Home Page
   Articles
       links
About Us    
Traders        
Recipes            
Latest Articles
DS newsletter/traders bi annuall round up.
Page Previous  1, 2
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Downsizer Forum Index -> Small Business Questions, Ideas and Advice
Author 
 Message
Midland Spinner



Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 2931
Location: Under a green roof
PostPosted: Wed Mar 20, 13 12:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

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
PostPosted: Wed Mar 20, 13 12:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

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

PostPosted: Wed Mar 20, 13 1:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Who would this actually be sent out to?

Nell Merionwen



Joined: 02 Jun 2008
Posts: 16300
Location: Beautiful Derbyshire
PostPosted: Wed Mar 20, 13 1:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

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
PostPosted: Wed Mar 20, 13 1:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

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
PostPosted: Wed Mar 20, 13 3:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

All this sounds a splendid idea.
A.

Nick



Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford
PostPosted: Wed Mar 20, 13 3:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

OtleyLad wrote:
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.



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
PostPosted: Wed Mar 20, 13 3:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

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: 42207
Location: North Devon
PostPosted: Wed Mar 20, 13 3:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

What Nick said.

Nell Merionwen



Joined: 02 Jun 2008
Posts: 16300
Location: Beautiful Derbyshire
PostPosted: Wed Mar 20, 13 3:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

sean wrote:
What Nick said.


OtleyLad



Joined: 13 Jan 2007
Posts: 2737
Location: Otley, West Yorkshire
PostPosted: Wed Mar 20, 13 4:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

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
PostPosted: Wed Mar 20, 13 4:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

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: 9702
Location: Devon, uk
PostPosted: Wed Mar 20, 13 4:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

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
PostPosted: Wed Mar 20, 13 4:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

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
PostPosted: Thu Jan 30, 14 12:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Bump, because I found it when I was searching for something else, and I still think it's an excellent idea!

Post new topic   Reply to topic    Downsizer Forum Index -> Small Business Questions, Ideas and Advice All times are GMT
Page Previous  1, 2
Page 2 of 2
View Latest Posts View Latest Posts

 

Archive
Powered by php-BB © 2001, 2005 php-BB Group
Style by marsjupiter.com, released under GNU (GNU/GPL) license.
Copyright © 2004 marsjupiter.com