Hi, I'm Jennifer,

Today I'll talk about a typical new customer and how I go about getting a new advertisement. I always carry my Promotional Flyers, that CityNation designed for me, and follow my pre-planned route for visiting businesses in my local Territory.

I started with CityNation as Publisher of my own local FunFacts News. CityNation provides the articles that go into the FunFacts News, designs the publication and even designs my advertisements that I obtain from my customers. And they send me the completed publication on a CD ready for me to get printed locally. Printing is a minor cost, since I always first receive at least 10 times more money from my customers for advertisements before I decide to have any printing done.

I prefer to not work out of my home. So with the help of CityNation, I obtained a free office from a local printer. They gave me a desk, my own phone, I use their fax, I can use their mailing address, and I can use their conference room - all free. And, I even get my FunFacts News printed at wholesale. What a bargain!

Back to telling you about my customers.  On this particular Monday, the next business for me to visit was Nick’s Speedy Carwash. I entered the carwash and asked "Who handles your advertising so I can give your business a free advertisement in the Local City Guide."  I immediately pointed to my Flyer and said that "I need to get this free ad filled out by the right person."  I was quickly told to see Nick, the Manager.

“Hello Nick, I am with CityNation Publishing and we noticed that your business is not yet listed in the Local City Guide. This is a free advertisement that can bring you more customers from the local area. My name is Jennifer.”  I shook Nick’s hand, looked at him and smiled. Without hesitating, I pulled out the Flyer and immediately said “Lets get this ad filled out so more people can learn about your business. It’s free and you control the contents of the ad and you can make changes each month. It's all free to you. You do not pay anything for this ad in the City Guide, unless you want to.” 

I began filling out the Flyer with name, address, phone, email, website, and about 25 words that described Nick’s business and added a Special-Of-The-Month description. At this point, Nick wanted to make sure that the right description about his business would be written. So, Nick made a few changes until he was finally satisfied.  I told Nick that “I would come back each month for your free monthly changes to this advertisement – and that you could change the ad to show a different Monthly Special each month.”

On this happy note, I pulled out my other Promotional Flyer, that CityNation also designed for me, and that described my local FunFacts News and also included the prices and a Form for ordering an advertisement in this locally distributed publication. I told Nick “that the FunFacts News is distributed all over town and is about the lowest priced advertising media in the area – it's a real bargain.”  I showed Nick a copy of the FunFacts News and advised him that he would be the only car wash currently being advertised.

I right away began filling out the Advertising Order Form in the Flyer we worked on using the information I previously received from the free ad.  I checked the box for a “3 Month, 2 inch, Advertisement” showed it to Nick and asked Nick “Do you have a copy of a flyer, newspaper ad, or other ad we could use to get our information for preparing a draft advertisement for you to review and make changes, if needed.”  Nick gave me a recent flyer which included all the information that should be included in the FunFacts News advertisement. I looked it over, said it looks good, and handed Nick the completed Ad with the Order Form ready for Nick to sign.

I advised Nick “that a down payment of one-third is required at this time so the ad design could be prepared.”  Nick said O.K. and wrote out a check and gave it to me. To make sure that Nick was satisfied, I told Nick that “In addition, you also get a free advertisement in the City Guide using this same size display advertisement. And, your ads in the City Guide will be linked to your email address and your existing website. Plus, the wording in your ads can be changed every month to show any Specials Of The Month.”  I went on to further explain, “Thus, your ads are shown in the FunFacts News and the City Guide, and they are all linked together in the City Guide. All of this is provided at the lowest price in the area for media advertising. For the same price, you get printed advertising and you get online City Guide advertising.”  Nick was very pleased and thanked me for the advertisements. Back at my office, I sent the Order Forms (free ad and paid ad) and attached ad-copy to CityNation for design preparation of the advertisements and for inclusion in the FunFacts News and City Guide.

At the next monthly marketing meeting with CityNation, I described this story about my order from Nick’s Speedy Carwash. I also pointed out a few other things, such as: This method works most often for me when (1) I show a sincere interest in the customer’s business, and (2) I continually work toward my goal of filling out the FunFacts News Order Form and obtaining a payment for the advertisement.

I also pointed out a few other things: Often on the first visit, this does not completely work. Therefore, I always use the “free monthly changes to the ads” as a reason to re-visit each business every month – and again each monthly visit I go through this same procedure, working toward the payment for an ad in the FunFacts News. Most of the time, I will succeed and get a new Order, or a re-Order for an ad in the FunFacts News.

About 60% of my advertisements in the FunFacts News are renewals, or new orders for at least 6 months ads.  The advertisement prices range from $65 to $795.  I earn well over my goal of $50 an hour. And, I still work part time according to my own schedule. This work is fun for me, I make good money, and I plan to own my publishing & advertising business with CityNation forever. Thank you.

Jennifer Olson
Houston, Texas
(previously New Orleans, Louisiana)