your business.
These simple steps can be used to help you sell your Wholesale or Distribution business without a business broker. Unlike traditional business brokers, we don't charge huge commissions when you sell your business. Our flat fee model gives you the tools, tips, and techniques you need to sell your small business without a broker.
Step One - Getting ready to sell your business. When you decide it is time to sell your Wholesale or Distribution business, there are certain things you will need to do before you get started. Just like if you were trying to go on a road trip to a place you'd never been before, you'd want to have a map involved with the planning process, right? You will need to figure out the various types of buyers and what they are looking for before you get started:
Step Two - Prepare financial and other documents. We know: it's your very favorite way to pass a lazy weekend. Or as exciting as watching paint dry. But the reality is that prepping your financial documents is a component to success if you want to have the best chance of successfully selling your Wholesale or Distribution business for a fair price.
Step Three - What's your business really worth? This is one of the most important questions of the whole process. You've heard rumors and stories about this, but do you know what buyers are really willing to pay for a small business like yours? You'll have a much easier time selling your business if you know how much to ask for it, how Wholesale or Distribution business sales are financed, and proven strategies you can use to get the best price for your business.
Step Four - Create a compelling marketing packet to attract the best buyers. Advertising your Wholesale or Distribution business for sale is a balancing act. You need to be able to tell prospects about your great opportunity while maintaining confidentiality. This module teaches you how to create a compelling marketing packet that makes you feel comfortable posting for the world to see and makes buyers interested in learning more enough to contact you for more information.
Step Five - Finding buyers and getting them to respond to your ads. Here, we guide you to the places to find ready, able and willing buyers for your business. We'll show you how to write effective advertisements that help your Wholesale or Distribution business stand out from the thousands of other ads your prospective buyers will read. You'll learn the pros and cons of advertising in print and online. Plus, we'll give you a few out of the box ideas for finding buyers.
Step Six - Screening buyers to keep the good ones and say goodbye to the bad ones. An important aspect of selling your Wholesale or Distribution business is determining who's serious in their pursuit of your business and who's just kicking tires. In addition, confidentiality regarding certain details needs to be maintained. We'll help you start a meaningful dialogue with buyers and make sure you don't screw up your deal.
Step Seven - Negotiate a deal that will make it to the finish line. Unless you're looking to undersell yourself, there will be an inevitable bargaining process regarding your Wholesale or Distribution business sale. If you screw up the negotiation, you will lose money or completely drive the buyer away. We'll help you avoid common negotiation mistakes and ensure that you gain the upper hand as you move down the path of selling your small business.
Step Eight - How to survive due diligence. Details are crucial in Wholesale or Distribution business deals. If you don't put in the required amount of effort and focus, your arrangement will fall through when inspected. We'll help you avoid any sort of trouble in the legal and accounting departments, ensuring that you'll receive your payout with no following headaches.
Step Nine - Things to remember during closing and transition. You want your money. However, you'll need to make sure all of the smaller details of transition and making sure that the new owner starts out pleased with their deal before you enjoy your rewards.
Selling your Wholesale or Distribution business on your own can save you thousands of dollars and be a rewarding experience. It is a relatively straightforward process to sell your small business. It will take some work, but it is definitely doable. If you follow the steps in our system and consult your attorney and accountant at the right time, you can sell your small business without paying a big broker fee.
DIYBizSales.com offers inexpensive and easy to use flat-fee business broker services to help you sell your business without the obligations and large fees of working with a traditional business brokerage firm.
About the Author
For more information on Selling a Small Business; Sell Your Business Yourself and Businesses for Sale by Owner, For more information on Sell a Business, please visit our website diybizsales.com.
Langganan:
Postingan (Atom)