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Downsizer Forum Index -> Small Business Questions, Ideas and Advice

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Midland Spinner

Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 2931
Location: Under a green roof

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 13 12:41 pm Post subject:
We think that we like the idea too. (will give it proper thought when we aren't so busy)

OtleyLad

Joined: 13 Jan 2007
Posts: 2737
Location: Otley, West Yorkshire

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 13 12:59 pm Post subject:

A possible flexible solution:

Set up an online data entry set of webpages where:

1. Each trader enters their product/service info (inc images) via a simple form system (where you can also view what it looks like).
2. Info saved to a database.
3. When you want to use the leaflet you can either:
a) view it on line (send links to your customers).
or
b) print it out - there is software out there to convert webpages
to pdf for professional looking brochures, leaflets, etc.
4. You could opt to print out just your own stuff (i.e. a leaflet) or everyones (a booklet) depending on your needs.

Apart from the cost of hosting this somewhere and the time to set it up, all the software is free.

Advantages are that once the data is entered, it can be kept up to date quite easily.
Web based means you can access it from home or work (if you need to)
All the traders could print out as many as they want when they want it.

I've set up stuff like this before and I am sure there are others too. It would have to be user friendly of course.

I could put together a simple demo system to demonstrate how it could work.

Bodger

Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 13524

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 13 1:03 pm Post subject:
Who would this actually be sent out to?

Nell Merionwen

Joined: 02 Jun 2008
Posts: 16300
Location: Beautiful Derbyshire

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 13 1:07 pm Post subject:

Bodger wrote:

Who would this actually be sent out to?

the idea was initially that is for our own use so we can have it to hand and use it for recommendations to others.

OtleyLad

Joined: 13 Jan 2007
Posts: 2737
Location: Otley, West Yorkshire

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 13 1:07 pm Post subject:

Bodger wrote:

Who would this actually be sent out to?

Whoever are your customers or potential customers.

You beat me to it Nell.

Barefoot Andrew
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 21 Mar 2007
Posts: 22780
Location: In the 17th century

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 13 3:27 pm Post subject:
All this sounds a splendid idea. A.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 13 3:37 pm Post subject:

OtleyLad wrote:

I spy, with my little eye, something beginning with V.

Yes, you're right, a volunteer!

sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 13 3:38 pm Post subject:

I think keep it simple, maybe a nice bold heading for each entry so the eye hones in on the main product, then a sentance or two to explain in more detail, an indication of where the trader is based, and website and contact address details. Not too graphic heavy so it prints out nicely.

Maybe group similar traders together so that someone looking for, say meat, can see that we have several offering and where they are. Makes it easy to think 'yep, I'll drop that one a line, they aren't too far away'.

May mean some traders appear more than once if they do very diverse things, but keeping it fairly straightforwards should mean that it doeasnt get cluttered and whena printout is being waved at someone, it makes it easy to spot the areas of interest as well as encouraging them to visit DS to read more on the wider topics.

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 13 3:38 pm Post subject:
What Nick said.

Nell Merionwen

Joined: 02 Jun 2008
Posts: 16300
Location: Beautiful Derbyshire

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 13 3:40 pm Post subject:

sean wrote:

What Nick said.

OtleyLad

Joined: 13 Jan 2007
Posts: 2737
Location: Otley, West Yorkshire

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 13 4:20 pm Post subject:
More than happy to oblige. Just be gentle on the feedback-you know how fragile the old ego is...

Nell Merionwen

Joined: 02 Jun 2008
Posts: 16300
Location: Beautiful Derbyshire

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 13 4:25 pm Post subject:

OtleyLad wrote:

More than happy to oblige.

Just be gentle on the feedback-you know how fragile the old ego is...

But I'm your biggest fan
love
Annie Wilkes x

Nicky cigreen

Joined: 25 Jun 2007
Posts: 9878
Location: Devon, uk

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 13 4:37 pm Post subject:
sounds a good idea to me. Maybe keep it simple to start with and build it up f it gets used etc?

Barefoot Andrew
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 21 Mar 2007
Posts: 22780
Location: In the 17th century

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 13 4:40 pm Post subject:

Nell Merionwen wrote:

But I'm your biggest fan
love
Annie Wilkes x

*checks penguin orientation*
A.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Thu Jan 30, 14 12:45 pm Post subject:
Bump, because I found it when I was searching for something else, and I still think it's an excellent idea!

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