Speaking at a networking event tomrorrow, need help

by SubUrbanHype

Posted: 13 years ago 14 replies

OFFLINE MARKETING

As mentioned I am speaking at a networking event for local lawyers, doctors, CPA's and more tomorrow. And the reason I was selected was because all of the people there tomorrow are business owners who are looking specifically for somebody to create a website for them or market them better on the internet, and one of the guys I know who attends it knows I am a "internet guy" recommended me. This is a big opportunity for me just starting my internet marketing venture. But this is my first time at one of these type of event and I wanted to know if anyone had any pointers or suggestions on what to do or say how to explain to them the importance of the internet and why it matters to market yourself on it. Hopefully I can walk away with some strong leads and finally get the ball rolling on this offline thing.

Any comments or suggestions are welcome.
Thanks in advance

#event #networking #speaking #tomrorrow

bertyounger 13 years ago

Having personally dealt with this audience before you basically have to convince this group that SMB marketing on the Internet is critical for professionals. Success stories tend to get a professional's attention. Moreover; they want to know what it is that you can do for them i.e. grow their customer base. Also, they want reassurances that you have the resources to execute in a timely manner and that you will be around for the long run.
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- Cringer 13 years ago
  
  How long do you have to present?
  
  What about something like this:
  
  1. Get some stats together that indicates the number of local searches that are made for LOCAL businesses and that these searches are made online.
  Cant help you with your localised search numbers but I am sure there are resources out there.
  
  2. If you can use a slide show presentation perhaps show them how valuable a Google Places business listing is.
  
  Something like "Lawyer + location" and look at the results. Now - in those results take one at a time and see where abouts in the organic searches their website would normally be, not including Google Places. Then you can tell them this one small service, provided by Google, totally free, "has pulled this website all the way from page X right to the top of the search page" (even though the actual organic result is on page X their listing is at the top of the search.
  
  3. Try taking a look at Google Insight and see if there are some things you can tabulate from it - for example "runny nose" this graph shows more searches for runny nose in the colder months, hence predictability. No point in advertising cough medicine in the trough times
  
  Just a few points for you but it totally depends on how much time you have and if you can use visuals. Might be something I would look at doing.
  
  Thanks
  
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  SubUrbanHype 13 years ago
  
  I don't think I have that long maybe 10-15 mins. But what you just said is a great starting point for me to put together some info really quick.
  
  Thanks
  
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Nathan Alexander

13 years ago

Woodrow Wilson in response to being asked how long he needed to prepare a speech: "That depends. If I am to speak 10 minutes, I need a week for preparation…If an hour, I am ready now"

If you know your stuff, have confidence.

There are some good suggestions above. Relax, be bold, look them in the eye and radiate confidence. That's half.

Make it all about them, what they need to be doing, and how to fill those gaps while cluing them in on you being the answer.

Tell them what they want (and what they're for) to hear and good luck.

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aduttonater 13 years ago

Write down all the important aspects that you want to go over on an index card in a short sentence. Then as you go down your list of short sentences, elaborate more on what you are trying to present. Be sure to let them know what is you have, how it will benefit them, and where they can get theirs. Also be sure to answer any questions that they might have at the end.
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Russell Hall

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Nathan Alexander

Woodrow Wilson in response to being asked how long he needed to prepare a speech: "That depends. If I am to speak 10 minutes, I need a week for preparation...If an hour, I am ready now"

If you know your stuff, have confidence.

There are some good suggestions above. Relax, be bold, look them in the eye and radiate confidence. That's half.

Make it all about them, what they need to be doing, and how to fill those gaps while cluing them in on you being the answer.

Tell them what they want (and what they're for) to hear and good luck.

I love the Woodrow Wilson quote,... that's absolutely spot on!

Good advice there from Nathan,... just be yourself. Be confident.

Here's the thing..... if you DON'T try to sell them anything and just talk to them about whats important,.. i.e. *knowing how to use the Internet as a tool to drive more clients and customers to their business at lower cost and more profitably* then you'll probably find yourself swamped with requests to provide 1 on 1 consultations (you're "real" objective... or it should be!).
You'll be fine with it,... just relax and feel good about being able to help people get what they need most for their businesses.

Cheers,
Russ :-)

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Nathan Alexander

13 years ago

Originally Posted by RussRave

Here's the thing..... if you DON'T try to sell them anything and just talk to them about whats important,.. i.e. *knowing how to use the Internet as a tool to drive more clients and customers to their business at lower cost and more profitably* then you'll probably find yourself swamped with requests to provide 1 on 1 consultations (you're "real" objective... or it should be!).

And there, I think, is the key.

@John - True isn't it? Although when it comes to performing magic (my on and off again profession))at a sales meeting for example, where I've only got 15 minutes it's actually easier because it's "plug and play".

Preparing a speech that delivers on content AND sells them on you takes consideration and work. Ahhh....that "work".

Maybe that's why I'm poor.

Thanks

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John Durham

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Nathan Alexander

Woodrow Wilson in response to being asked how long he needed to prepare a speech: "That depends. If I am to speak 10 minutes, I need a week for preparation...If an hour, I am ready now"

God. I can so relate to that! lol

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Summertime Dress 13 years ago

I'm interested to know how it went? Can you share the insight you learned from the experience? Greatly appreciate it!
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SamyE 13 years ago

With Professional Services Credibility is an issue. So wrap it around old school snail mail and new school email.

If you don't have a web site its just like not having an address.....Phone No.....For that matter.

Next work your way up the services ladder and educate them on the different uses of web sites, need for on page seo and relevant keywords, off page seo, opt in forms and squeeze pages and email marketing.

That should keep you busy....<have fun> and bring lots of business cards.
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SubUrbanHype 13 years ago

It went pretty well. There was about 20 people at the event, all of them were interested as to what I do, and laughed at the fact that they all get phone calls from people offering seo, and finally know what it is. Only about 2 of them were interested enough to meet with me next week. So I believe that it could have been better, but I am happy with the results. I believe I am going to start attending more meetings and working on my presentations and sales pitches. All of you guys advice really helped out. Thanks a million.
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Nathan Alexander 13 years ago

Way to go! That's great, and it only happened because you took action—regardless of your experience doing it.

The hardest one is out of the way…the first one. Please keep us updated next week.
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jdrohn74 13 years ago

Awesome job! 2 is nothing to sneeze at. The rest of the people in the audience know who you are when they finally figure out that they're going to need to have a solid Internet presence.

As for the presentation itself, the less you try to 'sell' and the more you try to deliver value, the better off you'll be. When I'm talking to clients, I happily tell them to go look around for services. I even tell them what my competitors strong and weak points are. 80% of the time they come back.
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redlegrich 13 years ago

I know the event is over, but thing I try and do is get a list of attendees and their business name. I then find those in need and use them as an example. I also try and find one that is doing well, although that is generally harder. Also if you highlight who is #1 (their competitor) you see them all shaking their heads and thinking either how did they get to be #1 or yeah they are kicking are butt.
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Speaking at a networking event tomrorrow, need help

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