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Idea for Offline Marketers

by knowwow
5 replies
I was thinking about this recent trend of assuming an internet marketing consulting role in an offline community. I've been reading the rants (small businesses don't care) and the raves (they want in, they don't know how, you'll be their god)... in any case there is a big number of people going about this direction.

I myself have though about it too, living in a 12 mil. city with virtually nobody doing this, but I am pretty sure that getting a $3000 cheque for some small task, or filling a room for $500 a seat is close to not possible here.

Anyway, being the non-focused marketer I am, I was thinking of ways of how this could be improved if I were in the US. Tell me if this would work?

Do you think it would be a good idea to build a national (or at least state-wide or regional) brand (around local online marketing services) as a franchisor (or cooperative) and have individuals as franchisees (or founders/owners) would work?

I mean, all local consultants could make use of the better advertised brand (perhaps with use of broadcast advertising instead of flyer distribution or cold calling). It would look more prestigious that way. They could make use of standardized content to present and insert local case studies and examples. Pooled sources could enable recruitment of better talent for outsourcing tasks. The structure would allow stakeholders to exchange best practises and analyze feedback and trends (optimal pricing, better workflows), organize bigger (annual, more luxury etc.) events etc.

I guess it would be easier to get this going if someone put the money up front, owned the umbrella organization and issued franchises... vs. getting everyone together and decide where to go... but I am more interested in hearing if this is a sound idea. No harm in brainstorming, right?

-Necati
#idea #marketers #offline
  • Profile picture of the author AmyBrown
    It's being done by http://www.wsicorporate.com. That's not to say it can't be done better or that there's not room for competition. A franchise is $49,700 (gotta love the 7s). I think the video is horrible: http://www.wsicorporate.com/NewCorpL...age/video.html.
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  • Profile picture of the author DogScout
    The main problem with any 'SEO' company is a complete lack of continuing education. to stay on top of a protocol that changes virtually weekly is an expensive or time consuming proposition. few are willing to do it and would rather just do what worked whenever it was they learned it.
    Franchises are no different in this regard, if not worse. I have seen a WSI contract and it would make you laugh.
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  • Profile picture of the author 2PercentPlan
    Hi Necati,

    Since Frank Kerns internet address I also have realized there is a great opportunity in bringing small businesses online. I happened to be a great networker as I love people and love to listen to them, so for me it is a cake walk to get business, but if you are shy and not very confident you will have a some what difficult time instilling confidence in others. I would then steer you away from this idea if that is the case.
    However, recently I found Accentu8 Marketing, they are offering people to come in as a fanchise partner. Dan has it all together, every step you would need to take to bring a company or individual online.

    You can take a look at it here. http://www.accentu8marketing.com

    Hope that helps ya, if you need more of an explanation shoot me an message and we can chat. They are based out of Australia. Dana
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    • Profile picture of the author knowwow
      Originally Posted by AmyBrown View Post

      It's being done by Error. That's not to say it can't be done better or that there's not room for competition. A franchise is $49,700 (gotta love the 7s). I think the video is horrible: WSI FRANCHISE VIDEO.
      Oh wow! $50K!
      You know, my post wasn't actually mainly about being the franchise owner, actually using a franchise system as an example may have been a wrong idea.

      But here is a good point to make: they may have done it before but you can do it better.

      Originally Posted by DogScout View Post

      The main problem with any 'SEO' company is a complete lack of continuing education. to stay on top of a protocol that changes virtually weekly is an expensive or time consuming proposition. few are willing to do it and would rather just do what worked whenever it was they learned it.
      Franchises are no different in this regard, if not worse. I have seen a WSI contract and it would make you laugh.
      Same thing. I am thinking about improving on what the solo consultant can achieve, by the help and pooled sources of many.

      Now let's scratch the franchise allegory.

      For instance, there are many discussions about outsourcing work. I think it could be very effective to recruit and form a good SEO team from abroad (think like 3 full-time people) and they could support a group of solo consultants (20 of them?). So, consultants don't need to go try find good people at affordable fees, test them, train them and manage them.

      And of course it isn't all SEO. One Adwords specialist could manage accounts for a hundred accounts if need be. If he achieves getting cheap traffic from the "Austin flowers" keyword, he can apply the same for a florist from Eureka.

      It is also possible to get one solid graphics guy to generate collateral for all, generate banners for all, generate presentation material etc. etc.

      Sharing of knowledge and best cases (what phone scripts work to close a sale, what would be a good entry price for PPC services in general [or specifically for real estate people, retailers, plumbers etc.] could be achieved as well.

      So basically there would be specialized departments of people serving a group of people.

      National branding would boost sales for all consultants and they can add to their professional image. Think saying "our web development (or marketing) department will handle all your needs" vs. "I will get you online and get you more leads"...

      Originally Posted by 2PercentPlan View Post

      Hi Necati,

      Since Frank Kerns internet address I also have realized there is a great opportunity in bringing small businesses online. I happened to be a great networker as I love people and love to listen to them, so for me it is a cake walk to get business, but if you are shy and not very confident you will have a some what difficult time instilling confidence in others. I would then steer you away from this idea if that is the case.
      However, recently I found Accentu8 Marketing, they are offering people to come in as a fanchise partner. Dan has it all together, every step you would need to take to bring a company or individual online.

      You can take a look at it here. Web Design & Website Design To Convert Your Website Into Sales

      Hope that helps ya, if you need more of an explanation shoot me an message and we can chat. They are based out of Australia. Dana
      This too is about getting people in this line of business and getting them ready for it. What I am talking about giving current active offline consultants some leverage, giving them an edge.

      I am aware of the unlikelyhood of collaboratively acting on this but I'd like to think that it is possible. Otherwise it will be a brave hero setting this all up and charging -most probably ridiculous- upfront fees.
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  • Profile picture of the author Cynthia A.
    Michael Senoff has a business consulting program as well. I think it's around $5,000. His questionnaire is very similar to one that was shared on a recent huge thread on the offline marketing topic.

    You can sign up for free on his site & download whatever he has there & start using it to get business (according to the website).

    Check out his site here

    Cynthia
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