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Building any type of offline business

by hardyfella
7 replies
From scratch using direct mail? To be able to do this excites me and I guessing if done right can work! Anyone done this for themselves? I am in process of trying to build an event photography business and there are some event photags who claim they have never made an outgoing sales call! (uk).
#building #business #offline #type
  • Profile picture of the author GrumpyMonkey
    I would look into a local networking group/groups. Offline is all about building relationships with business owners/gatekeepers.
    The best way for me to do that is to go to places where they are all "captive" and work the room, introducing yourself and handing out cards. Set up one on one appointments at their place of business and off you go.
    I started this way 5 years ago and still use it as my top tool today. I have accumulated over 400 clients in that time. Some come and go, some become raving fans and currently, I find I need to do a lot less marketing as the referral wheel is keeping me extremely busy.

    Hope that helps a little.

    Warren
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  • Profile picture of the author zackick
    I just now thinking about promoting online biz using offline way. I still consider fews option that available.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alastair McDermott
    Look for local networking groups setup by your town's "Chamber of Commerce", or your region's "Enterprise Board".

    Also look for less formal opportunities like Barcamps, Open Coffee, etc.
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  • Profile picture of the author rob19028
    Direct mail is tough. There is an extremely low call rate. I would recommend using your advertising budget another way. There have been a few creative meathods mentioned already.
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    • Profile picture of the author EnzoBlaque
      Originally Posted by rob19028 View Post

      Direct mail is tough. There is an extremely low call rate. I would recommend using your advertising budget another way. There have been a few creative meathods mentioned already.
      I wouldn't say direct mail is "tough".. It all comes down to strong copy, and implementing the correct tactics.. Nothing difficult really.

      At time same time, I wouldn't suggest that Direct Mail is the only method you should employ.. That would be putting all your eggs into one basket. Especially since you are just starting out.

      There are several low-cost approaches you can take to generate Leads. Such as Newspaper advertising, Radio advertising, Classified Ads, Flyer Distribution.. The list is endless.

      The stronger your combination of Lead Capture tactics, the larger your profits will be

      Enzo
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  • Profile picture of the author Gary Zaydman
    I recommend check out meetup.com
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    Best pressure-less sales method to get local small business clients to try your services www.reputationrebelsystem.com

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  • Profile picture of the author vndnbrgj
    I would start looking at JV partners.
    Wedding officiants, wedding planners, businesses that hold company events, speakers, etc.

    Take some time, and sit down and think:
    What do people buy before they buy my service?
    What do they buy after my service?
    Who also serves my target customers?

    Catering companies? Rental companies?
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    Life Begins At The End Of Your Comfort Zone
    - Neale Donald Wilson -
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