Member Requests and Recommendations

Pamela Lyons asks “What would be my best option for launching the Queen’s Academy? How do you get the word out?”

• Inka Traktman suggests Meetup.com, Yelp, forums, SlideShare, YouTube, and posting flyers locally.
• Joanne Black says that to get butts in seats, you pick up the phone and talk to people. People need to hear from you why they need to show up.
• Quinne Fokes says write up a terrific blurb and send it out. Shorter is better. Then when you’re speaking to your neighbor who says “Oh my god! So-and-so needs this!”, send it to the neighbor to forward. Also, remind people close to the event. Resend it 3-7 times.
• Kurt Shaver says don’t forget the old-school approaches. Speak at small groups. Give a 20-minute teaser lead-in at a rotary.
• Ethan Rotman suggests you write an article about the value of what you’re talking about for Neighborhood Now, with a small link to your workshop at the very end.
• Tim McNickle says you can find a list of new business licenses being issued and and contact the owners of those businesses. (Try the county clerk and the papers that publish fictitious business name registrations.)
• Quinne Fokes suggests becoming a columnist for Examiner.com. It doesn’t pay much, but establishes you as an expert in a certain area. That gives you a wider audience to market to.
• Michael North says to be prepared for the fact that 50% of what you use won’t work. Whatever you think you need to do, double it. Follow the stuff that does work. If you’re getting responses from something, pour resources into it.
• Mark Allen Grainger encourages Pamela to find someone with a network of her ideal clients and make him or her an affiliate. (Provide a referral fee.)
• Judy Baker suggests having people who have taken your class before and loved it call 3-5 new people and give testimonials. (Offer them a referral fee, too.)
• Mike Van Horn suggests a marketing technique that says “This group isn’t for everyone, it’s for the advanced/exclusive/special folks.” It’s working very well for his new business group.
• Michael North says you have to give people a reason to act. You’re competing against two or three hundred other messages. Make your message as niche as possible.