What part of OFFLINE don't you understand?

33 replies
I'm growing quite disgusted with this forum. I'm tired of wasting time reading through threads about email marketing, which wordpress plugin is better, which online tool helps get better SERP.

Every thread seems to be a geek pissing contest about things that have nothing to do with marketing in the offline world.

I'm tired of the attitude people have about sales people, and I'm tired of having to defend the sales profession to people who just have no clue what it's really about.

The only way this forum will redirect itself is to stop contributing to threads that have nothing to do with offline marketing. There are many other forums that can answer questions or build comments about all your geekified issues. This isn't the place.
#offline #part #understand
  • Profile picture of the author TyErickson
    As I recall, this forum was initially set up to discuss using your IM talents to help clients that operated mainly offline.

    I am not so sure those 'geeky' discussions are that far out of line - especially if they are pertaining to helping offline clients.
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    • Profile picture of the author David Miller
      Originally Posted by TyErickson View Post

      As I recall, this forum was initially set up to discuss using your IM talents to help clients that operated mainly offline.

      I am not so sure those 'geeky' discussions are that far out of line - especially if they are pertaining to helping offline clients.
      This is what the forum heading states:
      Offline Marketing Discussions
      Offline Marketing strategies, techniques and ideas.

      If I'm offbase on this than I apoligize, and I'm also through participating in any discussions. I will review interesting discussions but that's about it.
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  • Profile picture of the author TyErickson
    I can see where you are coming from for sure but I maintain the original intent of the forum was to discuss helping offline clients with IM.

    You sound a little pissy today Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.
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  • Profile picture of the author skyyisthelimit
    Well I think all things are connected and we can not always make sure everything is in the right forums
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  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    Originally Posted by Alton Trezza View Post

    There is a main problem and in the very first of running business most of marketers do...
    The exact problem you have is in my WSO which you can find the link in signature.

    Check & if you interested I can give you a copy via PM.
    WOW.. really? Don't promote your WSO in here, if people were interested they'd know about you and buy it on their own.

    This part of the forum used to be pretty top notch, and maybe sometimes there would be a couple way out there threads overflowing with inaccuracy but not as much as lately.
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  • Profile picture of the author kymobilemedia
    Let me see if I have this right....

    My idea of offline marketing is finding ways to help local businesses grow and get more customers using Internet, mobile, social, direct mail, etc

    Then, the technical stuff can be outsourced and we concentrate on helping the business grow.

    Of course, we can start by doing the tech stuff at first, but the main goal is to use the best fit marketing method for each business depending in their needs.

    Let me know if that sounds right.

    Thanks
    Jason
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  • Profile picture of the author bob ross
    I like when someone has a client that's looking for ways to bring in sales and a slew of people respond "Set up a QR campaign for them".
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    • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
      Originally Posted by bob ross View Post

      I like when someone has a client that's looking for ways to bring in sales and a slew of people respond "Set up a QR campaign for them".
      ROFL I know... It's kind of crazy. Same with mobile websites, you need to worry about positioning yourself before worrying about losing lower percentages.
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    • Profile picture of the author Eddie Spangler
      Originally Posted by David Miller View Post

      I'm growing quite disgusted with this forum. I'm tired of wasting time reading through threads about email marketing, which wordpress plugin is better, which online tool helps get better SERP.

      Every thread seems to be a geek pissing contest about things that have nothing to do with marketing in the offline world.

      I'm tired of the attitude people have about sales people, and I'm tired of having to defend the sales profession to people who just have no clue what it's really about.

      The only way this forum will redirect itself is to stop contributing to threads that have nothing to do with offline marketing. There are many other forums that can answer questions or build comments about all your geekified issues. This isn't the place.
      IM not sure what you are so upset about , despite the recent number of questionable topics coming up lately.
      I understand that YOU just want to talk and discuss STRAIGHT offline stuff so then start the conversations and Im sure you will get responses.
      I hope you stay as I find many of you observations helpful and insightful but you know very well that if you stopped contributing that no one will really care on the grand scheme of things.


      Originally Posted by TyErickson View Post

      As I recall, this forum was initially set up to discuss using your IM talents to help clients that operated mainly offline.

      I am not so sure those 'geeky' discussions are that far out of line - especially if they are pertaining to helping offline clients.
      I totally agree that if its related the helping offline clients then this is a good place to discuss geeky things. Eg, If you are renting sites for lead gen then its good to know how to get serp boosts, its good to know how to set up autoresponders.

      Originally Posted by bob ross View Post

      I like when someone has a client that's looking for ways to bring in sales and a slew of people respond "Set up a QR campaign for them".
      Exactly why having knowledgeable people contribute is important, otherwise it would the blind leading the blind.
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    • Profile picture of the author dsprank
      Originally Posted by bob ross View Post

      I like when someone has a client that's looking for ways to bring in sales and a slew of people respond "Set up a QR campaign for them".
      LOL! If that was just made a sticky, they this forum wouldn't see as many posts!
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    • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
      Originally Posted by bob ross View Post

      I like when someone has a client that's looking for ways to bring in sales and a slew of people respond "Set up a QR campaign for them".
      This is what always cracks me up with the people here who are saying they are marketing to offline businesses. A QR code is merely a medium for a message. Personally not even sure it is a highly effective medium. But it can be used in highly effective ways.

      But you can honestly tell most of the posters here have not actually walked the walk. And being on the other side of these cold calls and emails daily I can tell you that even a lot who start walking have no clue.

      But as a whole I think this forum brings value. But you learn quickly who to listen to. I sometimes skim threads and only read the posts by those I know will bring value to my time.
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  • Profile picture of the author ScouterGuy
    Originally Posted by David Miller View Post

    The only way this forum will redirect itself is to stop contributing to threads that have nothing to do with offline marketing.
    I agree with you and unfortunately I am guilty of this. I just got so carried away with some things posted that I had to chime in.

    Does WF not offer the functionality to bump topics to other sections?
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  • Profile picture of the author enavagate
    WF is all about IM including how it relates to the offline world. I respect anyone's right to object but take a chill pill it's obvious from the responses the only people listening are genuinely interested in coming here to learn and contribute.
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  • Profile picture of the author rambo9600
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    • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
      There's a lot of things about the offline world I don't understand.

      Like that brush next to the toilet .... gee that hurts!


      Honestly you need to relax a bit.

      Yes this forum in the Warrior INTERNET MARKETING forum was originally set up to discuss using various marketing strategies with offline businesses (as opposed to using purely offline marketing strategies).

      Also when it comes to marketing there should be no limitation in your thinking.

      Good marketing is about integrating different approaches and different modes of communication in ways that bring in more sales, bigger sales, longer term clients, more repeat sales etc.

      It's crazy to think that just one marketing method...online or offline...is going to get the job done.


      Finally you don't have to defend being a salesman.

      It's as simple as not doing it.

      Any time you feel like you should defend being a salesman just don't do it.

      Think of it this way.

      If someone suggested to Michael Jordan that he should do something instead of playing basketball because basketball won't make him any money and he's not that good at it...

      He's not going to bother to reply because the statement is clearly wrong and so obviously wrong it doesn't deserve a response.

      You should act in a way that's consistent with your morals and have the confidence in what you do that you don't feel the need to defend what you do to anybody.

      Kindest regards,
      Andrew Cavanagh
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      • Profile picture of the author TyErickson
        Originally Posted by AndrewCavanagh View Post


        Yes this forum in the Warrior INTERNET MARKETING forum was originally set up to discuss using various marketing strategies with offline businesses (as opposed to using purely offline marketing strategies).
        IMO Andrew's thread and WSO was the impetus for the whole offline gold thing and this ensuing formula. We should listen to the guy.
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      • Profile picture of the author Sharyn Sheldon
        Originally Posted by AndrewCavanagh View Post

        Good marketing is about integrating different approaches and different modes of communication in ways that bring in more sales, bigger sales, longer term clients, more repeat sales etc.

        It's crazy to think that just one marketing method...online or offline...is going to get the job done.
        Well, not having been here when this group was started, and not having such black and white views, I have to agree with Andrew.

        Marketing in general is about getting more visiblity, more prospects, and more sales.

        'Offline' means anything that isn't online.

        So, offline marketing can mean helping offline businesses market themselves (whether it's using online or offline strategies) AND it can mean using offline methods to market your online business. Two sides of the same coin.

        You can't separate the two that easily. What if you are helping an offline business set up their first website? They also need help driving traffic to that website. That's a great upsell that can include both online and offline strategies. Why limit yourself? You can use all the online tactics that are taught all over this forum PLUS offline methods like direct mail, posters etc.

        And QR codes? That's the ultimate mix of online and offline. Help a customer set up a website, then create QR codes on printed material that drives people to that website. Whether they really work or not? Test it for the client also. Another upsell.

        The face-to-face selling is certainly one of the hardest parts - getting your foot in the door. But it's just the beginning. Then you actually have to deliver!
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  • Profile picture of the author racso316
    If you mean traditional marketing, then it makes sense what you're saying.

    I mean, learning how to create a wordpress site, get 3 keywords and create some backlinks monthly and then sell that to a business owner... is that marketing? What about creating and selling a facebook page? Or creating a google place listing and selling it as well?

    I believe that's just selling commodities. What the business owner does with those, then that would be marketing.

    "Offline marketing" = selling a commodity.

    I mean, WSO after WSO comes out on "offline marketing" targeted towards newbies, that tells them: create a site, cold call/ send a letter, sell it, now you can call yourself a marketing consultant. Really? What's a newbie/beginner doing consulting and giving MARKETING advise with a business owner?

    "Mr Business Owner, I believe now that you have a site to make it visible you need to pay me monthly for 3 keywords $500 and then pay me for making you a facebook page and pay me for creating a mobile site, by the way I'm a marketing consultant."

    Weird.

    Although before I get stoned to death here I gotta agree in both rambo9600 points:

    Mentors like Jay Abraham, Dan Kennedy, etc... will teach you a lot more about offline marketing than you'll ever find here.

    However, the WF does serve a purpose. You can learn a lot about Online tactics and media. What products are hot, what's not. And you can test a WSO here to perfect sales copy or your process.
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  • Profile picture of the author mjbmedia
    Offline Marketing.....Its about using the internet marketing skills or knowledge one may have to help offline businesses as opposed to running clickbank affiliate programs etc and selling other peoples or your own stuff online.
    It doesnt mean or say non internet related marketing
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  • Profile picture of the author rushindo
    Originally Posted by David Miller View Post

    I'm growing quite disgusted with this forum. I'm tired of wasting time reading through threads about email marketing, which wordpress plugin is better, which online tool helps get better SERP.

    Every thread seems to be a geek pissing contest about things that have nothing to do with marketing in the offline world.

    I'm tired of the attitude people have about sales people, and I'm tired of having to defend the sales profession to people who just have no clue what it's really about.

    The only way this forum will redirect itself is to stop contributing to threads that have nothing to do with offline marketing. There are many other forums that can answer questions or build comments about all your geekified issues. This isn't the place.
    David,

    The title and description of the offline forum can definitely be misleading if you were not here when it was originally created. I understand your frustration.

    As someone else mentioned, the offline section was created to discuss how to help offline businesses using Internet marketing skills.

    That is why most of the conversations is about Internet stuff - that is how it has always been. It all began when there was an overwhelming number of threads in the main forum discussing how to help offline businesses using Internet skills, and lots of people requested a separate section to discuss this topic.

    Brandon
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  • Profile picture of the author Aussieguy
    This is the perfect thread for me to mention something that niggles at me (humorously).....

    We keep calling it 'offline' marketing, when what we're talking about is actually online marketing...from the point of view of the 'offline' businesses we're talking about! Hence I prefer other terms such as local internet marketing. Reminds you of which way around we should be thinking.
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  • Profile picture of the author paul_1
    I thought this "offline" forum is totally about anything offline like setting up a lemonade stand, offering plumbing or attorney services etc...
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  • Profile picture of the author Thrasher66099
    I'm going to agree with MJBMedia here. I think this portion of the forum was meant specifically for explaining strategies and methodologies for marketing brick and mortar businesses. I don't care whether you're using SMS, Newspaper ads, Magazine ads, Press Releases, Newsletters, Billboards, Brochures, Business Cards, Direct Mail, Radio, TV, Telemarketing, Seminars, Workshops, Ezine Articles, Youtube Videos, Facebook Fan Pages, PPC/CPM through various sources or some other online method. The only thing that makes a post relevant to this portion of the forum is if it can create a profitable marketing campaign for an offline business.

    My company uses Ezine Articles and Youtube videos to help generate traffic for local offline businesses. I know that the way we have to present these campaigns is definitely different from the way we would do it if trying to drive targeted traffic to some ebook sales page.
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    • Profile picture of the author David Miller
      So...I had a couple of REALLY BAD DAYS!

      And I did get a couple of nasty messages not to mention some outright insane remarks in some posts. In addition, there are a great many posts on this forum that have nothing to do with the offline world....So maybe my reaction was a bit....ummmm...what's the word? NUTS?

      On the other hand, I also got a few very nice PM from a few Warriors that understood my frustration with what goes on here sometimes. In addition, some of what happened in this thread has helped bring back into focus what the purpose of the forum is.

      So taking the advice of some, I've ingested a chill pill and will continue to stick my nose where it may or may not belong.
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      The big lesson in life, baby, is never be scared of anyone or anything.
      -- FRANK SINATRA, quoted in The Way You Wear Your Hat
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      • Originally Posted by David Miller View Post

        So...I had a couple of REALLY BAD DAYS!

        And I did get a couple of nasty messages not to mention some outright insane remarks in some posts. In addition, there are a great many posts on this forum that have nothing to do with the offline world....So maybe my reaction was a bit....ummmm...what's the word? NUTS?

        On the other hand, I also got a few very nice PM from a few Warriors that understood my frustration with what goes on here sometimes. In addition, some of what happened in this thread has helped bring back into focus what the purpose of the forum is.

        So taking the advice of some, I've ingested a chill pill and will continue to stick my nose where it may or may not belong.

        2 things :

        Maybe I like it, because I get frustrated like David. I like his Posts.

        The other thing is he puts himself out there with Passion.

        It's real and it's assertive, so it's what we all have to be isn't it?

        Better to ask for the money looking like an idiot at times,
        then to play it safe and not ask for a yes or no!

        keep it up David.
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        • Profile picture of the author beeswarn
          Keep it up, David. We all have bad days, and your participation has been far more helpful than not.

          I've been lurking here for weeks reading your material and that of 3-4 others. I registered an account here to get involved only because of what your posts have shown me or reminded me of.
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          • Profile picture of the author RyanLester
            I'll let my 1st post be a thanks to David for this comment. Its quite surprising how something that clear cannot be understood, and you wonder why the world has so much problems. If only we read what is in front of us.
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      • Profile picture of the author FormerWageSlave
        Hey for what it's worth, I agree with you. But trying to convince the under-educated and ignorant rarely works and is most certainly a waste of time.

        Originally Posted by David Miller View Post

        So...I had a couple of REALLY BAD DAYS!

        And I did get a couple of nasty messages not to mention some outright insane remarks in some posts. In addition, there are a great many posts on this forum that have nothing to do with the offline world....So maybe my reaction was a bit....ummmm...what's the word? NUTS?

        On the other hand, I also got a few very nice PM from a few Warriors that understood my frustration with what goes on here sometimes. In addition, some of what happened in this thread has helped bring back into focus what the purpose of the forum is.

        So taking the advice of some, I've ingested a chill pill and will continue to stick my nose where it may or may not belong.
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        grrr...

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  • Profile picture of the author goldog
    I'm sure we all understand.

    Hey we're not selling 'em Airplane Banners. It's about dragging them into "our" IM world. With mobile it's about catching what is walking by for those that know how to fish. We teach them how to fish.
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  • Profile picture of the author KyleGolemMedia
    David,

    We all have these days. Just get your mind in the right place and understand you don't have to read what others post. If you're looking for direct help, you can reach out to your networks for answers or post here and siphon through the crap. That's just the nature of a forum, imo. I certainly wasn't making money online for the first few months of doing this stuff...I attribute most of that to information overload but some due to misleading topics.

    Hope this is sorted for you

    Kyle
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  • Profile picture of the author RichardDin
    Deeply thinking, there is no such difference, no borders between offline and online marketing. The keyword is marketing. There only technical things that make a difference.
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  • Profile picture of the author O0o0O
    Offline marketing is just as important, if not more important, than online marketing. It's offline where you learn how to interact with people face to face and learn how they act and what their objections are. Handling objections in advance offline can help you construct your online sales copy. Strategies for offline can be crossed over into the online world to make your marketing even more robust over time.
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  • Profile picture of the author wieserd
    Offline, like making clients via face to face meeting!
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    • Profile picture of the author KateOranum
      I don't get the OFF part - ok just kidding - there is some tension in here
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