Justed wanted to update anyone who is interested regarding this site: MonroeAreaShops.

As I wrote in a previous newsletter, the site is biult and ready to go. All that remains is getting the word out.

How am I doing that?

Well, I purchased a mailing list (from a service) that lists all the businesses in the town of monroe (turns out there are more than 1300 listed . . .). Cost? $142.00.

Now, I must say that the list is NOT the greatest quality. But that’s ok because more than anything I am testing whether there is any interest by my local businesses to get involved. So obviously, I want to keep the costs down as much as possible.

My next hurdle - the advertising medium.

My original thought was to design a flyer - tri-fold to be exact. I found a very nice template for free from Microsoft. I filled it up with what I wanted to get out to the potential customers. In fact - I thought it was pretty good for me.

But the issue now was the cost to get it printed and mailed. Since it was a multi-colored flyer, two-sided and I wanted 1500 of them, the cost was a bit much for me. Printing - several hundred dollars (and that price was through a friend in the printing business).

Yes I could print them myself. But again - since it is two-sided and multi colored it would take allot of time and print cartridges.

The cost to mail them was estimated at over $500.00. And I would have to prep them (fold, seal, apply mailing label, bundle and take to the post office).

So then I went to the Postal Service site (as recommended by Dave Vallieres). I optioned for a two-sided post card in black and white only. The estimated cost? $370.00 which includes printing and mailing. I do everything from the computer. Here is what I so far: Postcard Ad

Now, I will sit on it a few days and re-read the ad. I will make any final changes, then do a final check of the site and “Away we go!!!”

It will be interesting to see how people respond to this. I will keep you informed, so check back.