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Offline Skills and Experience

by Keepcalm
21 replies
I really want to be able to help businesses market their business and get more customers in my area, but actually help them and not scam them!

Most of the courses I see sold on this forum and else where about offline marketing are selling a piece of software, or a small one off service that you can sell etc.

But the experts on this forum don't seem to work that way, they provide the client with what they need based on that particular client, and they know exactly how to get results for their clients.

What I was wondering is how can I learn how to do this? I know the top guys on here (you know who you are) seem like they were born with these skills , but for a mere mortal like me where can I learn these skills?

Like I say I want to be able to offer genuine value to clients that are paying me their money, and I don't mind putting in the hours to learn.

Your guidance and experience with this would really be helpful
#experience #learn marketing #offline #skills #skills or experience
  • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
    Originally Posted by Keepcalm View Post

    I really want to be able to help businesses market their business and get more customers in my area, but actually help them and not scam them!

    Most of the courses I see sold on this forum and else where about offline marketing are selling a piece of software, or a small one off service that you can sell etc.

    But the experts on this forum don't seem to work that way, they provide the client with what they need based on that particular client, and they know exactly how to get results for their clients.

    What I was wondering is how can I learn how to do this? I know the top guys on here (you know who you are) seem like they were born with these skills , but for a mere mortal like me where can I learn these skills?

    Like I say I want to be able to offer genuine value to clients that are paying me their money, and I don't mind putting in the hours to learn.

    Your guidance and experience with this would really be helpful
    I have been working on computers since the early 90's
    I have been in sales for 20+ years
    I have been working with business for 15 years (give or take)

    All of my skills have been learned the hard way

    Trial, error and time

    No magic bullets. You have to put in the grunt work and LEARN

    ... and don't let some of those "guru's" BS you ... some of the best learning
    you will do ... will come from your own mistakes and naivety.
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    • Profile picture of the author Matthew Iannotti
      Originally Posted by kenmichaels View Post

      All of my skills have been learned the hard way

      Trial, error and time

      No magic bullets. You have to put in the grunt work and LEARN

      ... and don't let some of those "guru's" BS you ... some of the best learning
      you will do ... will come from your own mistakes and naivety.
      Very true. You can only learn so much by reading or listening to advice. The best experience comes from rolling up your sleeves and putting in your time.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Experience.

    Work experience. Seeing how things worked in the real world with real companies.

    Then that knowledge transferred over into consulting.

    Maybe you can work with someone who knows what they're doing, and pick up the method?

    See, to grow, and change what you're doing, you have to get the idea of what to do different.

    This means speaking a different language--using terminology you haven't been using--to describe problems other than what you've been working with before.

    So if you put yourself around someone doing the work you want to do, you'll see and hear what they do. And you'll get the picture of how it works.

    For instance, to find out how Big Data business problems are identified and solved, I plan to spend a week or so with a Big Data solutions provider. I will soak up what they say, who they work with, and how they do it. I won't get all of the technical stuff about implementing the solution...but I will get the idea of what they do and how they do it. And that will be my gateway into their world, as I'll be able to begin those conversations.

    EDIT: Lol Ken, we answered simultaneously with a pretty similar message.
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  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    I'd suggest getting a job or internship with a company that does what you want to do.

    There is the marketing skills and knowledge side of things, but I also suggest getting
    the general business experience and all the applicable wisdom gained from that.

    You've been following the forum, so you know a lot of the books to read. And the
    people to learn from like Dan Kennedy, Jay Abraham, Jeff Walker, Rich Schrefren
    and Todd Brown...
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    "If you think you're the smartest person in the room, then you're probably in the wrong room."

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    • Profile picture of the author animal44
      Second Jay Abraham and Dan Kennedy. Any of the Direct Marketing gurus. Forget the WSOs, most are rubbish.

      Have a free dose of 50 shades of Jay... Signup at the bottom.

      Customer reactivations are pretty easy to learn and generate immediate sales. Get a copy of Magnetic Marketing - lots of examples in there. Signup for Dan's newsletter and you'll likely get an offer at a discount, $195 if I remember correctly.

      Then just get out there and talk to people. Find out what they need...
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  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    What people don't realize is that those that are successful, have had many failures along the way.

    That's how you learn. You learn by studying, research, trying, and adjusting. Sometimes you fail, but you should always learn from your mistakes or the mistakes of others.

    My best skills have come from a lot of headaches, trouble, and mistakes. Don't be afraid of failure, it can be a good thing.
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    • Profile picture of the author kubikdanon
      Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

      What people don't realize is that those that are successful, have had many failures along the way.

      That's how you learn. You learn by studying, research, trying, and adjusting. Sometimes you fail, but you should always learn from your mistakes or the mistakes of others.

      My best skills have come from a lot of headaches, trouble, and mistakes. Don't be afraid of failure, it can be a good thing.
      You are obviously not learning from your mistakes, you are learning from your successes. Your general point is correct, but you also need to understand that you need to be smart enough to minimize your failures.
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      • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
        Originally Posted by kubikdanon View Post

        You are obviously not learning from your mistakes, you are learning from your successes. Your general point is correct, but you also need to understand that you need to be smart enough to minimize your failures.
        I call BS on this one and think you are being insulting and disrespectful. The only real failure is not trying.
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      • Profile picture of the author Oziboomer
        Originally Posted by kubikdanon View Post

        You are obviously not learning from your mistakes, you are learning from your successes. Your general point is correct, but you also need to understand that you need to be smart enough to minimize your failures.
        Like a baby learning to walk or a kid learning to ride a bike...

        ...there is plenty of falling over or crashing along the way.

        This is how we learn...by failing and then getting up again.

        In business it is pretty much the same.

        Persistence and endurance has more to do with how successful you are than intelligence.

        Experience generally does help minimise failures and you should recognise Nathan (iamnameless) has experience and intellect by the boatload and could run rings around 98% of the people that might read this thread.

        I hope you learn whether by your obvious intellect or just by experience you shouldn't put others down in your posts.

        Next time you may consider what you write before responding in a forum when for the large part people are here to help others and not insult them.
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        • Profile picture of the author Leadsupply
          Want to share something that I heard from somewhere. I think it was quote from a billionaire.

          Q1: What's the secret to your success?
          A1: Two words, RIGHT DECISIONS.

          Q2: And how do you make those right decisions?
          A2: One word, EXPERIENCE.

          Q3: And how do you gain that experience?
          A3: Two words, WRONG DECISIONS.


          Honestly, this is one of my favorite lines. I believe it's timely and perfect for our industry.

          So yeah, goodluck to everyone.

          Thanks.
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  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    I would say that key things to learn, aside from selling and marketing, and hard skills like web design and development, are:

    how to isolate the problems and needs of the client. It's easy to be excited (and perhaps
    money hungry) and think a prospect needs a new site, and Social Media, and an e-newsletter,
    and, and and... When all they really need is a good print ad or post card. It can work the other
    way when you go focused on one improvement that they need and miss other improvements they also need.

    determining if you want the prospect as a client or not. Early on you might be desperate and get burned and you'll look back and see the red flags you over looked. Ditto for hiring.

    determining if someone is just a suspect or a strong prospect ready to go with you.
    It can get exciting to think about the possibilities of somebody you just talked to, when
    the reality is that they are just a suspect who may really have a business, or may just
    have a dream that they make sound really, really good.

    Dan
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    • Profile picture of the author Keepcalm
      Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.

      Definitely going to take on board what you have said, and look into your suggestions.
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      • Profile picture of the author savidge4
        For all intense purposes there are 3 kinds of sites that dominate the web. there are sites that provide information ( dictionary, Wikipedia, etc ) there are sites that attempt to collect leads, and there are commerce sites. 2 out of the 3 are what you would want to focus on. Leads, and commerce. get the phone to ring, and sell product.

        In both cases there is a fundamental core element that has to occur to create success, be it for yourself or for clients.. and that is traffic. IF you understand developing traffic, and not just traffic but TARGETTED traffic, the world is your oyster.

        As many above have said.. success has been YEARS in the making.. many failures ( well ok maybe not failures - "LEARNING experiences" ) With experience comes knowledge and with knowledge comes the ability to provide a top notch service for your clients.

        I am a FIRM believer in doing this "learning" on your own dime as I were. You could literally tomorrow have a site up for your business in an attempt to attract new business. this would be a lead site. Clients are looking for a particular service, you provide that service and they contact you. easy easy stuff ( insert sarcasm ) but one of the tools you really need to get under your belt.

        The other site you literally could have up and running tomorrow would be a Amazon affiliate site. Woocommerce with the Prosociate plugin is a heck of a way to start. find a specific ( targeted niche ) load product, develop content, develop a social community, and drive traffic.

        To give you an idea here.. I have a "few" amazon sites. During the what I call "Christmas Season" ( August 15th to Dec 20th ) I produced just short of 8 digit gross sales in Amazon products alone. with an average of 4.65% commission... it was a pretty decent "Season"

        To be straight up and honest here... If I had started way back with affiliate product sites, I would have NEVER gotten into developing income for clients. Think about this for a moment.. why would you use your talents to develop cash for someone else, when you could work the same amount of time to develop your own cash stream? AND more than likely get paid a whole lot more doing it.
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        Success is an ACT not an idea
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        • Profile picture of the author Keepcalm
          Wow I have had a light bulb moment thanks to Savidge, I really like the idea of setting up an amazon affiliate site. Like you say its learning on your own dime, and if all goes to plan you make money for yourself as well!

          Originally Posted by savidge4 View Post

          For all intense purposes there are 3 kinds of sites that dominate the web. there are sites that provide information ( dictionary, Wikipedia, etc ) there are sites that attempt to collect leads, and there are commerce sites. 2 out of the 3 are what you would want to focus on. Leads, and commerce. get the phone to ring, and sell product.

          In both cases there is a fundamental core element that has to occur to create success, be it for yourself or for clients.. and that is traffic. IF you understand developing traffic, and not just traffic but TARGETTED traffic, the world is your oyster.

          As many above have said.. success has been YEARS in the making.. many failures ( well ok maybe not failures - "LEARNING experiences" ) With experience comes knowledge and with knowledge comes the ability to provide a top notch service for your clients.

          I am a FIRM believer in doing this "learning" on your own dime as I were. You could literally tomorrow have a site up for your business in an attempt to attract new business. this would be a lead site. Clients are looking for a particular service, you provide that service and they contact you. easy easy stuff ( insert sarcasm ) but one of the tools you really need to get under your belt.

          The other site you literally could have up and running tomorrow would be a Amazon affiliate site. Woocommerce with the Prosociate plugin is a heck of a way to start. find a specific ( targeted niche ) load product, develop content, develop a social community, and drive traffic.

          To give you an idea here.. I have a "few" amazon sites. During the what I call "Christmas Season" ( August 15th to Dec 20th ) I produced just short of 8 digit gross sales in Amazon products alone. with an average of 4.65% commission... it was a pretty decent "Season"

          To be straight up and honest here... If I had started way back with affiliate product sites, I would have NEVER gotten into developing income for clients. Think about this for a moment.. why would you use your talents to develop cash for someone else, when you could work the same amount of time to develop your own cash stream? AND more than likely get paid a whole lot more doing it.
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          • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
            Originally Posted by Keepcalm View Post

            Wow I have had a light bulb moment thanks to Savidge, I really like the idea of setting up an amazon affiliate site. Like you say its learning on your own dime, and if all goes to plan you make money for yourself as well!
            Keep in mind that Savidge never sleeps, so "a few Amazon sites" probably means like 200 sites.
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            • Profile picture of the author savidge4
              Originally Posted by bizgrower View Post

              Keep in mind that Savidge never sleeps, so "a few Amazon sites" probably means like 200 sites.

              I sleep dang it... every other Tuesday for 3 hours.. unless something comes up! and a few is almost dead on 200 <wink>
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        • Profile picture of the author Oziboomer
          Originally Posted by savidge4 View Post

          For all intense purposes there are 3 kinds of sites that dominate the web.
          Sorry...probably predictive text...but I think you mean...

          "all intents and purposes"

          https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/for_a...s_and_purposes

          As for meeting a client's needs it does come down to experience.

          Now that experience doesn't have to be much...just one step ahead of the client.

          I'm not suggesting you wing it as you go along but so many people try to sell so many solutions to business owners that they are developing a resistance to the approaches from the inexperienced and BS generators.

          From a personal perspective I don't chase clients or even generally market to them because I have other business interests that keep me busy.

          My clients find me because of the authority of having proof that you can deliver a result that someone needs... Fix-A-Frame | Digital Brisbane

          Through networking and helping other businesses by public speaking and genuine interaction with other business owners who are struggling you will develop an online marketing presence but it all starts with getting skilled up and as others have said a lot of trial and error.

          I'm fortunate...I've failed heaps.

          But I'm not a quitter.

          Several times in my life I've been faced with severe adversity.

          Several times in my life I have been at the top of my game....

          ...in fact I still hold a world record that has stood since 15th March 2005.

          Never give up.

          Always keep learning.

          Always keep adapting.

          Most importantly use what you learn and the process of helping others to adapt painlessly

          Once you get that I think you have what you are seeking.

          It gets both tougher and easier as you progress...but that's just my point of view.

          (tough builds resilience)

          Resilience builds knowledge.

          There is a sweet spot between having knowledge and sharing it in abundance where the money is made.

          Remember the highest rewards come for people who implement solutions for others who seek them.

          Best regards,

          Ozi
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          • Profile picture of the author savidge4
            Originally Posted by Oziboomer View Post

            Sorry...probably predictive text...but I think you mean...

            "all intents and purposes"

            https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/for_a...s_and_purposes

            Predictive text hahahaha no.. I suck - thanks for the grammer lesson tho.. never knew - learn something new every day.. and forget 6 others!
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  • Profile picture of the author JuanitaCornett
    this is best way to learning processes for online and offline marketing.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jeremiah Walsh
    I have been working at being successful for 20 years now. I am still working hard every day at being successful and maintaining that success.

    Everything that I have learned has been trough the school of hard knocks. You have to graduate from that school if you want to succeed. No push button software will do that for you.
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