The Connection

I have been reading many threads about advertising but this one is kind of different because its looking at a bigger picture. Business connections. So before I present my plan let me give you a little background...



For those who do not know I am 15 years old, about to turn 16 in February. I am trying to come up with good plans for advertising when I turn 16 and can finally do scrapping full time in the summer, and part time when I am in school. I plan on pursuing this in the future along with other add-ons like junk hauling, demo, and other small things. I have a couple things on my side when it comes to getting connections so I wont be starting totally in the dark when I am able to do a lot of pickups. My dad does fire/water restoration so I have the ability to get many connections in that and with contractors involved in that, Also much of my other relatives are in the construction, free-lance business and get me hookups with that and can continue too. But other than that I am looking for more hookups because I can not rely on just that and random finds to keep me going so here is the start of my plan, and any input/advice would be awesome to help me out.


My plan is to create informative packets that contain many things that I can hand out to small business's and contractors and possibly get their business.

My ideas for these are for them to be normal laminated folders with pockets on each side and have a catchy business logo on the front.

I want these to contain anything and everything I can to really catch there business's and heres some of the things I think I could put inside

A sticky note pad with my logo in the background lightly

A couple pens with logos and my #

A few business cards

A flyer

A small list of some of the things we take


My plan would be to go out to local business's personally and deliver these or possibly mail them out. I think these would cost A LOT more than just some flyers but also they are so much more professional and its easier to throw away a flyer than it is to throw away a thick shiny folder with contents like pens and sticky notes. If I made 50 of these it would probably cost $10 each so I would be looking at around $500 to market to 50 business's.

Would this be better than spending my $ on seperate flyers and door hangers and such? Any input is welcome and thanks in advance!

Thanks mech. I will look into that, it looks like it would make it a whole lot easier

I like the idea Devin. Very outside of the box for this field from what I've seen so far. Those "packets" I've only ever seen offered when it came to a physical item, an some services. No reason why it couldn't work for your line of services besides the cost of production.

If it were me, I'd do as Mech suggested far as the marketed mail. More folks you can target an probably for less cost. No using up your fuel to visit every place, or time for that matter. Once you can drive you can get out there for the face to face business to business type meetings.

Either way I wish you luck, an as always let us know the results from whatever you decide to do.

+2 points for out of the box thinking.

Sirscrapalot - Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it. - Henry Ford

I like it. Going in person and introducing yourself is the best way to market your business. But try it with just cards and flyers first. Having all those items printed up will be more than $500. Printer I use has a minimum of 100. I like the way you think. You'll leave all us old dudes in the dust one day. Good luck Devon keep at it.

Ok thanks for the replys. I will update you guys when I decide. It will probably be a month or 2 until I decide to produce any because it's useless when I can't drive to pick it up, and the people who drive me around can only help me on weekends. Thanks

Devin, you will make millions with your business mind. I think Sir and Mech have a valid point with the mailings to expand the market. For bigger opportunities Junkfreak hit it on the head with the personal interaction for large opportunities. Knowing the market you are dealing with you might want to hit up the big developers in Omaha for apartment clean outs.

Now a strategy that has paid big dividends, instead of handing out the typical business cards hand out magnetic business cards. Instead of being filed with hundreds of business cards they will go on refrigerators, file cabinets, and other areas individuals want to display their family, calendar's, or favorite picture. Every time they look at what is important to them they will see your business. Now if 50 business owners see you every day, you will get more business than you can handle. That means hiring individuals to do the dirty work while you pass out more magnets.

This information was going to go into the member's only section, but if you get rich you might offer to buy me dinner before my teeth fall out. Good luck with your decision.

Psst..Patriot..He's a scraproom member.

Thanks for sharing it tho! Those that aren't should heed the advice you've given.

Good stuff in this thread.

Sirscrapalot - Two Thumbs up.