In fact, the easiest way is to buy a set of these
reports, read each one other, set it aside andwrite a similar one with more elaboration or from
a different point of view.
Give your report a commercially appealing title,
set a price for it, and advertise it widely in a
number of nationally circulated mail order
publications, and you could have something that
will continue to bring in money for you for many
years to come.
The absolute best money maker of them all is a
report you've found a great need for, researched
thoroughly, and written from scratch.
Discovering these needs is not that difficult a
task. If you don't have the time to write and
market one of these reports, or just cannot
produce one for whatever reason, the next best
thing is to purchase one with reproduction
rights! Here, you can have a number reprinted for
as little as 20 pence each, and sell them for two
to five pounds each.
The only problem with this approach is that after
a year, nearly everyone in mail order will have a
copy of these reports, and will be trying just as
hard as you are to sell them.
Just because you haven't got the time or the
tools to write one of these reports is no reason
for not producing one.
If you get an idea or the background material,
and the confidence that such a report will sell -
get in touch with someone who specialises in this
kind of writing, and have them put the finished
product together for you.
Generally, the fees will be œ20-œ50 per thousand
words. But this is an "incidental fee", indeed,
if you come up with something that has the
potential of bringing in several thousand pounds
a year for the next ten years or so.
Remember, once you have it together and written,
you just continue making copies of your original
and filling prepaid cash orders for as long as
you wish to stay in business.
You should also have advertising circulars, a
catalogue or a "follow up" offer for every order
you get.
Many people make the mistake of "sending their
whole store" in response to every inquiry. When
you receive an inquiry to your advertising, you
should have a prepared sales letter describing
the item you're advertising, and perhaps a
circular listing in catalogue style of some of
your other products that tie in with the product
of your sales letter. This is known as the
"Featured Selection Plus Alternatives"approach.
When you receive an order for the product you've
been advertising or featuring in your direct mail
efforts, include one of your product catalogues
in the package with the customer's order.
The most effective practice is to include an
advertising circular or brochure of a leader item
or special of the month, and your catalogue.
The main thing NOT to do is include more than a
couple of separate "featured selection"circulars.
Keep your eyes on how the big mail order houses
do it, and duplicate their operating plan within
your own means. The important thing to remember
here is to be sure to include something
different, something new, something your customer
has not seen or been offered a chance to buy - as
with each successive contact you make with him.
