[rdhing]

Hello all, I am thinking of starting a business which in laymen's term is a mailing service provider. My customers are going to be universities and colleges, since I live in East coast the number of colleges are ample. Our customers will send us the content (newsletter, marketing, alumni matter, etc) and we basically put them in envelopes, stamp it and mail it out. This is just one of the services and I see a lot of potential for other mailing service needs. My concern is how I get start as far as banking my first customer, marketing, selling, etc. I am sure colleges are probably outsourcing such tasks, but if I want to compete with another company how do I do about it? If someone could offer me strategies to think and their thought about my idea, I would greatly appreciate it.

Eventually I would like to become a fully functional mailing service provider taking care of complete mailing task of my customers.

Any advise, ideas, suggestions would greatly be appreciated.

[Clough]

Here is one thing that I would suggest to you, and that would be to personally go to the places where you would like to offer your services of this kind and sell it to them why you should be providing such a service to them.

If you would like to know how to advertise such a business on the Internet without it costing you any money, please let me know.

I am hopeful that others will also come along to address your question.

Thanks!

[BJKrukowski]

Keep in mind that if the school is using public funds to pay for mailling then 95% they had to but the work out to competititve bid. Keep an eye in the local papers where the schools are and look for invitations to bid.

Also, if the schools are contracting out the copies themselves then the mailling is typically part of the copping job. Too many comercial printing units also fold and stuff envelopes.

[ScottGem]

Most of this type of work is done by machine. So you will need to invest in the machinery if you wish to compete with other services.

Most of this work is handled by Direct Mail companies, that not only prepare the mailings but design them as well.

[Fr_Chuck]

Of course in most colleges they have mail rooms and actually use student labor as part of work study programs. Also for those doing a lot of mailing, they have folding machines and machines that print the envelope and even stuff them.

So I will assume you have those type s of machines to be cost effective

[rdhing]

Thank you all for providing your answers. It definitely provides gudiance on things I need to consider. Does anyone have any idea of where I could find such machines which does the work of folding paper and putting them in an envelope?

Also, who is the best person to talk to in college/university/school whom I could start at selling my service? And my biggest confusion is how do I get my foot through the door? Do I make cold calls? I fear I will be rejected immediately. Or should I start with making a visit to every institution in my area?

Any ideas on how I could find if colleges are outsourcing such services? I am also thinking of a different biz model where I will be the middle man and will have partners who will perform the mailing service instead. My job will be to get clients and my pay will be commission.

These are just thoughts and ideas. I would like to start a discussion and would apprecaite some more ideas/ thoughts/ suggestions.

[ScottGem]

Just Google envelope stuffing equipment.

Cold calls would be the best. Ask for the PR office.