How to Get Bulletproof, Fast!

Bob,

Thanks so much for the ad makeover. Apologies for the delay in getting back to you; we have been slammin’ busy.

It all makes sense from a customer’s perspective to educate and offer. My wife looked at the ad without me saying a word. She said there was too much text. I then told her to look at it again as though she had just been burglarized.

It all makes sense. We compete against a company whose sole strategy is the low, low price ($17 a month monitoring w/ service plan and no contract) so we have to be different. I’ll close up shop before I give it away!!

As far as the card dispensers go, I listened to the CD on my way home from the shop and was on line ordering four sets as soon as I stepped out of the van. Bob, one question. What do you do about employee technical training?

Thanks Again,

Fred Stokley
Master Locksmith/Alarm Technician
Precision Locksmith Co., LLC
Harrisonburg, VA

How To Get Bullet-Proof, Fast…

Hey Fred,

I appreciate the kind words, but you’d have to thank my little daughter Kiera (link to video) for pulling your company’s name out of my New England Patriots hat (with her little, plastic claw toy) for my 2009 Security Marketing Yellow Page Ad Contest.

Slammin’ Busy…

I love hearing diffent vernacular, from security and Low Voltage dealers, from around the country when they refer to being busy.  Up here in the Northeast we use the term “buried” with work. I love the term you use in Virginia – “slammin” busy, and out West they say “Rocking & Rolling.” I really get a kick out of all the different wording.

The Misses…

I think your original Y.P. ad had about 120words, and my Direct Response Yellow Page was stuffed to the gills with about 480 words. Fred I could have just plopped two huge logos into a rectangular space and created some image-based ad that  “BRANDED” you…like Target did when they first opened their stores.  They bombarded the telly, newspapers and magazines with only their bulls eye logo.  This is brand marketing and is good if your a big, billion-dollar company, with hundreds of stores and can afford that type of advertising.  For the smaller fish, this is not a practical way to advertise nor does it say anything about who you are and what you do…successfully (hence your unique selling proposition)!

Long Copy Sells…

I LMAO when you said that your wife thought my ad had to much text, but obviously you’ve been paying attention to my Smokin’ Security Newsletter about image-based advertising vs. direct response advertising.  Image-based advertisers (The Brand People) have long said that long copy (lots of words) is DOA; that people are to busy to read all those words or clients are too dumb/too lazy/etc.  They say, times have changed and short copy and lots of images are in vogue.

They said this in the 1930.1940.1950.1960.1970.1980.1990.2000. and 2009. They were wrong before and they are wrong now. EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE PROVES THAT LONG COPY SELLS MORE.
If you have an outstanding security sales rep, would you limit him to just 20 words (that’s about what the average Y.P. has in it for words)? Or, do you let him go and make a case for WHY this business/homeowner should have you do there security system vs anyone else out there. Of course you wouldn’t tell you sales rep to be quiet.

Direct response copy is nothing more then “salesmanship in print.”  I created a Y.P. ad for you that would talk to all of your prospects, and educate and inform them of all your services. This is a 24/7/365 auto-pilot security sales rep that you will add strength and more stability to your business.

Sift-Screen-and Sort…

Fred, no matter  if you were installing security systems in Dublin, Ireland, Abiline Texas, or Tamil Nadu, India there’s always a dealer that will key a door for nothing, or install a CCTV system at-or-below cost.

The dirty little secret with operating a security or low voltage installation business, this way, is that these dealers will attract bottom of the barrel clients, and they will, in fact, refer you more low-paying people.

When your security marketing system is setup on autopilot and you have a “Sift-Screen-Sort mechanism in place, where your marketing is weeding out the deadbeats, lookey-loos, and tire kickers, only then will have folks that are to pay more for your security services.

If the only thing a company can say is that we are the cheapest around, I feel sorry for them.  That’s not a marketing message and it’s only a matter of time before their out of business.

Doubled Your Sales Forces…

Fred, this is truly the only way to separate yourself from all the other security dealers, locksmiths, and security system integrators…is through Education Based Security Marketing (TM). The more you educate, the more you sell.  Way to go on buying the card pockets!  You have now effectively added four sales reps that will deliver you more business whenever you’re out-and-about….at a next-to-nothing cost!

Technical Training…

Fred, I would go back and replay the audio success CD “How To Sky-Rocket Your Security Business With Interactive Video Monitoring”, and “Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Video Analytics” these are the two (2) biggie growth industries in the security industry. Also on the next open call-in day for all  Smokin’ Security Newsletter members which is coming up and I’ll give you niche industries where these are an easy sell. Before I forget pick up a couple of copies of anyone of the “Dummies” book for installing computer networks, a good way to break your techs into the TCP/IP world.

Sales Presentations…

Fred, one last thing before I go, I would take the Y.P. that I created for you and take it down to Staples, and have them print up a bunch of copies so that you can use it as a handout when your meeting with new prospects, “this is a subtle way to sell “WITHOUT” selling, that you are the the man. I would also incorporate some real sweet testimonial on to the backside  of the Y.P. handout. I would also when your meeting with a new prospect, don’t forget to drip on them with your new quarterly newsletter that is part of your Smokin’ Security Newsletter membership.

Adios Amigo…

Happy Hunting with your Y.P. Ad in 2010!

Bob

Bob Maunsell
Former Sgt U.S. Air Force

Have an E.S.P style day, Easy, Successful, Profitable.

Now Go Smoke Your Competition!

Want $2,649,594 worth of FREE Security Marketing Advice? Check out my Blog!
http://securitymarketingguru.com/category/bobs-security-marketing-blog/

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How to Conduct a Home Security Audit

Last week, I posted a blog asking for comments on how to secure Lindsay Lohan’s (the actress’) house.  There was also a video of thieves breaking into her home. I got a lot of great feedback from readers with many good ideas.  One of the responses hit an old military man like myself was from another former military man. He includes some Smokin’ recommendations on ways to secure Lindsay’s house that would take the price out of the equation (not that Lindsay’s a penny-pincher).

The gentleman who wrote the recommendations wants to remain anonymous on my blog, but would allow me to use his true name when submitting it to Lindsay’s PR firm.  The gentleman asked to be called “Frank Martin” as you can see in his email just below:

Hello Shawn,

Thank you for your response. I appreciate it and am flattered. As a rule, I try to avoid making “public” posts – for my own privacy. However, If you & Bob want to move my post Re: Lohan to Bob’s blog you have my permission. I would ask that you guys use the name “Frank Martin” and delete my former affiliations. One of the secrets to my successes in a variety of matters is that my true identity and intentions/actions were hidden under pretext or subterfuge.

If Ms. Lohan’s representatives would like further elaboration/possible retention, you can provide my true name and e-mail. I have to admit that although I’ve heard the name “Lindsay Lohan”, I didn’t know who she was until this AM. Had to look her up on the web. Seems to me Ms. Lohan has some “un-friendly” admirers and needs to take her security seriously, and not just with respect to her residence.

Best Regards,

Frank Martin

Here’s the response email with Frank’s recommendations for securing Lindsay’s property:

In Re: Lohan intrusion – Unfortunately, the video does not show the entire Lohan property. One can only presume the intruders had a less than difficult time gaining access to the residence.

“Blind” Recommendations would be:

A) Property PERIMETER Protection in line with DOD (Dept. of Defense) standards (esthetically pleasing fencing with appropriate clear zones).
B) Additional & possibly better CCTV system, tied in with
C) Motion Detection,
D) Improved exterior perimeter & residence lighting, and
E) “Target Hardening” of all possible points of entry to the residence, with appropriate intrusion alarms.

Respectfully submitted,

Frank Martin, CPO DABFE MEPP
fmr. Security Specialist, XXXX/XXX
fmr. Lieut./Chief Investigator, XXX Police

Upgrade Your Security Selling Vocabulary…

Now that you’ve read Frank’s recommendations, you should be able to tell that anyone using this type of wording in their selling vocabulary with prospects and clients is not providing a free or inexpensive security system.

It should also be apparent that military-style words like:  Perimeter Protection, DOD (Department of Defense) Standards, Clear Zones, Intrusion Alarms, and Target Hardening are subliminally telling your prospects and clients that their homes or offices or properties are going to be secure like the Pentagon or Fort Knox or NORAD.  That type of safety, and the sense of peace and security that it fosters, goes a long way with people…they’re willing to pay more for it!

You Live and Die by the Words You Use To Sell

Here’s some examples of things you should not be saying.  If you’re using the following words in your security selling vocabulary, then you’ll never get out of “the cheapest price gets the job” mode. These words should be permanently banished from your thoughts…

“You just need a basic alarm system; you don’t need all the bells-and-whistles the other guy says you do.”
“Just let me know what the number is that I have to beat.”
“Can you give me last look?”
“I have the least expensive monitoring in town.”
“I can do it cheaper than the other dealers”
“What’s the other security dealer charging you?”

When you use these statements, you’ve reduced yourself to the lowest possible commodity in your prospect’s mind…you’ve given away all the selling and buying power!  And, they know they can make you go lower and lower…a bad position for you, but a great position for the buyer!

You’re definitely not creating enough value for your business to thrive and provide you with the income you need to do the things you want to in life…very scary!

In this month’s issue of the Smokin’ Security Newsletter, you’ll learn…

•    How to Become the Contrarian Security Dealer
•    Why You Make More Money Going Against the Grain
•    How to Create High-Yielding Ads
•    How to “Bullet-Proof” Your Security of Low Voltage Business
•    How to Create Proprietary Security Systems in Your Local Market
•    What Sir Isaac Newton Can Tell You About Increasing Your RMR
•    How to Find Your Best Sales Rep Ever
•    Check Out My 2009 Yellow Page Ad Critique – A $3,500 Makeover for Precision Locksmith Co. – You’ll Get Tons of Great Ideas To Use in Your Next Y.P. Ad – For FREE

But wait….I’m not done with you yet because I way over deliver!  You’ll also learn…

•    How To Turn Your Security Vehicle into A 24/7/365 Selling Machine (in the audio success CD)
•    With this little gadget I have, your business will get 70,000 more eye-ball exposures per year – all for less than $40! (I’m all about adding more sales reps to your business without adding “a dime” to your payroll!)
•    How To Make Yourself King of Your Local Market
•    The Power of Being Resilient

As always, I provide ESP (Easy, Successful and Profitable) Security Marketing to my virtual army of security dealers and low voltage installers around the world!

Bob Maunsell
Former Sgt U.S. Air Force

Have an E.S.P style day, Easy, Successful, Profitable.

Now Go Smoke Your Competition!

Want $2,649,594 worth of FREE Security Marketing Advice? Check out my Blog!
http://securitymarketingguru.com/category/bobs-security-marketing-blog/

My Free Gift To You!
http://securitymarketingguru.com/bobs-free-gift/free-gift-from-bob-maunsell/

Got A Difficult Question? Just Ask Me!
http://securitymarketingguru.com/ask-bob/askbob

Join My Security Marketing Group On Facebook
http://securitymarketingguru.com/bobs-facebook/facebook/

Follow Me On twitter
http://www.twitter.com/bobmaunsell

**Hey, Do you want to post my articles up on your blog? Go right ahead! Just kindly cite your source and give a link back to my page.Thanks!**