One thing many internet marketers do in the MLM industry once they discover the power of the web is abandon all offline marketing strategies. It is my belief that this occurs solely for two reasons:
1 - It eliminates the pain and frustration of facing rejection in the "real world" and
2 - It offers a venue through which a marketer can reach hundreds of millions of people. However, to truly be considered a marketing guerrilla, we should never abandon the offline world. After all, we do live there right?
Plus, even if you achieved major success online with no offline strategy, you automatically abandon any credentials you might ETHICALLY use to lure in prospective clients and business partners.
So what are some ways a network marketer (or any marketer for that matter) can become successful at becoming a marketing guerrilla (or guerrilla marketer if you prefer)? Well let me start by listing the slow approach to acquiring leads and prospective clients. These I can truly say DO NOT WORK, since I have tried them myself in years past, sometimes for months at a time (crazy I know right?).
DO NOT MARKET OFFLINE BY:
• Approaching someone and asking them if they'd like to make more money.
• Approaching someone and asking them if they like their job.
• Approaching someone and asking them if they have a "backup plan."
• Approaching someone and asking them ANYTHING money related for business purposes.
• Setting up a booth at a convention and attempting to sell products.
• Setting up a product/display booth, PERIOD.
• Setting up a demonstration or booth at a local business.
• Going door to door.
• Turning your apartment into a store and inviting people over for "product demonstrations."
• Asking your friends and family if they want to look at a "business opportunity."
• Asking your friends and family if they want to meet "a guy making tons of money."
• Putting stickers in your car window advertising your opportunity.
OK, so I think I've covered most of the crazy things new network marketers say and do when in the guerrilla marketing mode, plus a couple extra. Now if you've been in this industry for a few months then you're probably thinking: "you've pretty much eliminated anything I can say to a person," right?
Not so.
I've eliminated all of the things you've been TAUGHT to say to a person, or do, which are wrong (if of course you've been taught these things). Notice however there is one exception to the "make more money" question, which is to phrase it in the form of a question, such as: "are they paying you what you're worth?"
Quality questions have a much more profound impact on a person since they are forced to think and process the information on their own. This is basic human psychology.
The next time you think about implementing a marketing strategy do a little research first. And do a "gut check" before you take action. Ask yourself: "have I or would I ever respond to a message delivered in this fashion?" This question is powerful and will usually give you your answer.
One of the things you need to understand as a marketing guerrilla is the concept of "attraction marketing." Simply put, it is a marketing process that can be used both offline, and online in attracting your ideal prospect or client; in other words, they come to you. In the offline world, attraction marketing causes people to seek you out based on what you know and have, rather than you trying to "spear" someone.
Doesn't this make so much more sense? Think about it, we like to be in control of things in our own lives don't we? How would you react to someone if they were trying to convince or goad you into something? You would resist 99% of the time.
This is why we have to learn how to work WITH human nature, rather than against it.
So below I've offered a healthy list of guerrilla marketing tactics and strategies that will help you grow your contact base as you develop an online presence. I would like to point out that once you have established an online marketing strategy it will make you much more attractive as a sponsor.
Most network marketers know nothing about marketing unfortunately, and usually attempt only to sign people up and plug them into an offline strategy that revolves around the philosophy of just "getting to work and filling your calendar to achieve success."
Enjoy.
MARKET OFFLINE SUCCESSFULLY BY:
• Using bandit signs with a 800 number to ATTRACT prospects.
• Use drop cards and stickies with BRIEF messages in library books, magazines, and other reading material related to your industry.
• Attend Meetup groups with the intention of just EXPANDING your network. Grab business cards if you attend business meetups and follow up with those people by phone later after you've established what their needs are.
• Start your own Meetup group (~$25) and host a "get to know new people" meeting. Find out what each attendee's need is by getting to know them personally.
• Create an interesting logo for your brand/avatar and have it placed on your clothing. When you meet people it's a great ice breaker if they ask. You can upload images to places like vistaprint.com and attach it to a shirt on their website. They ship the final product to you!
• When you engage someone in conversation and F.O.R.M. them, stick to the occupation question a little longer and dig a bit to see if there is a need there. Don't push or convince. Just ask 3-5 innocent questions and measure their facial reactions. For instance: What do you do? How long have you done that? Oh, that sounds interesting, you enjoy it? Where is it located? Is that a long drive? After the enjoy it and long drive questions observe for any minor signs of distress, this will help you form a conclusion of whether or not a need is there to "get out of the grind" so to speak.
• Go do something fun with your spouse or friends and meet new people just for fun. Link up on facebook. Continue to build a relationship there.
• Talk to other people in the MLM industry and ask them flat out how they develop leads online. Most have no clue, and will be totally receptive to your program. You have the solution for their problem!
Marketing should be fun when you start to engage in these modern techniques. And if you're doing things right you won't have to feel like your chasing anyone. Just meet people, care, and expand your network and any business you decide to undertake will be much less painful.
If you're interested in learning more about lead generation online and/or offline, contact us at your convenience through the web address in the resource box below. Learn more about My Lead System Pro through our link on our home page. There is a video there, as well as a good explanation of how the system works.
To Your Trials & Success
Jason Lee
