Finders Fee: Who Wants to Mail in the UK/Europe?
By Roberta Rosenberg on Apr 16, 2008 in Promoting Your Biz
photo credit: Martin Pettitt
Speaking of value …
I received a nice invitation from a UK direct mail firm who’s offered me a super, two-tier finder’s fee program. (They’d call it a ’scheme’ in Euro-speak but we tend to think scheme=bad here in the Colonies.)
They’ve offered me $1,000 for a client introduction that generates a test mailing - AND - an additional $10,000 smackeroos if that same said client rolls-out mailings valued at $100,000.
Alrighty then.
So, if you’re jonesing to test the UK/Euro waters with a little direct mail, man oh man, do I have the UK firm for you! 
Tony Attwood | Apr 17, 2008 | Reply
Writing as I am from the UK, I would suggest that anyone who wants to mail into Europe for the first time should not only get a mailing house, but also make sure they have someone who can really spot the differences between selling into the European market.
Just as you rightly pointed out that “scheme” means different things on each side of the Atlantic, so there are many other words and phrases that have completely different meanings and nuances.
Even the spelling of color (colour in the UK) has an impact - UK readers will (honestly) be put off by American as opposed to English spellings.
It’s tricky moving to new areas - and I hope that your generous friends give really detailed guidance as well as sell you mailing services.
Roberta Rosenberg | Apr 17, 2008 | Reply
@Tony - I think you bring up an excellent point. English comes in many flavors (or flavours, as it were.) It’s the smart writer who considers not only the spelling differences between those flavors, but the nuances and colloquialisms, as well. It’s our command, especially of the latter, that can make a message sing or fall flat. (Just on the side of fairness, the company that contacted me looks to have quite an extensive list of DM-related services, including copywriting.)
Andrea Costa | Apr 19, 2008 | Reply
I didn’t find your direct e-mail address… Could you send me an e-mail? I am from Brazil, but live in the US and I am seeking a copywriter to write the label of the gourmet Brazilian coffee we are importing to the US.
Thank you
Roberta Rosenberg | Apr 19, 2008 | Reply
@Andrea - you can reach me at this link: http://www.copywritingmaven.com/contact-the-maven/
… thanks for your interest!
Jim (Personalize your Direct Mail) Rogers | Apr 20, 2008 | Reply
Yeah seems they are willing to offer a nice referral fee but there might be other hidden issues.
Jim (Personalize your Direct Mail) Rogers’s last blog post..3 Ways to Increase Direct Mail Response Rates
Roberta Rosenberg | Apr 20, 2008 | Reply
@Jim - that may be. My post was more about my amusement, though, than anything else. Caveat emptor always. Thanks for reading!
Sarah | Apr 23, 2008 | Reply
Well all *amusement* aside, I’d like some contact details please.
I’m familiar with the UK/Euro market. Also helps being an inhabitant of the area…
Thanks.