Follow up to old post about a new job..

I started this post some months ago - http://forums.hexus.net/general-disc...me-advice.html

The purpose of the post was to see if anyone had any advice about making an impact in new business.

I have now been in the role nearly 6 months and have had some success locally off the back of a good local reputation. I am now moving on to contacting potential clients in the Greater Manchester area. I plan a concentrated e-mail campaign to the relevant person who is responsible for I.T. within each business. This campaign will then be followed up by a series of phone calls.

So my question is to anyone who is working in a business and has received e-mail communication that has caught your interest enough that you would take their call.

I know this is a bit of a long shot but as the company I work for is fairly small marketing budgets are limited and telemarketing is an expensive option.

Thanks in advance.

I personally wouldn't spam companies IT managers not the best way to get in the door....

its a good way to get blacklisted though

... Has error written all over it. I would consider what you are planning here - unsolicited marketing emails and cold calling <shudder>

Sorry I've not explained myself properly. All the people I will be contacting have agreed to contact whilst cleaning the databases.

DR - "I personally wouldn't spam companies IT managers not the best way to get in the door...." What would you say is a good way to get infront of IT managers?

Thanks

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wilksj01

What would you say is a good way to get infront of IT managers?

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Get a job in the bar closest to their office?

most people don't want spam emails full stop, most people agree to be contacted just to get what ever it is they are signing up for.

I can tell you that I've never bought IT servers, nor will I ever buy IT services from a company that spams me via "offers" or buys my email address from dataases.

Personal relationships is what it is all about.

odds are the only thing people will take calls for, is good staff, assuming they're hiring that is.

agreed.

OK great, well that definitely means that is out then. So if e-mail and calls are a no no, how would a company build a relationship with you? I know the obvious answer is that people will come to me if we have a good solution and a good reputation but for a small business that is not so simple as there are bigger fish marketing heavier than we are.

So far people have come up with some rock solid reason to what I shouldn't do, does anyone have any ideas of what I should do? (and please go easy with the sarcasm here, I am obviously way outside of my comfort zone when it comes to marketing and prospecting for new business:confused:)

Thanks

I have to read through a fair bit of IT marketing, tbh the best option is to go for a physical mailshot. At work you have to read all mail just to make sure you aren't missing something from a customer or collegue.

Keep the leaflet fairly understated as it increases the time it takes to decide whether it's marketing junk or something of interest (I usually save time and throw out something with more than 3 colours on it) and always make sure you have a clear point of contact for more information, wether it's an informative website (don't include testimonials, I never believe them) or a well spoken person on the phone.

Finally, try to target the smaller companies over the large ones. Small companies are always willing to try something new and different if there's either some cost savings to be had or a boost to performance.

Hard post may work, doesnt even need a leaflet, ive had success dropping a quick line on headed to the FD of a company ive seen are doing something interesting (either in the paper or whatever) apoligising briefly for the unsolicited communication then inviting them to meet for coffee (of the perfectly mundane kind), and thats with banking, IT should be easy by comparison.

I've worked in an IT department, and i'd put money on you getting the next non critical order (mice or whatever), and it should (assuming the rest of your firm dont fsck it) go from there.

That said, what are you targeting? Have you thought of inviting a select number of customers for drinks & nibbles? It shouldnt prove too expensive (provided you dont have it in cloud 9 or Urbis or something) and you've given them something, so they feel obliged to give you at least a consideration when it comes to the next order.

Do you send out desk diaries? Youd be amazed how well that goes down, and youre at the right time of year for it (just)