Howard Graham of Westbury chartered accountants gave a brilliant account this morning on how best to entice visitors to sample what we all already know as a great source of new business, and get them to visit our chapter.

Howard pointed out that inviting visitors is key to growing the size of our chapter, and that exponentially increases the amount of business passed. It is also worth noting that referrals from visitors to current members also forms a significant percentage of the business passed within the chapter.

So, how to do it – how to entice fellow business owners to our Chapter door? A simple question…Do you want more business? Yes – great – we know a way to achieve that.

But who to ask the question to in the first place?
* Friends (richer friends means better Christmas presents – my input not Howard’s!)
* Customers – they may have businesses too.
* Suppliers
* All contacts! Be as specific or non – specific as you like, remember from Howard, it is the numbers that is the key.

Other ways – direct mail through your door. They are asking for more business – let them have it!

Local search directories – want a specific business to join to help with your business, then search online and don’t stop at one. 2 or 3 visitors within the same sector will promote a little healthy competition to join.

If you meet with objections throw them the line “What would you do with the spare time you create for yourself by reaching your sales targets quicker?” We may not be able to answer that for them but we can introduce them to our inner circle to help them achieve this.

So thank you to Howard, the man who practices what he preaches and achieves great success in inviting visitors.
As I said to him, if we all act on his words and mirror his success we will be needing the Royal Albert Hall to host our next Visitors Day!

Posted by Alison Trickey of Pollen Nation