On a whim, I hired a researcher on E-Lance to compile an excel spreadsheet of companies within a ten mile radius of my address, having between 25-50 employees. I had him create a spreadsheet with the company name, industry, and then asked him to do research (LinkedIn, Facebook, whatever he had to) to identify the person in charge of procurement/supply purchasing and include their name and info as well.
So now I have this list, and even when I asked to have it done I wasn't sure what in the hell I planned to use it for. Still am not 100% but I have an idea I wanted to float out there.
The area I live in is extremely wealthy. Like, one of the wealthiest counties in America. Like, seeing a Ferrari is the equivalent to seeing a Civic. It is also a HUGE hub for companies of all kinds.
I was tossing around the idea of trying to sell promotional items to these companies (branded pens, etc) but there are SO many websites out there doing that and I'm sure I couldn't do it cheaper.
So why do it cheaper? As I search I find NO ONE doing "premium" promotional products. Surely, for the types of people and the types of businesses I plan to solicit, there may be a need for some really high scale branded items. Instead of plastic clicky pen that cost .05c that the local McDonalds has, why not help them set themselves apart with an actual metal pen? (doesn't have to be pens, just using that as an example).
FIRST STEP:
So, what do I plan to do with this list? I'm just going to email these people directly and throw it out there. I'm going to create some random email with a made up company name and identify myself as a rep. Ask if they have any need for x,y,z premium products. If not, maybe ask them if they have anything that comes to mind that they have a need for.
If you had a list of contacts for local companies, what would you do with it?
By no means is this my main business or something I want to spend a ton of time on. In fact, it's a distraction - and my biggest downfall is getting distracted with side projects. But I have the list and it may be worth the time.
So now I have this list, and even when I asked to have it done I wasn't sure what in the hell I planned to use it for. Still am not 100% but I have an idea I wanted to float out there.
The area I live in is extremely wealthy. Like, one of the wealthiest counties in America. Like, seeing a Ferrari is the equivalent to seeing a Civic. It is also a HUGE hub for companies of all kinds.
I was tossing around the idea of trying to sell promotional items to these companies (branded pens, etc) but there are SO many websites out there doing that and I'm sure I couldn't do it cheaper.
So why do it cheaper? As I search I find NO ONE doing "premium" promotional products. Surely, for the types of people and the types of businesses I plan to solicit, there may be a need for some really high scale branded items. Instead of plastic clicky pen that cost .05c that the local McDonalds has, why not help them set themselves apart with an actual metal pen? (doesn't have to be pens, just using that as an example).
FIRST STEP:
So, what do I plan to do with this list? I'm just going to email these people directly and throw it out there. I'm going to create some random email with a made up company name and identify myself as a rep. Ask if they have any need for x,y,z premium products. If not, maybe ask them if they have anything that comes to mind that they have a need for.
If you had a list of contacts for local companies, what would you do with it?
By no means is this my main business or something I want to spend a ton of time on. In fact, it's a distraction - and my biggest downfall is getting distracted with side projects. But I have the list and it may be worth the time.
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