Promoting directories - best ways?

[Brassneck]

Hi

I have acquired a holiday accommodation directory - it's decent quality. It has about 500 'paid for' listings, and for the future I am going to offer a free option also which shows ads on the property page.

Question is, rather than sending out speculative emails, what other successful techniques might there be for getting people to sign up? At the moment my main idea is to print up several thousand flyers and mail them to property owners. Could be expensive mistake if response rates are very low.

Comments appreciated.

Thanks
Stephen.

 

[philiporchard]

Hi Stephen,

I would design a really good looking letter, including images etc, and get a friend, or someone you know to print them up on a laser printer.

Spend your cash on postage and envelopes rather than the printing...

Do a trial run of 100 or so first, and see what the response is.

A well presented letter, signed by hand, with a hand written envelope can make a good impression.