Carl Willis

3 Ways You Can Build Your List Offline

build your list offline3 Ways You Can Build Your List Offline

Everyone knows that is a critical element in online marketing, if you have any hopes of being successful.  There is a reason that people are constantly reminding you that the money is found in the list.  The experience of building a list can be very trying for many marketers, causing some to even buy ready made lists out of desperation.  Online marketers are so hyper-focused on building their list via the internet, that they often miss out on some of the best sources of lead generation simply because they are offline.  Here are 3 offline strategies that you can put to work this week.

Attend Groups

If you’ve been following my blog for any length of time, you already know that I find great value in Meetup groups.  Start by visiting www.meetup.com and begin searching for local groups within your target market or niche.  Try to make contact with the organizer before you go to get a good feel for the purpose of the group and any expectations of group members.   Once you arrive at your group, make it a priority to connect with no more than five people.  Ideally you will want to connect with each one of them individually at some point in the future.

Don’t just settle for attending a , take the initiative and start a group of your own.  Having your own group is a great way to not only brand yourself, but also positions yourself as a leader in the marketplace.  Make sure that your group is a “beginner” group.   You are more likely to attract the people you are looking for by taking this step, as most experts in your field will not be interested in attending.   Offer a free or low cost training on a topic of interest to group members.  Have your group members sign in and give out their business card as a means of building your list.

BONUS TIP:  Meetup.com provides a group sponsorship feature that allows you to add advertisements to your group. Use this feature to promote relevant offers for your group members.

Attend Networking Events

Many people believe that networking events are a thing of the past.  This is absolutely not true.  When done right, networking events can be a power source of lead generation.  In a traditional networking event, you get about 30 seconds to say who you are and what you do.  Typically this introduction sounds something like:   “My name is ______, and I help people (insert your service).”  Boring!

As an alternative try something like this.  Walk in with a flyer with a free offer.  Than make an attention grabbing statement like this:

“Did you know that Facebook has nearly 1 billion users?  Would you like to discover the secret of  finding the right people to talk to?”

– While you are making this introduction, pass out your flyer with a free offer to receive ‘5 Steps to Fire up Your Business on Facebook’.  Direct the audience to fill out their information and return the flyer to you at the end of the meeting.  In 30 seconds, you have just increased your list by with others who are in the room.

Book Speaking Engagements

The thought of public speaking scares the daylights out of most people.  The reality is that there is no better way to communicate to a large number of people simultaneously than through a speaking engagement.

Start with your local Chamber of Commerce and business groups to determine if they are looking for speakers.  These groups may not be able to pay you, but the exposure you will receive is of much greater value than any honorarium.  Ask for a copy of the attendee list for follow up phone calls.  Ask the attendees if they would like to be added to your email list.  To entice a positive response, be sure to explain the benefit of being on your list, such as:  ‘Free weekly marketing tips’ or ‘Free Facebook marketing webinar’.

When you over look the opportunity to build your list offline, you are neglecting a potentially large source of leads and revenue.  When you a build an offline following, it becomes fairly easy to migrate that following to your online activity.  Many top marketers are using these offline strategies to generate substantial incomes.   Step away from your computer and get face to face with your community.  You’ll be glad you did!

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