Growing an international business.

It is naive to think one can grow a successful business on the backs of their friends and family

That is a quote from a very wise friend of mine in the Network Marketing Industry, but don't you think it is valid right across the board? I really don't believe in "making a list of your friends and family" unless of course, you want to. The fact is, it really doesn't matter HOW you get your business leads, the only thing that matters is that you get them. Some ways of prospecting are suited for certain people, and in fact there are so many different ways to meet people who are looking for what you've got that there is rarely a need to step TOO FAR out of your comfort zone. However, if you are a very shy person, you may have to take a bigger step than most.

I am going to go over a few ways that you can meet interested people. Be prepared to spend a little money... your advertising budget. It doesn't have to be a lot, but if you don't have any money at all, you will have to work much harder.

How to get exposure
YOUR LOCAL MARKET

• RENT A KIOSK- You know- like in the local mall. Have a brightly colored display - showcase your product or have bright posters, pass out flyers, offer a FREE gift (I like ballot boxes, because you can get a lot of names and numbers back)


• TAKE OUT A NEWSPAPER AD- If you don't have any experience writing ad copy, ask someone to help, or look for ad writing secrets online.


• PLACE A RADIO AD- (see above)
  
• POST BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY FLYERS- on bulletin boards in malls, daycare centers, truck stops, gyms, salons/spa's, community centers, or anywhere you can think of that people gather. (if you don't have the time or the inclination to post advertisements all over town, give a couple of local teenagers $20 each to do it for you, and make sure you ask them to keep a list of all the places they posted) I personally like the flyers that have "pull off tabs" with your phone number.


• DOOR TO DOOR and/or COLD CALL TELEPHONE- Do a market survey that asks specific questions that would be useful for you to know for your business. (I know most people hate door-to-door but trust me, I have met people who love it).


• TRADE SHOWS- again have a "FREE" give away OR ballot box.


• PUT ON A WORKSHOP- Teach a topic that relates to what you are promoting. Offer to give a free workshop to specific groups that may need your services OR rent a hotel meeting room and advertise your workshop. Bring in a key speaker if you are not comfortable doing the presentation yourself.


• HOOK UP WITH THE LOCAL "Welcome Wagon"- Many communities have a Welcome Wagon service. Check them out in the Yellow Pages or online. The service they provide is very inexpensive, and I have found, very lucrative indeed.

Outside of your local market

• NEWSPAPER/RADIO- now if you are creative, this does not have to cost a lot of money. I jusy recently placed an ad in a city in Mexico (newspaper classifieds) for $40/ 8 weeks. I found it online and they took paypal.


• PURCHASED BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY LEADS- I won't claim to be an expert on biz op industry leads, except to say that the more targetted and fresh they are, the better your chances.


• JOIN AN ONLINE NETWORKING COMMUNITY- such as LinkedIn or OpenBC-- Be careful to be professional in your contact though. These communities are BIG on relationship building, and networking in the true sense of the word.


• START A BLOG-- :-) and offer helpful advice.


• START A SAFELIST-- I won't go into what that is, for the people who don't know, but for those of you who do, you can start one HERE.
  You can even get them with a list started(200-700 members) It will cost you $10 a month.


• LEAD CAPTURE PAGE - Create one yourself or have someone do it for you. Chris Moos at http://gizmosystems.net can design a great one for you and send huge volumes of traffic at a VERY good price


• ONLINE RESUMES- lots of opportunity seekers out there.

Now use YOUR imagination. The thing about ideas is that one often leads to another. Make sure once you have your leads that you have a system to back it up, and you are ready and rolling!

Shelley Penney is a network marketing and internet marketing specialist with 7 years in the field. She is currently mentoring a small group of people to achieve financial freedom from home.