Even A So-So Sales Guy Can ... (Part II)

[If you haven't done so already, I suggest that you first read my previous blog entry before reading this one.]

About 5 months into launching my water business/ministry, I decided to take a crack at conducting a direct mail advertising campaign. Using an attractive tri-fold 4-color glossy brochure, I mailed it to a little over 900 recipients who lived nearby, at a cost of about $1,300. I had surmised that these recipients were probably preventive health-oriented people since I had found them listed in an online database of people who consumed a high-end line of dietary supplements. So my hope was this this somewhat targeted campaign would do even better that the typical 1% response rate; that I would hopefully get 25 responses and 10 resulting sales, netting me around $10,000.

But in the final analysis, I only received about 10 responses, the latest occurring over 9 months following the campaign mailing date. But fortunately, 6 out of these 10 responses ended up purchasing their water ionizers. So my costs were covered and I even made about $5,000 from those 6 direct sales. Not what I had hoped for, but nevertheless satisfying. Yet incredibly fortunate for me (and for countless others as you will soon discover), the impact of my advertising campaign adventure didn't stop there.

For you see one of those people responding to my mailing was Merv. When he called me, he told me that my brochure really sparked his interest, particularly the part about "water loaded with antioxidants". But before too long into our conversation, he asked me how I got his name in the first place. So I told him I found him listed in a company's online database of their supplement product consumers. Merv's response was "I don't know who that company is?" leaving me speechless. After a several-second awkward pause during our phone conversation, Merv said "I know how you found me. Jesus Christ led you to me!" Needless to say, I was stunned; sensing that this was truly the beginning of a "divine appointment" arranged for both Merv and myself.

Fast forwarding to today (3 years later), Merv not only purchased his ionizer but with my training and encouragement and his energy, focus and personal contacts, his one sale has turned into over 1,000+ sales (and still growing!) which we have both financially and emotionally benefited from. Plus the physical lives of thousands of others have been positively impacted so far by our collective efforts. Just an incredible blessing from our Lord for both of us as well as for all of them!

It is so very true that when we "give freely, then we in turn will be blessed in good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over." Luke 6:38. Because we serve a God that "gives good gifts to those who ask Him!" Matthew 7:11

Artwork by my gifted "love of my life" Cathi.