Best offline prospecting Tips

by tush
11 replies
Hey Warriors,

Need help here... I know that there are some people who are very successful at getting prospects offline. This is for any business, real estate, network marketing, etc. Could some one please share what works for them best. I build my business entirely online but I have clients who can't stand online, they want to do it offline... your ideas are appreciated.

Thanks
tush
#offline #prospecting #tips
  • Profile picture of the author myob
    The disadvantage of marketing exclusively offline is that prospects are increasingly requesting an online presence. A website is a powerful marketing tool. The most successful companies use all of the available marketing tools such as multimedia, TV, radio, newspaper, direct mail, telephone, seminars, internet, email, etc. Of all prospecting methods, online marketing is perhaps the most economical and far-reaching.

    With that being said, all of my own offline marketing methods are used to promote my niche websites. Only a small percentage of sales are made without the involvement of my websites. About 60% of my prospects are driven exclusively from offline sources - but over 95% of those sales are a direct result of a coordinated online presence and sources.

    So, I would say this to your clients. For those who don't like online marketing, do it anyway. It's not about you, it's about appealing to your prospects and customers. Ignoring online marketing is severly restricting their marketshare. Consider that even pizza delivery is online; and online pizza orders are typically much larger because this option attracts the more affluent customer.

    Tush, you need to position yourself as the expert on best marketing practices, and perhaps try offering online marketing services to your clients as an added premium (with a free trial) to your offline consulting.
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  • Profile picture of the author tush
    Paul,

    Thanks for your great insights.. I agree. It is going to be increasingly hard to do business offline. You see, the old traditional network marketing methods encourage this method.... but you have said it very well... they may not like doing it... "but they have to do it any way." Thanks
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    • Profile picture of the author myob
      Originally Posted by tush View Post

      Paul,

      Thanks for your great insights.. I agree. It is going to be increasingly hard to do business offline. You see, the old traditional network marketing methods encourage this method.... but you have said it very well... they may not like doing it... "but they have to do it any way." Thanks
      Offline marketing is not difficult at all - it just needs to be understood from the prospect point of view. The principles of marketing have not changed. All the "old traditional" marketing methods still work just fine. The one-on-one, meetings, marketing parties, cold prospecting, mailing, etc, and all the other methods I mentioned previously are still effective marketing methods. There are just certain elements that prospects expect nowadays, such as a website. Having a website is just as important as having a business card.

      Perhaps the easiest offline method of prospecting is mailing postcards to targeted prospects. But for best results be sure to include not only your phone number but also a website. The same goes for business cards; have a website, email address, your office phone number, mobile number, and physical address as a minimum.

      One of the oldest network marketing companies - Amway, is probably the best example of full integration of every marketing tool available. The most successful marketers have websites in addtion to their old traditional offline network marketing methods.

      My businesses are promoted mostly offlline using the "old traditional" marketing methods, but the sales are almost entirely closed because of my websites.
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  • Profile picture of the author geraldinesmith88
    You have a good question here. Most of us have become so depended in the internet that we avoid real-life and face-to-face communication.
    Your question have made me think of offline sales prospecting techniques and these are what I've formulated:

    1) Wear a smile. If you always look mad, people will find you unapproachable so always wear a smile so people will find it easy to talk to you.

    2) Keep your energy level up in every step. Who would want to do business with someone who doesn't appear very happy in his life. Of course, people would want someone who looks lively.

    3) Make their day by paying compliments. If you see someone nice on his haircut, or has a job well done, do not hesitate to compliment to put a smile on their faces.

    4) When the chance for conversation arises, talk about THEIR favorite subject. This is not the time pitching your business. This is the moment of building rapport.

    5) Be a good listener. The one who controls the conversation is always the one who listens attentively.
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    • Profile picture of the author KimW
      Originally Posted by geraldinesmith88 View Post

      You have a good question here. Most of us have become so depended in the internet that we avoid real-life and face-to-face communication.
      Your question have made me think of offline sales prospecting techniques and these are what I've formulated:

      1) Wear a smile. If you always look mad, people will find you unapproachable so always wear a smile so people will find it easy to talk to you.

      2) Keep your energy level up in every step. Who would want to do business with someone who doesn't appear very happy in his life. Of course, people would want someone who looks lively.

      3) Make their day by paying compliments. If you see someone nice on his haircut, or has a job well done, do not hesitate to compliment to put a smile on their faces.

      4) When the chance for conversation arises, talk about THEIR favorite subject. This is not the time pitching your business. This is the moment of building rapport.

      5) Be a good listener. The one who controls the conversation is always the one who listens attentively.
      Here is a hint for you. Your post count will not increase with posts here in the off topic forum. Your post seemed like you wanted to give some sincere advice,so I would suggest posting up in the marketing forums.
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  • Profile picture of the author martinbin
    You provide useful information on " Best Off line Prospecting Tips" and Some Discussion include huge stuff related this and provide great guide to those who have no knowledge about Off line Prospecting.
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    • Profile picture of the author myob
      Yup, offline is where you should be.
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  • Profile picture of the author Nick30
    Hi Tush,

    In regards to offline marketing. Ever thought of something like pitch in a box? It allows your to record up to 1 minute of your voice on a gift box and stick your business card in it. Then your prospect gets it in the mail. After they open the lid they see your card and a button to hear your message. Pretty neat for those target prospects you want to get your message through too. The website is pitchinabox dot com
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  • Profile picture of the author sdentrepreneur
    Hello Tush
    Here is exactly what I did in 2008, built out my LinkedIn Profile James Hickey | LinkedIn with over 1,000 contacts and over 40 recommendations. Took my Twitter and Facebook Pages to over 75,000 connections and wrote over 100 blogs and videos.
    Then, I would go to Chamber of Commerce, Business Mixers and Business Networking and Business Referrals by LeTip International, Inc. and BNI International - Business Networking and Referrals meetings.
    I wear a white name badge with my name as Google or Facebook Marketing. People swarm around asking me for business cards and meetings. I then cherry pick who I want to work with.
    The main reason I built the large Social Media and Linkedin following is because businesses will perform their due diligence and check your background before hiring you. I hope this helps...
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  • Profile picture of the author davechan
    One of the best off-line marketing ideas that we use every month this offer some form of free seminars. In fact these seminars depending on what type of business you are in can easily be translated into a value add for the customers you're trying to attract. Seminars are easy to put on and also quite expensive because you can put them on even in your local library for free. The best way to attract people to your seminars is to put them in the local paper and created press release around the seminar. People love value added services like this and tend to buy more because of the value add.
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  • Profile picture of the author nasuryono
    I guess right now its best to go with what your clients want and then steer them in the direction that you want.
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