Prospect already HAS printer/designer - how do I fit in?

[Diana]

Kind of a weird situation.

Guy contacted me today from another larger city, had seen the card, liked it and wanted to know if this was a franchise or how he could use it with business colleagues of his in HIS town. Could see it as a mailer or as a handout (with lots of business-card-sized offers on it.) He does NOT want to do this as a business - but likes the idea, knows people who'd use it, wouldn't mind at all if he got a commission from ME for him filling up a card.

However - he said he has a printer, and he has a designer, that he works with. He also evidently has the connections to businesses.

So why would he need ME?

[localmobileads-ssg]

Kind of a weird situation.

Guy contacted me today from another larger city, had seen the card, liked it and wanted to know if this was a franchise or how he could use it with business colleagues of his in HIS town. Could see it as a mailer or as a handout (with lots of business-card-sized offers on it.) He does NOT want to do this as a business - but likes the idea, knows people who'd use it, wouldn't mind at all if he got a commission from ME for him filling up a card.

However - he said he has a printer, and he has a designer, that he works with. He also evidently has the connections to businesses.

So why would he need ME?


Diana, i smell rotten fish hehehe, hes looking to pick the details, and use them for himself, if he wants your Postcard, hes gotta use his designer, no problems, but YOUR PRINTER lol

[Diana]

want to move this discussion to another part of the forum...

[jonnnyd23]

I say share with him no matter his intentions. After all, if it wasn't for "Bob Ross" sharing with us and giving us the guidance and tools to do this we might not have even thought about postcards. I think that's the main reason "Bob Ross" made this so successful, because he shared, he's kind, and mainly wants to help people out. I say follow his footsteps and you will be rewarded.

Just some food for though

-Jonathan

[PvPGuy]

I say share with him no matter his intentions. After all, if it wasn't for "Bob Ross" sharing with us and giving us the guidance and tools to do this we might not have even thought about postcards. I think that's the main reason "Bob Ross" made this so successful, because he shared, he's kind, and mainly wants to help people out. I say follow his footsteps and you will be rewarded.

Just some food for though

-Jonathan


With all due respect to the "pay it forward" principle described above, it would be the worst possible thing you can do. I want to paint a picture. This method is working now. But soon, EDDM will get figured out by more people. Online services will continue to drive the prices of printing, design, and shipping downward. More and more people will discover these discounted online services. When that happens, you WILL see competition for your services.

That's why it's important to get your business built NOW. Jake's methods will net far superior results for your business clients. That is what will build and reinforce a positive relationship with businesses so YOU are the guy they TRUST. And once you have their trust, you'll have recurring, nearly passive income. But there are two things you absolutely must not do:

#1. Fail to take action
#2. Give away your secret sauce.

If you want to pay something forward, do it in this forum. But outside of that, I'd guard your business the same way Coca-cola guards their secret sauce.


Kind of a weird situation.

Guy contacted me today from another larger city, had seen the card, liked it and wanted to know if this was a franchise or how he could use it with business colleagues of his in HIS town. Could see it as a mailer or as a handout (with lots of business-card-sized offers on it.) He does NOT want to do this as a business - but likes the idea, knows people who'd use it, wouldn't mind at all if he got a commission from ME for him filling up a card.

However - he said he has a printer, and he has a designer, that he works with. He also evidently has the connections to businesses.

So why would he need ME?

He needs you to fill in the missing piece of the puzzle for him. There is a dirty secret to Bob Ross method, and that is that we are entirely replaceable by the business owners themselves, or by others who learn this method and are willing to work for less. But in truth, that's not really a secret, its just the nature of business. If someone is willing to do it cheaper, they have the ability to start taking bites out of our market share.

Diana, if you are ready to expand to this new city, then I'd offer to pay the guy a nice bird dog fee for any businesses that sign up with you. Offer to pay him more if he can commit those businesses to a 3 month contract (after all, he apparently "knows" these guys, strike while the iron's hot)

But I'd also tell him the following:
1. You will only use your printer.
2. You have to approve the final coupon/offer.
3. Establish protocol on how payments are accepted and commissions paid.
4. Any other necessary steps that gives you final authority and ensures your goals.


I wouldn't completely rule out the possibility that you could work out a good business contact with this person, and I'd jump at the chance to get into another area. But by all that's holy, guard the grail!

Those are just some observations that jumped out at me. I'm fairly new to this direct market method as well, so perhaps others who are more experienced with such occurrences will drop by with their advice.

[Diana]

Appreciate it - emailed him, awaiting his reply. I didn't directly "diss" the other printer, just said I had a process and providers already and that if he wanted to a) keep prices affordable for his friends and b) leave some room for a commission for HIM, he'd need to stick with what I already have in place.

Keeping my fingers crossed!

[Mister Natural]

Appreciate it - emailed him, awaiting his reply. I didn't directly "diss" the other printer, just said I had a process and providers already and that if he wanted to a) keep prices affordable for his friends and b) leave some room for a commission for HIM, he'd need to stick with what I already have in place.

Keeping my fingers crossed!

This is the business world.
To avoid "shooting yourself in the foot" and protect your income and new company all of us has to keep this quiet.

[Iemagine]

This is the business world.
To avoid "shooting yourself in the foot" and protect your income and new company all of us has to keep this quiet.


I agree with you on that Mr. Natural! I think that guy is just trying to get the details of her business model. I too understand
the pay it forward model but "WE" paid for this wso and to give it away is ridiculous. Why would you even consider
giving away your "secret sauce"?