Consulting services for your business

Hire Your Kids...Pay your kids (or anybody for that matter) to pass out your flyers.  Pay them “enough” so the flyers actually get distributed and not tossed in a garbage can in some back alley.  Maybe even offer them a commission from every product or business opportunity that gets sold from any of the flyers.

Sponsor Reps Who "Already" Call on Businesses...They could be a goldmine.  They know lots of sharp, business-minded people. It can be a quick way to build your business.

Engagement / Wedding Announcements… Watch your local newspaper for announcements.  These are great prospective customers and business partners.  Send them information and follow up with a call if you can get their phone number.

Envelope “Teasers”… Have a rubber stamp made with your web site address or sizzle call and stamp every envelope you mail out (including your bills).  I used to own a company that offered these kind of “teasers” and they can work well.

Sales Team...Hire people to pass out your samples and flyers. They could go to businesses or homes. Pay them by the hour. If they find this easy, fun and successful, they may want to join you in the business also.  You could also pay them a commission on product or business opportunity sold.

Professional Sporting Events...Stand outside these events and pass out your information to everybody you see. Many of these people are professionals who just may be perfect for your business. If you want to have some fun, dress up in a costume. (College and high school events work as well).

Temporary Employment Agencies… They may be interested in referring your business opportunity to people.

Ask for Referrals...Always ask the people you’re prospecting if they can refer a few of their family and friends who may be interesting in your product/service or in making more money. This is almost as good as a warm lead, sometimes even better.  Most people forget to ask for referrals.  I'm sure guilty of this.
 

Business to Business...Although this (and many of these methods of prospecting for that matter) is not for everyone, it may be for you or some in your group.  Make it a point to drop off samples and information on your business and products for 2 to 4 hours every day you have available. Hit all size businesses and make a call back in a few days. This idea could generate sales and also help you find several top business partners over time. "Consistency" is the key with any of these methods of prospecting. Don't expect to do it a couple times and retire.

Want Success and Freedom?  How bad?  The important question is, how bad do you want your FREEDOM?  Are you willing to do whatever (keeping it ethical and legal) it takes to earn it? Basically meaning some HARD WORK!!

Meetup.com...A great place to make "local" contacts for your business. Do a Google search locally.

Organize Business Breakfasts and Luncheons...Invite local business leaders and people with a great attitude, good contacts and friendly personality.  Offer to pay for their meal and more people will show up. I know a gal who was very successful using this system.  She would send out postcards to a few hundred people and “qualify” them when they responded to her by phone, to make sure they were interested and not just coming for a free meal.  I have heard others who tried it with little or no success. I would guess these people just did not have a system of qualifying their prospects like the gal I talked to. 

Facebook "Ads"...For a fair cost per click you can target market the kinds of prospects or customers you want on Facebook. Head on over there to check it out. (Obviously, you can also prospect "individually" and "corporately" to your friends from your personal or business Facebook page).

YouTube "Promo" Ads...Video marketing and prospecting is super hot right now and if done right, a great way for you to build virtually any business fast. You can pay "per-click" at YouTube to have your videos seen by a targeted audience. See the "Promoted Videos" information at www.YouTube.com for details.

Search Engine Placement...Many people use the Internet to find information. In fact, it’s  the most popular way for people who are looking, to find something. Why shouldn’t they find your information among the first page or two?  A huge percentage of the people looking for something on the Internet use a search engine such as Yahoo or Google to find it.  If you can get a placement on the first couple pages you are saving loads of cash on advertising while thousands and thousands of potential business partners or customers see your listing every month.  I have picked up some "really" good networkers this way.

College Students...This untapped market has Awesome potential. Find one motivated student at a few colleges and your business could explode.  Start out going to local colleges, then expand thru ads in their college newspapers or any advertising you can do on their college related web sites and radio or TV stations.  Maybe contact the marketing departments for sharp students looking for ways to make extra money.

Sizzle Cards (also called Drop Cards)...This is a method of prospecting that virtually anybody can do. You put a powerful message on a business card (like, MAKE UP TO 10K A MONTH, PART-TIME. And your sizzle call number or website, and contact info) that you leave on atms, phone booths, gas pumps, at video stores, in magazines, restrooms, newspaper machines, convenience stores (pay them to set up a little counter stand), apartment buildings (first part of the week), post office, everywhere. If you put out a lot of cards "consistently" (like 1,000 to 2,000 a week) you will get prospects. 

Please Help Me Out...Send friends and business associates several of your business cards and ask them to help you by passing them out.  Why not?  Even do this a couple times a year.  It wouldn’t hurt to give them a nice little gift (maybe from your company) for helping you out.  Keep in mind, just one good person can be worth thousands of dollars a month in on-going “residual” income to you for years to come. In fact, one good person can be worth over a million dollars to you in your lifetime.

The 2x4 Method…You gently slap your friends “up-side-the-head" with a wooden 2x4 and tell them they “have” to join you or buy your product.

Tip Well and Leave Your Card...Friendly waitresses and waiters can make great business partners and work-at-homers. Leave a sample and business information. If you want a better response, talk to them briefly about your business first.  And make sure you tip them well.

Go Door to Door...If you like people, why not try doing the old "door to door" from home to home method of building your business?

Matchbooks...Have your ad printed on matchbooks and distribute them for free to bars and restaurants to give to their customers.  Works with glass coasters too.

Classified Ads...Place small classified ads in local, regional and national papers and magazines. As with all advertising, unless you’re using a generic ad that does not mention the name of the product or company you work with, make sure to get company approval or use their approved ads.  And of course, ALWAYS “test” a small inexpensive ad before you spend big money on more ads. If the small ad produces good results, try more small ads and continue to expand as your advertising budget allows. If it doesn’t work, you can tweak it and see if a new headline or copy works any better. Remember never to make any income or product claims or promises.

Display Ads...Unless you can make a really good display ad or one is supplied, make sure you have a professional copywriter/designer create your ad. Get company approval if necessary. Test market it before going crazy. Always try to get your ad in the upper right hand “outside” column of the paper, if you can.  Usually the closer to the front of the paper or magazine the better. There are complete courses on writing ads and strategies for placement so I won’t go into that in this book.

Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs)...If your company and products would work out for non-profit organizations, this may be a fantastic way for these NPO’s to raise much needed funds.  If your company has a residual "on-going" income, their support can grow and grow year after year. This method of marketing your products, service, and opportunity could be huge for you as well as them. Everybody wins.

Radio Ads...Here you could go with 30 or 60 second ads, 2 minute ads or 30 minute infomercials. A couple friends of mine have done "extremely" well using radio infomercials.  If your company does not provide them, you can have them produced at smaller radio stations fairly inexpensively.  The cost to run them can be expensive, however, so if you choose to market your business this way, test before you take the plunge into deep financial waters.  I also voice and produce complete commercials. 

 

Radio Show...Have your own 30 or 60 minute radio show at a local radio station. Maybe it’s a "home-business" show where you have guests and plug your own products and business opportunity during the commercial breaks. If you get really popular, maybe you could even syndicate regionally or possibly nationally. There's a great book on the subject called, "How to Create and Distribute Your Own Radio Talk Show For FAME and Profit," by Alexis Dawes.
  

Internet Radio Show...With modern technology you can now set up your own radio show that broadcasts internationally to anyone with a computer. Check with: www.BlogTalkRadio.com or www.WebmasterRadio.FM  or www.Live365.com.  Also, a good friend from my home town developed an awesome radio station for the home:http://www.tunetrackersystems.com/ 

Radio Show Guest...Be a guest on local or national radio shows. Send your bio and cover letter to radio shows and follow up with a phone call and try to get interviews.

Free to DJ’s...Offer free product to DJ’s to use and give away to their listeners. Depending on the cost of your product or service, this can be a very low cost way to advertise and get the local celebrity’s endorsement.

Trick or Treat… Hand out your flyer with candy to the little cuties coming to your door.  I guarantee that their parents will look at the flyer. A nice and inexpensive way to get seen by a couple hundred prospects from your neighborhood.

Golf Tees… Get your web site printed on golf tees and give them to golfers and golf clubs in the area.



“Real-Time” Leads... This can be a decent way to build your business but it takes getting on the phone and some money to get started.

Postcards or Letters to Local Small  Businesses...These are entrepreneurs who many times are looking to make extra money, especially this day and age. Best if you can call them too.

Postcards or Letters to Friends, Business Opportunity Seekers and Network Marketers...Include a sample or two of your product if that’s possible, so they can try it while reading about it. If it will fit in an envelope, it makes it a "lumpy" package in which the prospect will want to open and see what you sent them. The "curiosity factor" working for you here. Some people even staple a $1 or $5 to the marketing letter and tell the prospect it’s for them for taking the time to read it. You should lead them to your 24/7 recorded message and/or web site. Then direct them back to you for more information, a 3-way call upline, and to join your income opportunity or purchase products. Of course it's a great idea to always make your own follow up call.

Attend Trade Shows...This method of prospecting involves you attending trade shows and going from booth to booth handing out samples and information on your products and business to the people running the booths. Obviously you want to have a little small talk, see if there is an interest and get their business card for follow up. Follow up is ultimately important and should be done within a few days of the initial contact.

The “Puppy-Dog” Close…Here’s an old one that has worked for decades and still works today.  It’s called the "puppy-dog close" because you send your product home with the prospect to see if they like it, no obligation.  You will take it back if they don’t like it.  Like the person who takes a puppy home, after a few days, hopefully they don’t want to give it back.  If you have a good product, this will work very well.

Beauty Salons / Tanning Salons...I have a friend who made a lot of money by getting a diet cookie into beauty salons. His largest one month check was about $306,000.  This was in the early 1990's. He even went to the beauty supply distributors.  These beauticians have a trust relationship with many of their regular customers and can give them information and samples to take home if they want to build the business thru their customers. Or, they can just retail the products to their customer base.  A gal on my team in a business sells loads of a products at her beauty salon.

Auto Dealers…Can local car dealers offer your stuff to anyone who takes a test drive?  What about an oil change?  Get creative.  Also, make friends with the salesmen while you’re there, they are outgoing and usually know a lot of like-minded people and could be an asset to your business.

Travel Guide…If your city has a local travel guide, this may be a good way to reach locals, new residents and out of town visitors. Place an inexpensive ad and see what happens.

Post-it Notes...Have a rubber stamp made that says something like, Make up to $5,000 a MONTH, part-time from home. Go to: (your web site or phone message) and then, Contact (Your name and number/email). Next, stamp this on post-it notes and the place on car windows right above the driver’s door handle where they will see it when they are getting into the car. Do not place it on the windshield.

"Insert" in Local Papers...Many papers allow you to insert your flyer in their paper.  Make sure to get all marketing pieces approved or use the company's approved materials.


Let me Know…if you have any ways to find new prospects  that we have not mentioned in this resource guide.  We will continue to add them as they develop, so check back often.

Welcome Wagon Reps...Get the local "Welcome Wagon" lady and other welcoming businesses to pass out your product samples or brochures. Make sure your contact information is on them.  These outgoing folks would make great business partners, too.

Billboards...Why not? Get creative. Make it catchy and keep the ad "Very" short (like under 10 words) so people can read it while driving by. Make sure to drive them to your web site like I do on most of my advertising.

Coffee Distributors...These guys are already selling to hundreds of businesses, why not see if they have an interest in your food related product?  Or, if you have any kind of product or service that their customers could use.

High School Yearbooks…Put your ad in the local high school year books. It “will” be seen by a lot of people.

High School Sporting Events…Place your ads in their flyers and brochures. What about their food booths? You’re supporting a local program as well.

College and Technical Events…Place your advertisement in their flyers and brochures and reach young adults super fast.

College and Technical School Bulletin Boards…Get your sharp looking business cards and flyers out there for the students (and teachers) to see.  Maybe offer something for free to get them to contact you.  Young people are really starting to run with many of the home-based businesses so I suggest you not overlook this fast growing, huge market.

College and Technical Newspapers…Run ads looking for sharp business-minded students wanting to make extra money in their spare time to help pay for school.

Church Bulletins…Some churches sell you ad space in their Sunday handouts. Check it out in your city.

Local Theater (and other Arts)…Place your ad in their programs.  Maybe offer their actors or the director some free products.

Local Bands… Pay local bands to promote your web site and business during their gigs.  They have a following that listens to them.  Sign the band into your business, or just pay them to advertise. Maybe they'll even let you set up a table at their gigs.

Local Drama Troops and Comedians...Again, sponsor (pay) local drama troops, comedians, and the like to advertise your business. They could have a poster at their events and also talk about your business and products as well. 

Magic Trick…Not for everyone but if you like close-up magic tricks, do one for prospects and hand them your business card when you’re done.  Tell them that the business opportunity is magical, too.  You could get creative and work your product or opportunity into the trick somehow.

Mini Sites…Mini web sites have become somewhat popular.  Usually they are 1 or 2 page web sites that you drive traffic to.  They work similar to a landing or lead capture page by capturing the prospects contact info., but are an all-inclusive website in 1 to 3 pages. 

Job Fairs…Your local chamber of commerce should have a listing of these.  Not every attendee is looking for an “opportunity” but some will be keen on the idea of making extra money from home and the tax advantages of owning a home-based business.  All are most likely looking to better their current situation.

Regional and National Events...Build relations a couple months early, in the cities where your company's sponsored events will be held.  Do this by placing ads for leaders in their local offline publications, and online too. Could also use a phone/email software like the one

Hotels Lobbies…See if your local hotels and motels will let you leave “freebie” samples in their lobby for guests.  This could get costly if theft occurs, which in many establishments it will. Now if you had a business partner who worked there, that would be ideal. Sometimes these places have a display board in there specifically for information. At minimum leave your business or sizzle cards or brochures.

A Double Party…Organize a home party with another area distributor from a non-competing company. If it works, rinse and repeat.

  

Door Hangers...You hang 'em or hire somebody to do it.  Remember, however, that the phone or in-person prospecting is almost always more powerful than putting out flyers, door hangers, etc.  This is simply a  way to get people to call you or check out your sizzle call or web site, and then when they call you for more information or to join, you get to start the actual process of relationship building so you can sort out who you want to work with.

TIP: Remember to Always continue to BUILD YOUR LIST!! Your "LIST" = MONEY! 

Hotel Billboards...Both the large ones outside and now the small ones inside in the lobby can usually be rented.  Since people from all parts of the country and world stay in hotels, this is a way to expand your business nationally, even internationally. You can get more for your money if you do regular meetings/trainings there.

Doctor’s Offices...Leave samples and information.  Follow up with the receptionist, nurses and doctors, whoever may have an interest in your products or opportunity.

The "Business Opportunity in a Box"...Try putting a couple samples and a good looking, powerfully written marketing piece in a box and wrapping it like a gift. Then give it to sharp people. People love to get gifts, right? Who knows, maybe this could be a winner for you.

Coffee and Donut Shops...Don’t forget to talk shop and hand out cards at your local coffee shop.  People from all walks of life hang out at these popular places.  This can be a great resource for on-going leads for your business.

Health Clubs...Could be a hot one, especially if you sell health related products. Don’t just talk to the members, approach the club manager or owner.  A friend of mine sponsored a new health club that has plans to have 200 clubs in the next 5 years. You never know, this one contact could end up being his retirement plan.

Hire a Model...Hire a professional model (one with personality, not just good looks) who passes out samples and your business cards or flyers. They could walk from business to business, door to door, or wherever people gather, such as at trade shows

Auto Magnets…Put a huge colorful magnet on the sides or back of your vehicle.  Make sure they are easy to read (usually not more than 6 to 8 words) and send people to your web site and/or a recorded message. Or, directly to you, but a web site or recorded message can “qualify” the time wasters/tire kickers for you before you spend the time talking to them live.  Make sure you request their contact information and interest level. Once you identify that they actually do have an interest, you can talk to them live.  Spending time with the “interested” people is the best use of your time and “time” is one of your most valuable assets.  Who can really afford to waste it? 

Window Stickers...Again, this is Free advertising everywhere you drive.  In larger cities your ad can be read by as many as 3,000 or more potential customers and prospects every day your vehicle is on the road.  That’s up to a million times a year.  Can you afford not to advertise this way?  A local print shop should be able to help you fairly inexpensively.  Just make sure to keep the ad short (6 to 8 words or less).

Bumper Stickers…They won’t get seen as much as window stickers but for the nominal cost are worth getting. Just promote your web site.

 

Chamber of Commerce Contacts, Etc...Great contacts can be found at civic organizations.  There are many to choose from; Lions, Eagles, Elks, Raccoons, etc.  Join one or more.  Make friends and hand out cards.  Repeat.  Follow up. Don’t pass this goldmine of local contacts up.

Ad on Back of Grocery Receipts...Another way to reach people from all walks of life.  And, if you’re the only home-based business opportunity or product offered, you will stand out and get noticed. Make sure your ad has a powerful thought-provoking headline so people will feel the need to call you or go to your web site. 

Local Concerts… Your community probably sponsors local concerts in the park.  See if you can get a sign or booth.  Also, you could pass out cards and flyers to the crowds.

Vending Machines...Maybe you have samples or small products that will fit in "snack" machines. You could even offer the “business opportunity” in these machines, too. I know that’s a stretch but why not think outside the box?  It may work for you. Bring in the local vending company as a distributor or work out a deal to give them your products really cheap (even at the wholesale cost) if they’ll let you attach your business opportunity information to each packet.

Bars...Bars owners and bartenders know a lot of people, personally.  They are usually friendly people with influence. Talk to some of these folks and see if they are open to making extra “residual” money. This is an income they can build while they go about their regular business and if something should ever happen to their bar business, they would have your business income still coming in.
  

Go Ape...Ever think of dressing up in costume to promote your business? Hey, why not? Maybe dress up like an ape.  Or maybe you choose to be a clown. OrientalTrading.com has a cool "Ape Suit" for around $99 or so that you could use to promote your business. Or, rent one from a local costume shop.

 

City Buses...Somewhat costly but loads of exposure everyday.  This could be a fun way to "brand" yourself all around town and develop your business at the same time. Branding oneself is extremely important in business.  I'm doing it with this prospecting manual.  What are you doing, or going to do to brand YOU?  Make it fun. Make it memorable.

Door Opener for Home Sales Companies...Vacuum cleaner sales people could get in more homes if they offered free samples for letting them in the home. Maybe you can work out a deal with a local direct sales company who goes door to door and need a cool new product or service as a door opener.  And who knows, maybe the sales company owner will join you in your business also. Instant sales team.

Kids Stickers… Have your web sites printed on kid's stickers and pass at events where lots of families gather.

Offer Free Product to Local Business Functions...Why not call local business groups like the JC’s, Optimists, Eagles, Moose, Ants, Lion’s Club, etc. and offer them free samples  for their next get-together. Maybe they'll even let you set up a table or even speak to the group. Of course you'll want some advertising in exchange for the samples.  Try to sign up the group.

Free ~ Renters and Automobile Magazines… Advertise in these.  Most cities have them and they get read.

Free Product Delivery Service...Unless you don’t want to get into the “delivery” service of course. Run an ad in the paper and drop flyers off door to door offering delivery for your hottest products to local business, and even homes. You could even offer the first couple samples for free. Then, as your route is building you can invite your customers to buy it wholesale and even join you in business possibly. Why not be the first in your town?

Auctions...Ask auctioneers if you can set up a product stand at their auctions and cut them in on the profits. Imagine signing a few of these "loud mouths" into your business as well.

Your Email Signature...Of course.  That’s the little message you see under a person’s name and contact information on people’s email.  It’s free advertising to everybody you send an email to and those they forward it to.  You will want to make it attractive and give the person a good reason to click on your website, lead capture page, or blog link.  Maybe you’re offering something of value for free.  Then, you capture their name and email address for follow up or you up-sell them on something of greater value.

Specialty Advertising...Put your ad on pens, coffee mugs, magnets, etc. and hand out with product samples. 

Apparel Advertising...Display your ad on clothing you wear.. You can also give it away or sell it to your customers to wear. Up to 50% discount at: www.strategiesltd.com (Ask for my buddy "Jim Moskal" and he'll get you set up right and has some fantastic deals and ideas to help you. Please tell Jim I sent you).

MySpace.com…Still can be a good place online to make friends, and friends can become business partners and customers, right?  

Google, FaceBook, Skype, MSN, Yahoo, AIM, etc) "Instant Messaging"…There are entire courses on how to build your business using "Instant Messaging" exclusively. Do a Google search and compare a couple. I got great training inside a KILLER training program I'm with, here's more info > http://MLMRocks.com

The Taste Challenge...If you have a drink or edible product you can drop off some samples to small businesses. Make sure you leave information on the benefits of your products and how they can contact you for more product and information. Follow up in a few days or so after dropping the product off and don’t forget to mention the business opportunity that you can help them build. You could do this same prospecting method with "friends" also.

At the Beach...You could pass out hundreds of business cards, flyers or samples in a matter of minutes at the beach, or anywhere people gather for that matter.  Is this what people mean when they say they want to retire on the beaches of the world?  Watch out for land-sharks. ;-)

“Body” Billboards…I “think” I made this one up but then maybe somebody else is doing this one already, I just have not seen it done on the beaches in Wisconsin during our 11 days of summer. You could wear a t-shirt advertising your products, service or business opportunity, or a sign draped over your shoulders so your ad shows in front and back, or even more fun and creative and probably eye catching would be to…yeah, you guessed it, have large, non-permanent, colorful ads tattooed on your chest and back. Thinking out of the box a bit.  Being different like this gets attention and that is exposure to your business and products, and that means more money to you.  Just be careful what you “expose.”

Taxi Cab Drivers…I prospected a cab driver on a trip to Los Angeles a few years ago and he was very receptive to my offer.  He was a former school principle in New York city and making good money with his own cab but also working long hours.  He was friendly and talked to loads of business people everyday.  Imagine getting a small cab company owner to join you in business.

Google "Ad Words"...This has become a popular way to find new business.  Many Internet marketers use Google Ad Words successfully.  If you’re not familiar with these, you definitely should be.  Yahoo has the same thing.

Write your Own Book...Hey, it’s obvious I’m not a professional writer, but nevertheless I wrote this book anyway and you’re reading it.  You too can write your own book.  Charge a fee for it or offer it free and use it to build a list of business partners or prospects that you can do business with.  Just make sure you don’t promise the moon in your promotions.  Keep it real and believable and you will do much better and not upset your company.

"Insert" in Papers...Many newspapers allow you to insert your flyer in their paper.  Get all marketing pieces approved by your company or use their approved materials.

Unique Web Sites…Set up your own “unique” generic marketing web site that you can use to promote whatever you want.  If it’s done well, it can also brand you as leader and people want to work with leaders.   

Publish a Newsletter (or Blog)... (even a small magazine)…If you promote your newsletter properly and have valuable content, this could establish you as a leader people want to work with.  You can do this online, or offline, or both.

Start a Local Business "Mastermind" Group...Call your business-minded friends and start a small group.  Maybe even advertise it in the local paper or thru a press release.  Then you can exchange ideas and contacts with the other members.  And, don’t forget to prospect them for your business and products.

Set up a Roadside Stand...People in my part of the Midwest set up roadside stands for things like fireworks in the summer; and corn, tomatoes, apples and other fruits and vegetables in the summer and fall.  If your products have mass appeal, you may want to give a roadside stand a try.  Or, why not approach roadside stand owners and see if they would be interested in selling your products.  The advantage here is that they already have the established location and clientele.  You don’t make as much profit per sale but you also don’t have to spend the money getting set up in a roadside business and long hours working your stand.

Maids are People too…Well of course they are and many are wanting another source of income.  Leave your information behind at hotels you stay in.  Make sure you leave a nice tip too, otherwise don’t even think they will look at your stuff.

Reverse Market to Telemarketers...Instead of getting on the national telephone “do not call” list, why not encourage those calls from telemarketers and try to recruit these folks into your business.  Many of them are under-paid and looking for something better.  And, they are already trained to work the phone.  Make your pitch to them really short and sweet with the intention of getting them to check out "another" opportunity or a “better” opportunity, yours.

Go After the 1 and 2 Uppers…The guys and gals who work in the “Australian 1-up and 2-up programs” are very hard workers who pound the phones building their business.  Get a couple of them in your business and watch it take off. Where does one find them?  Well, start by looking in one of the network marketing magazines. Ask around. Do a Google search.  They are everywhere.

Automated Phone Dialers…Automated dialers are an effective way to reach masses of prospects fast.  Rather than buying your own expensive systems, you can find companies who take care of this for you.  You just upload your list and press a button and everybody is called in a short period of time.  Costs are pretty low these days.  Some list companies sell lists of people who have asked to be contacted and are “expecting” your call on a business opportunity.

Predictive Dialers…These dialers dial 3 or 4 people at a time from your computer and you talk to the first person who answers the phone live.  For the person who wants to get a hold of a lot of people fast and isn’t afraid to talk to lots of people, this can be a very effective way to build a business fast.  

Saturday Phone Blitz...With this one you and a few others in your group (if you have a group already formed that is. Or you can do it alone), commit to making prospecting calls one Saturday morning a month.  Don’t forget to have fun. 

Contact MLM Genealogy Lists...As you may know, these are lists of people who have prior experience in the network marketing / home-based industry so you don’t have to explain the benefits of working from home or the attraction and power of an on-going "residual" income.  Now instead of buying a genealogy list, you can make your own, and in just minutes get thousands of targeted leads. Do a Google search for one. Or, get a hold of me and I may be able to direct you.

MLM and Business Opportunity Seeker Message Boards...Do a Google or Yahoo search on a phrase similar to: “MLM and Business Opportunity Seeker Message Boards” and you’ll come up with places to make new contacts of people who are open to making more money.  Then go there and make friends with some of these folks.  Never, Never forget.. “relationships” are what success in this industry is all about.  Learn how to be a friend to enough people and the money will usually follow.

Coupon Books…You know those thick little local coupon books?  Would your product, service or opportunity be a good fit?  If so, consider giving it a try, if it fits into your ad budget and your company approves.  Or, maybe team up with another distributor or two from your company and split the costs with them.

Ads in "Trade" Publications...Placing ads in trade publications relating to the home-based income industry can result in a few leads to several.  It can be costly as well and you usually have to wait a month or two after you pay for your ad before it’s read.  On the bright side, small classified ads can be tested inexpensively and seen by hundreds and even thousands of people who are looking to make money from home.  Larger ads cost more but obviously are seen easier and give you more credibility, if they are professional in art lay-out and content.  Make sure you follow your company’s policies and procedures for any kind of advertising. 

Organize a Local Business “Pie” Meet...Offer prospects a place to meet you for “pie.”  You buy.  Invite several.  Like they say, “a way to a man’s pocketbook is through his stomach.”  OK, maybe I twisted the original quote but you hear what I’m saying, feed them and they will come. You could organize this with other people in your group or do it solo. Make sure they know ahead of time that you’ll be talking about an income opportunity.

Be a special speaker…At local civic group’s breakfasts, luncheons or dinners.  Offer valuable information they can use and then give a brief two minute “commercial” for your company if you are allowed to. Usually you are.

Tip Well and Leave Your Card...with the friendly waiter or waitress at the restaurant. Leave a sample (if possible) and business information about your company, team leadership and product line.  Even a business card will work better than nothing.  If you want a better response, talk to them very briefly about your products and business opportunity first so they are more encouraged to check it out. All the better if you can get their contact information for follow up later.

Remember, many of these methods of prospecting allow you some nice tax deductions that can amount to hundreds and even thousands of dollars in your pocket every year. Make sure to consult an accountant who knows all about small home-based business deductions. Do NOT just rely on that, however, get information from a “home-business” tax expert who can usually get you more money back, many times substantially more. Tax breaks are reason enough for virtually every working person to have a home-based business.
 

Refrigerator Magnets…Get your business card made into a magnet and pass it out (with a sample if that’s possible) to people.  Then they will see your information on a regular basis, not just one time. (Spaced repetition erodes competition).

Local “Infomational” TV Channel…Place an inexpensive ad on your local channel and see if it works.  People do actually read these I guess.  I have.

Local Business Gifts…Contact all shapes and sizes of businesses locally and offer to give them samples of your products to their employees as a gift.  If they have lots of people this could get expensive and you may want to charge something for your samples if they are not inexpensive.

Internet Radio Show...With modern technology you can now set up your own radio show that broadcasts internationally to anyone with a computer. Check places like Blog-Talk-Radio and with Live365. I also have a friend who has created software to set up  your own station from home. Let me know if you want more information and I’ll get it to you.  This is a time-intensive project so make sure you’re ready to make the time necessary.

TV Ads...It can be costly to produce a TV ad but the end results may be worth the investment of time and money.  This is definitely an advanced method of prospecting that you would not want to use unless you have the finances, knowledge and support system in place.

TV Guest...Be a guest on local TV shows.  Be prepared and more importantly, be yourself.  It's great free exposure “if” you can get it.  You’ll probably need a different “slant” to catch their attention and want you as a guest and you may need your company’s approval if you don’t have your own product line.  Just make sure you don't make any medical or income claims or guarantees. 
 

TV Infomercials...If you’re an independent distributor for a company and they don’t have an infomercial in which you can share in the leads it generates, you could consider producing your own.  They are not cheap so you may want to team up with others from your company to share the expense.  I have a couple friends who have done extremely well with radio infomercials.  TV has even more power but obviously the cost is greater.  If you run your own show and have the advertising expense, this just might be the ticket to freedom.  Be careful and get all the knowledge of running a successful campaign first, before plopping down several thousand dollars.  This method of building your business is really more for the professionals who have the money to invest and experience to make it work.

Yard Sale…Have a “product” yard sale.  Get rid of old junk in the process but it’s a great way to meet new contacts and customers for your business.  Potential customers come to you all weekend long for the price of a small classified ad in the paper and a few well placed signs. And, you just may run into a business partner as well.  Make sure you pass out your business cards and/or flyers and collect business cards from potential business partners. Then, of course

proper follow up is key to your success as most of you already know!

Block Party…Here's a great way to meet new neighbors. Sponsor it, put up signs, a banner, pass out samples if you can, and business cards or flyers.  Make new friends to present your products and/or business opportunity to in the future.

Teach a Class...If you are gifted in a particular area, why not teach a class at your local technical school or college?  You will learn more yourself, improve your presentation skills, help others in your area, and make some business contacts and possibly sell some product in the process.

Tell A Friend...Use a "Tell-A-Friend" script (do a Google search to find one) to pick up extra prospects from people who visit any of your websites or blogs who want to tell their friends about you.

Misspelled Domain Names...Purchase misspelled domains names that  are similar to popular ones in your niche.  Then have them forward to your website.  An example would be - say you had a competitive  website to Google.  You would register domain names like : Foogle, Hoogle, Boogle, Toogle, etc.  This can be a great and very cheap way to pick up extra "targeted" traffic on a regular basis.

Parades...There are thousands of parades around the country and for the price of some flyers or business cards and a little of your time, you can get your message out to multiple thousands of people in a matter of a few hours.  You may want to take your kids or hire a few and pass out many more flyers in the same time.  And if you want to really go all out you could have a float.  Otherwise, you don’t need to be “in” the parade, just walk up and down the sidewalk passing out your information and samples if that’s feasible.

July 4^th Celebrations…Again, like parades, thousands of people are all gathering together in one central location. Massive prospects, personal marketing and getting a tan all at the same time…could you really ask for a better time? Oh yeah, and fireworks, too. 

SO…I bet you never thought there were so many ways to find prospects, hey?  Don’t ever tell me you can’t find people for your products or opportunity, they are EVERYWHERE.  It’s just a matter of “consistently” looking for them over time.  It will not happen overnight in most cases.  It can happen very fast, however, with some of these methods and with some types of products.  Keep reading and discover what you feel will work best for you. Pick a "few" methods and execute them. Remember, Taking "Focused" and "Consistent" ACTION is really all that matters!!!
 

Yellow Pages Coupon Section…Most yellow pages have a coupon section now.  Would your products, service or opportunity be a good fit?  The yellow pages can be pretty expensive, so be careful. And, the Yellow Pages are not nearly as used as they were in the past. Speaking of the Yellow Pages, are you listed in the "online" Yellow Pages yet?

Email Blasts to “Opt-in” Lists...Make sure they are opt-in” (meaning that people requested information about a product or business opportunity). If you purchase this kind of list and are not sure if the list seller is legitimate or not, you may run into spam issues. Be very careful who you buy from. Get creative and test different "subject" lines and email content. This is a way to email to thousands of potential customers and/or new business partners, in a very short period of time, thus building your business much faster.  Never send these prospects directly to your company's website, send them to your capture page first.

Ads in Network Marketing and Business Opportunity Publications...Classified or display ads. This is a great way to "target" your audience since the majority of these people are looking for a good income opportunity.

Ads in Online Publications...These are much like magazine ads, only instead these are “online” publications that offer advertising space. 

Solo Ads Online...Meaning a “solo” ad that some ezine (online magazine) publishers will send to their database.  Some information can be found at this website, or you can find some doing a search on Google or Yahoo.  Obviously, for best results, you would want to use a “targeted” list, in other words, a list of “like-minded” people who may be interested in your income opportunity and/or products.

Million Dollar Bill Business Cards...If you have not seen these yet, they are advertising pieces made to look like Million dollar bills.  Yeah, I know there ain’t no such animal but they look really cool and real anyway and they get people’s attention.  Put a strong marketing message on them and hand them out, mail them to folks or just leave on the floor in well traveled areas such as shopping malls, restaurants, or gas stations.

Top Sponsor Ads...These are little advertisements that get “top” placement such as at the top of their publication, usually in online newsletters or ezines. 

Newsletter Ads...You can probably do a Google search and find Internet, affiliate and network marketing newsletters that allow people to advertise in.  Some may even be free but usually this type of free advertising on the Internet is not very effective.  Maybe better to pay a little and get a better response.

Ads in Health Publications...These can get to a large circulation fast.  And, of course you’ll probably get a better response if your products are health related. ;-)

Send Letters to Local Business Owners, Managers and Sales People...These are entrepreneurs who many times are looking to make extra money, or even move into a new career.  Best if you can "call" them as a follow up.

The Employee Lounge…See if you can arrange to set up a display table at local businesses, in their employee lounge. 

Restaurants...Approach small and medium sized, privately owned restaurants with the idea of selling to their customers.  Restaurant owners have loads of contacts.

Leader Boards...Sign up to a few of the newer (and even old) online MLM deals. Even a free sign up can benefit you with this method. Next, go to the "leader board" that is posted in many of these, and then find the top 25 or so online (thru Facebook, Twitter, Google search, etc) and make a connection with them. Do not pitch them right away, just make a connection in a natural way. Now, these are "players" and can become players in "your" organization someday. It doesn't take too many (even one in some cases) of these to help you build a big team, and income.



The Company DVD...Hand out the company DVD or better yet, have people over to your home and watch it together. It does the business presentation for you.  Serve snacks (or, popcorn) and a beverage. And, contrary to what some may say, if home meetings are done correctly and are fun, they are a fantastic way to build your business, fast. NOTHING beats the personal touch of meeting with people face to face.

Your “Own” Commercial on DVD or CD… Why not make up your own little commercial on audio or video and hand out to people?  Adds that “personal” touch.  Then you could help others in your group do one of their own.  Or, do a generic one that the entire group can use.

Company “Specific” Leads...Some lead generation companies offer leads that are specific to your company in which the prospect is aware of your company before you contact them.  This may make the recruiting process easier.  These company specific leads will usually be much more costly than generic leads, however.

Trade Shows...Set up a booth at health or business opportunity trade shows. This is a way to get your information and samples to hundreds of targeted people, fast.  Talking to them in person is more effective than print advertising alone.

Attend Trade Shows...This method of prospecting involves you attending trade shows such as health or business opportunity shows (or shows specific to your product line or service), and going from booth to booth and handing out product samples and/or information on your business, to the people running the booths. Obviously you'll want to have a little small talk first to see if there is an interest.  Make sure to get their business card for follow up. Follow up is ultimately important and must be done within the first few days to a week of initial contact for maximum effect.

Nail Salons…These have become very popular in recent years and should not be overlooked. Many of the people running these are tied into a circle of similar family and friends and can build a team rather fast.

Spas…Same as the above.

Airports…This is where you will find business people, right? Yeah, loads of them from all over the world.  Well, why not leave your flyer or cards in the rest rooms or at the phone booths or computer areas. Strike up conversations with people you meet and make sure you give them your card (and a sample if appropriate and cost effective) and get their business card or contact information, too.

The Glass Door Knob...What? Yep, I have two glass door knobs attached to each other. I picked them up in a hardware store. You carry it with you and when somebody asks you what it is, you tell them, "Oh this? It opens the door to opportunity. Glad you asked. If you could make an extra $300 to $3,000 or more a week/month in your spare time, would you want to hear more?" A little corny but can be fun and "open doors" for you.  I read about a gal who used this method and had some decent success.  Mine is sitting above my desk right now.  Guess I need to take it out more.

Windshield Flyers...Even use samples stapled to the flyer if it’s in a parking lot that you know has business type professionals who may be better business builders. You may want to get permission to do this.  Or, plead insanity later when the shopping mall calls you, which most likely they won’t.  Don’t blame me if they do.  ;-)

Sky Writing...OK, so this one is highly unusual but it sure got Dorothy's attention in the Wizard of Oz, didn’t it?  You would only want to do this if you had a strong message or easy to remember website address and the audience was huge, such as at a football game where tens of thousands of people would see your ad. Prior and Follow up ads in the local paper, radio or TV could work well with this method of reaching new people. A costly advertising campaign to be sure.  But memorable. Best to contact a airplane company, and not a wicked old witch for this form of marketing.
 

Sponsor a Local Sports Team… A great way to support local people and get your name out there fairly inexpensively.  Get the team members some free sample, too, so they can get word out about you, your products, and your opportunity to all of their friends.

Small Roadside Signs...This is one in which you have a small inexpensive (light plastic works best) signs made up by a local printer and place in people’s yards or on trees or telephone poles. You may want to check first with your city to see if you need approval or a license). Poles by stop signs seem to work best since people see them easier and come to a stop and have the time to read it.  If putting in somebody’s yard, you would obviously want to get their approval beforehand.  I know of a guy who had very good success with this.  He would always have about 100 signs up around town and would get 20 to 40 new interested prospects calling him every week.

Reverse Email...In this method you just email the people who are emailing you.  You can be subtle and respond to them and let your “signature file” do the marketing for you, or you can be bold and hit them straight-on with your offer.  This can work with people you know and also with those people who are trying to sell you something.  You know these people are already aggressive so get one or two of them on your team and you may have another nice income stream started.  Save them in a file and prospect them every 60 to 90 days, the time period that many people last in an MLM company and are looking for a new opportunity. Personally, I find it best to be polite and let my signature do the reverse selling.  I have found that many times a soft-sell approach (building a "friendship") works best for me now days.

Internet "Powerline"...Some groups of people build their business thru what’s called a “powerline.”  How this works is that when you join the powerline (usually for free at first) you are placed under the last person who joined. Then the very next person who joins is placed under you and so on, everybody is placed straight down in one line.  Then the owner of the powerline software, who is in some sort of home-based business, lets everyone know that they have a certain amount of time to “upgrade” to a paid position, thus creating an urgency for many in the powerline to also upgrade or lose the people in their downline of this powerline who do upgrade.  I have been involved in a few powerlines in the past and it did not work for me so I can’t attest to its legitimacy but I guess it works for a few, usually those who got in first at the top, from what I hear.  The problem with this kind of team building is that people act out of fear that they may lose something and these people usually do not last long in the opportunity.  It is not nearly as strong as the old fashion way of building a “relationship” with people, where your organization will stick together much better.  If there are good powerlines out there, I guess I just have not found one yet that works for the masses.  Maybe more training on building the relationships after the powerline is built would be helpful.



 

Press Releases...If your company has a pre-written press release that you can place in your local or regional publications, get your hands on it and get it to as many publications as you can.  Press releases are free advertising and the majority of the time are perceived as more believable and trustworthy than paid advertising.  If they don’t have one, write your own and get the company’s approval.  Radio stations may announcement them as well as newspapers, so don’t overlook them.  I have used PRweb.com and FastPitchNetworking.com with some success with online releases.

Ads in local "TV" Paper...Some newspapers print a TV guide, which gets the most readership in the paper since people refer to it all week long.  Many people get good response advertising this way. Try to get a page such as the front or back cover that will get the most exposure.

Co-op Ads with Others...Pool your advertising money together with others and share the expense of advertising.  You can find free “rotators” on the net that divide up the leads evenly among all participants.  This can be a good way to build a team together.

Recruit From Internet "Affiliate" Programs...Find people who run "affiliate programs" on the Internet and try to get them into your business.  They have built a list of affiliates already and can be gold to you.  Also, you can find people who work affiliate programs and prospect them.

Regional and National Events...Build your business in the cities where your company sponsors events by placing ads in their local publications and online, looking for leaders a couple months before the event. Then get a leader or two into your business and help them build in their city for the big event.  This method of marketing can work extremely well. This can also work really well if your company's leaders have "local" weekly meetings going.  Just make sure you get the prospect sponsored "before" they attend a local meeting that is not in your area so they aren't tempted to sign up with somebody else when they're at the meeting or training.

Remember...ACTION is your key to success!!  Consistent, focused and massive - ACTION!!

Some like to call it HARD WORK !!

Business Card in Bills...You have probably heard this one before.  Many of you pay your bills online, but if you are still snail-mailing some your bills such as your utilities, phone, etc., why not include a business (or sizzle) card or flyer since a human being sees it and just may be having a bad day at work, and be open to check out making extra money from home in their spare time.

Meet and Greets…If your neighborhood or city holds “Meet and Greets,” get involved and prospect.  In fact, get your team involved too. (Best thing to do is collect as many business cards as you can, and follow up "later" by email, Facebook, Twitter, or phone. Don't try to sell them at the event itself, just be friendly and interested in them).

The Bank teller… Make sure to pass out your cards to the bank teller at the drive up window.  They usually don’t make much money and a second income may interest them.  In fact your business card could mention something about people these days and how they really must have a second ("Plan B") income.

TIP: “The Difference between wanting to be successful and BEING successful is by taking advantage of the Wisdom offered by true Leaders.”  

           Karl Jackson (top income earner)