Page 83 - The 7 Day Startup: You Don’t Learn Until You Launch - PDFDrive.com

4 - Forums and Online Groups

Online forums or social media groups can be a great place to build networks and
find customers.

When Damian Thompson wanted to launch his new business, Linchpin.net35, he
started with a private forum of entrepreneurs called dynamitecircle.com36.
Damian was a trusted member of the group, having been one of the original
members. When he posted an offer, a number of people took him up on it
straight away.

Damian signed up his first four monthly customers for his marketing automation
service from that forum. This gave him $3,000 month of recurring revenue,
which was enough to make his first hire. And guess where that staff member
came from? Yep, from the forum, too! 18 months on, Damien has built his
business up to $30,000 month.

Forums have a certain level of trust built in, so a lot of the hard work is done if
you are already a valued member. I signed up my first customer for WP Curve in
the same forum—and Damian was that customer!

Social media groups can offer similar results.

One of the benefits of groups like these is that they are paid groups, which pre-
qualifies the members. The fact that they are willing and able to pay to be in the
group makes them, in turn, far more likely to pay you.

If you are a member of groups like this then they could be a good place to start
your marketing. Be conscious of the rules and don’t oversell. Even just offering
a deal or a freebie to members of the group might be enough to kickstart some
business with real customers. If you aren’t a member of a paid group in your
niche, I’d definitely consider joining one.

5 - Guest Blogging