> call on people saying "I am an expert in ...."
> The only way to get local business is to cold call.
> put on a local seminar.
None of these ineffective suggestions will offer much of a sustainable
marketing presence for a web designer (or any independent professional
in any field) in my opinion.
The only marketing method that carries sustainable credibility and
impact is reputational referrals. There is one organization that
operates across USA and Canada to provide a structure basis for
reputational and relationship-based referrals: Business Network
International (www.BNI.com and www.BNIcanada.ca)
I am a three-year member of the Bay Street chapter of BNI Canada. My
chapter has 24 members, which is like having a distributed sales force
of 23 fellow members, in non-competing business fields, each mindful of
my talents and services. Each week we reciprocally exchange sales leads
and direct referrals, following the structured BNI methodology. Through
dilligence and a "givers gain" attitude, this has proven to be the only
marketing tool my company needs.
- William Stratas
president_at_planetcast.com
Founder and Principal,
Planetcast.com
Web Streaming Video Specialists
Web Application Development
Marketing & Consulting
Received on Wed Mar 24 2004 - 09:12:45 CST
