Hello, I am Mike Bickford, the phone book distribution manager for your area. We distribute the Yellowbook phone
directories. I work with many groups and organizations to help them with their fundraising in return for delivering phone
books to their communities. In my markets alone we have worked with over 40 different organizations and helped
them to raise over $20,000 in total. Group members enjoy delivering because it does not involve selling anything, its a
great team building activity and the schedule is very flexible.
I am currently looking to contact groups and individuals to deliver our Smoky Mountain, TN directories in:
•
Johnson City (37601, 3704, 37615)
•
Kingsport
•
Bristol (VA and TN)
•
Hampton
•
Erwin
•
Church Hill
•
Abbingdon, VA
•
Church Hill
•
Mountain City
•
I can give about 50 routes to groups for this project. The remaining routes will be for returning workers and new contractors
who respond to advertising.
Please give me a call on my cell phone (865-556-6920) or respond to this email if
you are interested. I am more than happy to answer any questions and talk further
about this opportunity with you!!!
To learn more about the specifics and examples of this opportunity, please scroll down to the very bottom of this
email.
Methods/Examples of Delivery:
Groups: Ways to Deliver
Groups I have worked with usually have a driver and at least two other group members per vehicle. The driver can check off which
addresses have been delivered to and direct where the other members should drop off the books. One member can bag the books
and hand them to the other members who are delivering the books to the doors. This way has proven to be efficient for some
groups. Other times, groups will bag books first and fill up the vehicle (or frequently stop and bag while delivering) so then all
members are delivering the books to the doors while the driver coordinates where to go and makes sure they are not delivering on
somebody else’s route (a map and address ranges are provided which include each address to deliver to). For example, if your
delivering on 3rd Street and by looking at the route, you know you have to stop at the cross street which is Williams St. three blocks
ahead. Then you pretty much let the group loose while the driver supervises and makes sure they don't go past Williams St. This is a
vague example but very similar to what may go on. You will find what will work best for you.
The more drivers with members you have, the more routes you can get done and the more funds that can be raised in a short
amount of time.
I have worked with other sports teams that have treated this fundraiser as a workout. The coach had them constantly running the
books to the doors which led them to getting routes down quickly and the more routes completed (money earned) in a short
amount of time.
Some groups with a bunch of routes bring big pickup trucks and trailers so we can load the pallets of books with forklifts so they can
take the books back and to the leader’s garage for example and work out of that. This is not necessary as you can come back to the
warehouse to get more books, but this method has worked for groups in outlying areas.
Group Example:
Emanuel Assembly of God in Knoxville, TN, who has fundraised with us for seven years now, chose 10 routes to deliver. They
distributed each route to members of their church. I gave them 10 business days to complete them. When we give an individual
contractor a route, they get three business days to complete. When you take this group into perspective, each individual route had
ten days (not three days) and was completed by ten different families at the church. They had all ten routes done in eight days. Their
business documentation was excellent, they delivered to businesses during business hours, and they were rewarded bonuses for
early completion and proper business documentation (getting names of those who accepted the books). They made over $1000 in
eight days and will continue to use this easy method.
Overview of Delivery Process:
Groups/Organizations are given delivery routes, which are similar to the routes a postal worker uses when delivering
mail. Each route includes a listing of all the residents and businesses in that area and also a map. Residential delivery is
accomplished by simply walking up to the resident’s door and setting the book in a bag against the hinge side of the door.
It does not involve knocking on doors or selling. All business locations must be delivered during regular business
hours. The delivery person must go in to each business and find out how many books the business requires. The
delivery person is then required to get a first name of the individual who accepted the books at that location and write it in
the route. You may choose routes with very minimal businesses so you or your group can deliver outside of
school hours or on the weekends. When the routes are completed, a percentage of the businesses and residents
are called on each street of every delivery route to make sure the work was completed properly and accurately. Payment
will be issued between 4-6 business days upon completion of the route. Payment will vary due to the size of the book,
and the number of books distributed. For one person working on one route it should pay approximately $120 on
average and take approximately 8-12 hours. Of course, more people working on a route, the faster it will be
completed.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How do we get the routes, books, and bags?
-You will come to the warehouse
-For groups delivering in towns outside Sevier County, we may be able to work something out.
2. How much will we make?
-An average sized route (between 400-600 addresses) should pay around $120. The larger the route, the more it pays.
-For groups delivering outside their home town, I will add a $10 gas bonus per route completed.
-For groups who complete their routes early, there will also be a $10 bonus added per route.
3. How much time do we have to deliver our routes?
-Individuals: An individual gets three business days to complete their route.
-Groups: I usually give seven business days or two weeks to get all routes turned in. This time frame starts when you pick
up books and your route. When a route is completed, turn it in right away.
4. How many routes can we check out? (If routes are available and more people want to join your group, you may be able to add
on more routes.)
-Individuals: one at a time
-Groups: This will be based on your availability, group size, and will be determined on a group by group basis.
5. How long does it take to complete a route? (THE MORE PEOPLE WORKING ON A ROUTE, THE FASTER IT GOES)
-Individuals: Usually 8-12 hours depending on if your hustling or taking your time and enjoying the sun.
6. How large can a group be?
-A group can be as large as the group leader wants it. Make sure to be as efficient as possible and that everybody has a purpose.
You can split up a large group into sub groups and give each sub group a route. You could give out a route to each family, or be a
smaller group tackling one route at a time.
7. When are the books delivered?
-Businesses: need to be delivered during business hours or if you know they will be open on weekends.
-Residents: Can be delivered any day of the week. We recommend delivering during day light hours for safety purposes.
8. How many books per route?
-On average, there are roughly 500-700 books per route.
9. Can we start in September when school is back is session?
-We start May 24th and will go until the project is completed. I am estimating a month which will be around school is back in session.
I cannot hold routes for this long due to the unpredictability of when we will actually finish.
10. When can we start? (the sooner you start the higher the likelihood of getting more routes when you’re done with the ones
you have)
-Individuals: You start when you pick up your books and routes. We will have meeting times set up to where you will watch a short
video, I go over the proper ways to deliver, and then you choose your route. I cannot hold routes for very long so you need to start
right away.
-Groups: I recommend you start as soon as possible (May 24th). I may be able to hold routes until you can get started.
11. Are there walking routes?
-All routes are driving routes as you will need to load your vehicle with books to get to your area of delivery. You could park your car
in a centralized location and then have individuals spread out and deliver. Just make sure to make all deliveries as efficient as
possible so you’re not wasting your time.
12. How many books can a car hold?
-A truck can hold a lot as a car will not hold as many. For a small vehicle, you may have to make a couple trips to get the
books you need for the route.
13. What is the time frame for completion in the towns that will be delivered outside Sevier County?
-This will depend on how many groups are going to be delivering in a certain town. We need to get started in all towns as
soon as possible.
14. Will I be able to get done before September?
-Yes, if you start right away.
15. Can I deliver around the current job I have?
-Yes, we give individuals three business days so this should be the goal. If completing in three business days is unattainable, then
you need to call for extra time which will be granted once.
HOW TO SIGN UP: (I have received some of this info from many of you but please send it again)
Groups: Please reply with the following information after you have established members who are committed.
Individuals: let me know the information that pertains to you. You will start out with one route and once completed, you will be able
to select another one.
1. Number of committed individuals in your group.
2. The availability of your group? (When can you start and the days you can deliver)
3. What is your plan on getting your routes completed? Are you dispersing them to members/families, working on them as a group
one a time for example.
4. What is the best telephone number and email to get a hold of you?
5. The majority of groups use a tax id number to shelter themselves from taxes . If you choose to use a tax id number for payment
purposes, can you provide me with the last 4 digits of it so I can plan accordingly if there are multiple groups with the same tax id
number? A tax id number is not a requirement as a social security number of those who want to check out routes can be used. We
do not report total amounts made under $600.
6. Towns you are interested in? (Provide at least three towns, starting with the town you want to deliver in the most.
7. How many routes do you think you can complete in a reasonable amount of time?
Once you get me this information you are signed up!! This whole process is pretty simple. If for some reason you have to break this
commitment after you have signed up, please let me know so I can estimate how many routes are available for other groups.
I will not turn down any groups at this point. If there are multiple groups interested in a town, then I will distribute the routes
accordingly. Being flexible will help you get more routes. If you deliver in a town outside your area, I will add a $10 gas bonus per
route.
I have not recruited outside of the school district yet (many of you were forwarded the last email). In a couple weeks I will start
recruiting for church and youth groups, sports associations and other organizations. For example, if the routes in the town of
Sumner are accounted for by you guys, I will not continue to recruit in that area. So please get this information to me as soon as
possible, by the 18th at the latest as this information will help me plan accordingly.
WHAT IS NEXT?
In a couple weeks I will have details on where the distribution center will be and when the meeting times are going to be held.
You will need to attend a meeting in order to get your routes. At the meeting you will watch a short video and I will go over the
proper ways to deliver. I will have the location of the distribution center and meeting times set up by then. I will keep you
informed. Group leaders and those that will be in charge should attend.
I look forward to hearing back from all of you and potentially working with you!
If any of you know of any other groups who may be interested, could you forward this email? If you refer a group and they complete
a route, I will throw on a $20 bonus.
I will do everything I can to make sure you guys make as much as you can!!
Sincerely,
Michael Bickford
Regional Manager of Distribution
11400 Parkside Drive, Suite 120
Knoxville, Tennessee 37934
office - 865-288-5110 / cell - 865-556-6920 / fax - 865-288-5130