I am trying to figure out how to use Meetup.com to increase my business. I have set up a meeting and at least have a few people sign up. Information is at http://www.marketplace-mail.com/directory/merchant/142/594
I am going to use my brother's Flexible Thinker techniques to make this meeting fun. http://www.marketplace-mail.com/directory/merchant/75/563
Any suggestions? Any visitors?
The meeting will be in Wake Forest.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Friend with a heart attack
Just got word that a friend had a very serious heart attack yesterday. Really puts things in perspective in a hurry.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Prospecting & e-mails
Is there a sure-fire easy-to-use guaranteed way to increase business? Wish there was! Just sent out 755 e-mails of lobbyists in N.C. to handle their mailing.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Bill to Stop Advertising Mail Would Destroy NC Businesses and Hurt Consumers
A bill recently introduced in the North Carolina General Assembly would destroy the business my wife and I have built over the last 20 years.
Not only would it destroy our business, it would impact over 103,000 jobs that are directly tied to the advertising through mailing industry and hurt many small businesses in the state. It would also impede the free flow of information to consumers.
The bill, House Bill 1699 introduced by Susan Fisher of Buncombe County, is titled “Option to Stop Junk Mail.” If enacted, the bill would effectively shut down all bulk mailers in the state – except, of course, for political advertising.
Advertising mail, commonly known as bulk mail, plays a critical role in the success of our country’s businesses, large and small alike, as well as nonprofit organizations. It allows small businesses to reach out to customers with information targeted to that customer’s interests.
Consumers appreciate the savings from special offers, coupons, and notices about new local businesses and services. According to the Direct Marketing Association, advertising mail contributed more than $660 billion in increased sales in the U.S. economy. Without the ability to advertise directly to consumers through mailings, businesses would see a major impact on sales and profitability.
The United States Post Office also relies on advertising revenue. For instance, my postage bill in October was over six figures!
Not only would my business suffer if this bill becomes law, but the graphic artists, printers and list brokers I work with would also be hurt. My clients would have their ability to advertise cost-effectively compromised since only direct mail allows them to precisely target their audiences. The people who supply my equipment would also feel the consequences. Multiply this by hundreds of individuals and organizations and you can see the potential impact of a bill.
In short, this bill is overkill. According the definition of a bulk mailer – a person that sends out “substantially similar pieces of mail to 25 or more postal patrons” – people sending out Christmas cards would fall under the bills harsh provisions.
No direct marketing business wants to waste resources contacting people who are unlikely to buy their products or services. The Direct Marketing Association already offers an easy-to-use “Mail Preference Service” at www.dmaconsumers.org that can reduce the amount of mail consumers receive by as much as 80 percent.
For credit cards, consumers can stop all prescreened credit offers by calling 888-567-8688 or going to www.optoutprescreen.com.
I encourage all readers to send a letter to their representatives to protect consumers and NC businesses. Let’s make sure this bill does not become law.
Not only would it destroy our business, it would impact over 103,000 jobs that are directly tied to the advertising through mailing industry and hurt many small businesses in the state. It would also impede the free flow of information to consumers.
The bill, House Bill 1699 introduced by Susan Fisher of Buncombe County, is titled “Option to Stop Junk Mail.” If enacted, the bill would effectively shut down all bulk mailers in the state – except, of course, for political advertising.
Advertising mail, commonly known as bulk mail, plays a critical role in the success of our country’s businesses, large and small alike, as well as nonprofit organizations. It allows small businesses to reach out to customers with information targeted to that customer’s interests.
Consumers appreciate the savings from special offers, coupons, and notices about new local businesses and services. According to the Direct Marketing Association, advertising mail contributed more than $660 billion in increased sales in the U.S. economy. Without the ability to advertise directly to consumers through mailings, businesses would see a major impact on sales and profitability.
The United States Post Office also relies on advertising revenue. For instance, my postage bill in October was over six figures!
Not only would my business suffer if this bill becomes law, but the graphic artists, printers and list brokers I work with would also be hurt. My clients would have their ability to advertise cost-effectively compromised since only direct mail allows them to precisely target their audiences. The people who supply my equipment would also feel the consequences. Multiply this by hundreds of individuals and organizations and you can see the potential impact of a bill.
In short, this bill is overkill. According the definition of a bulk mailer – a person that sends out “substantially similar pieces of mail to 25 or more postal patrons” – people sending out Christmas cards would fall under the bills harsh provisions.
No direct marketing business wants to waste resources contacting people who are unlikely to buy their products or services. The Direct Marketing Association already offers an easy-to-use “Mail Preference Service” at www.dmaconsumers.org that can reduce the amount of mail consumers receive by as much as 80 percent.
For credit cards, consumers can stop all prescreened credit offers by calling 888-567-8688 or going to www.optoutprescreen.com.
I encourage all readers to send a letter to their representatives to protect consumers and NC businesses. Let’s make sure this bill does not become law.
New postage regulations
I have finally found figured out how much postage is going to go up on May 14. It's going to be ugly for some of my clients while others will feel very little.
I have posted some of the new rates at http://www.marketplace-mail.com/images/postage_increase.pdf
It's all about ease of processing and distance -- the harder it is to process and the further it has to go, the bigger the difference.
It will be very interesting to see what happens to my business as the new rates take effect.
I have posted some of the new rates at http://www.marketplace-mail.com/images/postage_increase.pdf
It's all about ease of processing and distance -- the harder it is to process and the further it has to go, the bigger the difference.
It will be very interesting to see what happens to my business as the new rates take effect.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Organizing to stop the "Option to Stop Junk Mail" bill
Wednesday afternoon, I received a call from WUNC radio, the local NPR affiliate, asking me for a comment about a bill that was introduced into the legislature.
I had no idea about the bill, which I have since found out has the short title of "Option to Stop Junk Mail."
A close reading of the bill at http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2007&BillID=H1699 indicates that someone sending 25 Christmas cards could be in violation of the law.
This bill, if enacted, would be big blow to my business -- and many others. I contacted the Direct Marketing Association who gave me information, which I have posted on my website at http://www.marketplace-mail.com/directory/merchant/147/594.
There is a convention on May 2 of the Greater Triangle Postal Customer Council. Look at http://triangleareapcc.com/ for more information.
I am trying to figure out how to block this bill by forming a coalition of printers, mailers, mailing houses, small business, graphic artists, postal employees, etc. to stop this bill.
I had no idea about the bill, which I have since found out has the short title of "Option to Stop Junk Mail."
A close reading of the bill at http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2007&BillID=H1699 indicates that someone sending 25 Christmas cards could be in violation of the law.
This bill, if enacted, would be big blow to my business -- and many others. I contacted the Direct Marketing Association who gave me information, which I have posted on my website at http://www.marketplace-mail.com/directory/merchant/147/594.
There is a convention on May 2 of the Greater Triangle Postal Customer Council. Look at http://triangleareapcc.com/ for more information.
I am trying to figure out how to block this bill by forming a coalition of printers, mailers, mailing houses, small business, graphic artists, postal employees, etc. to stop this bill.
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