Hello to everyone. May sound like a stupid question but I have to ask other then word of mouth how do you or have you gone about getting you name out there to draw in the costomers.I talked to one of the local taxidermists he said what did it for him was putting his name in the yellow pages,great but I can not get my name in there till next years printing.I have my price lists and cards all made up I figure now is the time to get my name out before the season gets rolling .shops in order ambition is high just need some critters to get this ball rolling.much thanks. paul
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your local meat lockers. Thats were the hunters are! We have our cards in three and have been ask by two more this year to place cards. The trick is to be good at what you do have a great turn around time and always do what you say you are going to do. Just stop in talk with the owner and see if you can place youer cards and pricelist and see if you can hang acouple of pieces of your work there, Also local sporting goods stores you may find that they have everyone else cards to but its worth the cost of a few cards. We dont pay a "kickback" to anyone at our prices we cant do it but that would be up to you.But you could give the owner of the place a discount write it off as advertising.Another thing is this time of the year a lot of places (sporting goods,meat processors, the local biscuit place) will be having cost sales or a BBQ to kick off the new season see if you can set up a booth and take some of your work and lots of pictures hand out cards pricelist.
Hope this helps the best over all way is get your work out there do good work and you customers will do it for you.
Kim Collins
Bubba's Taxidermy
http://www.freewebs.com/bubbas_taxidermy
All that gets you is calls from drunks needing a "taxi" at 2 in the morning. I'd like to cancel my ad there, but it comes with listing the phone number.
Just remember, no matter how much you advertise, it's not going to do you any good if your work is not exceptional. One pissed off customer will take more business away from you than all the advertising in the world will bring you.
Thanks to all the above for you advice I will consider it all including a answer machine so I don't have to resopnd to "taxi"calls.at two in the mourning. Thanks again Paul
If you have a specific season that brings hunters into your area, like we have, you might leave your business cards and a mount at your local hotel/motels.
offer their state an offer of being a check station? Here in Ohio they seem to use anybody available. Ive never seen a taxi shop in the mix. IF they allowed it AND if you had outstanding paperwork and tagging/logging. I would bet it would be a sweetheart deal.
1. You do quality work
2. You have a website and list that URL in the Yellow Pages.
3. Your market area isn't saturated with 27 different "Yellow Pages".
4. You reach out to significant numbers.
Yellow Pages worked for me and still works for me because I believe much of the above criteria is met. Except for the wait, there was no other way for me to reach out to SO many people so quickly. My business quadrupled the first year I listed. I think when first starting out that having a website and the URL listed is critical. This way potential customers can check out the new guys work. Otherwise, most are probably going to go to an established taxidermist. Keep in mind that every situation is different. The Yellow Pages happened to work for me...
Sponsor a big buck contest at the largest sporting goods store in your area. 1st place shoulder mounts + second place free membership at the local bow range? ect ect ect.......get creative but don't forget the youth hunters, offer something for the kids to keep them involved and do an awards night at the contests end, drinks burgers hotdogs, also get some trophies plaques ect ect ect...... As far as financing you can to all this this for about $800.00 with banners and Color flyers from Kinko's + labor. Now if you even want to take it a step farther talk to business owners in the area that hunt and fish and are willing to put there name on the flyers as a supporter\contributor and let then absorb some of the cost. Its cheap advertising for them. But like the above stated your work should be up to par.