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OddThomas
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Joined: 07 Mar 2007
Posts: 2010
Location: North Carolina
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 Posted: Mar 07 2008 Post subject: |
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| BBQMAN wrote: | | They are mailed to a very specific targeted audience |
I remember you mentioning that before Mike. Target marketing always works better than randomly mailing "every Joe Schmo in the area".  |
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BBQMAN
BBQ Super All Star
Joined: 13 Jun 2005
Posts: 15475
Location: Florida
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| Posted: Mar 07 2008 Post subject: |
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We mailed every address on Gulf Blvd (beach front property) with homes starting in the millions for a "fix-r-upper and had very little results years ago.
The mail-outs that we do now are to generate new clients for next season. They needed to be mailed before April when the snowbirds all fly back home!
I booked two (new) clients for next March already off the mail-out we did last October.
Most of our clients are repeats, but some new are needed with any business to stay ahead of the game.
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BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005. |
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marvsbbq
BBQ All Star
Joined: 15 May 2005
Posts: 6186
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| Posted: Mar 07 2008 Post subject: |
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Well in THAT case....mabye a FREE SAMPLE would be in order as well. I mean if you REALLY want to "hook" them.
But I totally understand the "targeted market" and think THAT is an excellent idea.
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Ranucci's Big Butt
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Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 1219
Location: Charlotte, NC
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| Posted: Mar 07 2008 Post subject: |
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Sorry Mike, but that post card is funny as hell, looks like a blast back to the 70's. Need to break out the Zuit Suit.
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Alex
Ranucci's Big Butt BBQ
www.ranuccis.com
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marvsbbq
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| Posted: Mar 07 2008 Post subject: |
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| Ranucci's Big Butt wrote: | | Sorry Mike, but that post card is funny as hell, looks like a blast back to the 70's. Need to break out the Zuit Suit. |
Well you have to remember Alex, a LOT of his clients are "snowbirds" (retirees that travel south for warm winter weather) So the "blast back to teh 70's just MIGHT fit right in their age group... MAYBE, just MAYBE he was thinking ahead when he put that together. 
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Ranucci's Big Butt
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Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 1219
Location: Charlotte, NC
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| Posted: Mar 07 2008 Post subject: |
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I know, that's what makes it so funny. I have a bunch of gold chains from my earlier days if you need to borrow them Mike.
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Alex
Ranucci's Big Butt BBQ
www.ranuccis.com
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Bryce Crane
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Joined: 03 May 2007
Posts: 1182
Location: Sandy Springs, GA
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| Posted: Mar 07 2008 Post subject: |
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I like that Mike...great idea. Looks damn good.
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www.fattyshackbbq.com
Stump's GF 222P
3 Weber Kettles
Klose Offset
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Jeff T
BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 08 Mar 2005
Posts: 4207
Location: Norfolk, Nebraska
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| Posted: Mar 07 2008 Post subject: |
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| Super idea Mike, looks cool. |
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BBQMAN
BBQ Super All Star
Joined: 13 Jun 2005
Posts: 15475
Location: Florida
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| Posted: Mar 07 2008 Post subject: |
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Thanks fellas!
I made enough money with the last mailout to buy my own gold chains Alex, but hey, thanks for the offer!
Not really much of a jewelry kinda guy. I only wear the one chain, which was a wedding gift from my metal worker buddy. Hand cast anchor links- not very 70s, but nice none-the-less!
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BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005. |
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BBQMAN
BBQ Super All Star
Joined: 13 Jun 2005
Posts: 15475
Location: Florida
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| Posted: Mar 07 2008 Post subject: |
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BTW guys, I posted this thread so that you could possibly take something away from it to help promote your own business.
My schedule has been real busy this spring, partly thanks to promotions like this.
If you don't like the idea, don't use it!
If you don't like the design, well that's OK too.
Similar to my website. I like it, my clients like it, and it helps my business grow.
I actively promote my business, and it helps me stay in business. That's the bottom line for me anyway.
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BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005. |
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Bryce Crane
BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 03 May 2007
Posts: 1182
Location: Sandy Springs, GA
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| Posted: Mar 07 2008 Post subject: |
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| BBQMAN wrote: | BTW guys, I posted this thread so that you could possibly take something away from it to help promote your own business.
My schedule has been real busy this spring, partly thanks to promotions like this.
If you don't like the idea, don't use it!
If you don't like the design, well that's OK too.
Similar to my website. I like it, my clients like it, and it helps my business grow.
I actively promote my business, and it helps me stay in business. That's the bottom line for me anyway. |
tru dat 
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Stump's GF 222P
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Oregon smoker
BBQ All Star
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 6246
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Mar 08 2008 Post subject: |
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| Quote: | BTW guys, I posted this thread so that you could possibly take something away from it to help promote your own business.
My schedule has been real busy this spring, partly thanks to promotions like this.
If you don't like the idea, don't use it!
If you don't like the design, well that's OK too.
Similar to my website. I like it, my clients like it, and it helps my business grow.
I actively promote my business, and it helps me stay in business. That's the bottom line for me anyway |
i couldnt agree with you more, once something works dont fix it. |
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marvsbbq
BBQ All Star
Joined: 15 May 2005
Posts: 6186
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| Posted: Mar 08 2008 Post subject: |
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| BBQMAN wrote: | BTW guys, I posted this thread so that you could possibly take something away from it to help promote your own business.
My schedule has been real busy this spring, partly thanks to promotions like this.
If you don't like the idea, don't use it!
If you don't like the design, well that's OK too.
Similar to my website. I like it, my clients like it, and it helps my business grow.
I actively promote my business, and it helps me stay in business. That's the bottom line for me anyway. |
AND you don't do it for FREE!!!!!!!
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BBQMAN
BBQ Super All Star
Joined: 13 Jun 2005
Posts: 15475
Location: Florida
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| Posted: Mar 13 2008 Post subject: |
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Just an up-date:
We mailed 300 Tuesday, and the other 500 went yesterday.
Response: 4 inquiries, and two booked parties for next year! All in the space of three days!  
By comparison: My Yellow Book ad went out this past December (for twice the money we just spent). 4 inquiries, and two booked events. All in the time frame of 3 month's.
I'll keep you posted on the final tally after they all "hit home".
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BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005. |
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marvsbbq
BBQ All Star
Joined: 15 May 2005
Posts: 6186
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| Posted: Mar 13 2008 Post subject: |
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| BBQMAN wrote: | Just an up-date:
We mailed 300 Tuesday, and the other 500 went yesterday.
Response: 4 inquiries, and two booked parties for next year! All in the space of three days!
By comparison: My Yellow Book ad went out this past December (for twice the money we just spent). 4 inquiries, and two booked events. All in the time frame of 3 month's.
I'll keep you posted on the final tally after they all "hit home". |
IMO it is hard to compare the two. The Yellow Book goes to MANY, MANY more customers than your post cards.
The post cards are a good way of "reminding" your targeted customers you are there and available for their catering needs.
I would think the post cards are a way to "compliment" you other advertising venues.
But then again, what do I know??? Look at how busy Harry is and he does not even advertise in the Yellow Book, have a website OR send out post cards.... 
Maybe someday I will be busy enough where I don't feel the need to advertise either. Right now is not the time....for me at least 
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BBQMAN
BBQ Super All Star
Joined: 13 Jun 2005
Posts: 15475
Location: Florida
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| Posted: Mar 13 2008 Post subject: |
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You are correct Marv, advertising is what keeps us in business!
This type of advertising has had a better ROI than anything else we do (other than word-of-mouth).
Can't speak for Harry and his advertising methods- he has not commented (as of yet) on this thread.
I imagine he has had to much on his brain coming up with a chicken leg quote to worry about advertising at the moment! 
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BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005. |
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OddThomas
BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 07 Mar 2007
Posts: 2010
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Mar 13 2008 Post subject: |
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| marvsbbq wrote: | | IMO it is hard to compare the two. The Yellow Book goes to MANY, MANY more customers than your post cards. |
True, the Yellow Book does have more reach, but in contrast there's no specific target and the message is generic; it's just there for folks to find. With the post card mail out, Mike has a specific target audience in mind and his message is tailored to meet their specific needs and desires. While you can't compare the approach, you can certainly compare the ROI of each method, at least for a specific time period. Longevity, however might be another story, so you'd probably have to run multiple targeted mail outs for a full year to get an accurate view of targeted mail outs vs. Yellow Book.
Good job on the mail-out Mike; I'm glad to hear it's working for you again this round. It's certainly paid for itself.  |
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OddThomas
BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 07 Mar 2007
Posts: 2010
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Mar 13 2008 Post subject: |
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| BBQMAN wrote: | | I imagine he has had to much on his brain coming up with a chicken leg quote to worry about advertising at the moment! |
Ha ha ha ha ha! Thanks! I needed that laugh. |
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BBQMAN
BBQ Super All Star
Joined: 13 Jun 2005
Posts: 15475
Location: Florida
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| Posted: Mar 13 2008 Post subject: |
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Yes, the targeted advertising has been paying for itself every time.
We do a mail-out like this twice a year, and the results are generally outstanding!
BTW, the mailing lists come from Hugo Dunhill. We purchased a few for the audience we were looking for a few years ago (MHP, Condo's, Civic Groups), and they have been very productive. I was skeptical at first blush, but have since changed my mind on how effective this actually is.
The results speak for themselves........................
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BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005. |
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Bryce Crane
BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 03 May 2007
Posts: 1182
Location: Sandy Springs, GA
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| Posted: Mar 14 2008 Post subject: |
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IF you don't mind me asking Mike...what's it cost to get such lists? I was just thinking it might be easy to use the internet, but if it's reasonable i may try the same.
Thanks man,
Bryce
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Stump's GF 222P
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