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Start a Coupon Books Business

What you will be doing.  Coupons are also a good idea for the local merchants.  They familiarize the community with the business and also give them incentive to try their products.  The biggest problem for local businesses is the expense and the time involved to mount a coupon marketing campaign. 

With your coupon business, you will be offering local businesses your services in the coupon department.  As a part of your business package, you will design, print, and mail coupons for area businesses.  The coupons will be mailed in booklet form and feature discount coupons from several businesses. 

How to start.  The idea of this business is to help increase business for local merchants.  To do this, you will need up to date mailing lists that target the type of customers that are most likely to purchase items from your clients.  The coupon books should be put together based on similar offers but not competing businesses in the same booklet. 

Do your homework.  You can purchase mailing lists for a fee.  Make sure that they are as accurate as possible depending on your criteria.  You may have to update your lists every month or two to stay current. 

When meeting with clients you should bring along coupon design templates to give them an idea of what you can offer.  For each coupon, getting all the specifics from the clients upfront will reduce design errors.  Studying a few coupons in the newspaper will give you an idea of what details you need to ask about. 

Starting costs.  The starting costs for such a venture may run from $1,000 to around $3,000.  The designing of the coupons requires a computer, software, printer, fax machine, and telephone.  If you already have a computer then you are ahead of the game.   

Some businesses may have their own lists that they will make available to you, but you can search online by inputting specific area codes or use the phone book.  Obtaining a permit from the post office for your business will allow you to get bulk mail rates for your mass mailings. 

The price from an outside printer may be cheaper if you have a good quantity of coupons that need to be printed.  The cost of this service needs to be factored into the cost you charge the customer per page for the actual coupon printing.  Mailing supplies, labels, and printer ink can be costly as well. 

Skills needed.  Your business depends on convincing these merchants that you can offer them a favorable return on their investment for less money than they are already spending for advertising.  People love to save money especially on products that they are not sure about trying.  If the initial cost is less, they will be more willing to try it once.  After that it is up to the business owner to keep the customer coming back. 

Marketing.  Flyers and cold calls will get your foot in the door.  A simple color catalogue of coupon templates and a sample coupon book gives potential clients something to look at when you make your business pitch.  Starting with neighborhood businesses that you frequent a lot can get the ball rolling. 

If you are particularly enterprising, you can advertise your talents on the Internet.  With complete details from the client, you could design and send out coupons to customers all across the country.  You will need mailing lists dependent on zip codes and as much information as the client can provide.

Coupons are a useful tool.  People use them to save money which will make you big money in the long run.

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