Question

Topic: Career/Training

Advice On Starting A Direct Marketing Company

Posted by Anonymous on 3/11/2008 at 3:48 PM ET 250 Points
I need any advice or references on starting a direct marketing firm mostly dealing with different campaigns for various company's or products. I have a lot of experience in direct sales and have done some work in the marketing field.
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Levon on 3/11/2008 at 4:14 PM Accepted
    What kind of direct marketing do you speak of? Print or Phone or On-the-street?
  • Posted on 3/11/2008 at 4:23 PM Author
    I have more experiance in street and phone but is willing to Incorporate other Strategies .
  • Posted by Levon on 3/11/2008 at 6:32 PM Member
    Start with some basic research on what the competitive landscape and marketplace for your product looks like in your area. Once you figure out whether there is a need for your services - I would start with coining a company name and tagline for your offering and carve out a niche for yourself that differentiates yourself from the research that you underwent.

    You might want to team-up with someone who can offer the print side of your Direct Marketing Services -- so that you can offer full direct marketing instead of partial. They can also help you drum up initial business.

    Advertising to and leveraging off of accounts you serviced in the past is a good place to generate some initial business. I would call on those accounts and mention that you did good work for them in the past and would enjoy it if they gave you the opportunity to service their direct marketing needs now that you are on your own.
  • Posted on 3/18/2008 at 10:23 AM Member
    I work with several independent brokers who sell their marketing services to businesses and outsource all of the print production, list management, variable personalization, graphic design, assembly and mailing services to me. The company I work for offers special lower tier pricing to brokers and agencies who are reselling our services to their clients. Basically, you do the legwork to get new customers and we help you land the projects by giving you excellent pricing and outstanding service. We will go the extra mile to make you look like a superstar. If you are comfortable selling you could do very well. E-mail me and I'll send you more info.
  • Posted on 3/18/2008 at 1:37 PM Accepted
    Hello,

    A good place to start is www.the-dma.org.

    There are many parts to direct mail that are often confessed by non-dmers. I recommend educating your self on all of the players involved and then decide what area you want to focus in on. Then surround your self with experts in the areas that will help you. These experts can also become your referral partners.

    Join a local DM club in your area. Interview 3 companies in each area you will not do yourself. Pick their brains and pick the best for your needs. Ask them what their specialty is and the size clients they work with most.

    I work with vendors that specialize in the small jobs and vendors that can handle large jobs. For example: You don't want to aline your self with a copy writer that charges $3000 to write a DM piece for a 2,000 name mailing. It will not work.

    Email more details of what you want to do and I will see if I can point you in the right direction. I have been working in DM for over 17 years.

    Good Luck



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