CD Safety

[Sportsman]

Looking for some advice from those who are a bit more computer savvy than me (not difficult)

 

From time to time as part of our business marketing we send mailings to potential customers, aware that a high proportion of these end up in the bin as unsolicited junk mail.

We are looking for something a little different so I have been considering doing a sales presentation on a mini CD as a cost effective and slightly more interesting way of doing things.

It would be based around a powerpoint presentation.

 

A couple of questions first.

 

Is there a risk to the customers computer. Do I have to do anything to make sure the CDs are safe to play?

 

If you received an unsolicited CD (albeit from someone you had at least heard of and on a subject of interest to you) would you play it or bin it.

 

Thanks for any advice, as always

 

Dave

[Tony U]

Dave

I would probably bin it to avoid viruses Trojans etc. However if I was to request information from a supplier or business and they sent me a CD as a result, then the likelihood would be that I would play it.

 

Tony

[Sportsman]

Dave

I would probably bin it to avoid viruses Trojans etc. However if I was to request information from a supplier or business and they sent me a CD as a result, then the likelihood would be that I would play it.

 

Tony

 

Thanks Tony

That's just what I need to know

dave

[Zigs]

Yep, me too.

 

If it were printed on a coffee mug I would keep that

[Janet]

Dave,

 

I'm with Tony on this...if I received an unsolicited CD it would either be turned into a drinks coaster or a bird scarer.

 

However, if I'd received it after asking for information, then I'd probably play it, but only after Googling for any untoward comments regarding the supplier...

 

You just can't be too careful!

 

Janet

[Sportsman]

Thanks for the replies.

Interesting to get this sort of info before I go ahead.

How about if I enclose a letter explaining that files are scanned and virus free, or even a copy of the scanning log. I could also suggest how they might want to scan it themselves before opening. It would take just a few seconds as the file isn't big.

Would that make any difference?

Thanks

Dave

[Zigs]

Probably just a note saying about viruses would be enough to make most people think it had one.

 

Don't think thats a winner Sportsman.

 

I use a simple printed flyer and the direct approach, not just lobbing thru the door but knocking and introducing myself, saying what the company is about and what i'm after from them.

[Sportsman]

Probably just a note saying about viruses would be enough to make most people think it had one.

 

Don't think thats a winner Sportsman.

 

I use a simple printed flyer and the direct approach, not just lobbing thru the door but knocking and introducing myself, saying what the company is about and what i'm after from them.

 

 

I see what your saying. I have a mailing list of 1200 businesses all over the UK and Europe. I probably deal with around 300-400 of them on a repeat basis. The ones I don't deal with would certainly know of me or my products. It is quite a niche market

I do a mailshot around 4-5 times a year with brochures, newsletters etc. I have to have these professionally printed so by the time I pay for printing, collating, stuffing envelopes and postage it is quite an expensive hobby.

I was looking for something just a bit different that would allow more flexibility in the presentation and might be slightly less likely to end up in the bin.

I think I might try a trial run with just a couple of hundred in a selected area. If I put a code for a free gift on the disk it might give me an idea of what percentage open it.

Thanks for the input though, it is useful to see it from a different perspective.

For what it's worth if I received a CD from a source that I knew of I would have a look.

[Chris Goddard]

Dave, I seem to be in a position of the lesser spotted disc player?? If I was to receive a disc from someone I expressly knew and the disc itself was MARKED with the "Scanned for virus etc. With EST,NOD32 (or similar) I would play it.

 

And I think more especially if it was an 8cm disc. But have you had a look at the business card discs?? LOOKS like a business card bit is actually also a cd of around 50MB of data as well? Cost was last time I looked around £40 for 100 discs. Can be printed with stuff as a normal card and played to reveal pertinent data.

 

Try a Google?

 

Just found these Dave? Clicky!

Edited June 11, 2011 by Chris Goddard