Create A Community Business Directory

Create a Community Business Directory


Creating a community business directory is a perfect way to earn some good extra cash. Businesses always want new ways to get the word out about their business, and sometimes simply getting listed in the yellow pages and occasionally mailing out flyers isn't enough. Simply put, a business directory is a small, 5 X 7 paperback filled with advertisements and information about local businesses. Businesses could even choose to put in a coupon or promotional code just for those that will receive the directory. Each business should be given one page to display their logo, business name, location, contact information, and anything else they would like to include. So, how do you get started?

1. How much are you going to charge? That's entirely up to you. It would be a good idea to get to your local printers and get an estimate on how much it would cost to print up how many directories you need. A simple search or phone call to the post office can tell you the population amount of your town or city. You should then get an estimate from your local post office on how much it would cost to do a bulk mailing to each resident in your city. Add up the expenses, and now you will know how much it will cost you (approximately) to put together and mail out the business directories. You can plan to make a new directory every year, or once every six months. The usual cost for advertising in something like is anywhere from $200-$500 per page.

2. Now you are ready to solicit all of your local businesses: restaurants, coffee shops, book stores, convenience stores, law offices, doctor's offices, etc. Write the names and addresses of all the businesses and drive to each one. Ask to speak to the owner of the business to discuss this opportunity with them. For larger businesses, you may need to set up an appointment with the owner. See if you can get their phone number from a manager.

This is where you will need to sell the idea. This is a great opportunity for the business to get exposure to everyone in the town - right in their mailboxes. The cover of the directory should be bright, but not too florescent. This will attract the residents into actually flipping through the directory. Tell the owners about all of the benefits they will receive by placing an ad in your directory. The only work they have to do is create an ad for a 5 X 7 page. Don't forget to use the last or first page for yourself, and put your information on it so businesses can contact you to place an ad in future directories. Also, you never know when a self-employed or work from home individual will be interested in it!

3. Now you have the ads. Compile them and make them to your printer. Have all of the copies you will need printed up, plus a couple of extras. Make sure you leave room on the cover for postage and resident's addresses. The post office should print this on all of them for you. After having the post office ship them off for you, your initial work is done! The directories are on their way to each resident in your city!

Congratulations! You should now have a nice handful of leftover cash even after all of your expenses. You could use that cash for the next directory, or even create a website directory! You can call all of the owners who placed ads, and ask them if they would like to be listed on the site as well. You could even have this planned out ahead of time and offer a combination package to the owners, and list the web address on the cover of the printed directory. Once again, the price to charge for website listings is up to you. Weigh your expenses and earnings.

Resources:

http://www.asmallbusinessdirectory.com/

http://www.woodlandsonline.com/

http://vnmetro.com/

http://www.valleycenterweb.com/

http://www.cbponline.org/

http://www.oursouthernmaine.com/maine/dir1/index1.htm