Skip navigation

Country Clubs

or Register to post new content in the forum

21 RepliesJump to last post

 

Comments

  • Allowed HTML tags: <em> <strong> <blockquote> <br> <p>

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
Oct 19, 2009 8:32 pm

I was just curious about something.  My friends dad belongs to a few county clubs around me.  I obviously don't want to overstep my boundries or anything but I was thinking of asking him if he can have a guest at an event if he would consider me.  Do you think this is appropriate or do country clubs ever allow guests etc.  I told my buddy I would never use his name or be pushy but just mingle and see what happens.  I don't know, just a thought.

Oct 19, 2009 8:47 pm

This has been spoken about many times, but ultimately with CC’s, marina’s, yacht clubs, etc. you only want to get involved in them if you are into it.  If you want to golf with this guy because you want to golf more, then go at it.  If you are doing it for a prospecting “in”, I think it’s a bad idea.

Oct 19, 2009 9:01 pm

There are more advisors at a country club then at a chamber event…

Oct 19, 2009 9:11 pm
Squash1:

There are more advisors at a country club then at a chamber event…

  Yup.  Ditto for marinas and yacht clubs.
Oct 19, 2009 9:15 pm

I agree w/ the sincerity of being a member – but it also might be hit or miss … my partner is member at a CC here in TX (of course I can’t say where) and he is the ONLY one there …



Its a great place to cement yourself for obvious reasons, and it might be a FA fest there-- but not every CC is swarming w/ advisors … go figure

Oct 19, 2009 9:34 pm

Go very, very slow. First build your reputation as a golfer (not, low handicapper, just, a guy who does not forget strokes or picks up his ball before he puts down his marker at the KPs). Only tell when asked, if you build it, they will come. The reason CC's aren't swarming with advisors is that very few can do it well and live to tell.

  http://www.milyunair.com/    
Oct 19, 2009 9:52 pm

That’s really interesting feedback…thank you.  It was just an idea, I was brainstorming on my marketing plan even though I don’t have the job yet.  Haha.  Thank you for the responses.  I’ll have to get back into golf again, haven’t done it in 10 years.

Oct 19, 2009 10:41 pm

I would just ask your buddy for the country club directory and start dialing.

Oct 19, 2009 10:48 pm
cfawannabee:

I agree w/ the sincerity of being a member – but it also might be hit or miss … my partner is member at a CC here in TX (of course I can’t say where) and he is the ONLY one there …

Its a great place to cement yourself for obvious reasons, and it might be a FA fest there-- but not every CC is swarming w/ advisors … go figure

  It worked for Bernie Madoff!!! 
Oct 19, 2009 11:22 pm

People that know you and care for you will want to help you SUCCEED. You just have to ask. So put on your best Eddie Haskel act and ask him for some help.

Mr. Jones, you’ve known me for a long time and know I’m building my business, if you were me who are the first five people you’d talk to?

…GREAT, thanks buddy!

Oh, is there anyone at the country club that ever talks about finances or investing? Those are the type of business I want serve.

Don’t make it harder than it is.

Oct 20, 2009 12:36 am

That’s a good idea.  I might go with the golfing bit initially.  I first have to get the job then get my licenses, but I enjoy thinking of my options for a marketing strategy.  I also might bring this up in my last interview as one of my methods to get business.

Oct 20, 2009 12:49 am
NewRep17:

That’s a good idea.  I might go with the golfing bit initially.  I first have to get the job then get my licenses, but I enjoy thinking of my options for a marketing strategy.  I also might bring this up in my last interview as one of my methods to get business.

  I wouldn't bring it up as a method of prospecting during the interviewing process.  I'd stick with the more traditional methods of prospecting in your interview stage.  once you get the job, do whatever you want.    The only way you will get business from a country club is if YOU are the member and people like you first.  So, if the topic comes up, talk.  If not, be quite, play golf, and make some new friends that will eventually find out what you do.    If you enjoy golfing but don't have the means to join a CC but want to incorporate it during good weather months, I'd maybe host a golf event.  Invite 5 people you know or do business with and tell them they have to bring a partner because you're doing a two man scramble.  Then get a wholesaler to come with to help split the costs.  maybe have the pro at that course give a 45 minute group lesson for those interested on the driving range first.  You could even do a "9 and Dine" concept where you just play 9 holes (this may be better for older clients that get tired easy) in the morning and then have lunch in the clubhouse restaurant.  there you can just socialize for 15 minutes as you're getting your drinks/orders and then you or the wholesaler could take 20 minutes to discuss a topic. 
Oct 20, 2009 1:18 am

That is a great idea, thanks man.  I was just trying to think of as many forums as possible to get my name out there.  I don’t want to be that 80% that fails.  haha

Oct 20, 2009 1:28 am

Man, peddling around the country club at this point in your “career” honestly will amount to jack sh!t.  Someone has to be the one to tell you, I’m sorry.  Here’s a better idea.  Ask the pro shop guy if he will let you, on behalf of whatever company you’re with, put up a fishbowl that says “Win a $50 Pro Shop Gift Card”.  Place it at the counter or somewhere prominent and once each month draw a business card that wins the gift card.  Call everyone else telling them that although they did not win the gift card, they do have the opportunity for a free financial checkup (or whatever else you wanna call it).  That will get you much more direct contact with people, and you won’t have to slop around the place for several hours a week pretending you want to know more about whatever play they went to see last weekend, or how their kids little league team is doing. 

Oct 20, 2009 1:32 am
3rdyrp2:

Man, peddling around the country club at this point in your “career” honestly will amount to jack sh!t.  Someone has to be the one to tell you, I’m sorry.  Here’s a better idea.  Ask the pro shop guy if he will let you, on behalf of whatever company you’re with, put up a fishbowl that says “Win a $50 Pro Shop Gift Card”.  Place it at the counter or somewhere prominent and once each month draw a business card that wins the gift card.  Call everyone else telling them that although they did not win the gift card, they do have the opportunity for a free financial checkup (or whatever else you wanna call it).  That will get you much more direct contact with people, and you won’t have to slop around the place for several hours a week pretending you want to know more about whatever play they went to see last weekend, or how their kids little league team is doing. 

  Is that how your fishbowl prospecting works in general, 3rd?
Oct 20, 2009 1:44 am
voltmoie:

[quote=3rdyrp2]Man, peddling around the country club at this point in your “career” honestly will amount to jack sh!t.  Someone has to be the one to tell you, I’m sorry.  Here’s a better idea.  Ask the pro shop guy if he will let you, on behalf of whatever company you’re with, put up a fishbowl that says “Win a $50 Pro Shop Gift Card”.  Place it at the counter or somewhere prominent and once each month draw a business card that wins the gift card.  Call everyone else telling them that although they did not win the gift card, they do have the opportunity for a free financial checkup (or whatever else you wanna call it).  That will get you much more direct contact with people, and you won’t have to slop around the place for several hours a week pretending you want to know more about whatever play they went to see last weekend, or how their kids little league team is doing. 

  Is that how your fishbowl prospecting works in general, 3rd?[/quote]   No, I don't know anyone that tried that technique at golf clubs yet.  I think though for a newbie that's not hired yet would be making a mistake spending quality hours they could be spending door knocking/dialing/whatever-it-is-your-company-pushes-as-a-prospecting-method hanging around at a country club he's not a member of. 
Oct 20, 2009 1:47 am

[quote=3rdyrp2]

  No, I don't know anyone that tried that technique at golf clubs yet.  I think though for a newbie that's not hired yet would be making a mistake spending quality hours they could be spending door knocking/dialing/whatever-it-is-your-company-pushes-as-a-prospecting-method hanging around at a country club he's not a member of.  [/quote]

I mean in general, not just golf courses. Is that how you guys work it at restaurants?
Oct 20, 2009 3:01 am

[quote=voltmoie] [quote=3rdyrp2]

  No, I don't know anyone that tried that technique at golf clubs yet.  I think though for a newbie that's not hired yet would be making a mistake spending quality hours they could be spending door knocking/dialing/whatever-it-is-your-company-pushes-as-a-prospecting-method hanging around at a country club he's not a member of.  [/quote]

I mean in general, not just golf courses. Is that how you guys work it at restaurants?
[/quote]   Pretty much, the only difference was that with the restaurants EVERYONE was the "lucky" winner. 
Oct 20, 2009 12:59 pm

Haha, and then you what?  Invite them and some friends to a "free" lunch and give them a short pitch?

 
Oct 20, 2009 1:26 pm

Dont worry about how you are going to prospect now. Heres what you should do, in this order:

  1) Get the job 2) Do what they tell you to do 3) Establish a business 4) Do different kinds of niché marketing or networking   Until you get through 1-3, don`t worry about 4.