Getting to word out
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Ok, so as a new financial advisor in the industry, I want as many people to know about my new job as possible. I figure that even the buddies that I haven’t quite kept in touch with as much as I should have over the years could be potential referral sources, or better yet, actually be in need of my services in the future.
Obviously the good old fashioned grass roots effort of picking up the phone and actually calling them is a possibility, but I'm wondering what other potentially helpful means of advertising my new services there are to leverage. I can't decide if a "business only" Facebook page would actually be potentially more harm than good. What methods have you folks used to shamelessly promote your new careers in order to network a little? Is it a bad idea to utilize Facebook, Myspace, etc?[quote=OckhamzRazor]Ok, so as a new financial advisor in the industry, I want as many people to know about my new job as possible. I figure that even the buddies that I haven’t quite kept in touch with as much as I should have over the years could be potential referral sources, or better yet, actually be in need of my services in the future.
Obviously the good old fashioned grass roots effort of picking up the phone and actually calling them is a possibility, but I'm wondering what other potentially helpful means of advertising my new services there are to leverage. I can't decide if a "business only" Facebook page would actually be potentially more harm than good. What methods have you folks used to shamelessly promote your new careers in order to network a little? Is it a bad idea to utilize Facebook, Myspace, etc? [/quote]Someone in our firm decided Facebook might be a good method of recruiting. I think it's absolutely humiliating that we now have a Facebook Page and some idiot is trying to use that for recruiting.
Why don't you do a newsletter or hire a newsletter service and use it to start dripping on your friends and acquaintances. Then follow them up with a call after a few months when they've gotten a couple newsletters.
[quote=Alice Cooper]Run a commercial during the Super Bowl.
[/quote]
Janet Jackson style?
I can't deny the attention I would surely get having Justin Timberlake grope me. Unfortunately, I don't think it's sending the message I want to get across. Hmmm... maybe I could hire one of those talking Etrade babies.
Bull, I'll definitely look into the newsletter service, thanks for that. I'm trying to see if there's been anything in particular that people have used personally that really worked for them. Also, I'm trying to figure out the best way to leverage the good ol' World Wide Web. I figure maybe Linkedin is a better option that Facebook, but both is probably better than just one or the other. Any opinions as to whether a social networking site is just inviting trouble?[quote=OckhamzRazor]
I can’t deny the attention I would surely get having Justin Timberlake grope me. Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s sending the message I want to get across. Hmmm… maybe I could hire one of those talking Etrade babies.
Bull, I'll definitely look into the newsletter service, thanks for that. I'm trying to see if there's been anything in particular that people have used personally that really worked for them. Also, I'm trying to figure out the best way to leverage the good ol' World Wide Web. I figure maybe Linkedin is a better option that Facebook, but both is probably better than just one or the other. Any opinions as to whether a social networking site is just inviting trouble?[/quote]We use Forefield Advisor
Ocky mom - why don’t you try something radical - like talking, and networking face-to-face to actual humans? Social networking will be the death of your financial services busienss - if you rely on it to draw people into your web.
[quote=BerkshireBull] [quote=OckhamzRazor]
I can't deny the attention I would surely get having Justin Timberlake grope me. Unfortunately, I don't think it's sending the message I want to get across. Hmmm... maybe I could hire one of those talking Etrade babies.
Bull, I'll definitely look into the newsletter service, thanks for that. I'm trying to see if there's been anything in particular that people have used personally that really worked for them. Also, I'm trying to figure out the best way to leverage the good ol' World Wide Web. I figure maybe Linkedin is a better option that Facebook, but both is probably better than just one or the other. Any opinions as to whether a social networking site is just inviting trouble?[/quote]We use Forefield Advisor
[/quote] Again thanks for the tip Bull.
e-Newsletters, social networking sites, a personal web site, and other
online marketing methods are all potentially excellent ways to get the
word out. That being said, it takes time for those method build
momentum and they require a steep learning curve. If you have a
background in online marketing methods then your golden, but if not I
would wade into that pool, not jump. I wouldn’t waste too much time
mining either LinkedIn or Facebook, I just don’t think it will provide
much return for the time invested… I could be wrong, but from my
experience, success on these mediums comes from experience and a solid
knowledge base.
If you are going this route then build yourself a
professional looking website. Use the site to introduce yourself,
describe your services, act as an additional point of contact, build a newsletter subscriber base and
update regularly with relevant news and events. Use the site as an
adjunct to drive the crux of your marketing, such as using the phone.
The
point I would highlight is that if you are planning on using either
your website or social networks as the foundation to get the word out,
and NOT doing the more traditional methods such as phone, door knock,
etc., then you are in for a rude awakening. The Internet is a wonderful
source of leads, but only if you know what you are doing.
Kit, great info! Thanks for the advice. I do want to make it clear that I’m looking for any supplementary avenues that I would use in addition to pounding the pavement and pounding the phone. I’m certainly not looking for an easy way out, only to try to take advantage of all options available to me.
Considering, "The Internet is a wonderful source of leads," I think it would be worth exploring even it it only yielded one or two households that I wouldn't have been able to get otherwise.The Internet IS a wonderful source of leads, that is one of the reasons that major advertising dollars are being diverted away from other traditional mediums and re-focused online. But don’t get caught up in the ‘Field of Dreams’ marketing trap so many people have become entangled. Just because you build it, does not mean that they will come. That being said, people have become accustom to their service providers having a website. Online presence may be more valuable in converting existing prospects than it is in mining for new ones.
There are a number of ways that a site can help get the word out in a subtle manner. When calling prospects, your website address (remember phonics when selecting a name) may often be the one thing that people remember when passing on contact info. Also, if one of your clients wants to recommend you to a friend, they will use your site as a soft intro. Making content on your site viral is also an effective manner. Just remember, content is king on the web, so make sure that you invest the time on the site to create content that is both original and relevant, and which will reinforce your image as a professional…
anyway… I hope that helps…
I guess I will be the first jerk to point this out, but don’t you mean “Getting the word out”?
Yeah... noticed that after I started the thread and didn't take the time to figure out how to edit the topic. Almost makes me feel like a Nigerian monarch looking for someone to help me hold all of my money. Feel free to PM me checking account numbers.
You need to "market" yourself in every way possible. That is the only way to "get the word out". It is a game of numbers........the more people you meet, the more opportunities you have.
Join the Chamber, Rotary, BNI group Volunteer with community programs or Church. Give classes through local non-profit. Start an email campaign Get a professional website with useful info and calculators. Do seminars, charge a fee and give money to local charity. Network with other professional through their organizations. Play golf once a/week as a single (walk-on). Take people out to a museum, art show. Rent a movie theater and invite the town. Host event with special "Guest speakers". Form a group of close respected friends and let them be your "Board of Directors". Ask businesses how you can "Help them with their business". I don't like the phone so I have to find ways to get in groups and work face-to-face. You have to be places and do things in order to "get the word out". Good luck.Thanks LL. Lots of great info there. Going to have to print that out and make a marketing bucket list. dusts off the golf clubs