Re: Devcon Buys Out Coastal Security, Adelphia, & Guardian

["mikey" <loismustdie@xxxxxxxx>]

Thanks, Jim. Lot's of goodstuff in there. I am doing a lot of it but there
are
a couple of ideas I hadn't considered. I do the brochure thing bigtime and
feel
that works best as people seem to hold on to them. I installed one last
summer
and saw a ten year old brochure on her kitchen table. The other surprise is
the
web page. I come up in Google pretty early so I get inquiries from the other
side of the planet. It never seems to go anywhere though, they just pick my
brain,
waste my time, and I never hear back.

On that, if any of you lads is near  Trail, BC Canada and would like a
referral,
drop me a line... in fact, if any of you lads would be interesting in
scratching each
others backs, drop me a line with your contact info and what you're using or
would suggest for medical alerts. I don't work for free like you alarm guys
(haha)
but I'm reasonable and not a greedy man, there's plenty for all.
And yes, Tom... tomlikespink@xxxxxxxxxxxx will work.

"Jim" <alarminex@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1133580903.081097.202690@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> mikey wrote:
>
> > Funny you mention Tom. Yep, I recognized the marketing expertise within
days
> > of wandering in here.
> > How do you think I've lasted this long? I hit him up for some advise
years
> > ago. I can't remember all the details but there was some juicy stuff,
and
> > lots of it, much of which I put in to practice. He may not remember
though
> > but I am very tolerant of that sort of thing as I deal with it on almost
a
> > daily basis. Now I'm a tad worried about you too. I hit you up for some
> > idears as well... The newsletter was one I put in to use but
unfortunately I
> > let it slide... some of my gals really enjoyed it too.
>
> Can't let the Newsletter slide or it loses it's value. I've been
> sending out my
> Newsletter for so
> long now, I've lost track. I send it once every quarter. A single sided
> page, no frills
> no color or pictures. Just in four newspaper columns format with a
> heading. I start
> typing and in about an hour I've got to start editing it to keep in on
> one page. Some
> things I write about are seasonal, such as being careful in shopping
> malls and
> parking lots. Locking doors and lighting etc. Since I've been writing
> it for so many
> years now, I sometimes go back on 10 year old issues and pick an
> article to update.
> I pull statistics out of the trade magazines and articles out of the
> local newspapers,
> that apply to my clients. It's a way to inform them about such things
> as VoiP and
> DSL hookups and about things such as medical alerts for their parents
> and the home
> theater and residential computer networking I can do for them. I always
> put a
> paragraph in about my boating experiences just to add a little personal
> touch.
> You can't imagine the response I get from this. People drop me notes
> with
> their checks, wishing seasonal good tidings, and when ever I go to
> their homes,
> they've always got a comment about the boat or something that I've
> written about.
> In a few cases, I've been requested to send my newsletter to members of
> the
> household who've moved away and live in other areas.
>
> In your case, there's got to be a Gazillion things in the local papers
> regarding the elderly that you could write about. Subscribe to a
> retirement
>  magazine or two to pull information from and just write briefly about
> it
> and give the source or where more info can be obtained, telephone
> numbers
>  etc. You'd be surpprised how quickly a single page will fill up with
> useful
>  information.
>
> I used to schedule talks at the local library, regarding household
> security.
>  I'd bring control panels set up on boards and show people what they
> could
>  expect if they were looking for a security system for their home.
> Get's
> your name around town and some additional work too. In your medi alert
> business, I'd be making constant efforts and making arrangements to
> speak
> at retirement clubs. Make it an annual thing. Bring some handouts and
> some
>  giveaway pen's or flashlites with your name on it.
>
> I'm sure that there's got to be some census information available
> either at
> some public office or the library regarding the demographics of elderly
> folks.
>  In the US we have a directory available in libraries that lists people
> by a
> multitude of factors. Once getting their address, there's lots of ways
> you can
>  market to them. Leave brochures in doctors offices. Just drop them off
>
> occasionally. Find cardiologists and other doctors that would have
> patients
> who would need your serivices. Just leave it on the magazine tables.
> You'd
>  be surprised how many people will pick them up.
>
> I used take note of where the well-to-do areas were, and put door
> hangers
> on their mail boxes or door knobs, as I was passing by. I did that for
> years
>  because mailing and yellow pages didn't work. In your case, with the
> medi
> alert, keep in mind that if you market to only elderly people, most
> times
>  they just don't have the money and wouldn't think of asking anyone
> else
>  for it.  It's actually to their children and relatives, that CAN
> afford to get
>  it for parents, etc .... for THEIR convenience, and peace of mind,
> that
> would be an important source of your business.
>
> I think the most important thing I can say about advertising is to
> budget it,
> don't elimiate it just because you're not getting an immediate
> response. Just
>  set aside a specific amount a month and make sure you spend it. And
> keep
>  it constant. People may not use it the first 20 times that they see
> it, but
> once they see it constantly, it's in their mind the next time they or
> someone
>  else mentions it and they know right where to look to find you. Small
> local
>  paper, co op with someone who deals with elderly, like insurance
> agents,
> or other companies providing services to the infirm. Local private EMS
> companies would be an example.
>
>
> > I am actually doing quite well and bag some retirement homes from
> time to
> > time. I just subscribe to the credo: "If your warm and happy in a pile
>  >of shit, keep your mouth shut"
>
>
> I could just never not keep trying to get that next sale. Keep in mind
> that
> you only have to try 5% harder than the next guy to put you in the
> upper
>  80% of successful businesses.  And don't be afraid to test the market
> occasionally by asking for more money. If you miss a job or two,
> because
> of price, you can always revert. If you don't try, you'll find that
> you're
> getting a lot of work and not making any money. Balance your work load
>  by the prices you charge. That works for me. You don't have to give
> away
>  the store to get business.
>
> That's just my .... off the top of my head...... take on it. You may
> already be doing some or all of it. but I thought it may help
>