10 Important Steps to Mail Order Success

There are a number of difficulties a beginning entrepreneur may encounter that can "torpedo" his business almost before he knows it. But the wise mail order dealer can sidestep some of the pitfalls of operating his own business by recognizing and avoiding the following common mistakes.

1. Figuring that the one "How-To" book, booklet, or report that you read about starting a mail order business told you everything you need to know. You never really stop learning about this business as long as you're in it, and you need to continually seek out new information and advice from those more experienced than you.

2. Planning your entire business around only one product or service. It is best to have several different items to promote; give your customers a choice. And always have something to follow-up an order or inquiry with. It costs too much to obtain the names and addresses of potential customers to simply try to sell them one item, one time.

3. Spending too much of your advertising money on only one or two untested ads in only one or two untested publications. Start smart... test your ads (2 to 3 concurrent insertions) in a variety of publications that are likely candidates for the product or service you are selling. This means studying many different magazines, newspapers, adsheets, and so on to determine where your ad will best fit in and has the best chance of being seen by readers who will be interested in what you are offering.

4. Believing that your advertising only 3 or 4 times will be enough to establish your business and earn your fortune. There is one theory that states that people need to see your ad a minimum of 3 times before it makes an impression on them. Another theory states they must see it 7 times!

5. Failing to adequately "key" your ads so you know which ads in which publications are pulling inquiries or orders for you. Without this knowledge, you'll continue to throw your money away by advertising in totally unsuitable and unresponsive publications.

6. Trying to sell a $10 or more item in a small space or classified ad. Not enough information comes across in a small advertisement; people won't part with this kind of money on the basis of your 40 to 50 words. It is best to ask for inquiries and offer free information. Once you have the customer's name and address, use your full size circulars, brochures, and sales letters to convince your customer of the benefits you are offering.

7. Not keeping adequate records on the customers who do respond to your ads. These people have demonstrated their interest and faith in your company and your product. If they have bought from you once, they may very well buy from you again. Keep track of their names, addresses, date of sale or inquiry, what ad(s) they responded to, item(s) bought from you and amount paid, and then mail your promotional pieces to them periodically. Your customer list can be one of your most valuable business tools.

8. Not using proper postage on your mailing pieces. You should weigh everything you're mailing first class (an inexpensive postage scale cost about $6.00), and then affix the correct stamps. Most people overestimate how heavy their mailing piece is and put two first class stamps on an envelope that only weights one ounce. Wasteful habits at such a basic level in mail order can be the start of financial ruin.

9. Thinking that how your mailing piece looks doesn't matter, it's the content that counts. The content of any circular, program, report, booklet, etc., is of course important, but a poorly laid-out job, badly copied piece which is barely readable does a poor sales job, no matter what it says. The "look" you are presenting matters more than you may realize.

10. Believing that once you have your customer's money, you have done your job. Always respond quickly. Mail out the order or requested information within 48 hours. Take care of any problems or complaints immediately; refund their money if they are dissatisfied with their purchase. Always give your customer more than he expects, and he'll want to do business with you again in the future.

Copyright 2004 by DeAnna Spencer

Note to editors:
To show my appreciation to the editors that use my articles, I offer a free solo ad. Simply send an email to me by using the form on the contact me page on my website to tell me the url the article was used on or send me a copy of the ezine it was used in.

This article may be redistributed freely on the Internet as long as the resource box remains intact.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
DeAnna is the publisher of the ezine, Prospecting and Presents.
Subscribers get one free ad per week.
Subscribe today by visiting http://www.pnewsletter.com
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

____________________

Advertisement: Honest Riches - Click Here!

Advertisement: Lost AdWords - Click Here!

Advertisement: Get $1 Million A Month In Google Pay-Per-Click Ads Free! - Click Here!

Advertisement: Who Loves Money? - Click Here!

Advertisement: SEO Elite, the GrandDaddy of SEO Software - Click Here!

In The News:

---

Reuters
Audi says it will increase US marketing efforts
Chicago Tribune, United States - 2 hours ago
Those marketing dollars have an aim to push Audi US sales to 200000 vehicles by 2018. Schwarzenbauer said the company has a goal to sell 1.5 million Audis ...
Audi plans record US marketing spending Reuters
Audi plans to boost US marketing budget Automotive News
Audi says it will increase US marketing efforts Fox 28
DetNews.comall 15 news articles

Columbus tech firm buys Dayton marketing company
Bizjournals.com, NC - 5 hours ago
Implications International, which specializes in interactive marketing, brand design, and Web development, has offices in Peoria, Ill., Mumbai, India, ...

Wellstar/TMI Begins Marketing Imaging System to Long-Term Care ...
MSNBC - 32 minutes ago
TMI's marketing plan includes a program where LTC facilities can lease the equipment necessary to perform skin assessments and store the necessary data ...

Halekulani to get marketing boost from Japanese hotel
Bizjournals.com, NC - 4 hours ago
Effective April 1, Imperial Hotel will start reservations service, sales, marketing and public relations activities within Japan for Halekulani and Waikiki ...

LA reveals unveils new tourism marketing slogan
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 3 minutes ago
The city on Friday unveiled a new marketing campaign built around the slogan "That's So LA" to keep tourists coming despite the nation's economic turndown. ...

Proton Laboratories Announces New Sales & Marketing Office
MSNBC - 17 hours ago
Proton will start by marketing a variety of enhanced water products that provide health benefits for people and the planet as well as the commercial product ...
Proton Laboratories opens Southern California office Bizjournals.com
all 9 news articles

Zoo honored for marketing campaign
Salt Lake Tribune, United States - 2 hours ago
... different companies around the US The Utah Chapter of the Society for Marketing Professional Services recognizes excellence in marketing communications ...

Boston Globe
FedEx trims '09 marketing budget by 25%
Bizjournals.com, NC - Jan 8, 2009
United Parcel Service Inc. rival FedEx Corp. will cut its marketing budget by more than 25 percent for 2009, the company recently disclosed on its blog. ...
FedEx cuts marketing spend by more than 25 percent Reuters
FedEx cuts marketing budget DM News
FedEx to reduce marketing budgets by 25% Brand Republic
all 45 news articles

Katz Media Launches New Marketing Unit
FMQB, NJ - 8 hours ago
Katz Media Group has launched a new, national marketing unit that will create custom solutions for advertisers and their agencies with the goal of ...
Katz Launches National Marketing Unit, Trims Staff Media Buyer Planner
Katz Media Group forms marketing unit BtoB Magazine
Katz creates unit to handle ads for new radio platforms SmartBrief
all 6 news articles

Examiner.com
Cape May tourism department wins marketing award
Examiner.com - 12 hours ago
by William Sokolic, Jersey Shore Examiner The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International will recognize the Cape May County Department of ...

marketing - Google News

Discover 7 Hidden Profit Producing Secrets

Would you like to learn the lessons of the businesses that struggled last year without having to follow in their footsteps? I’d like to share with you... Read More

The Secret to Good Writing

Skilful business writing involves getting your message across simply and quickly. This often means writing in a style that is easily read and understood by a broad... Read More

The Fundraising Letter PS: 25 Powerful Things To Say There (Includes Examples & Samples)

Donors read postscripts. This is a sad but important reality in fundraising. Sad because the PS is stupid and belongs in another millennium. In this age of... Read More

Good Marketing is Like a Bad Habit

You know those bad habits we get. Like raiding the chocolate biscuits during late night TV shows. Or slouching we when we sit. Or biting our fingernails.... Read More

Direct Mail Personalization

A colleague who does work for a nonprofit organization contacted me asking if I could do research on the success rate of personalized direct mail letters (Dear... Read More

Lack Of Business Isnt Always The Problem

When you're just starting out in business, it's a safe bet that you need more clients. But what if you have been up and running for a... Read More

How to Promote your business website using free online resources.

There are many ways to promote your website for free online. Here are 10 highly effective strategies you can use right now.1. Write articles or free reports... Read More

Marketing to Women -- Can I Buy You A Clue?

A while back a small business owner paid me a visit. He wanted help marketing his fitness business to women. Before we even started talking, he handed... Read More

How to Save Time and Achieve More by Creating High-Leverage Marketing Assets

The single biggest, non-renewable asset you have is your time. There are only three things you can do with it: waste it, sell it, or invest it.... Read More

Are Your Prospects Walking Out on You?

After 11 years in sales, I've put together and delivered more sales presentations, briefings, and demos than I care to remember. But the nice thing about repetition... Read More

Do You Really Know Your Prospect?

I'd like to introduce you to someone. I don't actually know his name, but I'm hoping you do. I'm hoping you know quite a bit about him.He's... Read More

Promotions That Build Profit

Promotions are everything you do to let your customers know you exist. Good marketing techniques can help eliminate the "I didn't knows" from your clients and would-be... Read More

Let Your Survey Write Your Business Plan

Most entrepreneurs first write their business plan and then develop their services or products. This causes them to generate and fulfill a marketing plan that requires them... Read More

Building Credibility for Your Business

Small companies that rely on business-to-business sales often find it difficult to be seen as credible in the eyes of larger companies. If this is true for... Read More

Simple Marketing Idea - Big Marketing Results!

Have you ever noticed how many times it's the simplest concepts that end up working the best?The same is so true when it comes to marketing. I'm... Read More

How to Set Up & Organize Your Customer Mailing List For Optimum Results

Your list of customers who have previously bought from you isyour most important asset. These are the customers who willprovide you with return business, which is more... Read More

Getting Paid to Promote Yourself

We all know we can pay a magazine or a newspaper to run ads for us. Businesses do it all the time. In many cases, you're obliged... Read More

Postcard Direct Mail Marketing: 15 Ways To Grab Attention

If you use direct mail postcards to generate leads or sell a product or service, you need to create postcards that grab your prospect's attention. The place... Read More

Massage Marketing Made Easy: A Simple Nine Step Marketing Plan for Therapists and Bodyworkers

Marketing is actually very simple. It involves telling people what you do...over and over and over. The key to successfully marketing your massage therapy business is consistency.So,... Read More

Are Keywords Destroying the Flow of Your SEO Copy?

With all the shuffling that's been seen in the search engine world within the last year, the issue of obvious optimizing has become a hot button. The... Read More

Why You Dont NEED a Marketing Plan

If you pick up a copy of the November 2003 issue of Entrepreneur magazine, you'll see my Web site listed on page 10, along with a good... Read More

Trigger Button Marketing

Sometimes, experiencing bleak sales is a matter of failing to find your prospective customers' trigger buttons.By trigger buttons, we mean anything that the customer would find of... Read More

Write Better Web Content

If you're reading this article, chances are that you, like most professionals these days, understand the value of the Internet. It may be where you go to... Read More

Putting Your Website to Work

Websites have replaced the brochure as the "must have" marketing tool for businesses large and small. While virtually every business has a website, few are harnessing the... Read More

CRM System: Give Meaning to Your Data

A customer relationship system (CRM) system uses technologically-driven strategies to assess customer needs and buying behavior. This allows businesses to market their products and services more effectively.... Read More

Consumer Thinking And Search Marketing

12/20/04According to a recent article by ComScore Networks, about three-quarters of all consumer product research is initiated through a generic search term, such as "televisions" or "Adoption... Read More