PROBLEM #1:
A small niche of Internet marketers recognize me as a web developer for small to medium sized US businesses. I recently moved to Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada. I'm not getting any local business because I'm unknown.
PROBLEM #2:
My sister-in-law and friend of 22 years, recently found herself unemployed, and my brother and her have a daughter going to college this Fall. She has an interest in cars and people.
PROBLEM #3:
There is a lot of unemployment in Eastern Canada, and the highest taxes in the country. There is a huge used car market, but used cars are hard to find because this area encompasses a lot of rural population.
SOLUTION:
It isn't a new idea by any means, but no one is doing it here. So we've started TruroUsedCars.com with a line at the bottom of each page "Developed locally in Truro by HomeBusiness Websites"
We have only been out talking to people for a couple of days but we have generated some interest and have a few ads. Before I decided to go ahead with this idea, I did some market research and determined there would be an interest for this type of thing in this area. Although we are offering free advertising locally until Aug 31st (to build up the database), advertisers are aware there will be a charge after Aug 31st, and the folks we have talked to don't have a problem with that as long as we can generate the eyeballs for their ads.
Most of the marketing for this will be done off-line by newspaper advertising and joint-ventures with businesses that sell car parts and supplies.
REQUIREMENTS:
It is a good idea if you have some sales experience and are comfortable talking with people. My first initial contact with a prospect is done by showing up in the dealership sales office saying "Here I am... who do I talk to?"
You must be organized.
You must have some money you can set aside for advertising locally until money starts coming in.
WEBSITE:
You can view my website as an example of how you could set your own up:
http://TruroUsedCars.com
IDEAS WANTED:
I'm a subscriber to a couple of PR newsletters, but I'm still looking for an angle I could use to get some free press with this thing. If you have any ideas, please post them.
Best Regards,
Steve MacLellan
http://homebusiness-websites.com