Happy July 4th!

The more I read, and currently I'm reading Seth Godin's Permission Marketing, the more I see businesses find alternative marketing strategies, or getting involved in related (and even totally unrelated) businesses.  I'm reading about some of our fund raising problems in this book and it is convincing me even more to start maintaining multiple baskets.

Fundraising has been good and continues to be.  But as we watch long-time vendors and distributors leave the industry, and as I read about 65-70% group profit offers on the web, I wonder if the fundraising basket is as stable as it used to be.  Next year I support two sons in college and have convinced myself that I need to look for some additional baskets to watch over.

I just finished a book called The New Professionals which portrays Network Marketing in a positive way, much as we would like to have fundraising presented.

Both books describe the concept of relationship marketing, a concept good salespeople use, even if we're not certain what it is.  But here's the plug . . .

Just as Permission Marketing talks about firing 70% of your customers and selling more to fewer, and about how Amazon.com's longer-term strategy involves working with you in more and more areas, I'm going to suggest that you consider involving some of your better parent volunteers in a separate marketing venture.  By building that additional relationship, you strengthen all the relationships, including fundraising loyalty.

I have selected a company called Maximum Benefits, which re-sells long distance at $.049 with no monthly fee and in six second increments -- a product reasonably priced that everyone is already purchasing.  Instead of dealing with a telemarketer, they can deal with you.

Now is the time to buy software and Leasing can make it easier

The biggest obstacle most people have about adding order tally or scanning software is the upfront investment.  Now, QDP has partnered with Direct Lease, a company that can set up low monthly payments and show you some business and tax advantages to leasing vs. buying.

You can check them out directly at www.DirectLease.com or ask John to give you a particular rep there to talk to.  You can do the paperwork online for quick approval, and have the software prior to sending any money.  Call 1-800-347-7865.

Incident Packs

As I was preparing to run your address label, I got to experience the choice of "pay per incident" vs. free web support.

I installed the newest update to the CASS certification software we use and it wasn't functioning the way I thought it was supposed to.  When I clicked on Tech Support, I read that an "Incident" would cost $24.95 for the first 10 minutes and $2.95 per minute thereafter.  That encouraged me to read the "Steps to do prior to calling tech support".

I visited the software vendor's web site and, sure enough, the exact problem I was experiencing was listed WITH the solution.  I did the solution steps and was up and running.

But, for those times when you really will need verbal assistance, I'd like to encourage you to save yourself some money and advance purchase one of our never-expiring Incident Packs.  It will save you money vs. our invoicing following an incident.  By the time you receive this letter, we should have our Tech Support Policies listed on the web site.  Check them out here.

UCollect Available

If you run Post-Pay sales, this disk can make the money collection process much easier for your customer.  We'll send you a FREE sample disk upon request. Purchase the program once for only $250 and then use it with as many groups as you like.

Discount Cards/Coupons

The previous issue of RUNTIME included a sample "$10 off a $15 order" discount card where the customer can save $10 EVERY TIME they use it.  We also have a one-time use coupon.  Here are some ideas:

Permission Marketing promotes a strategy of offering a prospect something significant in return for permission to contact them further.  Both of these fit that concept.

Put a one-time use use coupon on the back of your business card and, as you hand it to the secretary or parent group person, flip the card over and make sure they know you are giving them $10 off a $15 order (or whatever you choose to make it).  They're less likely to throw it away and, especially if they use it, you've got permission to stay in touch.

Add a Thank You coupon to packed orders.  Hand them out to those who come to your end of the year warehouse sale.  Offer something like a free newsletter or even add a free gift to the coupon if they sign up for your newsletter.

And how about adding an online multi-use discount card as a product to your brochure?  With a half page insert an an item number, the card becomes a product.  You sell the product to the school for $3-4, for example (100% profit for you if the customer never uses it).  The customer purchases the card for $8 and gets $10 face value product.

Look at what's in it for you.  When the customer makes a $15 order, he/she is purchasing your overstocked product (which you'd garage sale for $1) that originally cost you$3.50.  So, when they pay $5 for that product, you are already ahead, even if you don't add a handling charge to the shipping.  But remember the $4 the school paid you?

So, from the customer's perspective, if they visit your store five times and purchase $15 each time, they have SAVED $50 with a product they originally paid $8 for.  They win.  You get more than you paid for overstocked product.  When you profitably reduce your inventory, you win.  And now, and don't underestimate this -- you have a customer with whom you can continue a relationship.

"Printing Costs Are Out of Control"

according to Smart Business Magazine.  But we already knew that, didn't we?

This is one of the reasons our "Meeting of the Minds" seminar includes a discussion on brochure design.  I'm convinced there are better alternative to being forced to buy the largest pictures on the biggest brochures so that you can fill your warehouse with more product.

Ask for a sample of our "A Garden of Delights" brochure along with a description of what we've done.

Dennis and Sara Sale

If you want on-site training, both Dennis and Sara are available to travel during July.  They're also "on sale" if you come here.  Call or email to get up to 50% off.  If we can coordinate multiple training sessions in an area, we can reduce your individual responsibility for their travel expenses.  Click here to learn more.

Paper Products

We still have ULENV Collection Envelopes and ULPSLIP1 Pack Slips available to be shipped direct from the printer at lower cost.  "Make Me an Offer I Can't Refuse" expired in June, call and I'll let you know if there is still time (if they haven't shipped inventory to me).

We've got some 2-part order forms -- will sell cheap. Call 1-800-347-7865.

If you are driving to our Meeting of the Minds, place an advance order for supplies and we'll have them for you to pick up (save freight).

Gang Run Potential

We can only offer this with significant interest, but there are some possibilities:

Computer Supplies.  As we place Fall orders, we can have yours shipped direct.  You can get partial shipments scheduled over time and pay only after delivery, but need to be talking quantity.

Laser Version of Pack Slip w/Labels.  This would be a new form for us, but there is growing interest.  Let us know if we should put you on our laser hot list.

Last Modified: 05/27/2008