How to increase business between 4N members

Assuming that the mini pack includes design and artwork, and that the print is of a decent quality it doesn't look like the price is all that expensive to be honest. I'm sure it could be sourced cheaper elsewhere but it depends on the standard of design and print. Maybe it could be clearer what it includes (ie. not just print).

However, it's likely that a significant proportion of the cost is for the print of the letterheads. I'm not sure how many companies in that demographic would ideally want printed letterheads - more often than not Word templates tend to be preferred these days. Equally, 5000 flyers is a hell of a lot - depends on the business and purpose of the leaflet, but 500/1000 is more common in my experience. Perhaps worth double checking whether you think the print quantities are appropriate to the businesses you're targeting.

Thanks Dave. Yes, the mini pack includes design and artwork, and I chose Kumo Ink as their quality is known to be good.  My impression is that they are actually generally very good value given the equality they produce. That was part of the challenge - to make an offer more attractive but not suicidal from small businesses already operating on low margins.

You make good practical points on the letter-heads and quantities which I have been wondering about.  Maybe a "get going" branding pack should include an option of letter template set-up for those not comfy with how to get that right.

Agree with Dave - perhaps add a complimentary deal of Word template, email signature design and set-up or something similar.

E-mail signature design + set-up another good idea. Certainly can be a head-ache for the non-tech minded to get something to look nice.  Also maybe a good top tips discussion point for on here if not already covered previously.

This is a good initiative.  Especially if the geographic limit is flexible, it could really help specialised businesses to cooperate and spread across the 4N network - from a town to a county and further.  We are an international business now trying to localise via 4N, so especially interested.

Thanks, David. Certainly flexibility seems important to me. For example, I don't think it matters if there is overlap of competing offers in geographical areas. But not great if substantial overlap and they cover same or long period, diluting potential take-up and maybe allowing one to wipe out the other, even though the other may be areasonable offer too.

Also flexibility in designing the offers to allow plenty of latitude in what works for the businesses and end customers involved.

Good to see on here (and amongst local members on LinkedIn and at 4N meetings)  that increasing warmth and interest towards the principle has developed over the time it's been discussed, but a lot more thought and discussion is needed I think to actually get it going and make it work.

So I'm very keen to hear alternative ways others can think of tackling it, both on different ways of doing marketing packages but also for other product/service/market types. (Also, it maybe that for some businesses the collaborations are more suited to audiences other than 4N, but maybe some of us could use the same principles to use the wisdom of 4N to develop business in other ways. )

 

 

so easy its unreal go to my post http://www.4networking.biz/Forum/ViewTopic/122889?page=1#p933430 that will increase business between members !! and help with casflow ! 

I think this is a great idea, and bringing businesses together within the forum has to be good thing IMO. I've found some great contacts and help at breakfast meets, but as our service is nationwide, I'm certainly keen to tie up with other related but non competitive businesses and offer packages. Good idea. 

Maybe even have a specific area of the forum to promote such deals (perhaps even private, so only 4N sign up members have access??)

Paul  

Thanks, Paul. A specific area of the forum would be important if this were to become part of the way we do business. Sounds like rad might be open to this, if there's enough enthusiasm for take up - people offering and people buying. My tester version didn't survive the Blatant Ads section very well, as you might guess.

On restrictions, I'd be keen to see such an area:

  - for offering the deals restricted to at least one paying member being able to offer the deals (to avoid spammers and it becoming the new free for all blatant Ads section),

 - for taking up the deals, open to free members, for several reasons:

1. Significantly increases success for offerers

2. Non-paying have often paid previously, and may be inclined to pay again when something happens to get them back in contact with local 4Ners again

3. It can be a way of getting new people to sign up for free membership of 4N...and again, for some, that may be a first step on the route to becoming full members.

What say you all?