This is the second in a multi-part discussion on how to promote your businees online. If you missed Part 1 then you might want to back up and begin at the beginning. (where did I read that ?)

 To figure out the first steps of my first marketing campaign I just jumped in feet first as if I know what I was doing and decided on Direct Mailing. I then designed a post card sized ad and had 500 cards printed.   After investigating several companies the sale mailing lists I found one that had a good reputation and purchased a mailing list for small to medium sized compaines within my county.  I’ll go ahead and give them a plug because I found them very helpful.  infoUSA.com is really a one stop shop. They will do the whole thing for you if you like including design, print and mail and much more I’m sure. But I already had the cards printed and unfortunately the design I came up with didn’t leave me enough room on the card top use their pre-printed labels. I think that’s called putting the cart ahead of the horse yes? Well live and learn. So I was sent the mailing address in an spreadsheet and was able purchase labels and print them out myself.  I then purchased stamps and laveled anb stamped 500 post cards and got them in the mail.

Result? I believe there was 1 phone call and unortunately I was out running errands. All attempts to get the guy on the phone again went without reponse. I have read, and been told, that a 3% return on a direct mailing is about the best you can expect. I have also read that you need to put your name in front of a customer 3 times before you start to see significant results. I have also learned the “We’ll get back to you” is a really stupid thing to say to a potential customer. With that answer they are almost as good as gone. Since my lovely wife Lynda handles most of the phone calls, she now sets up an appointment for me to go see them face-to-face or makes thed sale if she can right there on the spot.

Ok so the direct mailing did not result in any business but it did mut me in front of potential customers once. So maybe that will end up a positive. I certainly learned much from the experience though. A mailing of 500 is way to small, labelling and stamoing the cards yourself is probably not a good use of your time. If you have children then maybee ….

Next thing I did was have my printer create and install a window ad on the back window of my wifes car.  As an outside sales person for the local newspaper she is out and about time most everyday. This has actually resulted in 2 large sales that I know of to date and at least 1 or 2 that are still talking about wanting to purchase. There is a potential downside here though, at least for Lynda anyway I was meeting with a client and asked her how she heard about me. She said that she saw Lyndas car while driveing through town. She went on to say that she was pulling a long horse trailler (24 foot?) and trying to drive, dig though the glove box for something to write on and not lose sight of Lynda all at the same time. I can’t remember if she said she was on her cell phone or not. 

Well I’m gonna leave it here for now and get back to work.  Part 3 will continue where I’m leaving off.

So how do you start a Blog? I don’t really know so I’m just going to jump right in and start writing.

I’ve started my own business online building and website hosing websites for other business’ and organizations. I’ve recently been laid off along with so many others, so I’m taking this opportunity to make a go of it. I’m 4 months into working this business full time now and have definitely nade my share of mistakes. I’ve also learned a few things to and that is the point of this blog. I want to share my experiences with those that might try to go down tyhe same road. I am also asking for you to contribute your advice or questions in the form of comments in the hope that I can make this blog some value to other.

Let’s begin at the beginning. Like so many others I have dreamed of working for myself from the comfort of my own home. The way I look at it is like this; People have been sucessful at this in the past, so why not me?  So let me first decribe my product. I know this sounds like a sales pitch, and it is I suppose, but it needs to be described before I can proceed with the rest of this story. Besides, I think it’s important to pitch your product at e3very opportunity.

I like to think of my product as my 25+ years experience in the IT world. I’ve been developing code since 1983 so I do know a bit about how it’s done, what users/customers expect and how to produce quality work. I also know that if the user/customer is not happy than none of the rest of that matters because they won’t use the tools I create. So I offer that experience in the form of Building and Hosting their website, providing personal support and most importantly using my experience to market their site.  I run my business using the same code and techniques that I offer for sale so when I talk about marketing techniques that I am trying for my business (Bar-J Web Commerce or The Bar-J for short) I am also using myself as a test case before I suggest it to my clients.

I think I’m going to leave it there for today. I am going to try to write every day. Comments will definitely help me keep that schedule going. My next post is going to start discussing some of the first marketing steps I took and what I learned from them and maybe touch on some of the sources of information I’ve found that I consider helpful.

Thanks for you time

jdd