Phone 07 4743 1221 E mail kfainges@bigpond.net.au
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Last Edited 11 April
2006.
Sometimes, people just need to know all the wonderful things you can do For them, but they just don't have the time for you to sit down and tell them. Time for a handout. Handouts range from glossy brochures to your cash register receipt. Somewhere in the middle is the humble photocopy. This is something you can have done up yourself and copied out on the work copier. It doesn't have to cost you anything, but that is no excuse to let it look cheap. First think of what you want people to do with the handout, read it, call you to ask questions, buy something, whatever you like. This is the most important bit. Let's say you want them to buy something. Next, think why would they buy this. Is it cheaper? Is it solving a particular problem? Solving a problem is the best reason. It allows you to follow this formula. 1. Type a HEADING - Ask them if they have this problem? 2. Explain the problem. 3. Provide a solution. 4. Make it easy to get the solution from you. Here's one I did earlier. FINDING IT HARD TO GET YOUR COMPUTER TO WORK? Many people have real trouble getting the most out of their computer. They often feel there must be a better way. AND THERE IS. Face to face training lets you learn all about making the computer pay its way without taking up too much time or money. For personalised training that helps you solve your problems with your system call Karen now on 4743 1221 or e-mail her at kfainges@bigpond.net.au Remember to bold or highlight the thing you want them to do. Make it easy to see the phone number by making it larger than the rest of the type. Then proof it. I find this is easiest done by giving it to a picky friend. Then ask them to tell you what you want the person who reads this to do. If they don't say, ring you to get training (or drop in to buy a pig, whatever), do a rewrite. Kool words to use: low-cost, safe, you, yours, professional. Uncool words: cheap, 'but wait there's more'. Hand them out to everyone. They don't work siting on your counter. And remember a smile with a handout works better than a handout alone. CHEAP HINT If you format your page with columns, you can get two, or even four to a page. Photocopy places often guillotine pages for only a little extra. Or get the kids to cut them for their pocket money. An inking stamp with your name and address lets you personalise handouts with a different colour and change details without throwing out out-of-date leaflets. **************************************************************************** Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your friends, just let them know I wrote it. Karen Fainges holds a Bachelor of Business, and a Grad. Cert of Vocational and Educational Training. All this is nice but it's the 14 years of having to make sales or starve that makes her think she has really learnt what does and doesn't work. A tutor for all ages, she specialises in helping people get started on the long road to technology. "It has to be practical, it has to be cheap, and it has to work." |