Newspaper insert… PROBLEM!

[mellowjohny]

I worked at the local paper in different capacities including management for a few years and I have seen first hand how hit or miss the inserting really is. Most iserts are done for the chain stores and when a few of those go missing nobody really knows or cares too much, except for the customer who happened to be waiting for that weeks circular, in which case the paper is either re-delivered to them later that morning or they can stop by the newsroom to pick up a free copy of the missing insert. I don't want to bash anyone here, but the distribution of newspapers is left up to people who arely see the light of day. What I mean is, if you had a chance to walk down to the area where the inserting takes place ( after it comes off the press ) you would see alot of people who are not paid very much and the effort they give to making sure your insert ends up in the hands of potential customers leaves alot to be desired. Having said that, sometimes especialy on sundays or holidays the workload almost doubles because of the sheer size of the papers on those days and they just can't keep up.

Regardless, this is not your problem. I would go right to the publisher with this. Just call and find out who it is if you don't know already. I learned awhile back that if you have a problem with your boss, don't go to his boss. Go further up the line. That way the problem can't be ignored. Somehow make him aware that you are a member of say the chamber of commerce and would like to not have to tell everyone about how his paper runs such a shoddy advertising deptment. Just do it in a non-threatening way and I think you will at least get some sort of full colour ad deal out of it, if not more.

[Seascape]

I warned everyone about this a couple weeks ago. Several members made it a point to argue w/ me and insisted i was off my rocker. Like i tell my wife,,,"im usually right"

If i was you i would show up in person early monday morning. Id stay calm and professional and start w/ a handshake. Instead of expressing anger,, express concern for your promotion progarm. Let them know its been compromised . Threatening and hostility will get you nowhere on these issues. Let them know that"we need to work something out",also that salavaging your propmotion campaign is vital and your main concern. Be prepared to present a resolution to them. Start high w/ this resolution because they will more than likely make a counter offer. Good Luck.

[tulsa lawn guy]

Johny...

Very useful information, thanks.

I like the idea of running a color ad in the classifieds to make up for the mistake. What would you think a 6x6 inch ad would run? And for how long?

I'm looking forward to getting things worked out on Monday...

[mellowjohny]

Tulsa,

I e-mailed a friend who runs the classifieds there to get current price, but going by the rate sheet I received recently ( which is for a spring home improvement special being published soon, may be very different from the price of an ad running daily for say a month) they charge 420 for that size w/ 1 colour, 295 black & white I'll let you know what she tells me as soon as I hear.

[tulsa lawn guy]

Thank you for the info Johny.

I'm going in tomorrow morning to work it out. I'll let you know how it goes..

[Georgia Fan]

How many calls have you got off these flyers?? Just curious because I sent out 2000 and got 2 calls

[tulsa lawn guy]

How many calls have you got off these flyers?? Just curious because I sent out 2000 and got 2 calls

From what I can tell... 5,000 flyers were actually sent out.

2 calls and I got one job..

All for the affordable price of $1,500...

[CreativeEdge]

I am sure I would be extremely upset if this would happen to me and I would want to raise some hel* with those people. It is a lot of money, BUT you have to handle this with professionalism just as you would on a customer’s property. Your going to have to go to the top on this, higher than the manager, be firm with what you want to get out of this deal. Ask them what they plan on doing to reconcile their actions. Have a plan about what your going to say or ask for and ask for a lot because they are going to try to give less than what you ask. I hope this works out for you , I wish you luck.

[Georgia Fan]

Any more calls?? Just because of this I am printing 8000 flyers to go in the 8000 newspapers that my town gives out each day that way I can go to the any box and check for a flyer if I find more than one I'm raising hell. I hope I get a real good response I need 25 agreements out of this deal. I would like 60 calls. What are my chances? Neg and Pos replys are expected, thanks.

Consider It Done

[tulsa lawn guy]

Consider it Done...

I would HIGHLY recommend NOT doing this form of advertising. I would have had a more joyous time setting $1500 cash on fire in my back yard...

Let's see.. As for as I can tell, 7,000 flyers were actually distributed on Friday and I've had four calls. I landed one job out of the four. (the others wanted services that I didn't provide.

All that being said, Good luck!

[sharp]

how did we come out??

[tulsa lawn guy]

how did we come out??

Alright... here's what happened...

I refigured my costs to the penny to do the advertising, and they were a bit less than I had guessed. It came to $1000 total cost for 10,000 flyers. $.10/flyer.

Although not in the preferred zip code, seven thousand flyers did go out. At first he wanted to give me a $240 credit (half of the amount I paid the Tulsa World for their service). I told him that the cost of inserting the flyer wasn't the only cost involved. Long story short, I haggled with him until he agreed to a $300 credit.

For this credit I will be advertising in the classifieds four consecutive Friday, Saturday, and Sunday's.

I'm hoping I'll generate some business this way.. so perhaps all isn't lost.

[sharp]

good job, you went you won, hats off to you,

[tulsa lawn guy]

good job, you went you won, hats off to you,

Thanks Sharp...

With only 5 calls from 7,000 flyers, it doesn't feel like much of a victory!

Oh well, live and learn...

[sharp]

The way I heard the flyer thing works is to put out to same people 7 times, say each month the same people all season. this comes from person with 800 customers in lawn care business