what marketing works

**Blind Dr** · 09-16-2009, 09:50 AM

Hey John,

Lots of great ideas here if you can get thru all of the bickering of the "professionals."

I am still old school John. I believe that if you make enough contacts and start to network that the numbers will fall in place. I still make cold sales calls weekly and in some cases, weakly. You get beat up allot, just dust off and keep going. I find that even if I don't get an account I usually pick up some of the residential work from office employees. Everyone I make contact with, my roofer, handyman working on the neighbors home, I talk to and exchange business cards with.

In my other business which I have had over 15 years, I built it from scratch and just networked. I made B2B contacts and offered special pricing to contractors. I have followed much of the same model from that business and applied it to the carpet cleaning company and found it still works.

John, when you started your company did you make a business plan? This really helps to fall back on. Another idea is to contact your local SCORE group. It is free to do this and you can connect up with industry leaders in your area who will meet with you and help you develop and market your business. The best thing of all John is it costs you nothing. Take advantage of these professionals, most have been at the top of some large companies. Many are like you and I. I often attend meetings and gain some rerally insightful advise.

**shane deubell** · 09-16-2009, 09:55 AM

Apparently you never been to SFS, I dont remember it being a pep rally.

Actually it was more of a workshop, we read, had class discussions, practiced worksheets, competed alittle through groups.

Im glad you know everything, but for the rest of screw ups we enjoy learning, and I also know all about reading {I have never had cable} can you believe that! Thats ALL I do is read

The goal is Continous improvment and each marketer has unique skills they bring

SFS is a business workshop
Joe polish- guerilla marketing 101
HP- referral/network marketing

You can learn from all of them,

But you know everything so this post is for the other tmf 5000 members who want professional growth

**Blind Dr** · 09-16-2009, 09:57 AM

Is this a post for SFS or ideas to help John promote his business?

**Jim Martin** · 09-16-2009, 10:21 AM

Success comes from you.....and there is not a marketing plan out there that can help that. You have got to get out there and build relationships with people and offer them your service at a fair price.
You have to have the desire to succeed.........

You need to educate yourself in your profession...build relationships and deliver what you say you can. You are only going to get out of this what you put into it...

As much as everyone would like for you to think there is......there is no silver bullet.......

**Steve Toburen** · 09-16-2009, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by Blind Dr

I believe that if you make enough contacts and start to network that the numbers will fall in place. I still make cold sales calls weekly and in some cases, weakly. You get beat up allot, just dust off and keep going. I find that even if I don't get an account I usually pick up some of the residential work from office employees. Everyone I make contact with, my roofer, handyman working on the neighbors home, I talk to and exchange business cards with.

Excellent post, Gary. CONSISTENT, dedicated, face-to-face networking will always be the fastest, cheapest and most efficient marketing out there. The challenge is most people (including me) don't really like selling and will sub-consciously invent a million reasons why they are "too busy" to get out there and sell.

I fought my sneaky tendency to engage in "displacement activities" by making myself accountable with what I called a "Dedicated Sales Morning". Every Tuesday morning I dressed up, loaded my pocket with business cards and did not stop till I had talked with 20 new business prospects. (Then I usually treated Sioux and myself to a nice lunch!)

Steve
www.StrategiesForSuccess.com

PS Folks, I gotta go but all the details on how I set my face-to-face program up are right here in a free download:

http://www.strategiesforsuccess.com/...ell-commercial

If you're OK on motivation (desperation always worked for me) then go here for a great "interview form" that I used to structure my sales call:

http://www.strategiesforsuccess.com/...arpet-analysis

BTW, this thread has lots of good information even with all the bickering between Big Billy and Nick.

You boys play nice while I am gone.

**Dave Y** · 09-16-2009, 10:41 AM

As most have said marketing is really about building relationships.

You need to determine what is the best way for you to do that.

I have found that the best way to build relationships in my community that also, maximizes my time and effort. Is to build them in mass.

A lot of marketing methods build relationships one at a time. Such as;flyers, direct mail, newspaper, coupons.

I build them by having local groups and associations promote my business for me to their memberships.

Why market to one person at a time?

When just one phone contact to the right person can provide your company with tens to hundreds of new clients every year.

The best thing is that once you get it rolling the group or association will continue to promote your company month after month to their members forever and you won't have to do anything or spend a dime.

You can't do that with most other forms off marketing.

Your marketing simply goes on autopilot.

There are a few simple things that need to be learned to make this work well. But, frankly I don't know why most businesses don't advertise this way.

As you drive around look at all the groups in your area. From health clubs, civic groups, hospitals, schools, employers, recreational clubs, golf courses, etc............

You'll see that there are untapped opportunities almost everywhere. If you know where to look.

Dave Yoakum-

**leofry** · 09-16-2009, 11:36 AM

All great advice... i think The best advice is to stick to the game plan market
constantly sure some will work better than other and faster, but stay the steady course and build relationships and do a good job... ok guys... i think i know all this but you know sometimes you just have to hear it again.... thanks for all the help..... great post from a lot of you guys....

**Rug Spa** · 09-16-2009, 02:28 PM

steve i may come over and check it out.

**Dave Y** · 09-16-2009, 02:56 PM

The previous post I wrote was about an easy and inexpensive way way to acquire new clients. ( It brings me about $1000 in new clients every week.)

It is also very cost effective to have a website for your company. (You can have one for as little as 14 bucks a month.)

Also, remember to maintain regular contact with your previous clients. With regular contact of your clients you can maintain their retention, increase their buying frequency and increase referrals from their friends.

In marketing it's not about having a magic bullet.

Instead it's better to have several bullets aimed at your target. One or two of them will hit the bulls eye.

**Steve Toburen** · 09-16-2009, 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by NICK NELLOS

steve i may come over and check it out.

That's cool, Nick. We welcome all skeptics, cynics and curmudgeons. Then it is Big Billy's and my job to convince you that maybe, just maybe, Jon-Don wants to help you without trying to get in your pocket.

NOTE: This is not to say we will turn down your order IF you want to buy something from us. However, the SFS doesn't even have a way to accept orders. Our job is to be a "resource" and obviously in the process create a little good-will for Jon-Don.

Steve
www.StrategiesForSuccess.com

PS Nick, when you register in I'd like your comments on how it went for you. some of our site members have been struggling on the initial log-in process and I'm looking for ideas on how to make it easier/simpler. Write me at stoburen@StrategiesForSuccess.com Thanks in advance.

**abarlam** · 09-16-2009, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by NICK NELLOS

I built a program frm scratch. when I came to Wichita falls. I had a old yellow van ,a hm 3.2 spitfire. that was sep of 97. BY the end fo 1998 I had five trucks running and making really good money.

I did it with out the Jope polish screw you membership . I did it with out the guy from I built my biz to a million dollar from the trunk of my car. " o by the way I have investors with deep pockets who helped me get here after my 3 rd truck"

SFS gets you going like a great pep rally.

The bottom line is follow thru.

The marketing markets are changing. Some of the old marketing techniques dont work as well as they used to.

Like I said find one technique follow it very very well. exicute it well, make changes when needed and you can do it too. Instead of giving your hard earned money to a few canivale barkers.

Hey Nick, We look forward to getting started with your marketing campaign. Let me know what the boss says (your wife) about the proposal

**Rug Spa** · 09-16-2009, 05:44 PM

Shane here is a helpful book.

50 powerful ideas author Paul R Timm Careerpress.com

Look lets break it down. Why is Joe Polish SUccessfull. Because he is always advertising fpr new people ,push , push , push. Run the game plan. He does it very very well. HE also has a very good advertising budget abd demands a high premiium. shows up to his events like a rock star and creates the persona and want that people want to be around him.

Lets look at basics. If on a good marketing campaign you get a 3 percent return on your marketing. That is a good number some do better and some do worse. Means that the people attend his seminar ,success will be about the same. 3 percent. 3 out of every hundred will excell 10 to 20 will do mediocre and the others will fall back to where they are.

Why because Humans need to be pushed . Unless you are like Micahel Jordan or Larry Bird. they can push themselves.

The Best piece of advice is build your own program and focus on marketing project. Eat it , sleep it ,dream it, DO IT.

**LisaWagner** · 09-16-2009, 05:59 PM

Nick - you tell people "don't waste your money" on Piranha, Strategies, or HP ... then you say "for some it works" then you say what you can do is get it from some book for free.

You supposedly have 5 trucks, some deep pocket investors (which if you are making real money, why would you need investors at all?), and then provide nothing to share with others to help them except - oh don't buy THAT, go read some book instead. Guerrilla Marketing is two decades old ... if I need a strategy that says "get a business card" - oooooh wow - that's going to make me money!

He was one of the most boring speakers I have ever heard in my life - and that was the last product I ever got from him.

Seth Godin and others today are much more innovative and valuable resources. Just FYI if you want to update your library.

Steve did a shameless plug for his free site - I do shameless plugs all the time as well for our free tips over at www.RichCleanerBlog.com. My advice to the group is, go, learn, implement, make money, and then come and buy what more there is to offer.

Nick doesn't sell anything ... but he also doesn't give anything for free except his distaste for just about anyone out there trying to help others.

More FREE stuff, also over at www.TheRugChick.com - as well as the rug thread on this forum where I show you how instead of spending thousands on a wash pit, you can do it much cheaper.

Money you can put in your pocket - make some more cleaning rugs, and then decide you want more advanced training and you can seek me out.

At least you can have something now for free to make you more ... I'm tired of the nay-sayer wanna-be's who criticize anyone selling anything, when they actually sell for a living. If you sell crap, then that's one thing ... but if what you sell is valuable, and will create results in a shorter time for you, then it's criiminal to not try to help as many as you can with it.

Doesn't need to be our stuff ... but take action on something.

Except you Nick ... just keep looking for deep pockets to help you out!

Lisa

www.TheRugChick.com
www.RichCleaner.com/livewebcast

**admin** · 09-16-2009, 06:08 PM

Joe Polish & Howard Partridge strategies has really helped me succeed in my business tremendously!! I highly recommend going to their events!

I have yet had the chance to visit SFS but have heard nothing but good things as well.

**Blind Dr** · 09-16-2009, 06:20 PM

It amazes me sometimes how in this industry there are so many people trying to sell you a mentor service, or trying to promote their marketing concept. What amazes me even more is to see these marketers come in and hijack a thread because someone has stepped on their ego. Were did all of these big egos come from? Who cares?

I have to ask and no disrespect to anyone on here but, the bottom line is this. If you are so good at what you do, have done, or are doing why do you need to pump up your ego here? If you had 10 trucks running 7 days a week, then why did you sell off to work for another company? Yet you promote being independent?

It just amazes me sometimes what these large egos do and say.

My apologies John for adding to "the mix"

**Rug Spa** · 09-16-2009, 06:55 PM

Lisa , I have no investors . Right now I have 4 trucks of wich I run 2 full time.

I personally think a lot of the marketing stuff is crap. It worked for rob allen. it worked for others how about the ones it did not work for.

Lisa says I dont give anything free. Alright I will give somethig free.

For someone struggling in Oklhoma city, Amarillo or Dallas , Forth Worth Metro Plex. I will Donate free for 1 week my time to help someone gain accounts , the art of talking to people , and understanding of business. All you have to do is post here or call me. I will ride with you for a week , I will help you with self promotion . NO CHARGE FREE FREE FREE 940-642-2503

this is open to one person. first come first serve. You have to be a TMF board member for me to help you.

**Jeff Ellis** · 09-16-2009, 07:01 PM

What do you mean by "help gain accounts"? Will you be making cold calls with whoever takes you up on your offer?

**Jim Martin** · 09-16-2009, 07:27 PM

There is so much work out there it is not even funny.....All you have to do is get up and go get it...If you need someone to hold your hand and show/tell you how then you should of never opened your own company in the first place.....Although everyone want's you to think so....this is not rocket science...It is pure determination....If you decide to spend hundreds of dollars on useless marketing ideas and don't have the determination....then you will be broke and still not have a company that can produce.....But..from day one when you opened your company and you had the determination to make it succeed.....marketing would be the last thing on your mind...

**Rug Spa** · 09-16-2009, 07:27 PM

Let me make this clear. I am not against paying for something or marketing. I just think some of these guys are over the top.

Yes, I will help them get accounts ,give advice on what I think need to be done to help there business. IF you are not willing to put in the time or effort dont call.

**Dave Y** · 09-16-2009, 08:14 PM

Marketing should be the last thing on your mind?

Marketing should be the first thing a company does.

Marketing makes it happen.

Having the best equipment and vast experience won't mean a thing if you can't open doors with some sort of marketing.