Easiest Way to Sign Up To 10 Offline Clients in 2-3 Weeks! EASY!

by InfoKop

Posted: 10 years ago 19 replies

OFFLINE MARKETING

Just thought I'd share with you all what's working like gangbusters for me over the past few months. I've taken this method into several different towns and cities and exploded my client base.

I'll give a high level view of what the method is, it would take too much time detailing all the steps. This isn't a WSO!

Run a local contest, concentrating on B2C companies like restaurants, salons, gyms etc. I focus on picking around 20 businesses who want to increase their customer base by giving away one of their products or services.

This works well for local businesses because the cost of the product or service they are giving away is much lower than their usual advertising methods and actually gets them much better results. They will love you by the time the contest finishes and this is when you sell them on becoming a client.

The premise is that you build a local list that YOU control, not the business owners. This means when the contests are over for each business, you can send a message to ALL the local participants in the contests and send them promotions for ALL the businesses who participated in the contests. The power of this is two fold, first each business gets an influx of business from the list which has been built from their giveaway, PLUS they get a MASSIVE influx of customers from the list of all 20 businesses participating in the contest.

Word of warning, you don't have to get all fancy with making this go viral on Facebook, sure it would help but trust me, it still works great WITHOUT the viral factor of Facebook. If you've got the tools to make it happen then go ahead, but personally I wouldn't worry about it.

Make this simple, otherwise you won't do it.

All you need is:

A simple WordPress site
An autoresponder
Flyers to promote contests

You can start this tomorrow, run a local contest for 2 weeks and by October 27th you could have a whole stable of Offline clients.

Go get em!

#clients #easiest #easy #offline #sign #weeks

caretaker

10 years ago

Thats good out of the box thinking, thanx for the share.

Thanks
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InfoKop

10 years ago

Simple works!

I see a lot of people on here making everything so complicated. It doesn't have to be.

Thanks
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kirbymarketingconcierge

10 years ago

can you provide costs, pricing to biz's?

Thanks
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BigFrank

Banned 10 years ago

An idea, without at least a minimal amount of information on how to implement it, is, if you'll pardon what may appear to be a total lack of appreciation for your post - worthless!

If you are posting in an effort to 'help' people, than flesh-out your idea with some pertinent information on the actual methodology.

If not - you are just posting for the sake of posting. No real help to anyone.

Like I said, I hate to appear unappreciative but your post is extremely underwhelming.

Cheers. - Frank

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

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InfoKop

10 years ago

Originally Posted by BigFrank

Hey Frank, I thought I'd outline at a high level the method that is working for me. Just wanted to give back a little after all the great ideas I've gotten from this forum. My intention wasn't to create a full blown course, just to inspire a few people to go out and give this a try.

I'm a little deflated now seeing that you think I haven't added any value, I'm hoping others do not think the same. If they do, like I said I'll go into more detail if required, let me know where the gaps are and I'll try to fill them. I'm not a professional author so I'm hoping you can forgive my first attempt at trying to help.

I'm happy to help if you have any questions, either PM me or post them in here. I'm not sure how I can go into more detail without writing a full blown course, which is not my intention.

But I'm glad to answer any questions you may have.

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

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BigFrank

Banned 10 years ago

Originally Posted by InfoKop

Hey Frank,

Like I said, I'm more underwhelmed than unappreciative for your post, :-)

I thought I'd outline at a high level the method that is working for me.

Well, I guess 'outline' is a very relative term.

Just wanted to give back a little after all the great ideas I've gotten from this forum. My intention wasn't to create a full blown course, just to inspire a few people to go out and give this a try.

Understood. There is a great deal of territory between what you offered up and a 'full-blown' course.

I'm a little deflated now seeing that you think I haven't added any value,

That was not my goal and I have only one suggestion if you are going to post around these parts - 'butch-up!' lol

I'm hoping others do not think the same.

Don't worry. I'm one of the few people around here that would say what I said. I'm sure that by the time the day is over there will be more than one person expressing what an unappreciative, negative butt-hole I am and that I should just waddle back under my bridge. I'm used to it.

If they do, like I said I'll go into more detail if required, let me know where the gaps are and I'll try to fill them.

The term 'contest' also covers a lot of ground and interesting contest scenarios are hard to come by. If you have something unique in that regard, I'm sure many would find that helpful, if by nothing more than getting their own wheels spinning. It's always good to have a jumping-off point when you are formulating ideas. Agreed?

I'm not a professional author so I'm hoping you can forgive my first attempt at trying to help.

Nothing to forgive. You didn't murder anyone. It just that the actual knowledge that you shared did not measure up to your level of enthusiasm for what you have personally encountered.

I'm happy to help if you have any questions, either PM me or post them in here. I'm not sure how I can go into more detail without writing a full blown course, which is not my intention.

Why not? I'd rather pay $7, $17 or $27 for information that I can actual put into practice from someone with a proven track record than pay nothing for - well, virtually nothing that I can replicate in my own community without a road map of some sort. :-) I know that most people want everything for free, but if you'll look closely you will discover that those are generally people that have nothing and will most likely never have anything. All successful IM people have paid their dues, both through the expenditure of money, much of it wasted, but some of it very well spent in relationship to the kernels of wisdom they have mined and by spending the requisite amount of time necessary to implement a plan and sticking with it.

If you believe in your missive - put it into a highly descriptive action plan and sell it at a fair price. What - you got something against money???

But I'm glad to answer any questions you may have.

Me, personally - not really. I was intrigued by your post but it left me with "Chinese Food Syndrome." It was good, but after 10 minutes, I wanted more. I'm sure I'm not the only person who feels that way, but I am probably the only one that will voice it.

Cheers. - Frank

P.S. Very sorry if I hurt your feelings by my initial post.

Thanks
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kirbymarketingconcierge 10 years ago

we need every kind of reply,

as long as under WF's Rules of Engagement

If a member can't handle criticism and rejection,

how can we handle business reality.
- Thanks
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InfoKop 10 years ago

Well you're not looking to make a whole lot of money with the contest, I guess some people will use the contest as their main business model which is fine but I wouldn't. I charge either $50 or $100 to run the contest, framing it as an admin fee to the business owner. This is plenty to cover your autoresponder fee and to print up some flyers for the business to promote their contest.

I make my money AFTER the contest ends when the business owners see how much money I've made them and then upsell them into a consulting client. Think of the contest as your lead magnet.

It's much more profitable giving the contest away as a lead magnet and then charging hundreds or thousands of dollars on the backend rather than trying to make a couple of hundred dollars running the contest.

Give the businesses ALOT of value. They will trust you when you bring them results and will listen to whatever you're going to offer them next. That is when the real money is made!
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iAmNameLess

10 years ago

I agree with BigFrank... I would even take it to another level and say that I don't believe the OP has even done this, but instead has just been theorizing.

It doesn't make sense... not the whole having a contest. The reason I believe he hasn't done this is because the way he's suggesting is ineffective and doesn't cover his costs. Professional flyers cost money, you spend money on design and printing. Printing isn't cheap. Then you setup an autoresponder... for what? What's the autoresponder for? Just the website to say opt in for free giveaways? Aren't people already ad blind from all the ipad giveaways? LOL.

Then you go on to say you don't need facebook. Facebook is the best tool for contests... why would you say to not use facebook?

I just don't see this as anything worth writing about. I know that MY clients would never go for something like this.

From a business standpoint, you're setting up a website, installing an autoresponder, spending money on flyers with no mention of how you're going to distribute them, all for $50? I don't think so.

I'll give a high level view of what the method is, it would take too much time detailing all the steps. This isn't a WSO!

If it were up to me and this was indeed a WSO, I'd ban you. lol.

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BigFrank

Banned 10 years ago

Originally Posted by iAmNameLess

If it were up to me and this was indeed a WSO, I'd ban you. lol.

Wow! And I thought I was being a bit harsh. lol

Cheers. - Frank

Thanks
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mrinvest13

10 years ago

To the OP'ster....who cares what everyone else thinks. If it works for you then good. You shared enough, if they want they can go out and put your theory to test. Anyway, the method or way it worked for you may not work exactly for them.

Half the advice people share in these forums are theory or they have an agenda to link to or sell their product to someone else looking for a new shiny object and cant resist information overload. You'll notice that they tend to hang out and comment on the posts connected to their product. If they sell "cold calling" yep, they'll reply to post. And then you'll have some that know you have shared something value and/or connected to the niche they are trying to maintain and they'll try to crush you before you proceed any further so others will not catch what you have to say. You're not bound by any moral law to post more than you want.

Be careful and don't fall for the banana in the tailpipe. Stick to your guns. Only share what you want to share. Let people attack you if they want.

This is my first post and probably last unless I feel the need. Now this is a valuable post. Lol

Thanks
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BigFrank

Banned 10 years ago

Originally Posted by mrinvest13

To the OP'ster....who cares what everyone else thinks.

Probably the sme number of people who care what you think. lol

If it works for you then good. You shared enough, if they want they can go out and put your theory to test.

Wrong. When people test 'theories' they rely on having all the information available to recreate the experiment.

Anyway, the method or way it worked for you may not work exactly for them.

Right - and since we don't know what he did, we'll never have any idea.

Half the advice people share in these forums are theory or they have an agenda to link to or sell their product to someone else looking for a new shiny object and cant resist information overload. You'll notice that they tend to hang out and comment on the posts connected to their product. If they sell "cold calling" yep, they'll reply to post. And then you'll have some that know you have shared something value and/or connected to the niche they are trying to maintain and they'll try to crush you before you proceed any further so others will not catch what you have to say.

Personally, I have nothing to sell anyone. I have already made all of the money I need and live quite comfortably. I'm simply trying to help others.

You're not bound by any moral law to post more than you want.

Nope. But if you want to help people, you certainly should.

Be careful and don't fall for the banana in the tailpipe. Stick to your guns. Only share what you want to share. Let people attack you if they want.

Who's being attacked? Sheesh!!!

This is my first post and probably last unless I feel the need.

With all you have contributed to the discourse, we can only hope you mean what you say.

Now this is a valuable post. Lol

Yes - the world is much better for your contribution. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers. - Frank

Thanks

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utpalakash 10 years ago

thats good out of the box thinking, thanx for the share....
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joe golfer 10 years ago

I've run many contests including giving away a house. (I am not an attorney, and this is not legal advice, although I look good in striped suspenders. Then again, everyone over 90 looks good in suspenders.)

There are a lot of rules you must follow when running a contest, including tax laws. You need to publish the Official Rules, especially when you have so many prize sponsors. Make sure the Rules are clear.

I guarantee someone will eventually complain the contest wasn't fair, so you have to be ready to show the Rules were clear, understandable and easy to access (i.e., not buried somewhere and include a link to a printable version.) Best to have an attorney draft all documents.

There are subtle things to think about. For example, from your description it looks like you have to enter online. What if I don't have a computer? Can I enter by mail? Does the law require that you include a way to enter by mail? etc.

Here are a few of the things to check:

What legal issues come up when running a contest or giveaway? - Quora

Also check your local state laws regarding contests. Keep careful records. If someone complains to the Feds, they will knock on your clients' doors as well as yours.

*******************************************

I recommend having a theme to tie in the different businesses. It's much easier to sell it that way, and 10x easier to promote. Otherwise it's too hard to promote such a wide variety of businesses in the same contest. Here are some ideas:

Seasonal - Christmas, New Year's, Valentine's Day (great for jewelers)
Geographic - Olde Towne Days, Main Street Madness, etc.
Sports - Local Businesses Support Main Street High Football!

My experience is it takes a lot more planning time than you are stating here. You might be able to get something together by Oct. 27, but I wouldn't recommend it. You might be able to do something by Christmas. Ideally, I would give yourself 12 weeks at a minimum to develop the idea, work out the theme, get the graphics together, take care of legal, get all the prizes, etc.

Since these are retail stores, you want people to be able enter the contest in the shop. That means you need a box with graphics and branding, as well as cards for them to fill out. You'll need to drive by every so often to pick up the entries.

Things to think about: What if someone in another state enters the contest and wins a prize. How will they get the prize? Will you send it? Will the business? What if they don't get it? What if they don't complain to you but call the local consumer reporter that they were ripped off?

Don't forget publicity! Local TV, radio, local newspaper, local blogs, etc.
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Marketing is not a battle of products. It is a battle of perceptions.
- Jack Trout
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Freebiequeen1999

10 years ago

Just getting everyone on the same page, getting their info/prize submitted, keeping it legal, etc...way too much work IMHO just to generate future business

With a lot of these "ideas" ..are they just ideas or have you really done this more than once? If so why not post links to your contests? I see a lot of ideas on here that don't seem all that do-able and I wonder who actually does this? Links please?

Thanks
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joe golfer

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Freebiequeen1999

I wouldn't get all worked up. Many posts here are only ideas, and the poster may not have tried the idea in the real world. After a while, you can figure out which people are the real deal.

The trick is to use what you can from the idea for your own projects. You might get some new insight you never would have thought of. You can also help others if you have experience on the topic, no matter if the OP does or (very often) does not.

Thanks

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Marketing is not a battle of products. It is a battle of perceptions.
- Jack Trout

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Glenn Rodgers 10 years ago

That is the nice sharing in the offline marketing section. Good job @InfoKop
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- Billionairy 10 years ago
  
  Hey InfoKop,
  
  I'm thankful for your post. It may not have been detailed but it has my creative juices flowing with some ideas. I actually did see a sales page a couple months back about this same type of thing......run contest with local businesses against one another. Can't remember the name though.
  
  Thanks
  
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AskMsD 9 years ago

That sounds good, could you use this method with churches for fundraising and ask for a percentage of the of the funds that you raise. I am just asking if you think this could work in this venue. Thanks
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Easiest Way to Sign Up To 10 Offline Clients in 2-3 Weeks! EASY!

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