"Hybrid Marketing" -Online Offline Business Model

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Here's what I did in 2002 and it generated 600k in 4 months.

1: Started a Modeling site.
2: Offered a $299. per year membership.
3: The model recieved web space on our site to showcase their portfolio to industry people.
4: The model recieved a weekly newsletter, inclduing up to 50 updated casting call listings.

5: Placed an ad on monster.com for representatives who could find models for our site...
6: Told them they got 100.00 for everymodel they referred.
7: Charged them $299.00 to become an affiliate with our company.

The ad on monster immediately sent us over 500 applicants within a week...

My telemarketers (3 or 4) called them back and

A: "interviewed them" for the affilaite position... ( the prospect would have to sell themself to the telemarketer).
B: Take their credit card number and send them an affilaite pack via snail mail...

The 20% of the affilaites would go out and recruit a few models per week... then 80% failed to do anything... but interestingly we had the whole first 3 pages of yahoo... for certain keywords, and we never really advertised on the internet, our affiliates did it all.

That business failed its first year but not before making almost a million dollars... mostly due to my inability to manage money...

Anyway, take what you can from that... there are alot of ways that you can infuse online and offline... make hybrid models...

I want to start sharing my experience here more and maybe an idea of where to go next will start forming more clearly.
#business #hybrid #model #offline #online
  • Profile picture of the author 91213
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    • Profile picture of the author John Durham
      Originally Posted by 91213 View Post

      so you charged the affiliate and the model. The affiliate pays initial $299 and then they recruit models who they get to sign up for $299 and you pay affiliate $100 out of the $299 for the sale.

      interesting. Lets be real here. Any wanna be recruiter who had $299 you accepted and any wannabe model you accepted. Still not a bad concept.

      "Any wanna be model was accepted"

      Translation: Any model who had a portfolio that they wanted to list on our site paid the fee to post it.

      "Any wanna be recruiter was selected"

      Yes the "interview" was designed to give the telemarketer leverage in making a more effortless sale... That was the whole brilliance of my system.

      Translation: Any wanna be recruiter that saw potential to make more than $299. recruiting , and was willing to bet on themselves... or else every tom dick and Harry would be joining up just to get a business card that said he was affiliated with a modeling company... Truly I gave them a work book (for presenting the site to potential models..." and also biz cards... and a web page... there was some real expense involved in signing them up to be a recruiter , but even more Profit

      Untimately the only people who lost money were the ones who signed up and never went out recruiting... it truly was a good opportunity and I had more than a few affiliates who averaged making 5 or 600 bucks per week.

      And yes, some of the models on our site got Jobs... even got signed to agencies... My main endorsements managed several athletes and all the Guess models, victoria secrets... how'd I get that endorsement? From telemarketing and offering agencies a web page on my site...
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      • Profile picture of the author kiopa
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        Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

        Yes the "interview" was designed to give the telemarketer leverage in making a more effortless sale... That was the whole brilliance of my system.
        Yeah, I had a client who used to do that in the loans & mortgages industry. Post job ads in various places, looking Loan & Mortgage Consultants, and offered training. Then just like you, their call-center would "interview" them as well.

        Worked quite well for them, and money went round, and round.
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  • Profile picture of the author insomniacl
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    • Profile picture of the author John Durham
      Originally Posted by insomniacl View Post

      Pretty good, reminds me of a pyramid scheme though (since you have to pay to play). Did the models ever get value out of your service?
      I guess maybe a pyramid scheme is something people look down on, I dont know exactly what makes something a "pyramid scheme"... its not a pyramid scheme... its just a home business that costs to get started in and you make a commission for getting sales.
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  • Profile picture of the author 91213
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    • Profile picture of the author John Durham
      Originally Posted by 91213 View Post

      Ok out of curiosity.

      Who provided the scripts for the telemarketers? Did you write them? were you a telemarketer prior doing this business? Were you leasing an office or were the telemarketers outsourced. I am sure there are other businesses you can use the exact same model and repeat.

      Well it wasnt just a script... it was a website that was relevent to an ad, that was relevent to an application process that was relevent to the phone interview...

      Not a pitch only... a "system" that would insure my telemarketers success, and make my numbers work in a consistent and reliable fashion.

      A pitch works , the numbers work, but a "system" where all the components work synergistically together, and are tied together with relevance...is what Og Mandino calls "I will learn the law of large numbers THEN I will learn to bend the numbers to my good"

      Yes I employed the staff they were paid on commission 100 bucks per sale, they loved the receptive leads I fed them with... and my tsrs each sat there and made 2-4 sales apeice all day long... They made good money, maybe too good.

      I did have an office... several over the years...we had one of the nicest offices in downtown Nashville for this project at the time.

      That all happened after I sat at a kitchen table making my own intial sales and working my numbers... later I got a few (very few) thousand in investment cap from someone who believed in it...and I got an office and hired some people understanding that it had to work the first day so I:

      A: Taped 2 100 dollar bills to the wall
      B: Told my tsrs the first day "whoever closes the first sales today takes these off the wall and keeps them"... two people blasted out sales quickly and we made about 3 grand our first day.

      I have always been a big believer that telemarketers work better under supervision wether it be inhouse or remote.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    Well I reveal alot here on the forum... not really holding anything back... its all here. Its all over the forum the answer to that... Just keep digging. I will be happy to answer any specific question that I can though in an open fashion that serves the greater good of the forum.

    If I could make you 5k per month... well I just cant... its up to the individual sitting at a table working out every variable and nuance of their "personal" plan of action.

    We can show systems that work but you apply them however they work best for you... much of it is trial and error.

    Thanks for being interested.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    Personally I am just now seeing the value I have to offer the marketing community... but it has been years of trial error, work and hardcore experience that makes me confident in my ability to begin taking my place as an authority on the subjects Im good at...
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    • Profile picture of the author creative producer
      Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

      Personally I am just now seeing the value I have to offer the marketing community... but it has been years of trial error, work and hardcore experience that makes me confident in my ability to begin taking my place as an authority on the subjects Im good at... and lots of lost money as well as gained.

      Congrats on finding your unique value to the community. You seem to have come to this place through sharing your knowledge generously with others. You have a lot to offer. Thanks for showing up with your hard won experience.

      -CP
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  • Profile picture of the author 91213
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    • Profile picture of the author Kevin AKA Hubcap
      Good stuff John,

      I was thinking about a similar concept but a few things derailed me before I started. Hopefully you'll be able to address those areas in your answers to the following questions.

      What was the site design like? Was it more modeling agency (pretty, flashy etc.) more direct response or a combination of the two?

      I ask because you needed to convince the models that you could do what you promised. I'm assuming you weren't some well known scouting/talent agency so what did you do that made them feel comfortable signing up and spending $300 to have their portfolio listed.

      The same goes for the modeling agencies. What did you do to make them feel comfortable associating with your company and what kind of page did you supply them on your site?

      I see a lot of opportunity in situations such as these but always feel I lack the authority to enter the market (if you know what I mean).

      Looking forward to your response.

      Kevin
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      • Profile picture of the author John Durham
        Originally Posted by Kevin AKA Hubcap View Post

        Good stuff John,

        I was thinking about a similar concept but a few things derailed me before I started. Hopefully you'll be able to address those areas in your answers to the following questions.

        What was the site design like? Was it more modeling agency (pretty, flashy etc.) more direct response or a combination of the two?

        I ask because you needed to convince the models that you could do what you promised. I'm assuming you weren't some well known scouting/talent agency so what did you do that made them feel comfortable signing up and spending $300 to have their portfolio listed.

        The same goes for the modeling agencies. What did you do to make them feel comfortable associating with your company and what kind of page did you supply them on your site?

        I see a lot of opportunity in situations such as these but always feel I lack the authority to enter the market (if you know what I mean).

        Looking forward to your response.

        Kevin
        Love it Kevin. I remember you from the "Export Brokering Thread..."

        Authority

        1: Authority is established by association in large part.

        A: Get Endorsements.

        My first major endorser supported me because I gave him something for free, and because I said "yes sir, and no sir"... he really believed In my concept and thought it had potential... I didnt know it when I cold called his agency... but he was a HUUUUGE player. Complete accident...

        Now ad this agencies endorsement, plus add the portfolio of every super model on that agencies roster to your site, along with quotes from the agency president... Things start rolling pretty fast.

        The value that the models recieved was this:

        1: An opportunity to place their portfolio on our site.
        2: The opportunity to recieve a monthly newsletter containing REAL casting calls for television shows and modeling gigs, music videos and the like...whereby they could send links to their online portfolios to executives.
        3: Several models actually used the tip sheets to send links to their portfolios and ended up getting modeling jobs as a result... our major endorser even signed a kid... one "musician even ended up getting to co write with a #1 Nashville hit writer...

        But there were two inherent problems with my plan...
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        • Profile picture of the author Kevin AKA Hubcap
          Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

          Love it Kevin. I remember you from the "Export Brokering Thread..."
          John,

          I thought your avatar looked familiar.


          Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

          But there were two inherent problems with my plan...

          Wanna hear em? Ask me.
          Alright, I'll bite. What were the two inherent problems and I'm also wondering if there was a lot of sales staff turnover?
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    • Profile picture of the author John Durham
      Originally Posted by 91213 View Post

      Ok here is a question......were you giving the affiliates ongoing support? WHat did you give them for the $299? I mean a package of sales tactics or what? How did you train the telemarketers? I still didnt get that really. I understand it was a system but did you have some kind of policy and procedure manual? I guess I am asking how was the business model structured. Who structured it you or someone else?

      I am more interested in the employees role of the operation to get an idea of how to manage,delegate, and/or outsource task.
      Indeed.

      Affiliates recieved ongoing support as well as a forum to train in that was moderated pretty much by myself. The ongoing online training given was pretty much just plain ole sales training... they had all the same problems any sales team does... basic salesmanagement online.

      Later I created "regional directors" who would manage small groups online. You could become a regional director by meeting certain sales goals.

      They were sent a 5 page (flip through) presentation folder... including all the paperwork... they would need to sign someone up. They also recieved businesscards, access to training forum, and finally their own personal affiliate web page with pic to give them credibility... they would send models to their affiliate pages via handing out biz cards or what have you... and recieve commissions when model signed up...

      The business model was structured as you see it layed out before you here... pretty much based on some age old marketing concepts with my own special twists... I call them nuances.

      Day to day operations consisted of me

      A: Going to the office every morning
      B: Saying hello to my secretary asking her about batches raan the day before...
      C: Having a fifteen minute motivational talk with sales crew
      D: Go back to my office
      E: Get online and answer email all day, and manage monster ad campaigns... keep telemarketers fed with leads...
      F: Think of ways to improve... talk to my agency endorsements here and there...
      G: Manage my webdesigner ... he was from china... I paid him $400 per week to work online via IM 8 hours per day.
      H: Manage money... cash flow...
      I: The most important thing was keeping all the staff motivated...
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      • Profile picture of the author 91213
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    Np... the best is yet to come. All business requires effort, at least at first. You have to be your own mastermind. You have to be your own MVP

    Good luck.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    Originally Posted by socialbookmark View Post

    Do you think this business still works?
    Also the situation of internet was very different in 2002 comparing 2010. And another question is are you still make money from this website?
    No , unfortunately Im not making money off that website today... but could be easily, and not have to close this next time around because I know things now that could have prevented the companies demise.... but yes, it could work again. The concept works everyday for companies all over the place, I just had my own twist by adding leverage for the telemarketer.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    Okay, I keep trying to get back to this thread and keep getting distracted... I better make this short

    Kevin, it was chargebacks that destryoed that business... if I had it to do over again, that would have been nothing. I have alot better ways of dealing with affiliates and cash flow now... It was affiliates charge backs.

    1: The ads pulled a consistent number like clockwork
    2: The TSR's closed a consitent number of apps like clockwork
    3: The 20% of the agents performed exactly at 40% of their suggested quota, as I had projected, just like clockwork
    4: 3-4 k per day coming in the door EVERYDAY just like clockwork...
    5: A consistent 7% "Chargeback Ratio" was just like Clockwork.

    Why?

    Because agents would get the package, and then not go out and recruit, and not make any money... and instead of asking for refunds 7% of them consistently charged back instead...

    My merchant account was frozen twice over it the first time freezing a few thousand, and the second time freezing tens of thousands...

    and it just seemed like I couldnt keep a merchant account.

    So that was the inherent flaw in the plan...

    THE MODELS? They loved the site. It was affiliate chargebacks that finally beat my idea to a halt...

    The first freeze hurt us... the second disabled us.

    It may seem odd how a business can have 20-30k frozen and be flattened within 60 days... but its a butterfly affect.

    Let me illustrate:

    You havent batched in like five days because of technical issues..., just hired hired 4 more telemarketers put out a grand in ads to facilitate them with leads...so sales are doubled...

    Then BAMM!!!!

    Your merchant company freezes an almost 30k batch...

    So no money is going into your bank for a couple of weeks till you can get another temp account because yours is frozen un "review"...

    Next... the rent and 5 other expenses hit your bank account... and its overdrawn by a couple of grand.

    Next you go and explain "I have finaces but they are temporarily being held under review"...

    So your bank pays checks... and they loan you 5k to help you keep your payroll going for a couple of weeks...

    Only guess what? Your money a couple of weeks later still hasnt been released...

    Now, you owe your telemarketers for two weeks of work, rent is coming up again... your vendors are all behind on being paid...

    You owe your bank 5k and they are nervous...

    Still you are trying to get through the app process for another acccount and its moving slow...

    you finally get the account so you start rolling again...

    20k in business later... Bamm you get froze again...

    Its over... unless that first company releases your batch... its over... so you sweat it out for a few more weeks... still nothing..

    A year later I got about 15k back of almost 30k frozen... but that biz could not be saved in time.

    Chargebacks...

    Looking back being more seasoned I could have breezed through that like nothing... but at the time the answers eluded me...

    The model would still work. It would take alot of work to crank it back up but I suspect that it would work the same. I've successfully applied different variations of it to other peoples businesses that I've managed since... some saw much better results than 600k
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
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    • Profile picture of the author peter_act
      Hi John,

      I haven't noticed you before on this forum, but I'm glad I have now.

      You have a lot to contribute, and obviously know what you are doing.

      I have a list of about ten Warrior "good guys", who I read without fail, as they always have something interesting to contribute.

      I think you hust joined my list!
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  • Profile picture of the author Nick Brighton
    There's one nugget I got from this which I haven't seen anyone else pick up on yet:

    MAKE AFFILIATES INVEST, AND YOU GET SUPER AFFILIATES WORKING FOR YOU.

    It's the same as selling a high ticket training program. The more you pay for it, the more you'll make darn sure you see it through and get results.

    Everyone else will say "wah, wah, if you charge to join your affiliate program nobody will sign up...wah, wah"

    But what really happens, as proved by the OP, is that you get less sign ups, but the ones who DO sign up take it deadly serious and make darn sure they make their money back.

    In other words - you profit from the recruitment process on the front end, and clean up on the backend when affiliates work overtime to make you (and them) the money.

    Pure genius.
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    • Profile picture of the author John Durham
      Originally Posted by Nick Brighton View Post

      There's one nugget I got from this which I haven't seen anyone else pick up on yet:

      MAKE AFFILIATES INVEST, AND YOU GET SUPER AFFILIATES WORKING FOR YOU.

      It's the same as selling a high ticket training program. The more you pay for it, the more you'll make darn sure you see it through and get results.

      Everyone else will say "wah, wah, if you charge to join your affiliate program nobody will sign up...wah, wah"

      But what really happens, as proved by the OP, is that you get less sign ups, but the ones who DO sign up take it deadly serious and make darn sure they make their money back.

      In other words - you profit from the recruitment process on the front end, and clean up on the backend when affiliates work overtime to make you (and them) the money.

      Pure genius.


      Thank you . One person got the clincher... But affiliates wouldnt pay right? Why would they with all the free programs out there?

      Let me put it to you this way:

      First of all "Go where the competition is not"

      Clickbank isnt the most effective way to get affilaites... go create them your self with your own ads... try career builder, hot jobs, monster... A $300 ad will create a bunch of interested affiliates for you who dont know the first thing about clickbank, or affiliates programs where you can play without paying...

      Secondly,

      My friend used to sell the same amount of product I did, and for awhile he made more money... because he charged a higher price than me...

      I said How do you get that price? He said "I just tell them thats how much it cost".

      I had been telling people $300. (so had most of the other salesman) BUT he had been telling the customers the price was $600

      I made $100 profit per sale, but he made $400 on the same sale, and at two sales a day, the difference between our paychecks was HUUUGE!

      So how did I get affiliates to pay me 300.00 just for the opportunity?

      The answer: " I told them it cost $300."

      BTW: Even though they had to invest still 80% didnt give their best. The 80/20 rule is "principle".


      Lastly: Why does it work better when you charge the affiliates?

      Because "opportunity" sells (in this case actually better than the actual product) and because it was easier targeting opportunity seekers than models in advertising... this made advertising to models obsolete for us. The affiliates did that part.

      Having an affiliate network is as good as having a big advertising budget, only you dont even have to write the ads.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rob Howard
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    • Profile picture of the author stacyfox
      If you were running this business today, what would you do to overcome the chargeback issue?

      Stacy
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  • Profile picture of the author theprofitguru
    It is amazing how many ways there are for making good money. You just have to think outside of the box and take action . Great post.
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  • Profile picture of the author Vagabond 007
    Great thread!

    John, I've seen you around here and always liked your posts. But I REALLY like this thread. Refreshing to read war stories from others who have been in the sales/marketing battlefield.

    Thanks for the posts.
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  • Profile picture of the author paulie888
    This is an awesome thread, an excellent example of out of the box thinking in the offline world. This could be easily modified in any number of ways - to showcase artists, bands, musicians, etc.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    Indeed. Im glad you all appreciate this concept. I was quite proud of it at the time. It would still work the same way because its based on 'principle'.

    Some guy was interviewing me, then deleted all of his posts, so I guess it looks like Im talking to a ghost now, sorry about that. I hope it inspires someone though.
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  • Profile picture of the author TheOverall
    This concept will always work because there will always be people that will spend money on it.

    However, a lot of people use it too aggressively which results in pretty damn scammy scenarios.

    For example, a friend of mine (a really dumb friend in terms of marketing) called me some time ago, saying he wants my opinion on an "easy way to make money" that some random friend of a friend mentioned.

    I come in, it's a seminar. Filled with offline people. They talk about how they're filthy rich. Then they show off an "amazing" hosting system that allows them to (omg) store files online.

    Buy this "amazing" hosting system (which is a $3/mo shared hosting solution) for $500 and as a bonus get $600 for referring 2 people who will do the same.

    It is a little bit different with OPs scenario, but overall concept is same. Which is why I would never go for it. But maybe it's just me.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    Its just you.
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    • Profile picture of the author peter_act
      John,
      I'll tell you what I did last night.
      I went to a small business marketing seminar to see if I could pick up a few tips.

      As I listened to the presenter, I gradually realised I knew more about internet marketing than he did.
      I had to stop myself from interrupting him and taking over his presentation.

      Now I know no more than do most people on this forum, about SEO, web design etc.
      And the attendees, mostly people just starting out with their own business, were wide eyed at what this guy was telling them.

      My point to this post is this:

      People, if you are a regular visitor to this forum, you have within you the capacity to make a heap of cash.

      Just don't concentrate on making money online, you'll never make it!!

      As John says, concentrate on mixing online with offline, in other words tell the offline market what you know about online marketing.

      Get 50 clients (easy) charge them $250 a month to look after their website (easy), and bank the $10,000 a month (even easier!)

      Don't waste your time gazing at the stars and ignoring what's right in front of you here on earth.
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  • Profile picture of the author deannatroupe
    Okay don't beat me up when I ask this question. How do I find offline people without going door to door or calling up 20 businesses a day? I've got a baby and a disabled husband (yeah I know who cares) so I can't spend a lot of time outside the house or on the phone. That's why I've just put the offline thing on hold until my daughter gets older. Of course maybe I could partner with someone...Maybe I could do the computer stuff and they could do the sales part. What do you guys think about that?
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    • Profile picture of the author LasseKohau
      Hi Deanna, if you want business - you must be were businessowners are.

      You do not have to go to clients in the real world, to cut a deal.


      When I first started offline consulting, I had a career job, a wife, two small kids and a university education to pass - so i went online, where businessowners are present.

      FORUMS

      I joined two or three active forums for small businessowneers, and spent around 20 min on each every day,

      1) Suggesting ideas to businessowners - never what they should do !
      2) Asking questions about thier biggest obstacles in current businessmodel !
      (always more revenue, cut costs, raise profit, alliances)
      3) Telling them, about making more sales thunnels online and just shortly explaining some methods fx. setting up an autorepondser, to save a receponist.

      I created circles about interest for offline consulting, and more and more members came to me for advice. When they asked for advice, I woiuld suggest one thing - but refer to a friend - who could tell them much more about the advantages of online presence. (I refered myself - by my real name). i never spoke with them on Skype, before they got real clients and none of them, have had any suspesion, that I was referring myself in the forums to my own company.

      Good luck, LASSE
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    • Profile picture of the author T.R. McCarroll
      Originally Posted by deannatroupe View Post

      Okay don't beat me up when I ask this question. How do I find offline people without going door to door or calling up 20 businesses a day? I've got a baby and a disabled husband (yeah I know who cares) so I can't spend a lot of time outside the house or on the phone. That's why I've just put the offline thing on hold until my daughter gets older. Of course maybe I could partner with someone...Maybe I could do the computer stuff and they could do the sales part. What do you guys think about that?
      Your best bet maybe with limited available time is to go where the business people are:

      1. Attend Toastmaster meetings
      2. Local BNI
      3. MeetUp
      4. Church Groups
      5. Chamber Of Commerce
      6. Local Networking Groups
      7. Hold Once A Month Seminars At The Local Hotel

      It may start off small at first but you also might need that many clients.

      Just think were business people hang out in large groups

      Thom
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    • Profile picture of the author peter_act
      Originally Posted by deannatroupe View Post

      Okay don't beat me up when I ask this question. How do I find offline people without going door to door or calling up 20 businesses a day? I've got a baby and a disabled husband so I can't spend a lot of time outside the house or on the phone.
      Deanna,

      Cold Calling
      Now if you hate cold calling - no problem!
      I hate cold calling too. You can always outsource this part.
      Once you have gathered "hot leads" for your local business then you can outsource the cold calling part.
      Nowadays it is possible to use sites such as Gumtree.com and Fiverr and recruit people who are willing to cold call for you for cheap.
      For example, let me head over to Fiverr and you will see what I mean.

      I can see a person there who is willing to call 25 leads for you and try to close them on a sale.
      This person has "telemarketing experience" and for just $5.00 she is willing to do this.
      Now this will not only save you a lot of time and money but it also eliminates the barrier of cold calling. A lot of sales and marketing companies hire call centre staff so they can focus on the other aspects of the business.

      Just a thought

      Or you could send prospects a letter, but send it by courier. No-one will throw away a couriered letter.

      Hope this helps
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  • Profile picture of the author LasseKohau
    Excellent businessmodel, combining offline/online worlds.

    LASSE
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  • Profile picture of the author deannatroupe
    Thanks Lasse. At least I know I'm on the right track.
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    • Profile picture of the author AfteraDream
      Looks like I know my next venture.. Mix up offline with online marketing and help businesses get business. I'm kinda scared ot go face-to-face tho lol..gonna start online.

      Thnx a lot for this thread!
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  • Profile picture of the author MWGrubb58
    What a thread!

    Thanks John!

    Having a mix of both online and offline together is really where it's at in my opinion.

    Remember the saying, "A one-eyed man in the land of the blind is king." Well sir, we are like one-eyed men in a dark room with light coming through the door. All of our experience on the web is useless if we don't use it.

    What's exciting is that those of us that have been "Offline" most of our careers, can use the web to make what we know even more practical.

    Bravo, John!
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    • Profile picture of the author John Durham
      Originally Posted by MWGrubb58 View Post

      What a thread!

      Thanks John!

      Having a mix of both online and offline together is really where it's at in my opinion.

      Remember the saying, "A one-eyed man in the land of the blind is king."

      Bravo, John!
      Exactly. Go where the blind are.
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  • Profile picture of the author mr2monster
    Great thread John, I got some great ideas from this. Thanks for posting.
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  • Profile picture of the author GrahamHobbs
    Brilliant thread John! You're obviously very creative with a good business acumen. You've given me some great ideas - good luck with your own!
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    • Profile picture of the author John Durham
      Originally Posted by GrahamHobbs View Post

      Brilliant thread John! You're obviously very creative with a good business acumen. You've given me some great ideas - good luck with your own!

      Today I own a telemarketing forum, and its probably what I will do for the rest of my life. Doesnt bring in money like offline sales (which I still do), but maybe someday it will, until then ; its the most passionate thing I have ever done, and I see it as a valuable resource for those who want help, so its worth nurturing.

      Ideals have become just as much a part of prosperity to me as money, and so my forum is more of an "Ideal".

      Some who know me know that in plato's terminology I fall into the temperament category of "idealist champion' (or (EN/FP)... so this works for me real well!
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      • Profile picture of the author Diane S
        Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

        Today I own a telemarketing forum, and its probably what I will do for the rest of my life. Doesnt bring in money like offline sales (which I still do), but maybe someday it will, until then ; its the most passionate thing I have ever done, and I see it as a valuable resource for those who want help, so its worth nurturing.
        John, what is this telemarketing forum to which you keep referring, in this and other threads? Is it something anyone can browse, or do you have to be a paid member?
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        • Profile picture of the author John Durham
          Originally Posted by Diane S View Post

          John, what is this telemarketing forum to which you keep referring, in this and other threads? Is it something anyone can browse, or do you have to be a paid member?
          Yes the forum is free. freely we have received and freely we give ... there are small upgrades if you want them , but seriously there's so much info on the free forum that it would take you a year to read it. Its all concentrated pure hardcore telemarketing truth too. No bs.

          I fear being self promotional at the moment, but since you asked just google the term offline telemarketing, and you will find us right at the top, like ANY respectable warrior should be!
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  • Profile picture of the author Rob Howard
    So I just noticed this after rereading the thread:

    mostly due to my inability to manage money...
    You know, I would be a millionaire if it wasn't for two things:

    1. The quote above.

    2. My inherent laziness.

    Goes to show that anyone can learn to make lots of money - whether or not you keep it is a whole different matter.

    EDIT: John, we need to create a "lazy ass, bad money management support group" or something.

    Rob
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    • Profile picture of the author painefw
      Originally Posted by ccmusicman View Post

      John, we need to create a "lazy ass, bad money management support group" or something.
      i second that motion. laziness has definately heeded my money making ability. if i was more on the ball i reckon i would be on an island somewhere in the south pacific sipping pina coladas
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  • Profile picture of the author jpeguero
    John,
    I sure like your style, man!

    Thanks for sharing.

    Juan
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  • Profile picture of the author Dhira
    Interesting thread...
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  • Profile picture of the author sandalwood
    John,

    Thank you for a great thread. Loved all of the comments. Even the ones about cold calling. I own an insurance agency and it is the ONE most profitable avenue we have ever used.

    TV, radio, newspaper ads, etc. weren't worth a tinker's dam compared to cold calling. CC is nothing more than a numbers game. For every 100 people called, you will get 10 yes's but only 5 sales. But are those 5 sales ever profitable.

    Anyway, appreciate your openness and wish you well.

    sandalwood
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  • Profile picture of the author Brandon Ellis
    As usual you are the man John. I think I actually remember seeing this ad on Monster and checking out the site! I have always dreamed of being a hand model and feel I can openly mention that here I joke. Seriously. I was joking.

    Thanks for all your contributions and sharing successes and failures. We can learn from them all for sure. You speak what is real bro and I appreciate it.

    B
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  • Profile picture of the author cashflowprofit
    I have been thinking of doing something similar for another business. And your thread has given quite a few interesting ideas to take this ahead.

    Thank you John, you are an inspiration.
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  • Profile picture of the author Joshyybaxx
    mad props on this thread to you John!

    I love hearing about true players in the game, so many people jump on wanting a mil in a week with no work or the next cookie cut biz plan someone came up with then get pissed off that they need to put in an hour or so to set it up each day.

    I respect the fact that you've lost money, failed and bounced back because really anyone can ride waves of success but when you've seen the other side and bounce back up it takes some balls.

    There's a few people I respect on this forum, simply because there's so many fakes and people who come in 1 day and leave the next because they're all show and no go it's such a refreshing thing to read a thread like this

    Thanks!
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    =)

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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    Yeah this was a great business model. It worked like a clock.
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