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Best way to get into offline marketing?

by Tyke
13 replies
I've been concentrating on the online side of things so far, but I can see a lot of possibilities locally for venturing into the offline world, so I wondered if any of you involved in that area could help me with some tips on how to get started, as I'd at least like to dip my toes in the murky puddles of offline to see if I can make a go of it.

Thanks in advance,
Ray
#local #marketing #offline
  • Profile picture of the author beeswarn
    Here is a three-step plan that will help you get started and enjoy a lot of success

    Step one: Get a phone.
    Step two: Find a list
    Step three: Make a lot of calls.
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    • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
      Originally Posted by beeswarn View Post

      Here is a three-step plan that will help you get started and enjoy a lot of success

      Step one: Get a phone.
      Step two: Find a list
      Step three: Make a lot of calls.
      While this may seem like a very simple solution, do not overlook it.

      If you have the ability to make calls you will be ahead of most. A lot of people don't have the guts to call people, they think they're annoying them or out of place by calling. Overcoming this fear, puts you ahead of the pack.
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  • Profile picture of the author racso316
    Have a system, a business plan, before you make those calls.
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  • Profile picture of the author beeswarn
    Right. I took it for granted that you have a business plan and that you can read and write, walk and tie your own shoes. I wanted to give you tips to help you start marketing offline.

    Go ahead and get on the phone and start presenting your services to people who can buy them.

    When you get scared, frustrated, tired or lonely, don't come back here during the day under any circumstances.

    Daytime is for selling. Night time is for studying, screwing around on the web and asking other people what they think.

    Go have a good day selling.
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    • Profile picture of the author rbecklund

      When you get scared, frustrated, tired or lonely, don't come back here during the day under any circumstances.

      Daytime is for selling. Night time is for studying, screwing around on the web and asking other people what they think.
      Very true - During the day I have banned myself from this place, also any other online timewaster like facebook, newspapers etc. Need all the possible day time to make calls.
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      • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
        Here are some ideas:

        # 1: Talk to business owners one on one. Talk to business owners you already know, the owners of businesses where you're spending money, business owners your friends know.

        Also ask everyone you talk to who they know.

        Using a system to get referrals is probably the most effective way to get hired.


        # 2: Simply walk into businesses and talk to the staff and/or owner in a low key way, asking a ton of questions and gradually guiding the conversation around to ideas you have to help them based on the information they give you.

        The people willing to do this are usually the ones who go from zero to making a full time living the fastest.



        # 3: Go to business networking meetings and other meetings like Lions, Rotary, Toastmasters and trade shows where a high percentage of business owners are present.

        Ask questions, listen and get to know the people there. Take their cards and stay in touch.

        Since most people going to business networking meetings are desperately trying to sell their products or services be the person who is interested in everyone, asks lots of questions and makes no real attempt to sell anything on first contact.

        If you build relationships and show a genuine interest people will want to do business with you and/or send prospects to you.



        # 4: Call on the telephone. Calling on the phone shouldn't be underrated. You can call cold (I strongly recommend Ari Galper's courses etc) or you can use the phone to follow up...or both.


        # 5: Email. Email works better if it's combined with some kind of referral or previous connection (following up with the business owner after meeting him or mentioning someone they know who recommended you contact them).

        You can use snail mail to follow up too. Sending a valuable article or information by mail can be quite powerful.



        If you're serious the most important thing you can do is take action right now.

        Talking to business owners and getting hired is a skill you'll only develop by doing it.

        Remember to focus on asking questions, being genuinely interested and listening and you should do fine.

        Don't be too concerned about getting hired in your first week or so doing this.

        Just focus on spending a lot of time talking to business owners, asking questions and listening and you'll get comfortable with it very quickly and start building some valuable relationships.

        Kindest regards,
        Andrew Cavanagh
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        Old School Copy Like This Is BACK & Converting Like Crazy!
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  • Profile picture of the author Green Diamond
    Gain you clients from Google if you are looking for leads..
    A hot offline business can be your local suppliers & doctors to have them online promotion & take some commissions.
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  • Profile picture of the author dtaylor
    A pretty fast way to get started is to begin with Mobile Marketing.

    WillR on this forum has a good course.

    Get yourself up to speed, then look up the most obvious candidates (restaurants, towing companies, locksmiths etc.) in your area. Find the ones that do not have a mobile-optimized website.

    Put together a route, go see each one and show them on your phone their competitors mobile site.

    Do the first ones cheap if you have to. Sub-contract the site building if you need to.

    Good luck,
    DTaylor
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  • Profile picture of the author bob ross
    Everything above is well stated and true, you have to get out there and start calling, networking, walking in cold, etc...

    But find something you really feel comfortable offering, whether it's mobile websites, web design, seo, sms, direct mail, whatever.

    Even if you want to just sell them something cheap and easy to implement, go ahead and do it and build up some business relationships. You don't want to get in over your head at first so keep it simple and offer products or services that don't require a whole lot of work on your end.

    Once you've got some relationships, some clients, and some more confidence/experience, you can start upselling all of them and offering new services that will be more profitable.
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  • Profile picture of the author Seantrepreneur
    JUMP IN!!

    If that's picking up the phone, talking to ppl on the street, going door to door to businesses whatever it is, DO IT!

    The hardest part of starting in offline marketing is actually starting in offline marketing. Make sense?

    Figure out what you want to offer for services, learn as much as you can about that service and start talking to ppl.

    Don't worry about any excuse that might come up for you not to start. Just start somewhere and learn from your mistakes.

    Hope that helps,

    Sean
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    -------->Started with $500 on Amazon and building it from there. Week #1 income report is live ($593.78 in revenue)<----------
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Hunt
    Decide on what type of service you are going to offer local businesses in your area, then simply go through your local directory and start calling them.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tyke
    Thanks to everybody for the great advice. I know quite a few business owners in my local area, so I'll start by approaching them and see where we go from there.

    I'm also going to grab Bob Ross's WSO - it looks amazing, and it sounds like it can be very profitable if you're willing to put in the effort. Well, I'm ready AND willing - able may be another matter, but it won't be for the want of trying.

    If anybody else can provide any more suggestions, please feel free to do so. I'm going to compile all the suggestions into a binder and get my offline business up and running.

    I'm thinking of starting a blog to keep myself accountable and to track my progress. I'll be back to post the URL if anybody's interested.

    To all our success!
    Ray
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