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[Tavares Willliams Contribution Level: 1]

I was just wondering with all the new web 2.0 and social networkering out and all. I been following tim sales training, professional inviter and brilliant communicator. Really good material, I like to use it to get over some of my fears of talking with people. Do anyone thinks its still effective?

[Corrisa Malone Contribution Level: 2]

Some people are not "down" with all this marketing stuff and prefer to just buy and call leads. They've become good at it and that's what they want to do.

So be it.

Some people prefer to generate their own leads after learning ways to do so.


Some people do a combo of both.


At some point or another you may want to call the leads you do generate.


If you can't convey leadership and trust when and if you talk to the leads you generate (or if they call you), you'll have a hard time getting people to buy/join you.


So, my point is this...


Which I think may apply to a lot of people...


Get comfortable talking to people...


I'm no expert at lead calling, but I am comfortable talking to people.


And the only way I got comfortable talking to people was when I used to do a lot of lead calling.


Go figure.


So, I guess the answer to your question is "yes" calling leads is still effective, however it's a learned skill that takes time to develop.


Is buying leads and cold calling them the most effective thing you can do in the world? No of course not.


The best lead is the one you generate yourself. However, it doesn't mean that some of these old school and traditional methods don't work.


I would say they're not as effective as they once were, but if you get the skill down you can make it work.


I suggest you do get over your fears of talking to strangers (fear of being judged, not being perfect, not being "sure" of yourself etc)...


These fears can carry over into other areas of your marketing.


If you're gonna buy leads, you also want to learn how to generate them yourself as well.


So, do what feels right to you. Either way, you will have to learn some skills.


This is just my two cents...

Corrisa

[Forest Marie Contribution Level: 4]

Hey tdubb,

Welcome to BN

They absolutely are very effective and always will be provided the lead source is good and they really are looking.

Of course the real question is: Are you effective at talking to people about you and your business?

Not everyone is online and into Web 2.0, etc. (some people don't like it - surprise, surprise)

There's a big market of offline potential that many people miss. Don't be mutually exclusive.

Also, I'd like to note: Magnetic Sponsoring can be used offline as well as online. My buddy is a DirectTV installer and I was talking to him about using the concept of MS to attract customers with a little information packet along the lines of "Discover the Top 7 Reasons Why Direct TV Is Better Than Cable Hands Down," etc. This packet would sell him and his unique installation qualities, etc.

But yeah, I'm not a fan of buying leads (I don't trust most of the vendors), but if you find a really solid source, it can be very effective.

See you at the top,


Forest

[Justin Christianson Contribution Level: 2]

Use the power of Web 2.0 to generate leads, and call them to follow-up.

The more you touch base with your prospects to HELP them the better off you are going to be.

The question is, that if you are trying to get over your fear of talking to prospects then are you calling prospects? LOTS OF THEM?

The more times you fail at talking with prospects and the more prospects you talk to the better you will get and the faster you will get over your fear.

The internet is a powerful tool and in my opinion the only way to find prospects, but nothing will take away from the power of talking to your prospects on the phone.

The great thing is that prospects that you generate on the internet are much easier in most cases to talk to on the phone.

My suggestion is to take a look at the free video interview with Mark Weiser in Black Belt Recruiting.

Just my 2 cents

Justin

[Tony Rush Company: Empower Network, LLC Contribution Level: 2]

Everyone uses leads. Whether you purchase a lead...or you generate the lead yourself.....

.... a lead is nothing more than someone who's indicated an interest in making money in a home-based business.

With that definition, "calling leads" works. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has.

Tony

[Tavares Willliams Contribution Level: 1]

Hey I appreciate you guy's feed back. I guess im getting a little overwelm with all the ways of reaching out there. I been using a little of both web 2.0 and buying leads so I guess I'll see what works the best. I appreciate it

[Raymond Fong Company: Numis Network Contribution Level: 3]

Ya know... the darndest thing is that some people out there still feel unsure about the internet (i.e. they don't trust it). They would rather die than hand over their CC info online...

But over the phone? Sure no problem! They are more than happy to do so. Bizarre, I know... But that's that truth.

So the short answer is, yes, it's still effective. Not only is there that trust factor for some but also there's that personality factor (oh okay, there's actually a person on the other end of the line). You are better off calling than not.

Raymond

[Josef Benjamin Contribution Level: 2]

My running buddy talked to a lead he generated on myspace...
this guy called him, asked him what he was about.

My RB asked him soon after some targeted questions i.e

What kind of biz your in? for how long? et etc.

15 minutes later, he converted that guy to a sale.

It isn't rocket science.

What I learned, and fast, is you MUSt get over that fear of
talking to prospects or leads over the phone. I found that the
highest quality prospects are those that actually give YOU a
call. they are 10 times more likely to convert than a simple
"lead".

buy blackbelt recruiting if you want to master these skills.
Personally, I'm just me over the phone...very comfortable
and know that I know my stuff. This comes with time and
patience.

So, get used to it, because this is where you will make the
most money

[Johannes Frisch Contribution Level: 2]

I wrote a Lens about calling http://www.squidoo.com/No_Cold_Calling_Necessary

I really don´t like these cold-calling techniques, but it´s nice to get a call... always good leads these callers!

[Marty Baker Contribution Level: 5]

I think the only reason you generate a lead is to be able to call them if you happen to get some to sign up with out talking to them that’s Great. If you want to grow your Business you have to call your Leads.

Now Having Said that Calling just to be calling will get you rejection after rejection and if that happens you wont be calling for Long. So what you need to do is Learn how to use the Phone Effectively and Black Belt Recruiting is one of the best Sources to do that here is my Video Review of Black Belt Recruiting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM4C-xNvW5w

Here is 60 min. of free phone Training Enjoy

http://mbaker417.blackbeltrecruiting.com

The Fortune is in the Follow Up