Many
beginners in mail order today think they are totally alone in the
operation
of their business. Nothing could be further from the truth! Mail
order
is full of fine, upstanding, caring and honest people.
Mail
order products are normally higher quality than locally purchased items
because
they have to be. If I can purchase my car wax at Cornerstore Auto
Parts,
why would I purchase it through mail order? Because the car wax I
buy
through mail order is not available at my local store.
Many
people don't want to contact other people in their same field because
they
are afraid of competition. You are confusing mail order with local
business.
Sure, if you own a shoe repair store and another guy who owns a
shoe
repair store opens up a shop across the street from you _ there will
be
competition. But suppose you live in New York City and your shoe repair
store
is located on the east side of town. Would the shoe repair store
located
on the west side of town be competition for you? I don't think so.
In
a city of over 11 million people, I would think there would be enough
work
for the both of you.
In
the mail order business, the world is your marketplace. If you are a
printer,
you can work with another printer and help each other out. There
is
enough business for the both of you without hurting each other. In fact,
you
can refer business back and forth and work together to support the
printing
industry as a whole. It's a win/win situation for both sides!
Write
personal letters to people in mail order. Read and study the adsheets
and
mail order publications. When you find an ad that strikes your
attention, write a personal letter for more information.
Inform the
dealer
of your services. Explain that you are a
NEW mail order beginner
or
just entering the mail order market and you would appreciate any advice
or
direction. If you see a product that you really like, write to the
dealer
and ask how you might go about selling this product for him or her.
Can't
afford to advertise your C/R this week because you didn't receive
any
orders? Write to publishers that you see running their ads. Ask if you
can
send them a C/R ad in exchange for mailing some copies for them free
of
charge. Some people may turn you down - but many others will take you
up
on your offer. While you don't want to do this all the time and "ride
a
good horse to death" - this bartering has helped me out of a few
situations
when money was scarce.
Write
to publishers that publish a "Letters To The Editor" column. Mail
order
publishers always enjoy feedback and opinions about their
publication.
More often than not, other people won't write a letter and
the
publisher will find yours a breath of fresh air! Compliment them on
their
publication (if this is true) and always offer your help and
services
at any time. To make a good friend - be one yourself!
If
you need help constructing a good business letter, visit your local
office
bookstore and purchase a how-to book on business writing. Even some
secretarial
reference manuals will provide you with samples of business
letters
that you can copy word-for-word or edit and conform to your product
or
service. Always be willing and eager to offer people your services. Of
course,
you cannot give something away free when it will cost you money.
Instead,
you need to barter with something that won't cause a financial
burden
on you to supply. For instance: if you are already mailing to
people
every month, it won't cost you anything to mail someone's
publication
for them free of charge. If you provide writing, editing or
typesetting
services; you will only be out the time it took you to complete
the
job - no money will be lost.
And
once you locate a good dealer that you are interested in forming a
friendship
with don't be stupid and take advantage of them. Most people
will
help you out in a pinch and not think anything about it, but if you
keep
taking and taking - you'll lose that friend forever. Your memory will
be
a bad taste in their mouth and all the time you spend building that
friendship
will be lost.
If
you are unable to pay someone for something they have done for you to
help
you out - send them a "Thank You" card. A gift costing you only $1
will
be worth $1 million to the recipient just to know you care.
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