Basic lead generation part one - offline
Network Marketers have been generating leads for decades. Long before the advent of the Internet, the tools of the trade in this industry were business cards, leaflets and posters. These days many people seem to have forgotten about these old staples but in fact they are just as useful now as they were 20 years ago. Like thousands of other people, I discovered Network Marketing form a business card and so I know the power of this type of lead generation activity. I never leave the house without cards in my pocket and I often feel like Hansel and Gretel leaving a paper trail everywhere I go. If you get into the habit of giving people your card, leaving cards on shop counters, in waiting rooms and phone boxes, even placing them on cars, you’ll soon notice a marked increase in the number of leads you’re generating. You might think this is ‘old hat’ and that such tactics are outdated in the information age. That type of thinking however, will mean you are missing out on a massive amount of exposure for your business.
Using leaflets, either to letterbox or hand out in the street, is another form of advertising which is in decline. Yes it takes time and effort, but the beauty is that anyone can do it regardless of skill or budget. That makes is highly duplicatable and therefore something that shouldn’t be overlooked. This type of advertising is also highly targeted to your local area. That means that appointments can be used rather than information packs and signups will be easier to coach due to your physical proximity. As Edward Ludbrook says you should “Think global, and act local”. Of course you want to build a team all over the country and even overseas but the easiest way to do that is to build a good foundation in your local area first.
Posters are another example which are often overlooked. You do need to be careful and check the laws in your area as posters on street furniture, and especially near main roads and junctions can attract the attention of the authorities who do fine in some areas, but they do work. People will pass and read your poster every day on the way to work, but never read the job section of the local paper. How many prospects are you missing if you limit yourself only to certain types of activity?