Q. How many months should the Tabletop Billboards be in the restaurants?

A. I have found that a three-month campaign works best. This length of time seems to be about right for the advertisers. The Tabletop Billboard program is designed for a three month display cycle, giving the advertisers the opportunity to change out their advertisement and keep it fresh.

Q. Should I give money to the restaurant owner?

A. The restaurant is entitled to a percentage of net sales, this is how the program is designed. You must remember if everyone makes a little then we all succeed. Create a professional relationship with the restaurant owner/manager and over time they will send you potential advertisers, after all they are making money too!

Q. Why must the restaurant contract be signed?

A. This is for your and our protection. If an owner decides to not use the Tabletop Billboards (it does happen occasionally), the advertisers will be understandably upset. A signed contract gives you confirmation that the restaurant had agreed to use them properly. It also puts pressure on the owner to use them. But you cannot force him/her to display them. A restaurant owner should not want to upset business people (they also eat in restaurants). It gives you additional clout, and a degree of comfort to your advertisers. If you find a restaurant refusing to display them after a contract is signed please contact us immediately.

Q. Is it necessary for the advertiser to sign the contract?

A. Yes, and even more so than for the restaurant. Although most business owners are essentially honest, you want them to know that this is a legally binding document that requires both of you to perform. If for some reason someone hedges about paying, you need some clout. And since they sign for other types of advertising, they generally will sign your contract. The only time someone did not sign was when I forgot to ask him to do so. Dealers will not be commissioned if an advertisement is not contracted.

Q. Is it more difficult to sell ads for more than one restaurant at a time?

A. No, but it does take more time. If you approach businesses correctly, they will actually want the greater ad exposure, especially if you offer a discount for the additional restaurant(s). And your profits will skyrocket. It is not necessary for you to inform restaurant owners that you are providing Tabletop Billboards for competing restaurants. As long as you are providing a valuable service for them, they will not really care. You are an advertising executive, and must use your time and resources to your best advantage. Selling the same advertisement into a group or cluster of restaurants will give the advertiser greater exposure and we can work together to establish a price for placement in all restaurants.

Q. If I hire independent reps, how can I prevent them from competing with me?

A. The same way you might prevent employees or anyone else from doing so. Just insist that they sign a no compete agreement and a nondisclosure agreement. Tabletop Billboards is a patent pending process and you are the dealer for the specific territory, if an employee tries to compete with you then they are trying to compete with us. We will not allow that and take swift and forceful action against anyone who threatens our business.

Q. Should I bring on a partner in my business?

A. Like any other type of business, you can share this business with others. Good candidates would be those who have skills you need, such as sales or graphic design. One partner can sell the ads, and the other partner can be the designer and take care of the ad design. Be sure you are in agreement on most business issues. Many times this becomes a family affair. The important thing to remember is that all parties should be in agreement, especially on the major issues. Tabletop Billboards will require any new business partners of dealers to sign a dealer application.

Q. Do I need a web site?

A. Generally speaking, I would say that you do not need one. I have never been asked about a web site. Fax machines and E-mail capability may be helpful for corresponding between you and your designer, and for occasionally sending and receiving proofs. But since most of your contacts will be face-to-face, those items are not required. Just don’t get top heavy with expenses. As I said earlier, this is a simple business. Don’t make it complicated, but if you wish to create a website you may but again express written consent is needed to use the Tabletop Billboards logo and information.

Q. Can I work this business if I cannot drive, or if I am confined to my home?

A. As long as you have someone else to get in front of customers, I see no reason why you cannot run a successful business. You can motivate, handle the phone, take care of proofreading, or perhaps do the graphic design. How about family members? How about independent salespeople? Be creative, and you can make it work.

Q. Do I need to set up credit cards for payment?

A. Most of your customers will pay with checks or cash (yes, many of them still pay the old fashioned way!). I can’t recall when anyone wanted to pay with a credit card. If you find you would like to offer a credit card service then we suggest you research using the PayPal credit card acceptance services.

Q. I don’t know anything about printing or design. Can I still be successful?

A. Most people who come into this business don’t have a printing or graphic arts background. And many of them have never sold anything before. But they all have one thing in common. They are driven by a fierce desire to succeed. And you would not be reading this manual if you did not possess that desire. Rest assured that you can find professionals to help you in any areas in which you need help. Tabletop Billboards provides you with all the technical items you need, we provide the sales tools, the design services, printing, and manufacturing. Our system is easy to follow and produces great results.

Q. Can I get further information or support from you?

A. Certainly! If you have questions, concerns, suggestions, or success reports, we want to hear from you. Please feel free to contact us, and I will personally help you in any way that I can. I want your business to succeed. Very soon your company will be running smoothly, like a well oiled machine. But until you have smoothed out all of the rough places in your path, please feel free to contact me. We are here to help, the system that we have created hinges on everyone working together.