Here's a seminar idea. Why don't you book a seminar on financial planning at one of the hotels by your airport? Just think of the ambiance that you could create...hotel conference room...fluorescent lighting...buffet table...rubber chicken. And the novel topic...financial planning. How unique! Don't you think that your best prospects would jump at the chance to spend an hour with you at the Holiday Inn off the interstate?
Here's a better idea. Why don't you just light your hair on fire? The reality is that the type of seminar that you do brands you...good or bad. Do you want to be known as the person who put together the generic seminar in a dreary hotel room; or would you like to leave a decidedly different impression?
Here's a different approach. Think about an event that your ideal prospect would WANT to attend...an interesting venue that puts people in a good mood. Remember, one of the central objectives of any seminar that is intended to attract prospects is quite simple...which is to create a favorable impression that allows you to contact them again. I submit that Conference Room "A" at the Hampton Inn is not the best venue to achieve this objective.
How about joining forces with one of the local purveyors of oriental rugs, and host an event at their shop? They invite their best clients/prospects...and you can as well. Working with an oriental rug dealer will allow you to weave together a theme on topics that refer to the area of origin for the rugs, i.e. Turkey, Iran, India, Pakistan, China, etc. Global investing is a possibility for your topic, yet you might have a brainstorm on a topic more creative than this. If you wanted to extend the co-marketing even further, you could also invite a local wine/cheese merchant to supply and discuss their wares. However, you should be cautious about inviting too many marketing participants...you don't want to confuse your guests with disparate and unrelated topics.
FYI...here's a link to the Oriental Rug Importers Association if you are at a loss as to where to start. However, I would concentrate on building a relationship with a dealer who you like, and who buys in to the benefit of collaborating on a joint marketing project.
On another related topic, there's a great piece today in Horsesmouth...an article entitled "7 Offbeat Prospecting Strategies." I highly recommend it.
Mean I just read through the entire article of yours and it was quite good but since I'm more of a visual learner,I found that to be more helpful.
Posted by: Air Max | December 20, 2011 at 01:01 AM