Golfing to find offline clients

15 years ago

A friend of mine from college who's a commercial lending VP at a bank excels at losing at golf. He was a pro golfer when he was younger but he has the ability to adjust his play level so that he can let the average weekend duffer just barely beat him rather than kicking their butt or obviously letting them win. He says this works great for his sales.

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[874685].message }}

ken_p

15 years ago

Originally Posted by bgmacaw

A friend of mine from college who's a commercial lending VP at a bank excels at losing at golf. He was a pro golfer when he was younger but he has the ability to adjust his play level so that he can let the average weekend duffer just barely beat him rather than kicking their butt or obviously letting them win. He says this works great for his sales.

lol. so what if these guys, find out that he can actually play golf better than what he is showing them?? isn't golfing expensive??

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[874703].message }}

Andyhenry

15 years ago

Good point - I play golf a lot and often have people asking for my business card. As usual (for me) I don't normally take business cards to the golf course as I use golf as a way to relax - but if I was looking for more business, you're right - it would be a good place to easily get it.

With all the traveling I do, I get a similar thing on trains, planes etc. and while waiting around in airport lounges so it would apply to them too.

Andy

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

nothing to see here.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[874695].message }}

hometutor

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Andyhenry

Good point - I play golf a lot and often have people asking for my business card. As usual (for me) I don't normally take business cards to the golf course as I use golf as a way to relax - but if I was looking for more business, you're right - it would be a good place to easily get it.

With all the traveling I do, I get a similar thing on trains, planes etc. and while waiting around in airport lounges so it would apply to them too.

Andy

I know I'm, preaching to the choir here but since you brought up business cards I thought I'd mention a few things

Business cards are mini-sales pitches. Most cards I see contain information only. A book I wrote on sneaky ad tricks mentions

All advertising must;

Create or show a problem or need

Show a solution to the problem

Show why they should come to you

Also placing call on your card increases responses. That way you're telling them what to do not just providing information

For example Call Dual Certified Teacher J. Richard Kirkham

gives a short answer as to why they should call me

Rick

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Video - How Local Businesses Benefit from Monetized On-Topic Breaking News Releases Linking Back to Their Websites

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[875599].message }}

Barry Walls 15 years ago

$80k initiation fee...Holy crap. How about hosting a charity golf day and invite the great and the good? Horse racing Or the "YOUR BUSINESS HERE annual golf trophy" How about tennis tournaments? Charity poker tournaments? Squash? Successful business people generally want to give something back to society....apart from the money. Give them a packet of Angelas links as a thank you for coming to a seminar. They dont know you outsource it for $20.
- Thanks
Signature
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[875620].message }}

Korey Carter

15 years ago

Hey Brad,

What's your handicap? I was glad to see that golf was finally mentioned here.

I have found that playing golf is a great way to get new clients as well. I play on a weekly league with business owners.

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Our Secure Shopping Cart will integrate into any website quickly and easily! We also have a Wordpress plugin to make any Wordpress site a full fledged Ecommerce site.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[874707].message }}

Brad Gosse

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Ecommerce Guru

Hey Brad,

What's your handicap? I was glad to see that golf was finally mentioned here.

I have found that playing golf is a great way to get new clients as well. I play on a weekly league with business owners.

I am so bad I don't keep score. I played 18 holes and lost 9 balls lol.

Thanks
3 replies

Signature

Free Clip Art

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[875246].message }}

Andyhenry 15 years ago

Originally Posted by Brad Gosse

I am so bad I don't keep score. I played 18 holes and lost 9 balls lol.

That's funny.

Probably handy for fostering deals too - the other person always gets to feel good about their game
- Thanks
Signature

nothing to see here.
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[875438].message }}
Korey Carter 15 years ago

Originally Posted by Brad Gosse

I am so bad I don't keep score. I played 18 holes and lost 9 balls lol.

It's all part of the master plan right?

I always say if your going to hit it you might as well hit it hard! That results in lots of lost balls too.
- Thanks
Signature

Our Secure Shopping Cart will integrate into any website quickly and easily! We also have a Wordpress plugin to make any Wordpress site a full fledged Ecommerce site.
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[875460].message }}
rawhide 15 years ago

Originally Posted by Brad Gosse

I am so bad I don't keep score. I played 18 holes and lost 9 balls lol.

That sounds like me but it is true the best deals are made on the Golf courses !
- Thanks
- 1 reply
Signature

RoberT JoneS
http://instafunnel.net/instant_conte...hority/?r=1191
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[879409].message }}
- JohnMcCabe 15 years ago
  
  I've been known to play a game called "pasture pool." It's a lot like golf, even played on a golf course. The main difference is there's a lot more cussing and a lot more beer. Oh, and we use the whole course, not just the short grass in the middle...
  
  When I do play golf, and someone asks me my handicap, I just smile and say, "My swing..."
  
  The pro shop where I used to play had a cartoon on the wall...
  
  [Warning - slightly racist]
  
  A Japanese tourist wearing a brand new golf outfit (flowered shirt, plaid knickers, etc.) The captions read "I come to Amellika and learn new game called Ah Shit...":p
  
  [Off topic - should we get a smilie that symbolizes a rim shot? Pa-rum-pum]
  
  Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[879675].message }}

GoGetta

15 years ago

Not a golfer myself but it is true that some of the biggest deals ever are made on the golf course! ; )

GoGetta

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[874757].message }}

Jagged 15 years ago

Ahhh...a bad day on the golf course is better than a good day at the office......so they say anyways. The golf course is notorious for business lead generation.

Do we actually "stop working" on our days off? lol
Always looking for a contact or lead...no matter where we are.

Ken
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[875296].message }}

Vince Courtney

15 years ago

Do any of you manage to use your golf expenses as a business writeoff?

My consistant 30+ over par allows me to play with just about anyone and make them feel great. Just attended a Chamber of Commerce scramble and met lots of business contacts.

Turned out well, I didn't clobber any of them with a ball! :-)

Vince

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Huge Free Membership Resource for Newbies - Video Training on The Basics

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[875540].message }}

Brad Gosse

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Vince Courtney

Do any of you manage to use your golf expenses as a business writeoff?

My consistant 30+ over par allows me to play with just about anyone and make them feel great. Just attended a Chamber of Commerce scramble and met lots of business contacts.

Turned out well, I didn't clobber any of them with a ball! :-)

Vince

Vince, here in Canada golf writeoffs are a no no. Too many people think it's extravagant.

To me it's no different than taking a client to dinner or a show.

Thanks

Signature

Free Clip Art

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[875558].message }}

Vince Courtney

15 years ago

Hey Brad

I'm sorry to hear that, so I guess I'll have to see if they can tack my green fees on to the lunch and drink bill ......... :-)

Vince

Thanks

Signature

Huge Free Membership Resource for Newbies - Video Training on The Basics

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[875605].message }}

charles4

15 years ago

As a 20 year+ ex-banker I have had great success in getting new clients via the golf course. I think it makes you more real to the client. Be careful not to win, just keep the game close.
Good Luck

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[875629].message }}

Eric Stanley

15 years ago

To be honest, I have found a TON of offline small business owner leads at the poker room at my local casino. The weekend players at 2/5 NL and above are usually either amateurs or small business owners just kicking back with the boys. I've given out over 25 business cards at the table over the past several months. From gift shop owners, to local restaurant proprietors. After a few hours of sitting with the same guys, the question usually comes up -- So what do you do?

[ 1 ] Thanks
2 replies

Signature

Free Samples

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[875679].message }}

Barry Walls

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Eric Stanley

To be honest, I have found a TON of offline small business owner leads at the poker room at my local casino. The weekend players at 2/5 NL and above are usually either amateurs or small business owners just kicking back with the boys. I've given out over 25 business cards at the table over the past several months. From gift shop owners, to local restaurant proprietors. After a few hours of sitting with the same guys, the question usually comes up -- So what do you do?

I hope you aren't losing in this soft game to make friends.

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[875704].message }}

Eric Stanley 15 years ago

Originally Posted by Barry Walls

I hope you aren't losing in this soft game to make friends.

Not at all. It's soft AND a great way to prospect and network -- that's why it's choice . There are the occasional coolers, but all in all a good time.
- Thanks
Signature
Free Samples
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[875718].message }}

Bruce NewMedia

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Eric Stanley

To be honest, I have found a TON of offline small business owner leads at the poker room at my local casino.

You know what Eric, thats an excellent idea. I play cards on weekends and never even thought of mentioning my business....I'm going to start doing that.
_____
Bruce

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Get Offline Clients With NO Resistance!-CLICK HERE
POWER LETTERS Get Offline Appointments
These Email Templates Land You Great Clients!

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[876115].message }}

Eric Stanley

15 years ago

Originally Posted by brucerby

You know what Eric, thats an excellent idea. I play cards on weekends and never even thought of mentioning my business....I'm going to start doing that.
_____
Bruce

Definitely give it a go. I played semi-pro for awhile to generate an income before I was turned on to IM. After I started my consulting business (which became my primary income) I continued to play occasionally on the weekends and one night, the question went around the table, granted it was about 3am. But that was the start of it -- now I have 4 local clients thanks to the game. FYI - At least in my area, the small business owner population sits at 2/5 or higher -- not too many at the 1/2 limits.

I am also an avid golfer, but have yet to meet any potential clients on the course.

Thanks

Signature

Free Samples

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[876227].message }}

CDarklock

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Brad Gosse

There must be other places you can go offline to find IM clients.

A business owner I vastly respect once told me:

"If you want to be successful in business, play golf. Whether you like it or not, that's where the successful people are."

Thanks

Signature

"The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[875743].message }}

VegasGreg

15 years ago

When I was in the mortgage biz, I met a client on the golf course and closed my largest home loan ever from that meeting. Well over $1 Million. (That was the loan size, not my commission, but still nice).

I met several clients over the years while golfing, so I agree, that is a good place to go.

Thanks

Signature

Greg Schueler - Wordpress Fanatic... Living The Offline Marketing Dream...

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[875912].message }}

BrianMcLeod

15 years ago

Don't forget your business card...

YouTube - Your business card is CRAP!

Thanks

Signature

Brian McLeod

Direct Response Copywriting

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[876187].message }}

Popstar

15 years ago

Just out of curiosity, what club still has an $80k initiation fee?

Haven't played in a while, but I thought most clubs were hurting these days.

Thanks
2 replies

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[877063].message }}

Chuck Evans 15 years ago

Originally Posted by Popstar

Just out of curiosity, what club still has an $80k initiation fee?

Haven't played in a while, but I thought most clubs were hurting these days.

Exclusive clubs still cost a lot to get in. The one in AZ where I taught out of is $275K and they have over 4,000 members!

You can do a lot of business on the golf course but you need to learn how to play "customer golf." That's where they win by a shot of two ...better luck next time!

We do business deals almost weekly with people that come to us for our golf schools and training.

chuck
- Thanks
Signature

Chuck Evans - Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher
Learn How To Play Your Best Golf
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[877495].message }}
AndrewCavanagh 15 years ago

Almost any activity that gets you out among other business owners can get you clients.

Business networking meetings are an obvious one.

Others include working with charities that have high business owner membership like Rotary and Lions.

In some areas helping out with the school fete and similar events can put you in contact with other business owners.

Sports, when you eat (the guy who owns the restaurant), when you buy anything (the guy who owns the business) etc etc.

It really is as simple as being active and talking to the people you come into contact with.

Remember that the people you talk to don't even have to own a business...they just have to know someone who does and be willing to introduce you (and incidentally this can be even more powerful than meeting the business owner directly...introductions and referrals give you credibility).

Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh
- Thanks
Signature
Old School Copy Like This Is BACK & Converting Like Crazy!
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[877563].message }}

joshril

15 years ago

Golfing, bars, lunches, dinners, wine tastings, baseball games... "I promise I'm working honey..."

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[879710].message }}

Golfing to find offline clients

Trending Topics

Google Ads, landing pages, and Clickbank links

Carry out better target audience research

YouTube gets shopping display tools and affiliate partnership updates

A Very Strange Internet Problem

Membership area with multiple income streams