In person marketing, also known as offline marketing, person to person marketing or live marketing is just as important as internet marketing. No matter how much we market our business online there is still a very important place for in-person marketing. There are several ways you can do this including joining a support group, holding a public speaking engagement, giving a lecture or talk, teaching a workshop, or attending a local networking mixer, social event or gathering. In doing so, you can begin to develop a local support network.

Support Groups: You can join a support group to help market your business. There are many different types of support groups, just look for one in your local area that is specific to or complements the service you offer.

Public speaking: Give a lecture or talk about what you do. Many local libraries and colleges encourage public education.

Workshops: Teaching a workshop is a great way to market your business. This can be a fun and interactive way to get more clients.

Networking Mixers: You can join your local chamber of commerce. Networking with other local businesses can help you build rapport with the community and will help you create a referral based business. Some communities will offer business-networking lunches where you can exchange business cards and have the opportunity to exchange information about your business with others in your community.

Social Events and Gatherings: Any type of social event or gathering can help you grow your business. Getting out and interacting with your local community is a great way to meet new people and promote your business.

Local Media:  You can choose to advertise in your local phone book, or create a radio or television advertisement if you want to use the media to promote your business.

Create a Support Network: When you make a connection with another business owner, ask if you may leave a supply of cards to be handed out or made available. Also, look for businesses that are complementary to your own. The goal is to make connections and look for networking partners. An example would be a sports nutritionist leaving a stack of cards at a martial arts studio. For your sake, as a Life Coach, you may choose to connect with a massage therapist or energy healer. Be creative with your cards and do not be afraid to jump for opportunities to connect. Market yourself everywhere you go. Talk to everyone about what you do. Always keep your business cards on you.

Start a Mastermind Group: Here is a great way to build your business… Start a Mastermind group! The intention of the group is to build a valuable and fun support network. The purpose of the group is to uplift, empower, encourage, and support each other and to share ideas, information, provide resources, and ideas to help create a more successful business.

You can offer a specific topic for the group, for example, parenting or focus on money and finances. You could find a specific topic that you would like to coach around or have a different topic each week. The fun part is that you can create any type of mastermind group you want!

Here is an example of what a meeting could look like…

Example Meeting Outline
Meet once per week
Approx. 1 1/2 hours
8 members

Start meeting
Introduce new members
Delegate a timekeeper

Each member will be allowed a specific amount of time to share:
1. Briefly review action step/plan from previous week, or create a new one if you are a new member
2. Share your results and what is working for you
3. Struggles, delays, blocks
4. Projects
5. Needs, ask for support

Then other members can share:
1. Feedback
2. Brainstorm ideas
3. Suggestions and Ideas

Then each member creates a new action plan before moving on to the next member.

Continue until each member has completed their turn.

Close meeting

After the meeting participants can meet one on one to communicate further on their thoughts.