CREATIVE PROSPECTING

  • July 14, 2010 1:48 PM PDT

    I am looking to gather some different ideas on "Creative Prospecting" 

     

    What do you find the most successful way to find new business and why?

  • July 14, 2010 2:29 PM PDT

    Jennifer, If you haven't already seen this post on opening the call with a prospect by RSC member Jenna Fox, I think you'd enjoy it. -Rod

  • July 16, 2010 5:55 AM PDT

    Jennifer: It may not be a NEW business but it could be new blood for your station and your commission checks. Take about one hour a month and check out your local library. They always have back
    issues of local and regional news papers. Just look up a month or two in advance from the past year. This will let you know who was having an anniversery sale, what business was just opening so this would be
    their first year in operation anniversery. Who was having a big summer sales or what ever type of
    sale. It just takes a short time , but I / we have been very , very successful using this method.
    It has given us at WAKO AM FM about a 8 to 12 % monthly increase. Plus those business's who maybe never used radio are very impressed we know about last years event.

    Kent Lankford
    WAKO 103.1 FM & THE BIG AM 910
    Lawrenceville, Ill. - Vincennes, Ind.

  • July 16, 2010 6:15 AM PDT

    Those are all great ideas, but I don't have an IPhone quite yet (I know, behind in the times)

    Kent-

    That is a fantastic idea! I scour through newspapers very regularly and pull out every miniscule ad I can find, but I never thought about looking at back issues for sales etc. Thanks for the idea!! Much appreciated!

    Jen

  • July 16, 2010 6:39 AM PDT

    Jennifer - One thing that I do is try to make a stop at the local Chamber of Commerce's in the small area towns that I call on. They usually have Chamber newsletters that announce new businesses - this has been really helpful. I became involved in our Chamber and was recently voted in as an 'Ambassador', in which I am invited to attend coffee calls and ribbon cuttings for all new business in and around the area. Our local Chamber also travels to smaller surrounding communities to learn a little bit about them & their businesses, economic development, etc. I am in a community of only about 30,000, but we have MANY smaller communities that surround us. Good luck!

  • July 16, 2010 9:02 AM PDT

    That is an awesome idea, Kent!