While the focus today is on online marketing for generating leads to your business, don’t forget about some of the Old School approaches.  You might be leaving money on the table if you do!  Here are some ideas you might want to consider adding to your current marketing plan.

 

Warm Business Market

This is a method of marketing where you call the people you know in business to introduce or give an overview of your business or product. Don’t try to sell them on your business but ask them for their opinion – everyone has an opinion and usually likes to give it when asked.


Direct Calls – Business to Business

Direct Calls is also known as the business-to-business approach. This marketing method requires skills in telemarketing and prospecting.  Also remember to stay in compliance with the Do Not Call rules and regulations!

Reverse Prospecting

This is where you have a telemarketer call you and let them present whatever they are presenting.  After they are finished you compliment them on their skills and say something like, I bet you are really making a lot of money doing this. Most likely they will reply no and then you can reply with something like, “wow with your skills I’d say you should be able to make $2K – $5k per month after 7 or 8 months”.  Then let the conversation go from there.

Referrals (The Referral Letter)

This is a method in marketing where ask people to refer possible leads to your business and offer them a referral fee for anyone they recommend who joins the business.

Drop Cards (Flash Bills)

This is a common marketing method where one leaves a card stating the name of the business and other information.  Flash Bills is one example of this where you have drop cards made up to look like $50 or $100 bills and also have a link to your website on them.  Just drop them around (or place them instead to avoid littering) and see what happens.

Yard Signs

Custom-built ad signs for your business or product.

Professional Organizations or Groups

Think Meetup.com, Chamber of Commerce etc.  While you probably can’t actively promote your business in the meeting, there is nothing to prevent you from talking to people outside of them.

Public Speaking

This is a marketing method where you can be asked to give a talk on a subject for a local group or club. Look at joining a local speakers group that organizations call to book speakers for their meetings.

Radio Talk Show

This marketing strategy can be done in a radio station where the speaker of the business talks about the nature of business.  You can also have your own Internet radio talk show these days (also Internet TV is available).

Conventions/Trade Shows

Attending conventions and/or trade shows can be fun!  Just walk around, visit the various booths and collect as many business cards as you can (especially from the sales folks). Then give them a call after a week or so to introduce your opportunity and how they might fit into it.

Infomercial Marketing (www.comcastspotlight.com)

Think infomercials are for the big buck folks?  Think again!  With Cable TV, you too can do an infomercial and have it on TV.   Check the link for Comcast Spotlight for more information on this method.

Fishbowl Prospecting

Try sponsoring a free lunch at a local restaurant. Each week, customers will drop their business card into the “Fish Bowl” for that week’s drawing of the lucky winner.  In return for sponsoring the lunch, you get to keep the business cards.   Then you can go through the cards and contact those you think are good prospects for your business.

Affinity Group Prospecting

This strategy targets the head of the organization you are focusing on.  For example, you may have a service that would benefit the members of one of the churches in the your area.  In this example, you would want to market that service and it’s benefits to the pastor of that church first to get approval.

Situational Marketing

This a marketing method where you can market your offering as the solution to the prospects needs.

Direct Mail

This of course has been around for years and the Post Office has recently introduced a new program, Every Door Direct Mail® and a more targeted version of this program is coming soon!

Audio or Video Handouts

This is where you record a video (DVD) or audio (CD) to give out to prospects.  On either one, you give a brief introduction to your business and then direct your prospect to your website for more information.

Voice Broadcasting

This is a powerful marketing method where a speaker of the business can record a message and blast it out to propects via the phone (be sure to comply with Do Not Call regulations if you use this method).

Craigslist

This is a website where you can build and post classified ads. It can be a powerful marketing method to catch a possible affiliate for your business.

Back Page

This is an online advertising website where one can look up to check on businesses or post business ads.

Resume Database

You can purchase access to a resume database (like Monster for example) and then, just like a recruiter, search through resumes and send email to people that fit the criteria you are using in the search.  As long as you send one email at a time, it is not considered spamming.

Reverse Marketing Active MLM Lists

Purchase a list of active MLM’ers and market to them.

Use Software to build your own lists

Purchase software to do the same as #21 above (some come with a monthly license fee so shop around).

 

For more information on these and other marketing ideas click here

 

Bill Giles 201-861-3557

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Filed under: Marketing • MLM • MLSP • Network Marketing

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