How to Get Started With Your Business Card Display Boards

Posted on April 19th, 2007.

So you’ve made the decision that you’re in…your going to start with this ‘advertising’ business opportunity. Let’s assume the displays have arrived at your door, and now your ready to roll….

First you need to do the basics (I’ve include links as well to make it easier)

1) Get yourself a business name

2) Register a website name that suits, here are some ideas - Click here for ideas

3) Get Business cards made up

4) Get location and advertiser contracts/agreements in place

5) Organize what you’re going to put at the top section of your dispensers - Click here for ideas

6) Work out your template pricing structure. Click here for ideas

7) What guarantees so you think you might offer? Click here for ideas

Brush up on some sales techniques…. Click here for ideas

9) Pluck your nostril hairs… and now you should be ready (this can all take a week or two)

Now…who do you target first?

I’ll keep this light on, because it’s already been covered to a certain point. Just stay aware that you need to ‘match’ locations and advertisers the best you can. Here is some great info about this….

http://businesscarddisplays.info/what-types-of-businesses-like-to-advertise-in-business-card-displays-and-why.html

Generate yourself leads…how?

Check these two links…and read the whole thread for ideas… http://businesscarddisplays.info/ideas-on-lead-generation-competitions-to-get-your-advertising-boards-filledfast.html

and…

http://businesscarddisplays.info/ideas-using-traditional-paid-advertising-methods-to-generate-your-own-leads.html

Get your business card displays looking as busy as possible, and fast as possible! Here’s some ideas…

http://businesscarddisplays.info/how-can-i-get-my-business-card-dispensers-looking-busy-in-the-fastest-time-possible.html

Then start thinking about leverage…how to grow the business using other peoples databases etc.

http://businesscarddisplays.info/category/networking-and-leverage-business-card-displays/

Just make sure that you go through all the categories in the box that is located at the top of the middle column on this website. It may take you an hour or so, but if your starting out in this business opportunity, it’ll be worth every second of your time…guaranteed.

An lastly, make sure you ask questions if your confused or need some help…that’s what this blog is all about.

Have fun exploring the blog!

Dean

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22 Responses to “How to Get Started With Your Business Card Display Boards”

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Dean, In addition to taking care of the legal aspects of starting this business, would you also recommend opening a pay-pal or some kind of merchant account so we can begin to accept credit cards immediately.? Also, once you receive your business license back from your county you can use that to open a business bank account.

Alyssa

Alyssa Franzo
April 23rd, 2007

Hi Alyssa,

Good questions!

Yes, I 100% think you should set up a paypal account. Here’s why…

1) It’s free to do … www.paypal.com

2) Some clients would prefer to pay by credit card, and you can have them fill out the form on the spot, and in some cases, ask them to pay you right there and then on their computer! (That really helps to get the deal done)

3) Alot of businesses these days actually accept paypal, therefore they have ‘paypal dollars’ in their account which they would prefer to pay you with.

The only downside to paypal is the fees of approx 6%…but…as you are working with extremely high profit margins, it’s not going to hurt you to much. Me, I actually use paypal for every credit card transaction on my website.

Also, if you’re going to be having a website for your business (recommended), you can take payments online aswell. It takes about 5 minutes to put a paypal ‘buy now’ button on your site. So when your sitting with a client and they’re ready to pay, just give them your website, direct them to the ‘buy now’ button…and BANG…it’s in your account right away.

When you get your business to the point of higher volume of transactions, then certainly look into getting a credit card facility. The banks can be alittle painful sometimes to deal with for this, but if you have a business that needs it, they’ll generally let you through the gate and set you up.

Regarding the business licence for your business card displays business, I would imagine that you would certainly need to have the business name approved before setting up a business bank account. Your bank will have an answer for you on that one. Each country is different, and each state/region has different rules and regulations…but setting up business accounts would be an everyday practice for banks, so just check it out with them.

Does this answer your question?

Anyone else like to add to the above from experience?

Dean

deanc
April 23rd, 2007

Thanks Dean! The info was most helpful. I’ll keep asking as questions arise. We definitely need to keep this Blog going.
Alyssa

Alyssa Franzo
April 23rd, 2007

Where do you buy these Boards?

Pam
April 24th, 2007

Hi Pam… I sent you a private email to answer this one, as we are not promoting a particular type of display on this forum directly

Dean

deanc
April 24th, 2007

Dean,

I already have ten displays in my possession and have read your great quick start guide. But to be honest, my head is spinning. I am not sure how to start. I have so much going on in my head about what to do, before I go out there and market my displays. My goal was to first have all of the legal aspects worked out and to have put together all of my marketing materials such as business cards, brochures,my pricing structure a agreement docs. is my thnking on the right path? Can anyone offer any advice in terms of what i should have in place before I head out to locate my displays?

Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Alyssa

Alyssa Franzo
April 25th, 2007

Alyssa, if you wait for all the lights to be green before you head to town…you won’t get there. All you need is a location agreement and an advertising agreement, a sample display board and tenacity. I just got my business cards today…after 7 or so weeks in this business and quite a few ads sold.

JUST DO IT! Not just for NIKE!

Good luck!

dmiles

dmiles
April 25th, 2007

Thank you!

You’re right!

JUST DO IT!!!

Alyssa

Alyssa Franzo
April 25th, 2007

Hi Alyssa,

Let me ask you this. Do you TRUELY believe that what you have to offer the business owner is going to be great value for them?

I’m sure you would have answered “yes” to this (I hope so!). Then that is your #1 ingredient to success.

Hey Alyssa…have you ever sold anything before?

(If you’ve ever been on a date, that’s a sales process right???)haha. I just had to throw that in.

Dean

deanc
April 25th, 2007

So true Dean. A lot of things that we do can be seen as a sales process. And YES I do believe that I have GREAT value to offer business owners. I will keep that in mind as I go out there and get my displays up.

Thanks, Alyssa

Alyssa Franzo
April 25th, 2007

Dean,

This Forum is the best!

Yesterday I purchased your Free Card eBook. I am reading it for the second time. I recommend this to anyone who is thinking about starting a Business Card Display business, which I am. I am coming from an IT background and your eBook has me helped alot in my decision to start this business.

Thank you so much for a great product!

Bill

BillW
April 25th, 2007

I agree Thanks Bill, i’m glad you got some great info out of it.

Looking forward to seeing you get a start soon!

Dean

deanc
April 25th, 2007

Hi Alyssa and anyone new to sales,

Everything we do is selling, and the moment fear gets in the way, then you have to fight it…and the best way to fight it is face it.

If you have 10 displays sitting around getting fat doing nothing, why not just put one out as a lead generator for you. Put across the top “ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE FOR FREE…CALL THIS NUMBER” . Then while you are working on getting your other 9 displays out there, you can be getting phone calls from other businesses in the area who would like to advertise. Once their on month of free advertising is up, then sell them into your other displays.

Just get the phone ringing. This could be an easy way to get over any fears you may have if you haven’t done alot of selling in the past.

Just go around and get 12 different business cards, then load them into the front of the display and leave 4 empty as Dave mentioned. Then people will see your business card display and some will call you.

This isn’t a method to rely on for leads, but it’s an option you can take. It’s a far better option then having the displays holding up your work bench in the garage…not much money in that strategy!

Go out there and just test…you’ll burn some leads and you’ll get rejections. The ones that say ‘No’, send them a follow-up email and go through the proper sales process of 7 points of contact. You’ll get a “yes” eventually.

If you’re beginning in this business, or the sales business in general, just do whatever it takes. The work will become less and the dollars will flow as you progress and learn objection handling.

You’ll find it’s the same old objections everytime, and before you know it, you’ll have a perfect answer for any objection that comes your way…and your sales conversion will increase dramatically.

Start out by asking business owners if they would like to advertise for free. They’ll start asking questions and you’ll quickly learn what to expect. This is better then not starting at all….and it’s a non-sales approach. You will be suprised as to what could come of a free offer.

Hope this helps

Dean

deanc
April 25th, 2007

Excellent suggestions Dean. Sometimes we tend to overthink about ideas, when in fact all we need to do is keep it simple.

Alyssa

Alyssa Franzo
April 25th, 2007

Simple is key!

Some people feel that they are almost cheating when they manage to find something simple that works, because they’re so used to seeing people working hard for their money.

The AVERAGE person who works hard for their money are generally people who aren’t prepared to take a risk, and you’ll notice the pattern never changes…they work hard, complain about it…then keep working hard. Meanwhile, their boss is the one whole gets all the $$$. Why? Because the boss took a risk.

The best thing about business card display advertising is the fact that it’s a LOW start up risk, and high upside. If you go out there and meet people and businesses everyday, the chances are you’ll make yourself some great money, but in a worst case scenario, you’re not going to lose your house, car, partner or anything like that, because the start up cost for this business is so low! You won’t find such a simple business anywhere for the price and risk level (both very low).

So don’t feel guilty about making money the simple way…you deserve it.

It’s like trading…I trade my own system for 2hrs and 15mins each morning with the most basic system you’ve ever seen, and it’s gets 9 out of 10 trades correct like clockwork. Do I feel guilty about making money each day before most people even get to work…NO WAY!

Bottom line is that I’ve got something simple that works…and i’m sticking to it! I’m finished trading by mid morning, then I focus on the business card display business for the rest of the day.

Simple is best.

Any suggestions or comments?

Dean

deanc
April 30th, 2007

You work sooooo hard…I couldn’t keep that pace…Just want to second the keep it simple. T to T…Tuesday thur Thursday…Ten to Two. I am thinking about making that Twelve to Two…but that’s not enough even for me.

This kind of guilt I can handle.

dmiles

dmiles
April 30th, 2007

Hi Dave,

The trading part isn’t hard work at all, it’s just following the same old system and hitting the button on the computer.

I guess it all comes down to what stage we’re at in our lives also… they say that if you enjoy what you’re doing it’s not work at all. I certainly enjoy what i’m doing…I could talk about this business card displays all day long, because I know it’s a winner.

Your “T to T” does sound very good though…I must say!

Dean

deanc
April 30th, 2007

Dean,

For anyone not comfortable cold calling, I recommend finding out when the next chamber networking event is in their area and going to that.

Last Thursday I went to one of the monthly business after hours along with 100 or so other business people. Yup, me and my bright orange display.
Stood out like a sore thumb. Just walked around and introduced myself to anyone looking curious. Worked pretty well. In about an hours time, I met around 25 people, and made 10-12 good contacts.

I would say.. “I’m in the 1st phase of my business where I am currently securing high traffic locations. Then in about 2 weeks, I’ll start selling the advertising spaces.

My goal was to go there and sell the appointment, and not necessarily try to sell on the spot.

Worked well. Nice having people tell you to call them when you have locations in line.

These events are a good way to leverage your time.

Dustin

Dustin
April 22nd, 2008

Hi Dustin,

Nice approach!

The reason I like this approach is because you’re not ’selling’ on the spot. Many people will freeze up if they feel they’ve been sold on something their not sure about (or have enough info to make a decision).

If you can tell them the “displays aren’t located yet”, then naturally their ‘i’m being sold’ guard will drop, and as a result you can have a proper conversation with them about the opportunity to advertise with them.

Great imput Justin… you will do really well with this activity you are fostering.

Dean

deanc
April 22nd, 2008

Hi Dean an everyone. I went out today and sensed alittle hesitation from biz advertisers with all the gas prises going up. How can I approach avertisers a little different with all this going on.

Dana

dana
May 1st, 2008

Hi Dana,

That’s great that they are telling you the reason why… so atleast you have a platform to work from.

The fact that they are questioning gas prices when considering an advertiing deal with you tells you that they certainly need more customers, because a business that is doing really well would unlikely bring such an objection up in the first place. Think about it, if your biz card display business was putting $600 per day in your pocket, would you really care about the gas price to go get the deals? Not really. So these business owners really need help to get clients.

So you could say something like… “Mr/Mrs business owner, you are the first business owner i’ve spoken to about this advertising medium that is worried about fuel prices. Have you got as many customers as you’d like to have?”. They might say “No… I could do with with more customers”. You can then say, “ok… let me help you out with that. Now that you say you need more customers, you need to atleast try advertising with me, because that’s what this whole concept is about. Your customers aren’t going to appear out of thin air… would you agree with that?”. etc etc… then continue to close the deal… or offer a better deal.

Maybe you can offer them to advertise on your car as a bonus? Read here for more info… http://businesscarddisplays.info/make-money-selling-advertising-car-door-magnets/

Dean

deanc
May 3rd, 2008

In response to the question from Dana… I would suggest going for businesses who are currently advertising. Newspaper/radio/yellow page leads should work great.

I’ve been involved in other advertising businesses in the past and it was always easier selling to those who were already advertising. First they understand it’s important, and second they are currently spending money to do so, which shows they have some kind of a marketing budget.

It was always an uphill battle for me when I invested time with prospects who never advertised.

Here’s my initial strategy… once my displays are up and running, those businesses interested in advertising for the first time can always grab one of my cards and call me.

Thanks for your involvement in the forum Dana.

Dustin

Dustin
May 8th, 2008

How to Get Started With Your Business Card Display Boards

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