SPAM Question (Full Version)

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whitemc -> SPAM Question (3/7/2003 10:58:00)

I hate to bring up this subject again, but I' m curious about opinions.

I' m trying to start a business. Whether I have a brick and morter store or and virtual store, I still need to advertise to survive in the highly competitive beauty supply industry.

It sounds like if I send out one email to someone who I THINK will be interested, I' m spamming. If I send 10 fliers by snail mail - it' s junk mail.

But, if I depend on people just finding me in the phone book, or just from mediocre SE rankings, I don' t get any business and I go bankrupt and become a burden on society[:(] (trying to be a little light on the subject [:D]).

Question - I don' t want to be a millionaire over night (would be nice though), I just want to make an honest living and quit this hellish day-job I' ve got. How am I supposed to drum up business without offending someone? There are a lot of people out there that use my products every day - I don' t want total market share, only .0002% or less. (I sell beauty supplies - .0002% would probably make me very comfortable).

So... what is an honest person to do?



Reflect -> RE: SPAM Question (3/7/2003 12:29:30)

Google adwords.

http://www.google.com/ads/

That is how I am jump starting my new E-Commerce venture.

Brian



Paula -> RE: SPAM Question (3/7/2003 13:00:27)

Hi Mike,
I think this is a very good question and I' ll be interested to hear what others have to say on the subject. I really think that site owners have to come to terms with the fact that an internet business requires an advertising budget just like any other business, traditional advertising as well as internet advertising. The obvious ways, like ads in appropriate publications, whether in print or online; search engine placement and submission to very targeted directories; pay per click AND less obvious things like local community participation, participating in an online forum; working your customer list in creative ways like discounts and special offers to make sales as well as get referrals. There are lots of things you can do to avoid having to resort to spam. Even though I realize spam can be an effective technique in the short term, I really believe that in the long run it does more damage to a business than good. You may get that small percentage of sales from a spam campaign but in the process you' ve certainly lost a lot of potential customers as well. There is no " one size fits all" answer. I think you have to try all sorts of things and come up with the right combination for your business. Just my thoughts, hope it helps some.



Peppergal -> RE: SPAM Question (3/11/2003 13:48:56)

You could also look into advertising in some successful ezines of interest to your targeted group...you might offer to write an article for one of those ezines in return for a plug to your site...something about beauty supplies; what to look for, how to use them creatively, etc.



LB -> RE: SPAM Question (3/14/2003 12:10:06)

quote:

How am I supposed to drum up business


While trying to bring business in, don' t forget that a huge part is the site itself. If you' d like some ideas, please start a thread in Site Critiques. [;)]
(thought you had one but couldn' t find it)

Linda



whitemc -> RE: SPAM Question (3/14/2003 15:45:46)

Linda,

I posted twice on the site critiques board, didn' t get a huge amount of response - I realize everyone is busy, so I' m not complaining.

The site IMHO is not very professional, but then neither am I. There have been some sales - about 1 a day averaging $25, but I need more so that I can quit my day job and do this full time... I' m patient, I' ll get there someday.

Thanks for the reply



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