How to Use Free Teleclasses in Small Business Marketing

Many small business owners want to try using free teleclasses to help market their business. But how do you get started. This article gives you step-by-step instructions on how to create teleclasses that work for you.

First, understand where teleclasses fit in your marketing plan. Your purpose may be to generate leads, or it may be to develop a relationship with the people already on your list. By providing a dynamic teleclass, you can become an “expert” in your contact’s minds. When they need your service, they will remember your generosity and expertise.

For example, I provide teleclasses on topics that small business owners need to know. They may be niched classes, covering a small portion of a topic. They might also be a broad introduction or preview class that gives attendees the flavor of a follow-up tele-seminar.

Second, determine the benefits your attendees will receive. This is key material for your marketing and sales. Remember to think in terms of benefits and not features. For example, one benefit from my marketing class was “Learn the ABCs of a marketing plan.” I didn’t put down, “Get a 30-page study guide” because that was a feature of the class, not a benefit.

Next, create your sales page. It may be counter-intuitive to do your marketing first, but if no one registers for your class (and it happens!), you won’t waste time creating something that you won’t use. Take time with this effort as this is what will get people to register. If you are using teleclasses to build your list, you want as many people to register as possible. Consider using alternate sales pages to see what gets better results.

Next, create your “Thank you” page. Put all the information about the class on this page and ask them to print it out. Remind them to put your email address in their “white list.” This helps insure that your emails get through to them.

Next create your registration system. I use my online shopping cart, Professional Cart Solutions, to do this. Other ways to do this are to use Acteva (http://www.acteva.com/) or teleclass.com (http://www.teleclass.com/). You want to be able to capture the email addresses and names of attendees and be able to contact them later. Registration is also a good time to let them know that they get a “bonus” of receiving your free ezine or special report, just for registering for the teleclass.

Make sure that your registration system has a way of sending out auto-responders. I usually send two after the person registers. One comes right away and the second a day later. This helps people actually “see” the email. Often them miss the first one or it ends up in a spam filter.

I also send out week-before and day-before notices.

Next, send out email announcements to any group that you are involved in, as well as your own list. Repeat this announcement the week before and the day before the class. Many people will wait until the last moment to register for the class.

Finally, as people start to register, develop your class. Be sure to gather more material than you will need. Be detailed, but not so detailed that you are giving away your products and services for free. Finally, don’t forget to give them a call to action. Give your attendees a special offer for a product or service that you have. At this point they have gotten to know you a bit better and are more willing to invest in an on-going relationship.

Enjoy your class!

Article Source: http://www.coacheslyceum.net

Casey Dawes supports women business owners to step into their power as business leaders. Through consulting, training and coaching, she helps them substantially increase their income in 12 months or less. To receive regular helpful business tips and special offers, sign up for the Wise Woman Circle (www.wisewomancircle.com). To learn more about Casey, go to www.WiseWomanShinig.com.

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