One of the most essential things to successful networking is your Contact List. When you start a business, developing one is the first step in promoting and marketing your company. As you write your business plan, it is helpful to make this list to start to develop an idea of who your customer base will be.
The first source of clients would your family and current friends and acquaintances. Depending on your product or service, these people may actually become your clients, as well as being family and friends! When making this list, it is important to write down everyone you know- EVERYONE! Not necessarily because they will become your customer, but in Part Two of this article, we will discuss how these people will LEAD you to customers.
The following is called a MEMORY JOGGER. It is used to...you guessed it...JOG YOUR MEMORY! You may find it helpful to save this list to a file, and print it out to work on over a period of time. Write down everyone- not just the ones who you think would be clients.
Memory Jogger List
RELATIVES
Parents
Grandparents
Sister
Brother
Aunt
Uncle
Cousin
WHO IS MY:
Lawyer
Milkman
Insurance Agent
Mailman
Accountant
Paperboy (Parents)
Congressman
Dentist
Pharmacist
Minister
Veterinarian
Florist
Physician
Optometrist
WHO SOLD ME MY:
Furniture
Appliances
Office Equipment
Camper
Boat
Vacuum Cleaner
Glasses/Contacts
Wedding Rings
Business Clothes
Hunting License
Fishing License
T.V./Stereo
Car/Tires
House
I KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS A:
Nurse
Golf Pro
Student
Fashion Model
Security Guard
Sheriff
Fire Chief
Secretary
Welder
Music Teacher
Art Instructor
Seamstress
Carpenter
Pilot/Stewardess
Bus Driver
Bank Teller
Garage Mechanic
Editor
Lab Technician
Printer
Restaurant Owner
Office Manager
Surgeon
Librarian
Real Estate Agent
Interior Decorator
Lifeguard
Fisherman
Waitress
Notary Public
Antique Dealer
Contractor
Chiropractor
Electrician
Motel Owner
Dietitian
I KNOW SOMEONE THAT:
Lives Next Door
Is my Barber/Hairdresser
Teaches My Kids
Was my Best Man
Was My Maid of Honor
Was my Photographer
Is My Baby-sitter
Was My Navy Buddy
Goes Bowling with Me
Is my Former Boss
Was My Teacher
Repaired My TV
Teaches Ceramics
Was in my Car Pool
Cuts My Grass
Painted My House
Owns My Apartment
Is in Rotary, Lions
Is in My Book Club
Dry Cleans My Clothes
Hung My Wallpaper
Sells Me Gasoline
Delivers Parcels & Packages
Sells Ice Cream
This short list will provide you with about 100 contact names- a great start for any business. Next week we'll talk about what to do with the list once you have completed it.
Nancy Roebke, is the Executive Director of Profnet Inc, a professional business leads generation corporation. We bring business professionals together in a non-competitive environment to help each other make more money.
mailto:execdirector@profnet.org http://www.profnet.org
Copyright c Nancy Roebke
In business, having competitors goes with the territory. There's almost... Read More
I nearly panicked recently! Well, maybe a slight exaggeration but... Read More
It's a startling fact: almost all entrepreneurs aren't marketing their... Read More
Part 1 of this series described five critical components for... Read More
When conducting strategic planning for any company -- online and/or... Read More
1. Examine your clientele and define your ideal client. Of... Read More
The most crucial aspect of having a high response rate... Read More
Recently, I've received a few e-mails from people asking me... Read More
A well-designed chart can be one of the most persuasive... Read More
Each year, advertisers with super sized budgets sink millions of... Read More
As we study the demographic regional variations for small service... Read More
Looking to grow your business? Make sure you have these... Read More
Businesses rely on brochures as their front line in communicating... Read More
The right direct mailing list targets people who want your... Read More
Competition in the past has embodied such beliefs of "kill... Read More
Do you ask prospective clients to go too far?Must your... Read More
I have been designing Yellow Page ads for the past... Read More
A lot of small businesses make the mistake of thinking... Read More
I'm constantly amazed by all of the media reps from... Read More
This tip is so simple, that many people we've talked... Read More
Same old same old just doesn't sell anymore. To... Read More
Quit spreading those chain letters, nothing is going to happen... Read More
Today I want to share a question from a reader... Read More
Business to business communications on the web are as stale... Read More
Sales are down, and I need more customers now! Sound... Read More
The idea that good design can improve how people perceive... Read More
One of the best ways for potential clients to find... Read More
Cinch your success with 8-second leaders! Step into the saddle... Read More
This list has been compiled as a result of years... Read More
You could end up with poor results when designing a... Read More
On a copywriting board I frequent, someone expressed bafflement that... Read More
Your local Chamber of Commerce.Now before you stop reading, I... Read More
Offering free and exclusive content to ezine publishers and webmasters... Read More
I'm always amazed that people would spend months to develop... Read More
Brochures are a great way to get your message across.... Read More
"Do it!", "Do it now!", or "Do it because..."Which of... Read More
Personal contact with customers is a crucial element in the... Read More
Parents are always looking for free and easy ways to... Read More
If you're just dipping your toes into the waters of... Read More
How many times has your competitor gotten one over on... Read More
It's a sunny morning and you're sitting in your office.... Read More
None of us have enough time in the day to... Read More
Besides a survey, your contact list can be used to... Read More
One of the hardest jobs in fundraising is crafting original... Read More
I think selling and marketing today often feels a bit... Read More
I often wonder how the practice began of pretending to... Read More
IntroWant me to tell you something on how you can... Read More
Most people mistakenly assume that when you talk about marketing,... Read More
We are all customers of one product or another. How... Read More
Once there was a loan officer, who marketed his services... Read More
Marketing Marketing |