Running out of ideas.....

dcjjp2 · 07-14-2004, 11:33 AM

Hey guys... First,let me say that this forum is awesome! Here is my dilemma: We are a new business within an mall setting in the DC metro area. Better to high end equip, Sundash, Dr Muellers Sunstorm, Sungate, and Mystic. We also offer spa massage. I have tried practically everything from direct mail to newspaper ads to visiting area Condo and hotel concierges as well as holding events and the such... This is a pretty transient area and we offer many short term packages and monthly deals. I ask you (wise veterans) for any input as to where I should turn next.

Oh did I mention that I have a solar planet (which I offer better equip and better pricing!) and Palm Beach are in the area as well.

West Side Tanner · 07-14-2004, 12:33 PM

Grip has good ideas.

dcjjp2 · 07-14-2004, 01:16 PM

Used Grip for the direct mail when we first opened about a year ago and had about 4 mailings since, Not a good response. I thought it'd would have worked also, I may try it again.

Thanks!

gripmarketing · 07-14-2004, 07:02 PM

Keep trying. The national average is 30% of Americans move every year. In DC, it's a whopping 60%! You're constantly needing to collect a new database practically every year. That's tough. And your mailing list goes stale faster than anywhere in the US.

I'm sure you've noticed that the pieces that Grip does for Solar Planet are pretty regular. You've got to keep at it.

DC is different than other markets. Why? It's the most transcient market - not in the US, but in the WORLD!

The military moves people in and out of the big military complex there, the presidential administration changes every four years (on avg), the house and congress change every 2-4 yrs, branches of government are moving workers in and out, multi-national companies are sending employees and sometimes their families on a 1 to 2-yr "hardship" tour, companies move employees there to lobby and liasion with branches of government, lobbyists moving in and out, and I could go on, but you get the picture.

In DC, it's so prolific that DC is the only market we're aware of in the US that even the real estate brokers get paid their commissions up front for the entire term of the lease. In other markets, brokers get paid as the landlord gets paid. The real estate market is so strong in DC due its transcient nature that brokers demand and get it.

Now are you getting a picture?

Just keep on mailing, you'll get there. It'll just take more money and longer than you thought.

tanu01 · 07-14-2004, 07:18 PM

Tighten your belts and hope for a short slow season.
Flick

X-Treme Tropix · 07-16-2004, 08:17 PM

My belts so tight I can't breathe.....LOL....but listen to Flick, he is a very wise man.

dcjjp2 · 07-19-2004, 11:53 AM

I appreciate the feedback. (tightning belt!)

TanningEmporium · 07-19-2004, 10:51 PM

Try some cross promoting with some of your neighbors and see how that works.

Soakinuptherays · 07-20-2004, 09:47 AM

I would also suggest doing cross promotions and work apartment complexes in your local area by offering the leasing agents discounted tanning.

dcjjp2 · 07-20-2004, 07:43 PM

Thanks guys... I have been working with the leasing companies of all of the apartment complexes to get in their new tenant move in kit. We also gave all of the area concierges great kickback deals for referring their guests from the hotels (several in area) to us. Going to the gym somewhat close to strike up something (hopefully).

Again, I must say this site is awesome for info into this business.... Keep up the good work.

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07-14-2004, 11:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
dcjjp2 I love Derf!! Join Date: Jul 12 2004 Location: Va Posts: 5,429 Rep Power: 13	Hey guys... First,let me say that this forum is awesome! Here is my dilemma: We are a new business within an mall setting in the DC metro area. Better to high end equip, Sundash, Dr Muellers Sunstorm, Sungate, and Mystic. We also offer spa massage. I have tried practically everything from direct mail to newspaper ads to visiting area Condo and hotel concierges as well as holding events and the such... This is a pretty transient area and we offer many short term packages and monthly deals. I ask you (wise veterans) for any input as to where I should turn next. Oh did I mention that I have a solar planet (which I offer better equip and better pricing!) and Palm Beach are in the area as well.

07-14-2004, 12:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
West Side Tanner Join Date: Dec 27 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 2,548 Rep Power: 5	Grip has good ideas.

07-14-2004, 01:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
dcjjp2 I love Derf!! Join Date: Jul 12 2004 Location: Va Posts: 5,429 Rep Power: 13	Used Grip for the direct mail when we first opened about a year ago and had about 4 mailings since, Not a good response. I thought it'd would have worked also, I may try it again. Thanks!

07-14-2004, 07:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
gripmarketing Join Date: May 25 2002 Posts: 1,257 Rep Power: 7	Keep trying. The national average is 30% of Americans move every year. In DC, it's a whopping 60%! You're constantly needing to collect a new database practically every year. That's tough. And your mailing list goes stale faster than anywhere in the US. I'm sure you've noticed that the pieces that Grip does for Solar Planet are pretty regular. You've got to keep at it. DC is different than other markets. Why? It's the most transcient market - not in the US, but in the WORLD! The military moves people in and out of the big military complex there, the presidential administration changes every four years (on avg), the house and congress change every 2-4 yrs, branches of government are moving workers in and out, multi-national companies are sending employees and sometimes their families on a 1 to 2-yr "hardship" tour, companies move employees there to lobby and liasion with branches of government, lobbyists moving in and out, and I could go on, but you get the picture. In DC, it's so prolific that DC is the only market we're aware of in the US that even the real estate brokers get paid their commissions up front for the entire term of the lease. In other markets, brokers get paid as the landlord gets paid. The real estate market is so strong in DC due its transcient nature that brokers demand and get it. Now are you getting a picture? Just keep on mailing, you'll get there. It'll just take more money and longer than you thought.

07-14-2004, 07:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
tanu01 "The Man" Join Date: Mar 4 2003 Location: ohio Posts: 3,977 Rep Power: 7	Tighten your belts and hope for a short slow season. Flick

07-16-2004, 08:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
X-Treme Tropix Join Date: Dec 22 2003 Location: MO Posts: 620 Rep Power: 5	My belts so tight I can't breathe.....LOL....but listen to Flick, he is a very wise man.

07-19-2004, 11:53 AM	#7 (permalink)
dcjjp2 I love Derf!! Join Date: Jul 12 2004 Location: Va Posts: 5,429 Rep Power: 13	I appreciate the feedback. (tightning belt!)

07-19-2004, 10:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
TanningEmporium Join Date: Jul 15 2003 Location: 213 Skyland Shp Ctr Posts: 4,192 Rep Power: 8	Try some cross promoting with some of your neighbors and see how that works.

07-20-2004, 09:47 AM	#9 (permalink)
Soakinuptherays I love Derf!! Join Date: Oct 19 2000 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 1,455 Rep Power: 9	I would also suggest doing cross promotions and work apartment complexes in your local area by offering the leasing agents discounted tanning.

07-20-2004, 07:43 PM	#10 (permalink)
dcjjp2 I love Derf!! Join Date: Jul 12 2004 Location: Va Posts: 5,429 Rep Power: 13	Thanks guys... I have been working with the leasing companies of all of the apartment complexes to get in their new tenant move in kit. We also gave all of the area concierges great kickback deals for referring their guests from the hotels (several in area) to us. Going to the gym somewhat close to strike up something (hopefully). Again, I must say this site is awesome for info into this business.... Keep up the good work.

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