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Originally posted by SykkBoy2
Here is how we did it once upon a time (we did it at a time when the Internet wasn't quite ready for it):
Go through your local yellowpages and include everyone....then send out a mailer telling people the are listed there and are now online...buy a few ads in your local paper and use that as your pitch, that you will be working locally...tell them the ad is free, but for $49 per year, you'll add one picture and bold the text (the same way as yellow pages ads are sold) and then give them some upsell options, like a table border, different colored text, etc.
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I am already going through the yellow pages and adding everyone for free. With just the name of the business, address, and phone number.
My upsell is going to be that for X dollars per year they can have a picture and a description of services, cost of services, or products etc. and by paying for this they will also have a priority listing over their competitors that do not pay for the additional advertising, they will also have the ability to update info through out the year. I have been considering 60$ per annum for this.
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Then sell a couple banner ads for like $100 per year....urge those who've bought upsells to add this url to their advertising (give them a directory listing and then upsell them their own page and have them use that URL...if they already have a website, offer them a link to an existing website...
This can also be a good way to solicit design work....ask them if they have a website and if they say "no" offer them one for $199 per year (a basic 1-2 page site) and work up from there...
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I had not considered banners and websites etc. and this is something I would not want to get involved in at this point in time, but if I can solicit enough bussiness to get off the ground, this is something that can be considered at a later point in time, and seems like a good idea.
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Also, get with your local ISP(s) and advertise your site through them as well...sometimes they will have a little local site and will give your directory a link....try to get actively involved in your community and be visible...this will show you are serious....
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Good thinking about the ISP, and as I have stated I intend to advertise my directory for a period of time in the local papers, as well as Sacramento, and San Francisco, in addition to trying to get linked to some websites in those areas. The cable company also has local advertising, so I will advertise my directory on it for a period of time. The directory will have a few free bells and whistles to attract local use of the directory.
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If there is a local telemarketing company, some will be on the lookout for new products to offer...work a split deal with them for use of their phone people...get their phone people selling for you on a commission basis....
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I don't know if there is a local telemarketing company or not, but I will research this, but sounds like another good idea.
I think I will go with $60 per annum for businesses, $5 for a thirty day classified ad complete with picture, and the same for a personal ad.
I will also have afflilate advertising on the directory so I may make a few bucks from that also.
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there are more ways you could go with this...email me for more info....I'll assist you in get pointed in the right direction or provide do's and dont's from my own personal experience....ah, the days when I worked for a guy I thought was an idiot, but was just ahead of his time...ok, he WAS an idiot, but still had some good ideas....great domain name cyberinformation.com went to waste sadly.........
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Thanks for the input and the generous offer of further assistance.