lets hear opinions on the best forms of advertising other than word of mouth.i prefer a eye-catching flyer myself..and advertising on the radio during HS FB games.has worked well for me.
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Lets face it, the internet is growing by leaps and bounds. It used to be that people looked for things in the yellow pages. Now, they are turning to google, yahoo, etc. If you cn get work in a sporting goods store or a wal-mart, that will get you some business as well.
I get real good response from the magnetic signs on my car. People see them walk up ask for B-cards. I now of three this year walked up asked a few questions. Brought their stuff that same day.
My website has more in a lot of out-of-town customers. BP
I do the truck stickers, business cards, flyers, local newspapers, sporting good store, and local outfitters. Have not tried the internet thing yet because i hate to ship.
Don't forget, the bulk of those folks looking at your website and considering you are LOCAL. I only do a dozen or so out of state fish per year. Besides, you can always say "no" if shipping isn't your thing. Put that info right on your website. For me, I charge between $45 and $55 dollars to ship a mount to somebody. Maybe more if it's larger. I don't really like shipping either, but if I cover my costs and get paid for my time I don't have a problem doing it a dozen times a year...
If you do a good job let your work speek for itself.
First sensible reply I've seen here.
business cards and adds are all fine and dandy if you dont mind answering the phone all day and dealing with " price checkers " but word of mouth brings the people to your door. the 2 main things are good work and a good location and if your work is good then the location doesnt even matter much.
I resemble that remark!
Put your prices on your website and you'll be getting less calls from the price shoppers than you are now...
I quit posting prices long ago. Since they are "subject to change without notice", I save them the trouble and just don't notify them to begin with. Just like the joke about the guy wanting to know how much a yacht cost: "If they have to ask, they can't afford it anyway."
I'm just a part time taxidermist and only do about 20 deer a year along with horn mounts and other various things. I havn't used any kind of advertisement in probably 10 years. I have people call me every year I have never heard of. They seen a deer I done for someone and give me a call. I have a deer in my shop to mount that was killed in south Texas. The hunter lives in Alabama, and I live in south Arkansas. Go figure. I have never met this man before in my life. I asked him how he heard about me and he had seen a deer I mounted for some freind of his that lives in Alabama also.
Every time your customer hangs one of your mounts on his wall he is advertising for you. And he's paying YOU to do it.
...how FAST you wish to ramp up your business. The more advertising you do with whatever avenues, the more work you (should) bring in. Granted, you may be paying MORE for advertising than you'll make the first year (lol), but it should help build the business much quicker than simply "word of mouth". But, even word of mouth could probably get around if you live in a small toen. Bottom line is when it comes to advertising, EVERY situation is different. And you need to weigh out what you think will give you the biggest return on your investment. AND, you'll probably make mistakes. I KNOW I have tried some avenues that simply didn't produce much in return...