| Author | Message | ||
     Celebration New member Username: Celebration Post Number: 5 Registered: 06-2009 |
What are some good ways to market my new e-commerce business to the local towns? Do mailings work? Celebration Baskets | ||
| Giftbasketassociationcom Intermediate Member Username: Giftbasketassociationcom Post Number: 83 Registered: 04-2009 |
Personally what works for us is referrals. For us, mailings don't work, sometimes we get email responses but referrals are the best way to go. Also, if its worth it, you can send them a small "trinket" - (we use our gourmet gifts jr. series) to get their attention. I also use Google Adwords but thats to capture people that are looking for gift baskets. I prefer to give people a reason to buy them from me  Hope that helps. | ||
| Essencegiftbaskets Junior Member Username: Essencegiftbaskets Post Number: 24 Registered: 02-2009 |
Are the options that you spoke about expensive? | ||
| Celebration New member Username: Celebration Post Number: 6 Registered: 06-2009 |
How did you first start out in order to get those referrals? Celebration Baskets | ||
| Giftbasketassociationcom Intermediate Member Username: Giftbasketassociationcom Post Number: 84 Registered: 04-2009 |
In terms of expense, no - its not expensive. With the Google adwords, you set your own budget. In terms of getting the referrals when I first started out - it's a long story but we posted Jump Start Your business with NetMax to my blog here: http://coffeewithdebbie.blogspot.com/ Look on the left hand side. It's a three part series. I do this every year and it works wonders for us. ...and I did it live on BlogTalkRadio here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/DebbieQuintana/2009/04/24/Coffee-with-Debbie-Dawn-Lets-Talk-Parties ...and you both can call me tomorrow and I can help you as much as I can I can walk you through Google adwords and show you how I use it and give you some more ideas too. Direct line is 408-448-6131. | ||
| Giftbasketassociationcom Intermediate Member Username: Giftbasketassociationcom Post Number: 86 Registered: 04-2009 |
GREAT talking to you today...keep in touch! | ||
| Shopthegiftbasketstore New member Username: Shopthegiftbasketstore Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2008 |
Look for a professional business or business partnership group in your town to join. | ||
| Celebration Junior Member Username: Celebration Post Number: 12 Registered: 06-2009 |
You mean like the local chamber of commerce? Celebration Baskets | ||
| Firecat Junior Member Username: Firecat Post Number: 11 Registered: 02-2007 |
I'm not sure what the other person who posted meant, but my own experience has been that BNI is much more effective than the Chamber. On the other hand, it does cost more and requires a greater effort on your part. | ||
| Pamm Senior Member Username: Pamm Post Number: 577 Registered: 02-2003 |
I agree with the networking group option. A smaller group where only one person from each industry is allowed to join has been more effective for us than being a member of a large group like the Chamber. One group I belong to was formed by BNI dropouts. Annual fee is only $150 and we pay for our own breakfasts. By being in a smaller group, people really get to know each other and feel confident giving out referrals. Groups such as this one have popped up all over the place. I have an article on my blog http://www.giftbasketsandiego.blogspot.com/ entitled "Word of Mouth" - Most Cost Effective Form of Advertising that talks about networking groups. | ||
| Alayne Senior Member Username: Alayne Post Number: 991 Registered: 02-1999 |
In our area we have a "Women's Only" business group and only 1 industry can join. We do not have dues but pay for our own breakfast and meet monthly. It works quite well and after a year we have over 20 women in our group. There is no pressure and each month someone else does the presentation. We are forming close bonds and friendships with each other as well as promotiong each others businesses. Many of us belong to the chamber but some do not and some ladies are from areas that would be excluded geographically from other organizations. It's whatever works for you. Lea |
