Accounting & Bookkeeping & Small Business Forum

[ldguard]

I am trying to put together a brochure and wanted to see if anyone has had any success with using them. My thought was to hand them out along with my business cards so the business owner would have something tangible to look at and think about. If you were successful, what do you think made it successful? If you weren't, then why not?

Thank you for your input!

Doug

[Richard Noot]

ldguard wrote: I am trying to put together a brochure and wanted to see if anyone has had any success with using them. My thought was to hand them out along with my business cards so the business owner would have something tangible to look at and think about. If you were successful, what do you think made it successful? If you weren't, then why not?

Thank you for your input!

Doug Personally I think they are a waste of time and money. The problem with them is that they do not address the main point the business
person is interested in. SOLUTIONS. As a business person I could care less
about how great you think you are or how long you have been in business or
what your credentials are. What I want to know is are you the best person to
solve whatever particular problem that I am facing.

Believe it or not some businesses do not even realize they have a problem until someone points it out to them. In this case brochures can be effective but like any other means of communication you still need to follow up.

[Barney]

I have brochures and they are available at my Chamber of Commerce as well as my business cards. They are also at a local business center which generates a lot of different business owners. I take them to networking lunches and meetings.

After talking to a prospective client on the telephone I immediately write them a letter thanking them for the call and in that letter I add my brochure and business card for their files.

As far as the expense, I purchase the brochure paper from the office supply store and create them on my computer. Not a huge cost.

I think it's a good idea :idea:

Barney

[mtnair]

Barney,

What type of information did you include in your brochures?

[David]

Make sure you do not fall into the trap of just telling them what you do. As accountants, we like talking about what we do.... payables, invoices, financials etc.

Spend more time talking about what they get... Lower taxes, increase in Profits etc etc.

Also, make sure you do not use cheap paper.

Lastly, Richard is correct in that it requires follow up. It's all about the follow up.

[Ahshucks]

I include my contact information on the front, a few marketable tidbits about my services on one panel, survey on another panel, important client information questionaire ie: tax numbers, attorney contact, bank contact, etc. A brief engagement Letter for the agreed upon rate and his signature.

I try to include a few questions or a short survey for the business owner to ask himself and answer for my return visit. These questions are adept in pointing out strengths, weaknesses, and pains the business owner is suffering.

Upon returning, usually they haven't answered the questionaire, I found that a few additional copies fit well in my blazer or suit coat vest pocket. Pull it out, ask the questions and discuss their answers. Feel their pain, and after augmenting the wound, recommend possible solutions. By the way, a brochure is the right size to carry a retainer check :wink:

[QBConsultant]

I think a great website is more important than a brochure.

[Richard Noot]

QBConsultant wrote: I think a great website is more important than a brochure. I could not agree with you more. Currently I am working with a client that found me on the intenet. Result should be $800.00 return on a $19.00 per year investment for hosting my website.