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Offline Marketing Strategy Help (Old Business Cards)

by jasonsluck
10 replies
I was going through some old files and I uncovered about 100 old business cards of people I used to associate with from previous jobs. I'm trying to figure out a creative way to use these contacts to make money with affiliate marketing. For one, I know I can put them on an email list and email them offers, but I am trying to figure out other creative strategies to employ with this list. Most of the people on the business cards are small business owners, ie landscapers, car detailers, some lawyers, etc. I am open to hearing some ideas on how to make money with these people. Any and all suggestions is GREATLY appreciated!
#business #cards #marketing #offline #strategy
  • Profile picture of the author WhatTheFrenchToast
    Build a relationship with them before you try to market to them. If they were previous business associates, start by checking in on them...telling them you ran across their business card and wondered how business was going for them.

    I guess it really depends on what your relationship was like before. If you were tight, that's a great list!
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    • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
      The Amazing 4 Line Letter sent by snail mail would work like a treat with a list like that but unfortunately you have to be a gold member at offlinebiz.com to get access to it.

      It's really not a great idea to put these people on a list without talking to them first.

      If you have a previous relationship with them you could call them up on the phone or email them to reestablish contact.

      You don't have to try to sell anything just say hi and how are they doing...ask questions about them and gradually about their business.

      When they ask questions about you and what you're up to be brief and deflect more questions back to them.

      That will avoid the perception that you're just trying to sell them something and demonstrate that you are interested in them.


      If you want to do email you can just email all of them one by one with something simple saying hi, who you are, how you know them and ask them how they're doing.

      The first step is to be human and establish contact again in a low key way.

      That will open the doors in the future for you to talk about other things.

      Also remember these business owners don't have to hire you.

      A business owner who gives you referrals is often more valuable than just one paying client.

      Kindest regards,
      Andrew Cavanagh
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    • Profile picture of the author joshril
      Originally Posted by WhatTheFrenchToast View Post

      Build a relationship with them before you try to market to them. If they were previous business associates, start by checking in on them...telling them you ran across their business card and wondered how business was going for them.

      I guess it really depends on what your relationship was like before. If you were tight, that's a great list!
      This is right on the money! Call them up, let them know you found their business card and wanted to see how business was going. No pitch... ask them if there's anything they need help with in their business.

      When you find out what's important to them and what their problems are, then you can recommend solutions to those problems and get paid for helping them.

      --Joshua
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      • Profile picture of the author Bronwyn and Keith
        Hi Joshua

        Yeah thats a good approach. If you really knew them they will in most case remember you.

        Thats always a good thing as at least they can put a face to the name.

        Regards

        Bronwyn and Keith
        Originally Posted by joshril View Post

        This is right on the money! Call them up, let them know you found their business card and wanted to see how business was going. No pitch... ask them if there's anything they need help with in their business.

        When you find out what's important to them and what their problems are, then you can recommend solutions to those problems and get paid for helping them.

        --Joshua
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      • Profile picture of the author jasonsluck
        Originally Posted by joshril View Post

        This is right on the money! Call them up, let them know you found their business card and wanted to see how business was going. No pitch... ask them if there's anything they need help with in their business.

        When you find out what's important to them and what their problems are, then you can recommend solutions to those problems and get paid for helping them.

        --Joshua
        So you're basically saying to kinda be a doctor and find out their problem first then prescribe the solution aka offer, that makes sense!
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    • Profile picture of the author jasonsluck
      Originally Posted by WhatTheFrenchToast View Post

      Build a relationship with them before you try to market to them. If they were previous business associates, start by checking in on them...telling them you ran across their business card and wondered how business was going for them.

      I guess it really depends on what your relationship was like before. If you were tight, that's a great list!
      The funny thing is i got most of these business cards when I was working in a gas station about 7 years ago. I was pretty tight and u think they will remember me.

      I'm just wondering which offers to push on them and how to squeeze the most money out of them. I probably have over 50 business cards. Thanks for the tip! I will keep thinking.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Peters Benn
    Originally Posted by jasonsluck View Post

    I was going through some old files and I uncovered about 100 old business cards of people I used to associate with from previous jobs. I'm trying to figure out a creative way to use these contacts to make money with affiliate marketing. For one, I know I can put them on an email list and email them offers, but I am trying to figure out other creative strategies to employ with this list. Most of the people on the business cards are small business owners, ie landscapers, car detailers, some lawyers, etc. I am open to hearing some ideas on how to make money with these people. Any and all suggestions is GREATLY appreciated!
    I would send them a simple letter offering them LUNCH at a seminar, where there will be the chance to learn how to manage an email list of customers as well as JV with other industries with similar customers.

    Explain that at the end, their will be a sales opportunity (I'd put it a little better than that).

    The extreme honesty of the letter, and a little humour. Plus the opportunity of lunch, usually does quite well.

    You might also consider charging a nominal ticket price as it seems to help attendance.

    The more you can warm them up and reconnect, the better your final sales will be.

    I guess you should also be asking - how can I help deliver value to them - and this is definitely one way - a list building and swapping exercise.
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    • Profile picture of the author jasonsluck
      Originally Posted by Steve Peters Benn View Post

      I would send them a simple letter offering them LUNCH at a seminar, where there will be the chance to learn how to manage an email list of customers as well as JV with other industries with similar customers.

      Explain that at the end, their will be a sales opportunity (I'd put it a little better than that).

      The extreme honesty of the letter, and a little humour. Plus the opportunity of lunch, usually does quite well.

      You might also consider charging a nominal ticket price as it seems to help attendance.

      The more you can warm them up and reconnect, the better your final sales will be.

      I guess you should also be asking - how can I help deliver value to them - and this is definitely one way - a list building and swapping exercise.
      I will be thinking about this. Have you ever done a seminar before? I haven't. I may need some help or resources.
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  • Profile picture of the author MsMotivation1
    I would call them up first and re-introduce yourself... once you find out how their busines is going, let them know what you do and how you can help them.

    They're considered "warm" leads depending on how you obtained the business cards.

    More than likely, you have some future clients in that stack!
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    • Profile picture of the author Alessandro Zamboni
      Hi, I'm perfectly in accord with Joshril.
      First try to contact them and try to establish a connection, then ask them if they need something to make their business go better.

      In every case they will remember you, if you were a good contact for them, and then you can laumch new ideas for their offline mind

      See you,
      Alessandro Zamboni
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