Imagine a group baseball card fanatics, car buffs, or John Deere vintage agricultural memorabilia types all gathered in one room, conversing, arguing, and taking down contact information. Sound like a bit of a mad house? Perhaps to the outsider it is, but for the information marketer it is a great opportunity to improve business. See how the trade show can be both an exciting and fun way to see your information marketing business expand.
Nerds. That was the term, wasn't it?
It used to be, up until the 1980s, that people who had certain odd interests were often viewed as freakish and weird. The correct term is "nerds." Trekkies, greasers, Spider-Man fans...whatever your obsession was, if you had any brains, you kept your "nerdiness" in the closest.
But something changed in the 90s. Whether it was the pop culture references in Quentin Tarantino's films or just a general public interest, things had changed. Being a nerd all of a sudden brought new respect, and now your high school days were far less stormy. I know -- I was there. I could read my movie magazines without scorn and even attract the interest of some girls, oddly enough.
This was and still is great news for information marketers. Special interests have produced special publications and the need for information. Model trains, 78 rpm records, or even old wooden house partitions, it doesn't matter. There is a demand for information on all of this stuff and, provided you have the knowledge, you can serve this marketplace.
One of the tried and true methods of gaining access to these markets is the trade show or convention. They are held still umpteen times a year and are great ways to bring more people into your business.
To get in on a good convention, you should:
-- Consult trade magazines: Back in the day, I usually found out where comic book shows were being held in the back of comic-related magazines. You can do the same for your area of interest. Scour all the magazines or publications you can find about your information subject, and go through them thoroughly, as some of the ads for these events are small. Finding good publications can be hard, but they can be bought at bookstores with large magazine racks or specialty shops of your area of interest.
-- Check your network: Don't be afraid to send out requests to friends or trusted business relations on your e-mail list to see who might know about an upcoming show. If you're lucky, some of them might have a press pass that can get you access to special events or people. You might want to avoid sending out e-mails to your clients, however. Remember: it is you providing the information to them, not the other way around.
-- Think about traveling: My mom and dad were never nuts about me borrowing the car to go to comic shows, but they would occasionally let me as a treat. Think in the same way. Sometimes traveling is not in your budget, but if you can get to a really big show in a large metropolitan area, take the opportunity. Look into cheap flights and hotels and aim to stay for the whole show. It might be worth it in the end.
-- Go to the show prepared: When you get to the show, be prepared to give out some information about yourself. Scout around and introduce yourself to people who might be serious prospect partners. Carry a stack of business cards to give out. And be sure to sign up for other people's e-mail lists. You can get new ideas and make new connections this way after the show is over.
Getting people who love one thing into one room can look odd to the outsider. But it can be nothing short of great for the information marketer. You can meet like-minded people and create more success for your business at the same time. It's the best way to mix business with pleasure.
Get more tips on trade shows and information marketing at www.ewealthdaily.com and www.info-marketing-institute.com.
Handling Clients Overseas - Tips for the International Information Marketer
You always want to maximize your information marketing business. And sometimes that maximization means dealing with clients abroad. This can mean great employment revenues and networks, but you have to be prepared before you embark on this venture. Here are some tips of the trade.
Notes on New Media -- What You Can Use to Promote Your Information Product
For some, new digital media is nothing short of intimidating and cumbersome. It appears as more hassle to daily life and appears to provide no aid to your everyday life. For an information marketer though, this new media can be extremely beneficial to making your business that much more successful. Read on to see how.
Giving Your Information Product a Look All Its Own
Fashion trends can be tedious, expensive, and often of no real long term value to anyone. But to the information marketer, giving a look to your information product can be challenging, fun, and in the end, help create success for your business. Learn some tips on how you can give your information product its own look.
