[Jumbo137]

Hi folks,

Can I have your thoughts on this please?

I'm looking to promote myself in Wedding venues throughout Scotland.
My idea is to offer hotels, castles etc an opportunity to promote themselves alongside me and a Videographer I work with on a DVD.
Each of us would have 3 minutes of promotion. This seems to be the ideal time as after that people lose interest!
I would have a photographic slideshow set to music, the Videographer wedding footage and the hotel/castle/venue footage of their venue, including location shots and perhaps rooms.
We offer this free of charge, as long as they give out our DVD to potential customers.
Apart from sending out an email or costly (time and money) letter, how do I get in touch with the right people and what do you think of this idea?

Alan

[Indizine]

If you are prepared to invest in a professional video (costly with time and money) then I would expect a reasonable investment in the marketing of it.

Why dont you try contacting and teaming up with the events & banqueting companies locally, who possibly may provide their services already, and can give you some leads on names.

[Acknowledged Web]

Alan

I would contact them directly.

Just phone and ask to speak to the manager and tell them what what you offer. I know its a little uncomfortable but beileve me once you get your first yes, it will become much easier. Have some notes written down for your introductory line and for answers to likely questions.

[Indizine]

Often the issue isnt with just making the call, its getting through. Most people wont take sales calls and therein lies the problem. If they did, life in business would be a fair old doddle!

[Acknowledged Web]

I'm sure you are aware Indizine that though in general your statement is true, it will of course depend on the type of enquiry and industry.

This would definitely be the best way for Alan, directly tell them what he can offer and start an honest reciprical relationship that we benefit both parties.

He has to directly contact them otherwise how can he offer what he preposes, it clearly not a advert in trade mag situation.

[Indizine]

There are other ways as well as cold calling. Once he has tried the different ways, he can then compare not only what works for his type of business, but what works for him personally.

[IP2]

Originally Posted by Indizine

Often the issue isnt with just making the call, its getting through. Most people wont take sales calls and therein lies the problem. If they did, life in business would be a fair old doddle!

Very true! No one gets put through to me, unless I have explicitly said I will take calls from that person in advance.

[Chameleon]

Calling to arrange a meeting is a good idea, this lets them put a face to the name, and you can also take some material along with you to give them a mini demonstration so that they know it won't be a waste of their time.

Starting in your local area sounds like the best option, but try probing the wider area with phone calls and/or emails to see what kind of response you get.

[Sam (Mr. Mu)]

Strip this down to the basics:

Prospect: hotelier

Offer: We give you a free promotional video if you give it away (plus our promotions) to your prospective customers

Cost to hotel: having to mix your ads into their marketing / brand / time spent planning / reviewing / editing / approving final material

Benefits to hotel: Get a video produced and put out on DVD to limited number of customers who request printed material via post?

In my view, if a hotel wants to show people a video of its facilities etc it will do it at the point where most people go for information and to make their booking - online.

I can't see the benefits of this proposition matching the costs (in time, risk, effort etc).

[Veronika]

Unfortunatelly cold calling is a tough job to do. In my case i didn't bring me a desired result.