What Should I Offer the Business Owner for Hosting My Advertising Display Case?
In this section you will find ideas, thoughts and feedback on what to offer your potential locations to assist you to get them to agree to hosting your business card displays.
Dean
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27 Responses to “What Should I Offer the Business Owner for Hosting My Advertising Display Case?”
deanc
March 2nd, 2007
No Problem Aaron…glad you like the blog. Let’s hope others start leaving their mark on the blog aswell.
Your idea is great. Any way you can collect cards is a good thing. When you say “they can win a free month”, what month do they get? Do they need to sign up for a longer period to get the free month?
Dean
Feb 20, 10:15 AM —
deanc
March 2nd, 2007
indianajon |
I am offering one free space in one of my other units as an incentive to let me place the unit in their business. This is really not costing me anything and I think it will make it easier to sell them advertising in the other units in these towns.
My county is somewhat different in what other may have in that I have 17 different cities or towns. I am guaranteeing exclusive advertising for any units in each specific town if they take all the units in that town, which for these first three towns being the smallest in population will have 4-6 units per town.
As far as what I have in the displays when I take it in to them I have printed up on various colored cardstock a variety of types of businesses which will be my most typical advertiseres. These are in large bold letters and I put these in 14 of the spaces. I then put my business card in one compartment which I have filled with my card so I can show them how the unit works. The other space I have filled with my cards also but I do not put my card on the front so that they can see how the cards are filled in the unit. This seems to make it easy to describe the unit in a minimal amount of time and everyone has taken my card after I dispense one.
This is how I have done things and so far it seems to have worked very well.
Jon
Feb 21, 11:27 AM —
deanc
March 2nd, 2007
deanc |
That sounds great Jon…and you method mentioned above certianly keeps working!
I can picture you dispensing a card out of the unit infront of them, then handing it right to them. I think this is powerful, because if you take a card out, then hand it directly to them right away, it gives them the FEELING of what it would be like for others taking their card!
This is important info to note down for next time you go and see a potential advertiser. THE MORE HUMAN CONTACT AND INTERACTION, THE HIGHER CHANCES YOU WILL MAKE THE SALE!
Get the location owner involved, unless you are 100% aware if the are visual, auditory or kinesthetic. I’ll explain what this means in my next post for those of you don’t understand what I mean.
I’m going to post this same message in a couple of other catagories, because it’s an important part of the sales process.
Dean
Feb 21, 8:48 PM —
deanc
March 2nd, 2007
I have taken a different direction. I am not giving up any free advertising space…period…to me that’s $365 out of my pocket and no way to recover it. Here are 3 things I am offering and I let them pick the one they want. I really don’t care because each of them gives me the possibility of getting another income stream from them…i.e
1. Offer to print up to 3 employees business cards…2k, full color front, 1 color back 4/1… good quality.
2. Design, Print and Mail coupons or gift certificates in a Welcome Packet that I represent…Costs me about $300. BUT…the welcome pack works so well…I get renewals that I make commissions on…thus recouping the $300.
3. I took an idea I got off the blog of using a scrolling, LED display with remote, multiple graphics, etc. for the location to use to promote any in-store promotions or info they want to show. This is not a Wal-Mart display…paying $169 plus shipping. The benefit to my Display is the scrolling attracts attention and the location is more receptive to giving me a prime location…So…I think it is cheaper than giving away a revenue producing space.
Good Luck.
dmiles
dmiles2
March 15th, 2007
WHAT YOU’RE ABOUT TO READ MUST BE INVESTIGATED BEFORE ACTING!
Someone recently asked me if there was any companies that locate vending machines and business card dispensers for you. The answer is YES there is. I managed to get hold of a couple of companies that do this in the USA. They can get your displays located quite quickly for you.
Please note that I do not know these companies, nor do I know anyone who has used them. Please tread carefully if you decide to use them. Make sure you ask questions…and the main questions I would ask is “what is the standard offer that the professional locator offers to the business owner in return for floor/wall space”.
I was kind of hesitate to put this post here, but hey…just ask the right questions and you’ll quickly know if the numbers are going to stack up for you.
Here are the details of two companies that I found out about…
1) Advance Placement Systems Ask for Jay Baird, President 1-800-577-4512
80 Locators across the USA
10 Displays $200 per location.
50 Displays $150 location 50% down upfront then 50% to locator.
2) Excel Location Services Ask for Ed Zielinski, President 1-800-743-9235
Cover the USA
Fees $150 per unit –
Minimum 10 displays
Again, business card dispensers aren’t to hard to locate, but if you seem to be having alittle trouble, then this could be an option for you.
If anyone has had a bad experience with professional locators, PLEASE come forward ASAP for everyone’s sake!
I would prefer to take this post off if anyone has negative feedback…so let us know.
Dean
deanc
March 29th, 2007
I’ve heard it all now…Someone to locate your displays. Unbelieveable…I OFFERED THIS EARLIER BUT I HAVE TO REITERATE and be brutely honest here. If you can’t place a display for free or with something of value for the location…how in the hell are you going to sell advertising on the display for MONEY!
I really believe you just might need to be in another profession. I am sorry…but damn!Paying someone $150 to $200 per display!!!
Let me re-offer a few suggestions to try that have worked for me.
l. Offer the location 20% commission on any referrals they give you and you sell.
2. Offer some free printing if you bundle printing with your ad sales. I do a postcard direct mail piece if they don’t want or need business cards.
3. I sell a “welcome packet” to new residents moving into the area and I give the location a free mailer…costs me about $250 but I usually get a reorder at full price and make it back.
4. Appeal to their “Support Local Businesses”… Tell them how appreciative local business owners will be for their letting them piggy back on their high traffic…IT WORKS…Get the location a couple of comp meals from a restaurant or something…
5. BEG!
dmiles
dmiles2
March 29th, 2007
Well said Dave!
Dean
deanc
March 29th, 2007
First Post Here.
Taylor from Orlando, Florida. Dean, I spoke with you on the phone a few days back.
Graduating from University of Central Florida with Entrepreneur in Business Management degree later this year. Purchasing my first business card display in the following week or two. With a few years experience in telesales I think this will go great!
Will be putting in my input here for now on, NO MORE just reading!
taylork
March 29th, 2007
Hi Taylor,
Welcome to the blog!
I think there will be a alot readers interested in what you have to say, given your background in telesales, and current entrepreneur course you are doing. You’ve found the right spot to put your learnings on paper!
Sometimes it’s good to write down what you’ve learnt…it re-enforces what you know even further…and you know how it is…the more ‘impressions’ you make on your brain cells, the more second nature that thought becomes….and easier to implement.
I have a suggestion for you that will create you a following on this blog…I know i’ll follow it. Over time (until you get started), why don’t you let us know your techniques…tricks…rejection handling…phrases….’closing’ ideas etc. that you learn’t from telemarketing? I know quite a few people on this blog get appointments by phone, and if you lasted a few years in telemarketing…you must have some good tips!
Either way, we look forward to hearing from you Taylor.
Oh yeh…anything entrepreneurial is welcome here 
Dean
deanc
March 29th, 2007
Welcome Taylor …Dave from Charlotte, NC USA….I am new to the blog…heck…I didn’t know what a blog was a month ago. I am jealous of you…I am 60 and you are just getting started and you have discovered one helluva business to be in…that is if you like making good money, working when you want…I am a “T to T” man…Tuesday to Thursday…Ten to Two…and I LOVE THIS BUSINESS!
Good luck and I hope you will share your “book learning”…
dmiles
dmiles2
March 29th, 2007
Let me know if there are any idea or way to prepare before I have the first display in my hands. Im sure I will have plenty to add after my first display is up and I have talked to a few potential advertisers and have a feel for it.
Any tips for preparation?
taylork
March 29th, 2007
Hi Taylor,
Yep…there are a few things you’ll need to think about before embarking on your business card dispenser journey…
1) What will your ‘catchy’ business name be?
2) What locations are you going to approach? Click here for ideas…
3) Business cards…and business card design?
4) How will you structure your offers? Here are some ideas…
http://businesscarddisplays.info/how-much-should-i-charge-clients-for-1-5-or-10-displays.html
5) Are you going to have a website?
6) What about a brochure to hand out?
Ok, I know most of you already have my business card display advertising manual, but i’m going to do a little special for those of you who don’t have the manual already…because the manual has the answers to Taylors question, and much much more. I have scripts, sample brochures etc in their for you that are specifically for this business. Just go to my website home page if you want to read more about the manual, and see the testimonials etc. It’s all in there for you. This will be a good shortcut for you.
Lots to think about when getting started!
Dean
deanc
March 30th, 2007
I called on a Auto Repair company and sold him an ad today. I noticed he had a slew of cards on this counter and he asked if I could put up a display in his waiting room to clear the clutter off his counter. I told him that I just didn’t think there was enough foot traffic each day for advertisers to pay…although the people leaving cards certainly must think so.
Sooo…I paused…acted like I was really considering this…actually I was ready…I offered to place a display in his waiting room if he would sell the ads and service the cards. He agreed!!! I could have left it that way…but I am paying him 15% for a warm fuzzy referral to someone who has seen the display…knows the price and is ready to buy… All I want from him is for him to do the “grunt” work and I go in and write the order and hopefully multiple locations.
He is absolutely on top of the world. I sold him around 10 this morning…placed the display about 1pm and he has already called with 2 leads…
So guess what I am going to do…I am going to offer every single location the same deal…I may not need to hire any salespeople..
Ya gotta love this business!
dmiles
dmiles2
March 30th, 2007
I offer my store owners 4 free locations for advertising space in there stores. They love the idea and supply me with 100’s of cards. I like to Barter!!!
georgia6
March 30th, 2007
Gee…I think the business owner of the location would happy with you!
There are different ways to go with this business, especially in the start-up phase. You need to ask yourself a few basic questions…and have a basic plan. Here are a couple of thoughts you could consider when starting your business card dispenser business ‘angle of attack’…
1) Do you want to fill your displays fast? What i’m getting at here is, should you just take whatever deals you can get…like 50 cents per day…just to get your dispensers looking busy?
2) Should you have a set fee structure that you don’t waiver from? In my opinion, stay flexible, because each deal/negotiation will be different. Having a standard fee to work off is certainly required, but just stay very flexible.
3) Do you set one display up with “FREE advertising” on the header? This is a quick way to get leads.
I had one person tell me they had a cheap ‘open top’ business card dispenser in one location with “DISPLAY YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE… FREE” written on it. People could simply walk up to the display and put their business cards in the display for free. From there, he would go by the display location every 3 days, collect the cards and call them up and sell them advertising in his ‘locked’ displays. So it was purely an easy lead generator…and it worked!
Just get your displays busy, and your confidence will grow…fast. When you’re feeling confident in the business, your belief and passion will build…resulting in conviction in your tonality when speaking to potential advertisers. Passion and conviction is what puts money in your pocket.
For those of you out there making money already with your dispensers, you could still consider #3 above if your not already automating your lead generation (More leads the better). For anyone starting out, have a good think about what will get you ‘up n goin’ quickest.
Think about your marketing angles whenever you have a spare moment!
Dean
deanc
April 1st, 2007
Hi Dean & everyone! I’m brand new to the business and would like to thank everyone for this blog as I don’t think I would be in the business if it wasn’t for it!
I heard about this business three years ago but only decided to get into it a couple of months ago when I finished college. THEN I discovered this blog which really gave me the kick-start I needed. So once I finish my normal job at 4pm today I’m going on the rampage for the weekend!
4 displays have just arrived so the plan is locate the 4 this weekend (although I’ll be happy with 2). I’m aiming for gyms, hairdressers, launderettes, waiting rooms in hospitals, pizza takeouts, cafes & delis - anywhere with a lot of foot traffic and a lot of waiting!
Once they are up I plan to offer one free month’s advertising (with no obligation) to businesses, an additional free month then if they sign up for 6 months and two additional free months if they sign up for 12 months - but this is only for the first contract and in one display only. As all my displays are currently ‘unlocked’ ones, I eventually hope to use these as completed free of charge displays to generate leads!
One tip which I hope is useful if you are starting out is to ask people you know who own their own business to locate and advertise in your displays - simply ask them as a favour since you are just starting your own business!! They were once in the same boat and are sure to help out! (Unfortunately for me I’ve just moved to a new city - Galway, Ireland - so this isn’t a luxury for me!)
Thanks again to everyone & wish me luck!
Take care,
Andy
andyb
June 15th, 2007
Hi Andy,
I certainly wish you luck! Although I don’t think it’ll be luck, I think you’ll nail it because I could feel a passion coming through in your post…and you don’t sound like a quitter by any stretch! Having a job is also a great motivator to make it work also
After reading your list of locations you intend to locate your displays, they’re all good apart from one. The laundrette is alittle borderline in my opinion, because they are generally on autopilot and don’t have an attendant. No attendant could leave you slightly open to vandalism…so just make sure the place is fairly secure before locating a display there (it’s a perfect location otherwise…lots of cards would get taken…checking out the display is a better alternative then watching the washing go around and around!)
Your tip about asking people you already know is very good. It’s easy to overlook the obvious..so thanks for the reminder!
Excellent post Andy…thanks.
Dean
deanc
June 15th, 2007
2 down 2 to go!! Ok got two displays located this morning so I’m buzzing at the moment! To be honest I got a lot of rejections but I guess it’s all part and parcel of the business. One thing I learned from it however is not to waste time begging, pleading or sell sell selling if the business isn’t interested in hosting your display.
I think there are probably a few people on here that could locate displays absolutely anywhere (i think dmiles2 falls into this category) but I know I don’t fall into it (yet anyway) and I think if you are the same then it’s not worth wasting time and energy (and being rejected over and over filling yourself with negative energy) when there are sooo many other locations that will be happy to host your display. The two locations I secured this morning both received the display with open arms which felt good because they could see the benefit of it as much as I could!
Dean, thanks for the advice on the laundrettes! I think there are a few here however with attendants so I’ll target them instead of the ones without them!
My first location today was in a taxi rank office - I’m sure a lot of you will probably agree that this is not ideal location as it is 24hours and there is the possibility of vandalism (even though there is always someone working there) but I was willing to locate my first display anywhere just to get up and running and the manager and I agreed that we would give it a trial run and see how it goes. He wanted to place his cards in the center two slots at the top of the display and I agreed as it seems he would be willing to pay for advertising in other locations down the line.
The second display I located in the city hospital A&E waiting room which I think is ideal as it was full of people with nothing to do but stare around the room and wait! I bartered by agreeing to place hospital related businesses such as pharmacies etc in the display and that was it.
Also I think I may have secured a gym to host a third display (just waiting on confirmation from the manager) and I would like your thoughts on my approach. I had already asked two other gyms without success so in the third gym I guess I told a little lie and said that I had already located displays in the first two gyms and would like to place one in here and immediately they seemed to be on board so as to follow the competition! I guess a little fib here and there isn’t too bad is it? I plan to tell them that the benefit for them is that it could act as a customer service board i.e. it would advertise physios, supplements etc that the gym doesn’t currently offer!
I’ve also targeted a small hotel that had plenty of business cards on the counter so I’m hoping they see the sense of putting up a display board in their reception!
Finally I was walking around town and thought internet cafes might be a good place to put one. What do ye think?
Andy
Ps hope i’m posting in the right area Dean!?
andyb
June 16th, 2007
Great work Andyb!!!
It sounds like your just going door to door and taking the business by the throat…nice! Are you setting appointments over the phone first or door-to-door?
You can really get your business card dispensers out there fast if you really want to…it’s just a numbers game. Here’s what I mean…If you approach 20 businesses, you’re going to get atleast 2-3 locations…and maybe a couple of advertising deals also. So if you approached 40 businesses in a week (i’m talking no fear here…go door-to-door…go on a rampage!), you’ll get locations for all of your displays in no time. You’ll also spark alot of interest for advertisers along the way! Remember, if they look like they’re going to say “no”, try this.
Andy, your locations are interesting…and the hospital location is just perfect! You should fill that one up quickly…there is no shortage of people who can treat the sick people. Offering some exclusivity will increase your chances also EG. Only one massage therapist in the display etc. In regards to the taxi rank, I’ve never heard of this as a location, but there’s no reason why it shouldn’t work! Nice one! There is a couple of people who have located displays in gyms…they are a very good location. Let’s see if someone reading this thread gives us a reply who has experience locating advertising displays in gyms. Your idea of telling a little white lie to get a deal is something I wouldn’t openly endorse, but I can see what you did and in my opinion it was very harmless in this case. What you did was ‘create social proof’ that others in a simular industry have expressed interest..right ? People are always open to new things if someone else has tried it first. This is why testimonials are so powerful.
Nice work Andy, and keep us posted on anything you try…i’m sure you’ll have some interested readers following your posts from now on.
Anyone else found new types of locations?
Dean
deanc
June 16th, 2007
Just going door-to-door was the easiest. I figured this way they couldn’t refuse the proposal before they saw the display (I brought it with me and it seemed to do the trick!).
Thanks for the tip Dean, and from reading other posts I think exclusivity is the way to go if possible.
‘Social Proof’ - exactly what I was trying to portray to the potential customer! I found that a lot of potential locations were ‘uncomfortable’ with this new idea that they had never seen nor heard of before. With a little reassurance that it was almost an industry standard they were much more interested in taking on a display! And as it turns out I may have changed the mind of one of the gyms that had previously said no so it may not even be a little white lie after all!
andyb
June 18th, 2007
Also just thought of this as an ‘alternate’ location! Has anyone ever tried to locate dispensers on public transport? Maybe a little harder to refill your dispenser but just an idea…
andyb
June 18th, 2007
It is August..I claim this to be “MY MONTH” and I have yet to attempt to locate one of my displays. But I have a story..I was in a business meeting with the 2 owners of a new Kitchen/Bath cabinet shoppe to do with my tile business. Conversation was flowing so I thought I would bring up them advertising with me. I explained and they procedded to tell me a fellow was in just a few days ago with the same thing. They let me look at his info and I copied it all down including 5-6 locations he mentioned to them. I was a bit disapointed to find out someone was doing this in my own back yard because to that date…I had never seen a display in any business! So, I headed straight to one of his locations…FILLED TO THE RIM..still a bit taken back that someone was doing it but I was happy to see he had all slots filled and it looked good. All he gave the 2 owners I met with was a business card stapled to a picture on reg. paper of a filled display. Terrible pic, no website but cheaper prices than I had planned to offer. The 2 owners told me they felt if they had to compare, he wins because he had locations for them to pick from. So once again Im fired up and start thinking of how/where I am going to approach. I know I can talk to the potential advertisers because Im in the same shoes as them in my tile business. Love to hear comments on this story and what do you do if you walk into Doctor/vet/dentist office or similar and of course this doc is not going to see you right when you walk in…how do you manage to set it up just talking to the women behind desk? Looking for advice. I have a pitch that I will share when I type again but how do I get to “THE MAN” to deliver it????
StillStruggling Jason
Jason5Star
August 9th, 2007
Hi Jason,
Got to love competition hah!
There is competition for just about everything, and if you introduce a new innovative product or business opportunity into the marketplace of any worth, there will soon be competition for that also. The consumer always wins when simular companies compete… and you will most likely make less sales if you’re doing the same thing as your competitor is doing.
So what to do??
Well it all comes down to how you package the deal. The better the packaging the higher chance you have of getting the deal. Here is a link to another section on this website about packaging and ideas that may help you.
Don’t get to worried about this ‘competitor’, there are 100’s of locations around town that could suit you… atleast you know where to get your first leads from right You may need to reduce your prices initially to get the displays filled and rolling, so just get clarifacation of the competitors pricing and follow suit. You can do this by calling him/her and posing as a business owner who is interested in advertising in their business card box. Once you have those details, then go back to the drawing board and ask yourself “How can I match these prices and package more value into the deal for the end user”.
Regarding getting the doctor or vet etc interested in advertising with you, don’t worry about talking to the ‘gatekeeper’ other then to find out any basic info you can get (no selling). One idea that comes to mind on this topic, is that you could leave the display there until the end of the day if you can’t get to see the particular person who is the decision maker. Can you imagine a doctors face when he walks out of an appointment and there is this business card box sitting there… with info attached! You can be certain he would take a look at it because you’re not there bearing down on him either. Just have a think about how you can massage this idea to work. These types of people are harder to get ahold of, so putting the full display there ready for them to practically trip over is one way to get their attention!
Stay out there Jason, the market is huge! Why not try alittle bartering so the business owner doesn’t need to hand out cash at all?
Let us know everyone if you have any other suggestions about this topic?
Dean
deanc
August 10th, 2007
What happened to dmiles2??
Aaron
August 11th, 2007
bizcardexpert |
The best way I have come across to get displays located is by offering a space in another display. I know that this idea is not new, but it keeps working.
When you think of how much businesses pay to advertise in the paper, then you know they are getting great value by being in one of your displays for free. I tell them that aswell. I try to think for them, otherwise they would never think of that on the spot in the ‘heat of the moment’ (sales moment that is
Great blog…keep it going everyone!
Aaron
Feb 19, 7:29 PM —