My Next Marketing Project

[warnerins]

Local Networking Sales Group Forming​

Dear Sales Professional,

This is not spam email. I have spent many weeks researching local business in the Albuquerque and Rio Rancho area (near my office). I have specifically sent this email to you.

My name is Tim Warner 505-899-7000 I am the owner of a business in Ventana Ranch. I have been researching business networking leads groups in our area, without much luck. There are several BNI chapters in and around the Albuquerque area http://www.bninewmexico.com/ Other than BNI there is very little to no other options.

If you are not familiar with this type of group, here is how it works:
Generally there are 15 or more members in the group.
Each group member represents a specific occupation (there are never two of the same occupations in the group).
Each occupation relies on continuous leads to build their business.
Meetings are scheduled on a regular basis to give and receive leads from other members in the group.

Usually these groups are very structured as to not waist anyone's time (that is my goal as well). However, these groups also come with large dues, fees and penalties (there will be no fees of any kind with this group).​

I am contacting you and others in your industry to recruit a member. I will also be contacting individuals from these groups:​

Window treatments
Mortgages
Real Estate
Heath and Wellness Products
Eye Care
Financial Adviser
Janitorial and Commercial Cleaning
Supplemental Insurance
Printing Service
Plumber
CPA
Commercial Banking Service
Life Coach
Payroll Service
Counselor
General Contractor
Pest Control
Photographer
Message Therapist
Computer Services/Sales
Mary Kay Rep
Security Systems
Heating and Air Conditioning
Automotive Sales
Book keeping
Painter
Acupuncture
Closets and cabinets
Graphic design
Picture Framer
Travel Agent
Employment Agency
Web Design
Security Systems
Copier Sales​

If you are interested in participating or have any questions - each occupation will be filled on a first come first serve basis - please reply to this mail and let me know.

Thanks for your time,​

Tim Warner
President
Warner Insurance, LLC
505-899-7000​

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Forum,

This is the second draft of an email that will be sent out next week. I know it has rough spots and reads a little choppy. Any thoughts as to how clean it up?

I will be sending this out to all occupations all at the same time. However, this will not be sent out as a group mailing. But to each person individually. The email addresses have been gathered and the project time line figured out.

Any thoughts?

 

[SalemInsuranceGuy]

Local Networking Sales Group Forming​

Dear Sales Professional,

This is not spam email. I have spent many weeks researching local business in the Albuquerque and Rio Rancho area (near my office). I have specifically sent this email to you.

My name is Tim Warner 505-899-7000 I am the owner of a business in Ventana Ranch. I have been researching business networking leads groups in our area, without much luck. There are several BNI chapters in and around the Albuquerque area http://www.bninewmexico.com/ Other than BNI there is very little to no other options.

If you are not familiar with this type of group, here is how it works:
Generally there are 15 or more members in the group.
Each group member represents a specific occupation (there are never two of the same occupations in the group).
Each occupation relies on continuous leads to build their business.
Meetings are scheduled on a regular basis to give and receive leads from other members in the group.

Usually these groups are very structured as to not waist anyone's time (that is my goal as well). However, these groups also come with large dues, fees and penalties (there will be no fees of any kind with this group).​

I am contacting you and others in your industry to recruit a member. I will also be contacting individuals from these groups:​

Window treatments
Mortgages
Real Estate
Heath and Wellness Products
Eye Care
Financial Adviser
Janitorial and Commercial Cleaning
Supplemental Insurance
Printing Service
Plumber
CPA
Commercial Banking Service
Life Coach
Payroll Service
Counselor
General Contractor
Pest Control
Photographer
Message Therapist
Computer Services/Sales
Mary Kay Rep
Security Systems
Heating and Air Conditioning
Automotive Sales
Book keeping
Painter
Acupuncture
Closets and cabinets
Graphic design
Picture Framer
Travel Agent
Employment Agency
Web Design
Security Systems
Copier Sales​

If you are interested in participating or have any questions - each occupation will be filled on a first come first serve basis - please reply to this mail and let me know.

Thanks for your time,​

Tim Warner
President
Warner Insurance, LLC
505-899-7000​

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Forum,

This is the second draft of an email that will be sent out next week. I know it has rough spots and reads a little choppy. Any thoughts as to how clean it up?

I will be sending this out to all occupations all at the same time. However, this will not be sent out as a group mailing. But to each person individually. The email addresses have been gathered and the project time line figured out.

Any thoughts?

I guess my question getting this email would be, so why don't I just join BNI? I'm familiar with BNI and my wife used it when she was a branch manager working in another industry. It was a good group and delivered on it's promise of lead sharing and bringing in new business.

So my question to you is what are you going to do that BNI isn't and what makes you think you can do it better, other than no fee? If you can answer those questions I think you may have a decent idea. Networking groups can be a great idea. I'm not sure I'd give BNI a free plug either. That would be like me saying hey I have great term rates that no one else has except for my competator and then give my competitions website and contact info. A lot of people may not even know about BNI or they may have stayed away due to cost or someone else in their industry already locking up their chance to join. Also since you're not charging anything what will your costs be in this? Where will you meet? Restaurant? Your office? A hotel? How will you communicate with the members? Website? Email? Newsletter via email or regular mail? What about a directory? Also the list makes it appear that it's limited to only those groups. I'm assuming there may be other groups you'll allow in. Who decides on who comes in and who doesn't? What are the rules for someone staying in the group or being thrown out? I mean what if someone joins for free and then never shows up. Or they only take leads but never provide any. How in depth have you researched BNI? I would recommend you find out everything you can about them and how they run a group and use what you can to ensure your group doesn't flop. You really only have one chance to get it going good.

 

[warnerins]

Allen,

Thanks man, love it....... It's hard to bounce these ideas off off of my spouse (sometimes). Having the fresh point of view is what I am looking for and the forum always delivers.

Good feedback on the BNI plug (may do away with it).

I have researched this a little and have several bylaws from other groups nationwide. I did belong to BNI 18 years ago and am kind of familiar with the structure.

Meeting places will probably be existing clients that I have insured in the area 2 coffee houses a couple of japanese restaurants and some family owned spanish restaurants. May even offer my office... we have about 1300 square feet.

Not sure what the cost will be to me. But, hoping the benefits will out way any time or money that I have invested.

Communication will be through my website at Ventana Ranch Tips Club

emailing and directory list will be set up on the last page of the site.

Thanks again Allen.

 

[briko3]

I can only tell you what I would do if I got that e-mail. Mark it as spam. I hate to be negative because I can see you've worked really hard on it, but it is the way it is.

This is how far I got before thinking that this is someone trying to sell me something "Dear Sales Professional,

This is not spam email. I have spent many weeks researching local business in the Albuquerque and Rio Rancho area (near my office). I have specifically sent this email to you.

My name is Tim Warner 505-899-7000 I am the owner of a business in Ventana Ranch. I have been researching business networking leads groups in"

I had to force myself to go back and read the rest.

I know it's not what you probably wanted to hear, but I hope it helps.
- Chris

 

[SalemInsuranceGuy]

Allen,

Thanks man, love it....... It's hard to bounce these ideas off off of my spouse (sometimes). Having the fresh point of view is what I am looking for and the forum always delivers.

Good feedback on the BNI plug (may do away with it).

I have researched this a little and have several bylaws from other groups nationwide. I did belong to BNI 18 years ago and am kind of familiar with the structure.

Meeting places will probably be existing clients that I have insured in the area 2 coffee houses a couple of japanese restaurants and some family owned spanish restaurants. May even offer my office... we have about 1300 square feet.

Not sure what the cost will be to me. But, hoping the benefits will out way any time or money that I have invested.

Communication will be through my website at Ventana Ranch Tips Club

emailing and directory list will be set up on the last page of the site.

Thanks again Allen.

Overall I think you have a great idea. If I was a business person in your area I'd join the group. I also checked out the newsletter and like how it's soft sell with interesting articles. No in your face you need to buy insurance or you don't care about your family that is typical out there. You've got me thinking about what could be done in my area.

 

[Guest]

Usually these groups are very structured as to not waist anyone's time

Try waste. Waist is what you put your belt around.

I agree with others... email will be a WASTE of your time. I would phone each of these folks, quickly tell them what you are doing, and ask if they are interested in having you send them some more info. Do five or ten a day and I'm sure you will fill all of the slots quickly... and you may even find some prospects of your own!

Al
InsuranceSolutions123 Agency: Honesty and Integrity

 

[padthaiforlunch]

I would phone each of these folks, quickly tell them what you are doing, and ask if they are interested in having you send them some more info. Do five or ten a day and I'm sure you will fill all of the slots quickly... and you may even find some prospects of your own!

I was thinking you should telephone them as well. No need to do it for free. You will probably delegate the grunt work to an assistant. Hold it at your office, charge $5/month for coffee and cookies.

 

[SalemInsuranceGuy]

I was thinking you should telephone them as well. No need to do it for free. You will probably delegate the grunt work to an assistant. Hold it at your office, charge $5/month for coffee and cookies.

I think a small reasonable fee like $5 may be a better idea. Sometimes if it's free people don't respect it as much or may think oh this guy is going to try to pitch us on something. You could even switch it up now and then at a restaurant and charge $10 or $20, just enough to cover costs. Maybe even hold it at another members office is they have space too. Kind of switch it up a little and get people exposed to other areas. Just give plenty of advanced notice and follow up notices. Maybe a call a day or two ahead of time just as a friendly reminder.

 

[warnerins]

Thanks all for the feedback:

Here is the plan - The email has been adjusted and BNI reference removed. This email has been shortened and reference links to the website have been included. The email will only go out to sales professionals that are interested in receiving additional informaion.

A call list will be generated today and scheduled calls will start tomorrow to a list of the occupations that are demographically close to our location.

A second call list is being generated to current contacts that have expressed an interest in the group.

Bylaws and requirements for the group are in the process of being created. There will be a hard copy and ecopy that will be finished by Wednesday.

An online point system will be added to the website and updated every week.

Another follow-up email has been created and will go out on a scheduled date. This email will consist of a "Welcome to the Club" introduction and username and passwords for the members portion of the website (that will be locked of shortly).

As for membership fees - I think that we will take this one step at a time and let the group designate where it goes. If the group grows the way I am hoping, this will be discussed amongst group members in the near future. If the group dies a quick and meaningless death then nobody feels cheated of their five bucks.

The Group will meet once a week and follow strict guidelines. These guidelines will be formed and voted on by the group.

If anyone has first person knowledge with BNI, LeTips or any other groups and can share with me on how there meetings are formatted, please share. It would really help to reduce the learning curve.

 

[stuy119]

Thanks all for the feedback:

Here is the plan - The email has been adjusted and BNI reference removed. This email has been shortened and reference links to the website have been included. The email will only go out to sales professionals that are interested in receiving additional informaion.

A call list will be generated today and scheduled calls will start tomorrow to a list of the occupations that are demographically close to our location.

A second call list is being generated to current contacts that have expressed an interest in the group.

Bylaws and requirements for the group are in the process of being created. There will be a hard copy and ecopy that will be finished by Wednesday.

An online point system will be added to the website and updated every week.

Another follow-up email has been created and will go out on a scheduled date. This email will consist of a "Welcome to the Club" introduction and username and passwords for the members portion of the website (that will be locked of shortly).

As for membership fees - I think that we will take this one step at a time and let the group designate where it goes. If the group grows the way I am hoping, this will be discussed amongst group members in the near future. If the group dies a quick and meaningless death then nobody feels cheated of their five bucks.

The Group will meet once a week and follow strict guidelines. These guidelines will be formed and voted on by the group.

If anyone has first person knowledge with BNI, LeTips or any other groups and can share with me on how there meetings are formatted, please share. It would really help to reduce the learning curve.

No offense, but BNI is successful for a reason - the structure works and is already in place.

Our BNI group thought about breaking away to form our own group to save some money, but it just doesn't work that way. To effectively start a networking group that is worth its salt, you need to spend some money to get a few things in place, namely education, marketing, and paperwork.

One of the key issues is the "threat" of not showing up, and how that accountability works in your advantage. You play $300 annually, and if you don't show up your category can be opened up. THAT will encourage accountability.

Sometimes in life you get what you pay for. This is one of those times.