Launched my offline biz last week here's what I got so far.

Response is normal with no follow ups.

Dropping off flyers is great if you follow up with a phone call in a day or 2.

When you drop off flyers make sure you get the name of the business owner or person that handles their marketing. That way you can ask for them by name when you call. Rarely will a gate keeper question you when you have a name to ask for. And if they ask you what it's about simply say it's about their website or whatever your service is.

If you drop off 15 flyers a day and make the follow up calls you will make sales every week.

Hope that helps.

Also don't get too hung up on someone not responding to your call backs. People get busy. If you think there is potential there continue to follow up. If it goes on roll back you calling to once a week then once a month then just try and get ahold of them once every 3 months. Don't stop calling until they tell you no. Not calling you back is not a no.

Justin

driven247, great advice!

Seems like I was just expecting them to see the flyer and come to me but its more I have to chase them.

I will definitely start doing this from now on.

Thanks.

First, you should be proud you went out and did things...that's a big deal!

As far as responses, you did or didn't get, my reply is: It depends, It depends, it all depends..

What did the flyer say? How well was it put together? What kind of businesses did you drop it at? What did the Craigslist email say? what time of day? who saw the flyers? ...all these things affect response.

I'll tell you, in general, lead generation is about TESTING.
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Bruce

I think what you're doing is fantastic. No matter what, you're learning what works and what doesn't. Don't be too quick to give up on any single method. In marketing, we use a term called "The Pipeline." You have to shove a whole lotta marketing and sales tactics in one end of the pipeline before the sales start trickling out the other end.

I think what driven said is spot on and should be noted.

Good job, and keep it up. Don't get discouraged and test, test, test!

Congratulations for getting as far as you have done. You've already done more than most people will!

Zero calls from 15 flyer drops is not unusual. In the early days, exploiting your network is crucial. Who do you know who has friends/relatives who could benefit from your services? You need that third party testimonial that you get from an introduction.

Well, I mean no disrespect but 15 flyers is a very tiny amount of advertising. 50 emails is small too. Even my smallest test adverts have been a lot more than that. Instead, try 150 businesses to start with... and follow-up with phone calls after a few days.

Hopefully you will find your ground and get an idea of how many businesses you can turn into clients.

One question: how do they know you? Any previous work to show up your skills? Any recommendations?

Hint: You need that part of the game to cutshort your way through.

Bravo on getting your name out there! You are off to a good start!

One thing to think about... You are going after business owners who don't know you or your services... They are going to have to make a judgement about you simply by looking at your flyer or email. In this case, conversions can be pretty small because you are hoping to find someone, anyone, who is ready to hire you. You CAN find someone with this method, but it is SLOW and you get a lot of wasted effort.

Have you thought about making a list of everyone who KNOWS you, likes you, trusts you, and saying," I am going into a new phase of my business and wondering if you knew anyone who is interested in mobile marketing or website design?"

Additionally, take out your checkbook.... Who do you write checks for on an ongoing basis? (No, not the water company) If you go to a certain butcher or bakery or hair salon, then these owners already know you and more importantly, you spend money with them.... ask these folks if they need your services. You'll find a much more friendly crowd with these people.

This was a complete waste of your time. If you took the time to walk in you should have just asked to speak with the owner on the spot. How long did it take you to walk into 15 businesses?

Assuming you did not drive all over town, ( which would be another waste of time) to do this and just went down the street it couldn't have taken you more then an hour at most to just drop off a flyer.

If you take the time to walk into a business you might as well do all you can while your there to try and pitch the owner.

Congratulations on doing Something. Many don't. There is a good possibility that the business owner never saw the flyer. One thing I did in my days of business brokerage, I would put a flyer in an envelope, marked "to the owner", put under the door, after closing hours. In most instances, the owner opens the door in the morning and will at least see it. I got great results and many listings. Try it. Good luck.

one thing is for sure-you are in the right place! what i mean is, by going to small business owners for whatever product/service you are selling is a wise choice. in the late 90's, more than broke, (had to make $200K just to get broke, that did not include a house) i would go into the yellow pages and leave messages on the phones of the doctors and business owners i was seeking. i think the only difference between myself who made over 7 figures in that venture, and those who made less or nothing, was about 10,000 phone calls. btw, that IS the shortcut to making money offline, make a quick ten thousand phone calls and you will get good at it, not waste a bunch of time talking, learn to "sort, not sell", and the money will show up big time when you believe in what you are promoting and who you are as a leader.

take a more assertive approach. business owners will make a quick decision for you, my mentor used to say often, "it is better to get a quick no, than a low no". your results are typical as you have not completed the sale process yet. come up with a "buying process" you want to put your future clients on, and stay off theirs. conquer your fears of asking for the sale too. if you are just putting out info, then start leaving post it notes with recorded calls or website everywhere you go. Dr. Mike