Hi Sue,

May i have a signed one? I would love to put it in my workshop :D

Puppet hug,
SHould

This is a really useful thread, and I am enjoying it! Now for my 2 cents....

Postcards can be a good idea, but good copywriting is essential if they are to be effective. For anyone interested in better promotion, I suggest reading some marketing books to help you focus on better selling tactics. Some books that have really helped me are the Guerrilla Marketing series, and a most excellent tool is the book "Words that Sell" by Richard Bayan.

I gave away my copy of Marketing Without Advertising to a small business owner years ago, but just picked up a newly-revised edition from the library book sale shelf yesterday for 35¢. I'd recommend it to anyone looking to start or expand a small business. I think that it used to be published by Ten Speed press, but is currently available from Nolo Press, or Amazon, I'm sure...





Ron G.

Some tips for any printed ad, not that you've done anything wrong:
1.  Don't give enough information that the potential client can make a buying decision without contacting you.
2.  Make a free offer.  This doesn't have to be an offer that costs you a lot.
3.  Make your ad stand out from the crowd some how.  Color, name etc.
4.  Consider offering a guarantee and if you do make sure that it says so in the ad.
5.  Target your ad for a specific market or service.  Don't try to create an ad that applies to all customers or that covers all that you might offer.
6.  As stated in other posts, make sure you follow up, either with other ads and definitely with a call by phone or in person.
7.  If using a service or agency make sure you check out their track record before you sign a contract or check.

I hope this helps!

Marty

8. Proofread, proofread, proofread.

(You'd be surprised how many people I've seen whose website/ad/whatever is horribly, horribly wrong)

Excellent point.  I once had a mistake in an ad that got me a response from a bored English teacher!

Marty

Totally - and even more important is to get someone else to proofread it for you. I've done proofreading before, and worked as a journalist, and yet it's amazing how many mistakes I had written in my puppet patterns! Sometimes you just need someone else to check it for you.

It's been 2 months since this was posted. Can you tell us what response you have had?

I have sent out fliers about puppet making workshops (we have them at our church) and have had fairly good results in the past. We did one last year with about 12 attendees.
In this economy I am not sure what the response would be.

Well, I didn't send out the postcards as I have had a very busy making graduation and anniversary videos so put most everything else on hold, and I wasn't entirely happy with the design. I've made some modifications and will be ordering the postcards soon. I'll keep everyone updated.

Sue