COURSE SYLLABUS: Starting a Mail Order Business

Instructor: William Flood

Fax: (707) 982-2852

Textbook(s):

Building a Mail Order Business by William Cohen, ISBN #: 0471109460

Multiple Streams of Internet Income by Robert G. Allen, ISBN #: 0471410144

Course Description

A mail order (direct marketing) business is one of the most ideal businesses to run from home. Mail order firms span everything from the sale of how-to books, to catalogs containing specialty food products, to selling clothing over the Internet. It is a business that can easily be started on a shoestring from your kitchen table, but can also grow into a full-time occupation. In this course, students will learn how to choose profitable products, locate suppliers, create advertising that attracts buyers, and fulfill orders quickly and easily.

Course Content

· Direct marketing as a home business

· Mail order, Internet marketing, and other forms of direct marketing

· Building a professional team - resources for making the business automatic

· Selecting a product line

· Locating suppliers and wholesale sources

· Writing advertisements

· Testing and evaluating advertising

· Pyramiding profits - building on small successful efforts

· Handling payment and shipping

· Resources for support

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course the student should be able to...

1. Assess their personality characteristics to determine their suitability for being an entrepreneur

2. Take inventory of their skills, strengths, and weaknesses to help determine an appropriate business opportunity

3. Select a viable business from the variety of businesses available

4. Describe the benefits and disadvantages of the various forms of legal construction

5. Determine local licensing requirements

6. Successfully take steps to open a home business

Methods:

The course will include...

1. Assigned readings

2. Email correspondence with the instructor and interactions on the classroom discussion boards

3. A product selection and sourcing assignment

4. A mail order team assembling assignment

5. A marketing targeting exercise

6. Marketing methods research

7. Sample classified ad

8. Sample display ad

9. A mini website (optional)

Submission of Assignments

You can submit your assignments in any attractive and readable format. Written assignments can be submitted either by email (you can send it as an MS-Word 2000 or XP, ASCII text, or RTF attachment), or by FAX.

Course Outline

Lesson

(Week) Subject Chapters Due

1. The business of direct marketing Cohen 1, 2/Allen intro Introductions

2. Ways of entering direct marketing Cohen 4/Allen 12

3. Selecting products & locating suppliers Cohen 6, 8 Product Line Report

4. Setting up shop Cohen 4

5. Processing & fulfilling orders Cohen 3, 5, 7 Shipping & Fulfill. Assign

6. Direct marketing media Cohen part 3/Allen 1 Targeting Assignment

7. Writing and testing advertising Cohen part 4,5/Allen 2-4 Marketing Methods Assign

8. Direct marketing retailored for the internet Allen 5

9. Methods that work online Allen 6, 7 Classified Advertisement

10. Important considerations for online marketing Allen 8 Display Advertisement

11. Launching a website – how to get a quick start Allen 9

12. The wonder tool of the internet – auctions Allen 14 Mini website