AboutLee Horner Expertise California & Arizona attorney,previously a Director of Rexall Showcase International, an international
e-commerce home based business focusing on natural health remedies and sports nutritionals. I analyze all sorts of home based busineses for clients as well as franchise operations, joint ventures, etc. I can tell you what to look for in a good opportunity and what to stay away from. I don't do homework questions and I'm not looking for a business opportunity. If I can help you assess one or more of them, let me know.
Experience Presently a financial planner specializing in fixed, indexed insurance products (Life and Annuities) and impaired risk cases. Formerly a distributor with Amway for many years and a director of Rexall Showcase International. Do what I did and check the fruit on the tree for yourself.
Education/Credentials Business management degree from the University of New Mexico; Doctorate of Law (JD) degree from
Lincoln Law School, Sacramento, CA. Admitted to practice before the Ninth Circuit, Arizona and California.
Question Hi. I run a small package/courier/freight service. In business for 28 years, I have gotten most of my accounts by referral.
that's a good thing for a service business. However, I want to take on more accounts now rather than wait for more references.
I have been told that advertising in the yellow pages doesn't pay for itself. Cold calling on potential accounts has its advantages in that I can pick the area they ship packages from...a concentrated effort. But, calling on these businesses has not produced the results I want. Some of them take it as the opportunity to sell something to me.
I want to know if you think it is worthwhile to get a website for s service business. A 5 page site is inexpensive enough. I just don't want to waste any money right now. The main disadvantage I see is possibly weeding out calls for things I don't do(semi-loads, out of state,hazmat,etc.).
What do you think?
Thanks,
Marvin Martin
Answer Hi Marvin -- there are two geo-targeting ad services I'm aware of and as yet neither has its act totally together sufficient enough for me to recommend them. The idea is sound -- you buy an ad with them that pops up as one of the top results when someone with a computer in your area searches for what you have to sell; matching key words in your ad to what they're looking for.
For example, if you were in Tucson where I am and bought an internet ad for local package & courier delivery; then if someone in this area went on google or one of the other search engines, your ad would be at the top of the heap.
Thus far, however, I've not seen sufficiently consistent results to recommend them. If you'll send me your email address I can update you as things improve.
MEANWHILE, you say you do courier service. Have you thought about doing "court runner" service, picking up papers to be filed with courts from attorney offices, filing them & returning?
I'm not sure what the going rate for that is in your area; In Sacramento we were paying our runner $300 per month for daily service; and most days we gave him something; the courts we filed in were close together; and I know he did this same thing for other attys;
Just a thought.
The trick with any internet advertising is as you observe, weeding out the spammers & out of area/not your specialty types of calls.
The other part is driving folks to your internet site and that's the trick.
Let me hear back from you; I would suggest making a new question "private" or you can email me directly at steinway@rocketmail.com and I'll keep you posted.
