I have a new business I would like to advertise and I want to put postcards in the front doors of those who might be interested.

I know that Papa John's and the cleaning companies do it to my door all the time. Do these people have to get permits to do that? (In FFX county? Does anyone know about Georgetown?)

Thanks.

TT

Please don't. This creates litter. And no homeowner wants someone traipsing across front yards to put something like this in the door. We just throw it away or the wind blows it away. Don't knock on my door either. I hate solicitors.

Trickie

I am with Trickie on this one. Personally, I make it a point to not give my $$ to any business that puts a flyer on my door. It may be successful advertising as a whole, but it certainly drives me away.

Agree. We don't like the flyers in doors or under windshield wipers. Nor do we enjoy the unlawful posting of such advertising on our stop signs or along the highway.

Check the yellow pages. Find one of the companies that provides mailed advertising. For a nominal fee, a business expense deducted from your tax return, you can reach specific parts of the county.

As recipients, I don't mind this type of mail and it's useful when we're looking for a local contractor; also, the backs of the inserts are usually not printed and you can staple together to use for your shopping list or scratch paper to compute the money you're going to make.

I wish I could do a mailing, that would be nice, but it is VERY costly. Deduct is from the business as an expense, well everything is an expense, and in the whole budget of things, it is a big chunk.

I wouldn't go under windshields, as I agree no one really looks at that.

I wouldn't be knocking on doors, as this is an online website.

When I get mailings to my house, and I just toss them away. Even the packets of cards with different offerings, I just flip & toss not even really paying attention.

I am actually at quite a loss as how to get my website into the eyes of people that can afford it, and that would care. Specifically looking at the Georgetown, Potomac Falls demographic. Guys 25-55.

I have postcards (not mailable because of mailing rules) left over from another event. I'm trying to come up with ways to distribute them.

Standing around DC handing them out wouldn't get to far. People would easily just toss 'em.

I'm not a big fan of the door stuffings as well, but I at least do read them (when they don't blow away)

Do you have any other suggestions as to how to get these un-mailable postcards of information out to people? Something that I can spend some sweat equity rather than cash to distribute?

For that demographic, you could ask bars, restaurants, gyms, and other retailers if you could display them. I used to see that quite a bit, but not so much anymore. You still see it for apartment and home guides though.

Ask a few of your friends if they will allow you to post a sign with your website on it in their lawn.

When our Community Association shut down the OFFICIAL web site and discussion forum - reasons not necessary - my neighbor created another one for us to access. He posted lawn signs everywhere and we now have over 300 residents using that forum. Additionally, he posted them in the common areas of our community, and even though the Association took them down within 1 week, the notoriety was well worth it...

I work at a gym and we are not allowed to put flyers for other businesses on the counter or anywhere else in the building. However, we do get this free magazine called On tap and lots of people pick one up on their way out. It is mainly a way to advertize local bands, happy hours, restaurants, events mainly directed to the younger crowd who likez to go to clubs and events with drinking and bands. Perhaps you could contact them to advertise. I see guys picking them up all the time.

Trickie

I looked at Washington City Paper. It was pretty expensive for a print ad, but I decided to go for a banner ad online. So I am trying that. Getting reasonable traffic, but no conversions yet.

I am also taking what you are saying to heart. I just reserved, "Guerrilla marketing : easy and inexpensive strategies for making big profits from your small business" at the library. So hopefully that will give me some better ideas then shoving junk in people's doors.

I've talked to Gyms, and they said exactly what the other poster said, and that is that they don't allow it. Some have this postcard wall hanging thing, but to get in there is $$ as well.

I've thought about asking Bars, Restaurants, etc. as well. But I think they might feel it would just clutter up the place. Plus do you think they would want a free gift or something? Would it be rediculous to walk in there with a free product, and say, if I can place my cards here, you can have this free.. "Whatever"?

At the same time, the clients going to my website, would frequent restaurants that don't easily hand out cards for other businesses. Hmm, I wonder if they would allow me to put something in the Men's Room.

Thanks for the positive guidance. I'm surprised no one has... well.. you all know :-)

TT

You could get attractive women to hand them out at those places. It is hard coming up with suggestions not knowing what the product/service is. I understadn though why you would not want to share it with the forum.

We allow advertising in our restooms. We have a contract with a company called Zoom. They are posters advertising shampoo, yeast infection pills!, etc. I don't think it's too expensive. They hang on the inside of each toilet stall.

Trickie

Yeah, I was actually thinking of maybe a little postcard holder on the sink.

Hmm. I hope I learn a lot from this book as well.

TT

I may have missed it, but what is that you are selling or what is this new business you are advertising???

I'm not advertising here, or discussing it. It is for affluent men 25-55.

TT

It is for affluent men 25-55.

www.SugarDaddie.com

Is it an escort service, which is just the fancy name for expensive prostitutes.

Because if it is, I am in... However I can only afford the cheap ugly ones...

TT Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Does anyone know about Georgetown?
>
> Thanks.
>
> TT


Yeah, I heard of that place. It's in DC and has a bunch of bars.

TT Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> I am actually at quite a loss as how to get my
> website into the eyes of people that can afford
> it, and that would care. Specifically looking at
> the Georgetown, Potomac Falls demographic. Guys
> 25-55.


Potomac Falls? You mean Sterling? You and I have different ideas of affluent.