[shanec]

Hi All,

In recent months I've heard a lot of people on other forums discussing IM and how they are helping offline businesses. I've always thought this might work in other cities and towns but not in my area.

Late last week I was asked to a monthly get together of local businesses. I was a little hesitant to go, but decided to drag myself away from my laptop for a few hours and check it out.

Looking back it was a good decision. Local business owners have setup a group to find ways to combat the downturn in the economy. Many have a small budget for advertising and marketing. They want to be able to retain existing customers, and attract new ones without spending huge amounts of money. Most know very little about the internet and how it can help them.

Throughout the meeting people kept mentioning the internet and how they would like to be able to use it, but don't know how to. Even many of the most basic IM techniques such as list building (that IM'ers take for granted) are not being used. When I mentioned these techniques to some of these business owners, they were very impressed and wanted to know more.

This get together was very valuable and I was glad I attended it. Afterwards I realized there are a number of services and products I could provide to these businesses. As well as that, many of these businesses have goods and services I could use as well, and because we have made contact through a forum like that, they are willing to give good deals on their goods and services.

Another huge benefit is the possible referrals that may result from this. Its a great way to help your local area during these difficult times. Its also refreshing to get away from the laptop for a few hours and talk to potential customers and potential business partners.

If you are ever asked to something like this or see an event like this advertised I would recommend that you go along. Its been an eye opener for me and made me realize how valuable everything I've learned online is.


Shane.

[jbolte1976]

Shane,

That's pretty interesting. Long term (like in years) I'd like to be able to offer my local businesses some web site design and marketing services.

Actually, I'd be curious as to the web knowledge and savy of the local business community. A good place to start would probably be to check out their websites (if they have one) and see how well they are using them to promote their businesses, build lists, etc.

Sounds like you could have some opportunities Shane! Good Luck, and let us know what comes from your new contacts.

Jason

[Admin]

Hey Shane,

That's a darn good solid post!

You'd be surprised to know that there are so many offline business owners that know nothing about the Internet, and how it can help them further their business!

I hope you follow up with the contacts you've made so far, and keep going there to help when and where you can. You have a unique opportunity to build up your credibility, and make a lot of money.

Btw, see that blue banner up at the top of the form marked "Front Door Pages"? That's a darn good resource for getting into that type of business if you are interested. And yes, it is an affiliate link.

Also, if you are interested and build up steam with some of these businesses, we can link their sites to the forum here to give them some extra link juice and traffic. BUT it is better for you to build a local potal targeting people who live in that part of Irland as the main site or portal. Just a thought ...

Now you got me excited for you lol. Good job, and I'm glad to see you went too.


Mary


P.S. I noticed you used the tags feature too. Now I'm really prowd of ya!

[shanec]

This will be held every month from now on so I will be able to find out what members are looking for. Anytime the internet was mentioned, you could almost see the fear in many of the business owners eyes. Some have spent money on websites and have seen no return, while other have no web presence at all.

I didn't have anything prepared the last day, and when I explained what I do, most people replied by saying 'Oh, so you make websites' so I've got to do a bit of work on explaining Internet Marketing and how it can help them. I think the main thing is to be able to explain what we do in simple terms because it can be easy to start using IM terms and phrases and this normally confuses people who have very little experience with the internet.

The great thing about working with offline businesses though is they already have products, services and customers. They also have some great ideas but don't know how to develop these ideas on the internet, and I think that is where I can help.

"Front Door Pages" looks like a really useful product. I've read some of Vince's posts and he provides valuable information and tips about IM and local businesses. I'll be checking this out. If I can get some clients, your idea of linking here and to a local portal sounds like a great one Mary.

Talking face to face with business owners gives you a better understanding of what they want, what their fears are and how you can help.

[shanec]

I had a look at about 20 websites in my area and none have an optin box to subscribe to a newsletter. I read somewhere that over 90% of websites do not capture leads, so this seems to be one area most offline businesses would be interested in.

[Admin]

Hey Shane,

Yeah, I'd tell them about Aweber and about how useful autoresponders are to keep their customers up dated about what's new with their business, and maybe even get more profits by offering them specific deals the customers get only when signed up for the news letter.

Then offer each person your affiliate link, and also offer to write series for their business for X amount each month.

There are a number of ways to make different recurring income streams from offline businesses.

[shanec]

Thanks Mary,

Explaining and implementing an autoresponder seems to be the way many other Internet Marketers introduce themselves to offline businesses. This then leads to other work such as traffic generation and other Internet Marketing activities.

[jeankareem]

Great! Good luck..Wish you sucess on that..

[shanec]

Thanks Jean, and welcome to the forum. It's early days yet so we'll see how it goes

Shane.

[jbolte1976]

Hey Shane,

Welcome back J/K

Hope things are progressing with your off-line work. Please keep us all in the loop, we're all excited for you and want the juicy details. Like I've said before, some day I want to be to the point where I can offer my community web and internet consultation services.

JB