When was the last time that you had a conversation with your neighbor or better yet, introduce yourself to a new neighbor? How many of your neighbors know about the services that you render? Many of us do not like to mix business where we sleep and that is very understandable. No one likes unannounced visits by neighbors or neighbors assuming that they can get services for free or next to nothing just because they are your neighbors.
What I have found over the years, marketing to thy neighbors has been very rewarding. However, with marketing to neighbors, there are rules:
1. Research, Learn, Understand and Respect the Culture of your neighborhood.
2. If you live in a neighborhood in which there is a home-owner's association, find out if there are any rules regarding solicitation. If there is, find out if it only applies to outside solicitation or amongst neighbors.
3. Marketing literature, should be placed/hung on the outside of the mailbox or doorstep, never place it inside of person's mailbox. If you place literature in a person's mailbox, you are breaking a federal law in some neighborhoods.
4. Know your local county rules for placing signage on residential properties, there may be rules even though the property may be yours.
5. Treat all of your neighbors to same, do not offer one neighbor a free or discounted service that you are not willing to offer to others. Neighbors talk and when it comes to the dollar, they all want the same treatment.
6. Let your neighbors know what your requirements are for rendering services and your availablility. Request you neighbors to always call before just stopping by for services.
7. Do not take your neighbor for granted, always remember, to show courtesy and say thanks for using your services. Neighbors like to shop to, business is business, represent yourself in a way that will keep them coming back again and again.
It is a wonderful thing, when your neighbor refers your services, not just because your their neighbor but because they value the services that you have to offer.
Urban Knight Enterprises, Inc. ** www,UKENotary.com ** 610.935.5944 or 484.682.6249
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