Business History Books » Business Consultant » Information about finding target market?
Information about finding target market?
Question:
Wild guesses : 1- get customerlists of Nevada (and other gamblezone) hotels 2- have your book being given as as a ‘complementary’ gift fot these hotels and /or travelagencies 3- send a free book to everyone who will give you ten ‘leads’ on a postcard 4- use gamble magazines-records etc etc : The major criteria for my target market is, they like to gamble, interestd in : gambling, play the lottery, bet on the horses, etc. : If you know of anyone or how I could market to this group. Please let me know : here. I’m sure others are just as interested in finding their unique target market. : Thanks. : joanne Good luck, Jeroen Duvekot
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>I have written a book, which I would like to sell myself instead of waiting 18 >months to be rejected by the large publishers.
What is between self publishing and the HarperCollins types. Post to alt.publish.books and to the Publishers Marketing Association mailing list (http://pmaonline.org/pmahome.html), plenty of help and may get replies of interest for your manuscript. PMA mailing list is worth taking a look at. >I know who would be interested in purchasing the book. BUT, How do I find these >people? >The major criteria for my target market is, they like to gamble, interestd in >gambling, play the lottery, bet on the horses, etc. >If you know of anyone or how I could market to this group. Please let me know >here. I’m sure others are just as interested in finding their unique target market.
You’ve been given a number of good ideas. Here’s a couple more suggestions. Excuse me for any echo. Casino resort’s marketing dept. Many resorts have gambler’s junkets, not just for high rollers but for frequent gamblers (preferred customer programs). Your book being part of the "welcome" package. Once your book is part of the package, it’s no big step to getting it in the gift shops of the resorts you have contracts with. You might want to offer a condensed version of the book; a booklet, a teaser if you will, that can be placed in each room. The booklet could promote both your book and the resort. Point out that the booklet could also be used for the resorts outside marketing efforts. Tour operators: Turn around trips via bus. Approach the operators of bus gambler’s trips to create a "trip package" that includes your book or booklet. Airlines: Besides charters or tour packages, Vegas shuttle carriers like America West and Southwest know their "regular" pax traffic to Vegas. Your book could be a part of the loyality program for their Vegas traffic segment. Research their loyality program, think of how they could create a Vegas or gamblers loyality program. Write a proposal of the concept, propose calling the loyality program something like "Viva Las Vegas" A good many resorts give their customers a plastic card, like a credit card, which is placed in a unit on slot machines, the more a customer plays the slots, the more points the customer receives towards discounts or free room. An idea would be to tie this loyality tool to offer frequent flyer miles for playing the slots. The point of this "creative" bit is to offer something unique, to get you noticed and in turn your book. Sure you can go by means of mailing lists and ads but maybe doing something out of the ordinary will lead to even greater things. Tourist publications: The "what’s happening this week" "This Month" and quarterly or seasonal publications. Approach to write a "gambler’s tips" column. There are general magazines for gamblers as has been mentioned but also publications for lottery players. See about their lists as well as looking into placing an ad. As for playing the ponies, place an ad in the daily racing forms. Look into a segment; seniors and retired people. An inexpensive ad in a publication for this segment, something like AARP (American Association of Retired People) may deliver a good return. Too bad you can’t place a stuffer with the monthly social security check <g>
Response:
Consider your target market – it covers casinos, horse racing, lotteries – and your research into reaching this market will have cover the same subjects. On one hand, it makes the project more complex, on the other hand, it breaks it down into manageable portions. It is much easier and more complete to focus on the segment one at a time. 1) Divide the end users into separate catogories and start fresh research into all these segments. 2) Remember to look for the motivations in each catagory as you want to stress the benefits of your product. It might well be different in each segment. For example, track people spend hours pouring over race forms. Casino gambers just put their money down. 3) Remember to track your marketing efforts and results. By tracking your results you can sort out where your current advertising has been successful and where it has not. You want to make sure that the money you spend is getting the best results and the analysis of this tracking will help define your most profitable avenues to market your product. Deborah The information edge p.s. (I don’t suppose gamblers anon. sells lists, do you?)
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:I have written a book, which I would like to sell myself instead of waiting :18 months to be rejected by the large publishers. :I know who would be interested in purchasing the book. BUT, How do I find :these people? :The major criteria for my target market is, they like to gamble, interestd :in gambling, play the lottery, bet on the horses, etc. I’d consider off the page advertsing, either selling directly off the page or with teaser "send 10 proven ways to beat the bookies" type ads to gain names for mailing. The publications depend on degree and type of gambler. For instance if you want the gambler who just fancies a horse, advertising near the form guide would be a waste, but ideal for the serious player. If you are looking for sources of lists online: http://www.list-link.com http://www.listbroker.com http://www.edithroman.com http://www.amlist.com http://www.directmedia.com And specialist media for real enthusiasts: http://www.mediafinder.com And to find a listbroker to help With your fax number. John John Block Creative, marketing aware work which Freelance Copywriter talks rather than blandly bores, actively promotes your product, International and aims to be the best Welcomes Dollar and Sterling, in your market sector.
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> I have written a book, which I would like to sell myself instead of waiting 18 > months to be rejected by the large publishers. > I know who would be interested in purchasing the book. BUT, How do I find these > people?
Isn’t there a magazine called Gambling Times or some such thing? It seems that an appropriately placed ad in that publication may work. Sorry, I don’t have any additional information for you. Steve Crisp PagePlop Web Hosting Service http://www.pageplop.com
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How about sharing the "failures" with the group. We can trade stories and I am sure we will all save ourselves the costs of making errors that have been made hundreds of times before. 1. Success story….. when selfpublishing a manual will sell for $99 where as the same information as a book might only bring $14.95. 2. Horror Story…. taking a successful sales manual, which regularly sold 250 copies a year at $99 a time ($25,000 gross….. $15,000 net per annum since 1986) and selling the rights to a publisher who said… "I’ll make you famous". Income in last 2 years… $5,000 advance royalty payment My advice… stick to self publishing. — Maverick Partnership Perth Western Australia – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I would be more than happy to share our failures with you if you would >like more information.
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Folks, you know I’m pretty easy going and *only* concerned with keeping this newsgroup a quality resource and (one of the few) true "discussion" forums. When I *know* as well as it being obvious that someone is *only* interested in posting to this newsgroup to generate business and chooses blatant promotion rather than indirect *promotion is secondary, assisting others is primary* promotion. then I stop being Mr. Nice Guy. And when someone goes into attack mode, slamming readers as well as myself….well I get very *hot* and all his fair. I just won’t tolerate an ignoramus or rather an ignoranus such as Mr. Hugh Fontaine. If people like him would bother to "read" this newsgroup before posting, they’d know what this newsgroup is all about. The Hugh Fontaine matter, just happens to have been public but as moderator, I deal with these types privately everyday. Since he posted one last message before being banned, allow me one last moment to Hugh Fontaine, :> [*Moderator's Note: This is NOT a "classifed ads" NG, this is a "discussion" :> NG. The original author asked "How do I find these people" The replying :> author suggested a mailing list, stating she/she is in the business. the :> reply also knows advertising is not allowed here, just as it is not in most :> moderated newsgroup. That is one of the reasons a moderated newsgroup is :> created; to keep out commercial ads and to allow for "discussion" without :> having to put up with promotional speeches. -JG] >Ok. But let’s look at this one. The guy is directly asking "HOW DO I >FIND THESE PEOPLE?"
How = In what manner or way; by what means. One means, in this case was mentioned by someone; mailing list. There are other means. The person did not ask "who" can provide. Did not ask for "supplier of service" The responding person handled it well, no promotion, said mailing lists was his business and if interested to contact. This was tastefully done. The same info could also have been in the sig. Big difference how he replied and how you replied to another question. :>I think we have to get around to the fact that this newsgroup is :>going to attract a certain amount of people that do want to be sold to. People that want to be sold to usually place a "wanted" ad in a media. Wanted ads are off-topic for this NG. >If you think doing business is such a negative think that has to "be put up >with", then why on earth did you start a business related newsgroup?
I don’t think "doing business" is a negative thing, on the contrary. Equate MBMM to a networking get together. People meet, exchange information, ideas. But then there’s always some bozo that has to hard sell every person at the get together. Every sentence from the person he/she is talking to, he/she uses as an opportunity to promote his/her business. Business person: "Wish I could play more golf" Bozo: "My consulting service not only looks to market a business more effectively but to create more free time for people like you. In fact, Mr. Business person, I practice what I preach, which has allowed me to play golf four times a week! I’ll even throw in green fees for a month." Equate MBMM to a bar, pub, watering hole. Many people are there to talk with others, exchange ideas, get to know, develop friendships -a neighborhood bar. Then some "new" guy comes in and instead of observing first -the social interaction, mores, body language, etc. He just "hits" on every women. He may get lucky eventually, but not likely his first or second choice; "victim" in your words. Another "new" guy comes in, but he sits at the bar and takes the time to observe the social interaction, maybe asks the bartender about "that" woman. (he’s seeking information, the facts (FAQ)). He then introduces himself to the group the women is in conversation with. He makes small talk, shares thoughts, some knowledge. The woman feels drawn to him (He’s not as good looking as the *direct* guy). Next thing, the guy and women are away from the group, talking. Does he get lucky? Perhaps. Maybe he gets lucky with her a couple of evenings later. Maybe he gets lucky for the rest of his life. In business terms, a customer for life. MBMM is not a single’s bar, it’s the neighborhood bar. Silly me, talking about bars. You haven’t had a chance to experience a bar since, I believe the legal age in Florida is 21. >Maybe I am wrong, but I think that especially in a marketing related >newsgroup the members would be interested to see the various creative >types of approaches and pitches people use to sell their products.
FYI, approaches and pitches are discussed from time to time, be it as to copy, tele-scripts, cold calling, dialogue examples. >I can always click my browser button to skip over anything I don’t want >to read. What’s the biggie?
You and I have different opinions as to what a person presents as an approach – pitch vs a person obviously promoting blatantly. The type of message you are interested in can be found in unmoderated NGs, the type of message I am interested in can be found from time to time in this NG. >I would certainly consider that a learning experience to be able to >see other people’s promotional appeals.
"Attention spammers, blue light special. Hugh Fontaine wants to see your promotional appeals" >We could engage in exchanges (gentlemanly) to offer (constructive) observations >or ideas. I for one, would not have a problem with that. Would you?
Oh, I don’t. Ideas, suggestions sometimes come in the form of "dos and don’ts" I gave you my observations "don’t use third person in this NG" If some happens to ask for a specific product or service, I have no problem with replies answering the *need*, as long as the reply is *honest* -" *I* sell a marketing plan software" " *My* business is mailing lists, let me know if interested" But your reply to someone "looking for resources on writing and planning Marketing Plans." was of no help, just a mere opportunity (in your mind) to promote your business and do so as it being someone else’s. Your suggestion to check out a URL, (which you didn’t say was your own) is misleading as one would expect to find "resources on writing and planning a marketing plan" -like tips or list of books. >Having said that, I do agree and appreciate your hard work at keeping >out the irrelevant spam postings.
Nice to know you appreciate me keeping you and your irrelevant spam out. >But in the case of a member of this group making a relevant well constructed >promotional reply to a willing "Victim" doesn’t seem to be such a bad thing.
So you consider a prospective customer a "victim" -One who is harmed by or made to suffer from an act, circumstance, agency, or condition. A person who is tricked, swindled, or taken advantage of. (American Heritage Dictionary) Well Mr. *wannabe* marketing CONsultant, 50 million people now know *what* Hugh Fontaine is….
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:Hello; :I have been reading this newsgroup for some time. (Lurking in the back ground) :Hoping someone would have the same type of problems I am having. :I have written a book, which I would like to sell myself instead of waiting 18 :months to be rejected by the large publishers. :I know who would be interested in purchasing the book. BUT, How do I find these :people? :The major criteria for my target market is, they like to gamble, interestd in :gambling, play the lottery, bet on the horses, etc. :Oddly enough this taget group can be from 18 years and up, any income, any :relgion, social standing, all the normal criteria stipulated by the company 
ffering lists. :But I have not found one which deals with gambling. and this is one of the :largest industries in both Canada and the U.S.A :If you know of anyone or how I could market to this group. Please let me know :here. I’m sure others are just as interested in finding their unique target market. :Thanks. :joanne Is this book meant to help people gamble better?
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Thank you I’ll pop over after finish reading the rest of the news here. joanne :Joanne, :I came across the following web page: :http://www.worldprofit.com/mlmall/mlhot.htm the other day. They have a :mailing list for gamblers. I have never used this company for mailing lists :and have no idea as to their quality. If you try them, I’d be interested in :hearing your results.
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Joanne, We are in the publishing business and started just the way you are beginning. There are some very good books on self-publishing. A good place to start is The Self-Publishing Manual by Dan Poynter. I have a 1986 edition, but I have seen a later one in the bookstores. This book is cheap (likely at your library as well) and gives a wealth of things to consider, including listing of other reference books. Your first goal is to become established at some of the distributors and wholesalers, leading to stocking of the book at some of the bigger book stores. Baker & Taylor, Ingram and Quality Books would be an excellent start. Because even though the direct mailings get attention, a lot of people want to see the book before buying and therefore go to a bookstore after seeing your mailing. It is there also important that you be listed in the various book reference guides, like Books in Print. I would be more than happy to share our failures with you if you would like more information. Bill
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:>I know who would be interested in purchasing the book. :>BUT, How do I find these people? >My first guess would be a mailing list. There are several companies >that create/provide mailing lists, including my own. >I know advertising is frowned upon here, so I’ll prevent that by >asking you to e-mail me to obtain a list of companies that provide
Boy O Boy, John, you’ve got everyone running for cover!!! [*Moderator's Note: This is NOT a "classifed ads" NG, this is a "discussion" NG. The original author asked "How do I find these people" The replying author suggested a mailing list, stating she/she is in the business. the reply also knows advertising is not allowed here, just as it is not in most moderated newsgroup. That is one of the reasons a moderated newsgroup is created; to keep out commercial ads and to allow for "discussion" without having to put up with promotional speeches. -JG] *Moderator’s Note usually attached to inform a guideline for a new poster, who apparently hasn’t bothered to read the group’s charter.
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Hello; I have been reading this newsgroup for some time. (Lurking in the back ground) Hoping someone would have the same type of problems I am having. I have written a book, which I would like to sell myself instead of waiting 18 months to be rejected by the large publishers. I know who would be interested in purchasing the book. BUT, How do I find these people? The major criteria for my target market is, they like to gamble, interestd in gambling, play the lottery, bet on the horses, etc. Oddly enough this taget group can be from 18 years and up, any income, any relgion, social standing, all the normal criteria stipulated by the company offering lists. But I have not found one which deals with gambling. and this is one of the largest industries in both Canada and the U.S.A If you know of anyone or how I could market to this group. Please let me know here. I’m sure others are just as interested in finding their unique target market. Thanks. joanne
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:I have written a book, which I would like to sell myself instead of waiting 18 :months to be rejected by the large publishers. :I know who would be interested in purchasing the book. BUT, How do I find these :people? :The major criteria for my target market is, they like to gamble, interestd in :gambling, play the lottery, bet on the horses, etc. :joanne Suggest you try the following: 1. Lottery lists. Direct mail of national lotteries is big business, nationally and internationally, 2. Offer your book as a premium/merchandising gimmick for * Los Vegas/Atlantic City/Gambling Resort Hotels * Tour packagers Jay
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Joanne, I came across the following web page: http://www.worldprofit.com/mlmall/mlhot.htm the other day. They have a mailing list for gamblers. I have never used this company for mailing lists and have no idea as to their quality. If you try them, I’d be interested in hearing your results. Daniel O’Moran — The shortest distance between your debt and true Financial Independence is through our web site … http://www.finalfreedom.com Daniel O’Moran – ( Final Freedom ) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I know who would be interested in purchasing the book. BUT, How do I find these > people? > The major criteria for my target market is, they like to gamble, interestd in > gambling, play the lottery, bet on the horses, etc.
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>I have written a book, which I would like to sell myself instead of waiting 18 >months to be rejected by the large publishers. >I know who would be interested in purchasing the book. BUT, How do I find these >people?
Joanne: First of all, I congratulate you for opting to travel the self-publishing route rather than waiting for a publisher to do it for you. During the past nine years my partner and I have self-published dozens of instructional videos, books, reports, audiotapes, etc. During the first few years we depended almost exclusively on direct mail to get our message to our market(s); and we relied on list brokers to do obtain the mailing lists that would be most responsive to our message. We found that the best mailing lists are those of current subscribers to a publication. List brokers will save you a lot of time and energy. But before working with a broker, I suggest you do some of the legwork yourself. That way you become familiar with what lists are available, and whether or not they fit your target market. Visit your local library and study the SRDS directories. The one I found most helpful is the directory listing the newsletters and magazines that are currently being published. There’s also an SRDS mailing list directory. These directories will give you a tremendous amount of information… the most useful being the reader demographics. Once you become familiar with what lists are available, a list broker can handle the details of obtaining them for you. You should also rely on the list broker’s expertise. He/she may be aware of lists that you may not find on your own. Good luck. Warmest Regards, Barb
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:I have written a book, which I would like to sell myself instead of waiting 18 :months to be rejected by the large publishers. :I know who would be interested in purchasing the book. BUT, How do I find these :people? :The major criteria for my target market is, they like to gamble, interestd in :gambling, play the lottery, bet on the horses, etc. Joanne, My first guess would be a mailing list. There are several companies that create/provide mailing lists, including my own. I know advertising is frowned upon here, so I’ll prevent that by asking you to e-mail me to obtain a list of companies that provide