How to Build Your Prospect List

How to build a prospect list

When you decide to start your own online home business there will come a time when you will need to build a list of potential prospects.

Offline you would make a list of family, friends, business acquaintances, fellow employees and any one else you can think of who may benefit from your business.

Online you have a number of methods of building your list.

Offer a free report in exchange for their contact details.
If you are in Network Marketing join a site like MLM Lead System Pro and use their system to build your list.
Create a Facebook Page that captures emails.

Your goal is to build a targeted list.

Here are two different examples for building your prospect list.

———

First List Building Example

Let’s say that you are working in the offline market, that is helping local businesses with their online advertising.

I have a number of products that I sell to those businesses to bring them more customers.

I can also build a team (recruits) and earn residual income from their efforts.

In fact my long term goal is to stop doing the direct sales and just train new team members to build up the residual income.

Where do I find recruits online?

Create a simple product, say “How to Close Five New Clients This Week”.

Then offer it as a WSO (Warrior Special Offer) on the Warriors Forum targeting the Offliners, which is one of the largest niches right now on that forum.

But here is the trick.

Offer 100% commissions to all of the current warriors promoting such products.

They will promote the offer to their existing offliner’s list.

You create a capture page to deliver the product.

And here is another trick -> tell them you need their email so that you can send them free future updates.

People like that.

And the great thing about the Warriors Forum is that the product can be small and specific with a price tag of less than $10.

The product just has to offer some value that can be absorbed in one reading.

Your goal is to build your list of people who are already working in the offline market.

You can put those captured emails into an auto-responder and gradually introduce them to your business.

Your cost?

Zero dollars and maybe a few hours to put together a report.

———

Second List Building Example

Many of you are already involved with Network Marketing or are contemplating it.

You have a number of targeted groups you could go after.

Those who are looking to start a home business.
People involved with an existing MLM who are not successful, yet.
People involved with an existing MLM who are looking to diversify.
Someone who may be interested in your product.

On Facebook most of my friends are Network Marketers (I know I need to get a life).

Many post daily updates about their mlm product.

I suppose it is easy to do but are they really attracting attention?

You know what attracts my attention?

Those selling tools and programs aimed at helping me build my business.

If they talk about those tools daily, in a valuable way by providing free advice, then they build their brand.

This does not happen overnight, it takes time and consistency.

And their posts are not about selling, they are about providing value, in small bits.

You can do the same thing.

If you do not have your own product then become an affiliate for someone who does.

Some of my Facebook friends are involved with “Mentoring for Free” and they are doing it wrong.

When we become friends they send me an email asking how they can help and offering me a free ebook.

That’s it for engagement.

They never bothered to read my page or check me out to see if I needed help.

Talk about a passive way to build a business.

If I was involved with that program I would become their Facebook poster boy.

Every day I would post at least three updates talking about how they were helping my business.

And I would do it by telling personal stories, either about myself or others.

You can build a list using social engagement, you just have to be consistent and provide value.

———

Just ask yourself a simple question, what does my target list need, and then provide it without selling anything.

The technique was used way before the internet arrived.

I still receive a free desktop calendar from my insurance company every year.

You should be doing activities that continually adds to your prospect list, whether it is in direct sales or recruiting.

———

I would like to do a shout-out for an event that is coming up the last weekend in October – Collaboration Live – Northeast.

It will feature Richard Goutal plus some great speakers, Al Carlson, Crystal Curtis, Dr. Bob Clarke and Dena Bethea.

Think about how you could increase your prospect list by attending a live event.

Peter Fuller MBA CA
905-566-1927

P.S. Share your thoughts below in the comments and if you found this post valuable please do share using the nice icons below. I truly appreciate all of your comments, whether you agree with me or not.

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This entry was posted on October 7, 2011, 2:58 pm and is filed under Home Business, Internet Marketing, Network Marketing. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

#1 by Pastor Sherry on January 14, 2012 - 9:18 pm

Interesting that you mention Facebook, as that’s where I’ve focused a lot of energy the last week or two! Until this last week I didn’t know how to use opt-in’s on my FB page. After 3 or 4 days and MANY hours, I’ve finally got one up! All these tricks . . . !
Pastor Sherry’s latest post Spiritual Growth — God’s Love Blocked

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#2 by James Debono on January 6, 2012 - 7:12 am

Hi Peter,
Building a prospect list and having the ability to convert those prospects in to profitable long term business partners is a very important success factor for any business.
Without that rudimentary skill then there will be no prospects and no business.
Regards,
James
James Debono’s latest post How to Make a Small Business Successful 8 Tips

#3 by Tim Somers on January 4, 2012 - 11:44 pm

Hey Peter,

Building my list has always been a struggle, 2012 I am gonna get to work on making it grow. Thanks for these tips.
Tim Somers’s latest post Success Depends On The Power of Your Imagination

#4 by Dennis O'Brien on January 1, 2012 - 6:28 am

Been a while Peter but it’s good to see you are still providing value for us as readers. As I read your post I could see some opportunities for myself. I had considered WSO but it’s about time I took it further.

One thing I battle with in having an email list is keeping a good ratio of follow up emails going via autoresponder. Created too much work for myself so I have to rethink my plan.

It takes time to build those relationships with people and as you say consistency is the key. I’ve had some interesting encounters in Business Groups on Facebook over the methodology used by different people.

I can now schedule my posts to many of the Facebook Groups which will give me time to circulate as well. I hope that will strengthen my brand a little. Great to be getting around again Peter, take care.
Dennis O’Brien’s latest post How To Build An Email List The Easy Way

#5 by Nile on November 24, 2011 - 3:49 am

Awesome tips on prospecting. I remember when I was a teen and my father did Amway. He really got good into prospecting and teaching his down line about it too.

My upcoming plans are to release a couple ebooks, some free and some at minimal cost, but I am hoping they really help. I see people putting them out all the time and I also get asked a lot to write.

Most of my prospects are from meeting them at conferences I speak at. It actually is kind of nice as a lot of my other referred clients do not get to see me in person. I normally give my site out and when speaking, encourage them to subscribe to my newsletter as I teach everything I speak about.

While I have my offline prospecting down pact… I can definitely learn tweak up my online prospecting. Thanks!
Nile’s latest post Fiverr And WordPress Support Questions Equals FAIL

#6 by Jefferey T. Sooey on November 22, 2011 - 8:21 am

Hi Peter,

Very innovative and practical. Making a reliable a list is always a tough one.

#7 by Dr. Erica Goodstone on November 19, 2011 - 8:02 pm

Peter,
You have certainly captured the essence of what it takes to sell online – without being salesy or pushy. It requires a steady, consistent effort at providing value, reading about and discovering what your ideal clients say they want and need, and then offering them your solution to their woes.

The process is simple but not that easy to implement. It really requires a dedication and sensitivity that many people are not willing to spend the time to learn and implement.
Dr. Erica Goodstone’s latest post The Only Way Out is Through

#8 by Darryl Burgess on November 15, 2011 - 11:13 pm

Peter, This post opened my eyes. You are a true inspiration. I am one to give of myself without expecting anything in return. With being a newbie in this market I have much to learn. With people like yourself sharing your vision and ideas has accelerated my knowledge.
Darryl Burgess’s latest post Necessities of Life

#9 by Rob Wilson on November 15, 2011 - 9:44 am

Great post. I get contacted so often by people trying to cram something at me in our first interactions and then they either ignore me or periodically just send me more of the same. This usually doesn’t work on me. Occasionally there is someone who engages and I am so much more likely to actually join their list and/or buy their product. And the tools I run across online that give me some value for free are the ones I am most likely to upgrade for and pay something in the future. – Rob

#10 by William Earl Amis Jr III on November 5, 2011 - 1:05 am

Peter,
I had to visit this article once more.

It is great information and to add. Most of us who have been established for over two decades. Have many contact as you stated in business.

A great method of building a list is sharing support of other business leaders in our industry. Everyone who you build a real relationship will always need something. Your just the person who they will learn to trust. You can located anything to support their business and personal needs. That is a priceless list that you may never utilize.

Hey, I would purchase anything from someone I have built a relationship with bonded on trust. Before purchasing it from just anyone. This has been a key with my team and I for many great years that has created a wonderful lifestyle for us.

Peter, your a gentleman and visionary in our industry. I love my visits and never leave without gain more wisdom.

I really get empowered with each article you present. Thanks and please continue to generate usable content.
William Earl Amis Jr III’s latest post Momentum or Comfort?

#11 by James | mastermind group on November 2, 2011 - 7:43 am

Peter,

Excellent Topic and Excellent Advice.

I really like your product creation idea and how you can use that to build offline client and online client lists. Bravo on adding some real value here.

Thanks,
James
James | mastermind group’s latest post Mastermind to Personal Power

#12 by Dereck on November 1, 2011 - 4:40 pm

Hey thanks Peter,

Always a great posting. Personally I love the first method because it’s a concept most would want to overlook these days.

However, a healthy combo of both really does help.

-Dereck

#13 by William Earl Amis Jr III on October 29, 2011 - 1:36 pm

Peter,
I was awaken by the clarity in this post. Well done!

I agree, with all the procedures and the one that I utilize along with my free source for lifetime opt-in business leads is reverse email method.

Those are the online marketers that send you invites and opportunities. You reverse there request to give them something unique and priceless. They are in need of real hands on business support and are hungry. Your mission is to communicate with them without selling anything.

Once you get to know their needs and desires. They are lifetime customers and most become friends. Everyone in business online or offline. We require daily fresh people who request for our contact. They are in need of items and/or real ways to make exstra money online or offline.

This is a business of supporting others who really want to creat real businesses for a lifetime. You learn what is needed and get it for them.

Peter, your one of our greates visionaries in this field. Our industry was founded with people such as yourself. Your character speaks it all. Suppling us with unique and usable contect says it all.

Thanks you for sharing with us. I look forward to more visits and learning.
William Earl Amis Jr III’s latest post Making Sense Of Business

#14 by Rani khan on October 29, 2011 - 4:15 am

Nice tip peter I will definitely use these strategies in my own business.
Rani khan’s latest post Amanda Knox Wanna Back

#15 by Jake Black on October 26, 2011 - 9:17 pm

Hm.. Hi there Peter. Thanks for sharing this. It’s a very nice post you’ve shared here. I’m building one now for sure!
Jake Black’s latest post New Pet Trend: Dog Wig

#16 by John Gaydon on October 22, 2011 - 5:36 am

You have some great ideas here.

I agree, it is easier to prospect with your own product that helps network marketers make more money! I have a few, and I am definitely looking at using some of your ideas.
John Gaydon’s latest post Applying The Free Model To Network Marketing

#17 by Etieno Etuk on October 22, 2011 - 12:12 am

This is a fantastic post, Peter. I like the idea of providing value in social networks without pushing your network marketing products down people’s throats by posting information about them on your wall. This turns off so many people because they don’t like pushy sales people. The people who do this don’t realize that it’s not about whether or not their network marketing company’s product is the best(many other companies may have better products), it’s about what you bring to the market place and how you can help someone solve a problem their having.

Thanks for sharing your input on this. I’ve enjoyed reading this blog post.
Etieno Etuk’s latest post 3 Strategies That Every Internet Marketer Should Be Using

#18 by Rick Lelchuk on October 18, 2011 - 6:49 pm

Enjoyed your post, especially the comment about the MFF folks. But, that’s what happens when you drink the kool-aid.

Anyway, this is very apropos as I am again in the process of building a list for the latest venture. Thanks for the remind on the basics. Appreciate it and you.

RICK

#19 by Anna on October 18, 2011 - 6:36 am

Great tips!! In my opinion to be successful, regarding your prospect list, is just to ask yourself what you want to get by this. To imagine that you are the client – and do it the way you want to look like:)
Anna’s latest post Why do porcelain veneers cost more than expensive porcelain plates?

#20 by Marcus T Cox on October 17, 2011 - 8:33 pm

Simple and straight to the point. Just do it and get it done.

#21 by Marc Korn on October 16, 2011 - 2:21 pm

Thanks for sharing these common sense tips and strategies. Too often Networkers tend to over-complicate things and then they are not able to duplicate what they are doing.

Your advice is sound and works and offers practical advice for both online and offline list building.

You are absolutely correct about how some people network on FB and other social networks. They start out great by offering value, but there is no engagement beyond that and no follow up on a consistent basis about how their resources are helping networkers to succeed.

You must offer value and continue you to offer value and a consistent basis and be persistent.

To your continued success,
Marc
Marc Korn’s latest post Why You Need To Join A MasterMind Group

#22 by Kristina L. on October 15, 2011 - 11:39 am

Hi, Peter,
Loved the post and the simple, yet effective tips on how to build prospect lists. You are right, we should be doing activities that continually add to our prospect list, whether we are involved in direct sales or recruiting.
Kristina L.’s latest post Beezid Coupon Code

#23 by Linda G. Cox @iWowWe on October 15, 2011 - 10:31 am

Peter,
This post sums it up! I’ve been thinking about Warriors Forum for a while! This is the motivation I needed to get involved!
Linda
Linda G. Cox @iWowWe’s latest post iWowWe and Bill Starkey’s Company Overview

#24 by Perry A Davis Jr @Network Marketing Nut and Bolts that make building your business Fun, Simple, Magical and Profitable.s on October 12, 2011 - 1:44 pm

Hello Peter

Wow you have make building a target list look simple with your concrete examples. I have used many of the ideas that you share and they definitely work.

Thanks

Perry A Davis Jr
Music City
Perry A Davis Jr @Network Marketing Nut and Bolts that make building your business Fun, Simple, Magical and Profitable.s’s latest post Seven keys to developing strong relationships in network marketing.

#25 by Emma on October 12, 2011 - 1:55 am

I love how you give examples of how to use the strategies you give, not often I see people do that!

I’ve not been very active in the warrior forum but it sounds like I should be!

Thank you!

Emma
Emma’s latest post Why Video Email?

#26 by Kevin Martineau on October 11, 2011 - 9:44 pm

Hi Peter:

You have presented some great strategies in this post. I really like how your strategy includes helping people before trying to sell any thing to them. To me this is very important in building a relationship with prospects.

Kevin
Kevin Martineau’s latest post Encouragement changes people

#27 by Sadie-Michaela Harris on October 11, 2011 - 4:11 pm

That’s a fabulous set of tips you’ve shared there and I love the look of your site, clean and fresh.

May I ask the name of the plugin you use for your smashing photo and connect with Peter sidebar, I really like that.
Sadie-Michaela Harris’s latest post By: Sadie-Michaela Harris

#28 by Holly on October 11, 2011 - 4:06 pm

Simple as what does my target group need and then provide it without selling… and the rest will follow!! It was so simple before, why are me making it so tough? Great post, Peter!
Holly’s latest post How To Exercise…Two Important Components

#29 by Ana @ how Google works on October 11, 2011 - 8:52 am

Great tips, Peter. I will certainly apply these strategies in my own business.
Ana @ how Google works’s latest post Aweber Review

#30 by Steve Nicholas on October 11, 2011 - 12:10 am

Great post, Peter! I’ve been trying to build my list, and you have some great ideas to help me get going.
Steve Nicholas’s latest post Steve Jobs and the Power of Legacy

#31 by David Merrill on October 10, 2011 - 11:50 pm

Great tips here, Peter.

I especially like the WSO technique.

It does take time and effort to build your list doing these things, but it will pay off IF you give the people on your list CONSISTENT and SINCERE value in the areas they seek it (your niche).

Really… I mean really… caring that your followers are benefiting from what you are giving them in emails, reports, products and the like, puts you head and shoulders above all the others that really don’t care. Those things are pretty transparent, no matter how cleverly you try to position yourself.
David Merrill’s latest post List Building Strategy for Blogging Profits

#32 by David Walker on November 2, 2011 - 10:42 pm

I agree completely. A lot of people jump into internet marketing with dollar signs in their eyes and it’s clearly evident when you receive one of their emails.

One thing though Peter, launching your guide as a WSO does come with ‘some’ costs. First of all, there’s a fee for listing a WSO. Is it a hundred times worth it? It can be if done right. Secondly, time is money – and you’ll have to spend a little time putting your product together (and your sales copy).

Great post!
~David Walker
David Walker’s latest post Why People Don’t Like “Free”

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#33 by Andrew Walker on October 10, 2011 - 3:41 am

Hi Peter. Thanks!
This is nice. i’m going to start make my list now. Thanks a lot!
Andrew Walker’s latest post Five Great Cities to watch hockey

#34 by marquita herald on October 9, 2011 - 5:14 pm

Thanks for this helpful information Peter. I’m familiar with Warrior forum, but honestly it’s been quite awhile since I’ve been there, so your WSO tip is really interesting. I’ll definitely check it out!
marquita herald’s latest post Note to Self: Life is short, don’t waste time on regrets …

#35 by Ilka Flood on October 8, 2011 - 2:52 pm

Very helpful case studies! Thank you for sharing how to build your list the right way! As you (and I ) know our list is the most valuable asset we have. No list – no money!

I picked up some nuggets I’ll be sure to implement. Again thanks!

Ilka
Ilka Flood’s latest post Steve Jobs is Dead – He Will Be Missed By Millions

#36 by Steve-Personal Success Factors on October 8, 2011 - 1:54 pm

Peter, this is a great case study of how to build a list and how to deliver what they need. I confess I am still learning a lot about this topic. It’s truly both an art and a science. I am curious about capture pages and how you create them. Do you have any suggestions of tools to use for building one of those. And a second question: it’s interesting that a lot of the Warrior forum is growing in terms of offliners. How are the offliners hearing about the Warrior forum if they are primarily “offline?”
Steve-Personal Success Factors’s latest post Do You Know How to Succeed Like an Olympian?

#37 by Andy Nathan on October 8, 2011 - 12:23 pm

That is actually kind of funny that you mentioned this, but I am launching a WSO on Monday. I am not doing it free, because I am not doing network marketing, but similar idea.

Andy
Andy Nathan’s latest post Google Translate: Social Networking

#38 by Raj on October 8, 2011 - 2:38 am

In many cases, the issue is with the value of the product offered by the marketers. If they are really offering value, one does not need any list – the customers will themselves recommend it to others.

BTW, I liked your Warrior Forum idea.
Raj’s latest post Creative Ways You Can Rake In Lots Of Cash By Blogging

#39 by Donna Merrill on October 7, 2011 - 10:02 pm

Hi Peter, Great advice here. What stands out most to me is when you said “tell them you need their email so that you can send them free future updates.” I have done that myself and it works great! I do send them the “tips” they need in that targeted market. The feedback is wonderful. People appreciate getting information for free (if they want it!!!) Which brings me to your other point of “Just ask yourself a simple question, what does my target list need, and then provide it without selling anything.” That is the key factor to opening a relationship with people.
It’s all part of our business: Go-giving as they call it. It makes us credible when we provide an answer to a problem of our target market.
Thanks again Peter. You may not realize it, but over the past few months that I have been following your blog, you have helped me so much. Blessings, Donna
Donna Merrill’s latest post FACEBOOK CHANGES AND 11 STRATEGIES

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