Teleclasses: 15 Ways to Promote Your Programs
Teleconferences, also known as teleclasses or teleseminars depending on the presentation format, are the second hottest delivery technique for 2004. This delivery format satisfies the yearn to learn and opens an exchange to unbelievable global portions. Also called distance learning, a format began in the mid-1990s by higher learning institutions. Now, without leaving your easy chair, you can put on a headset, lean back and learn. No parking challenges, gas usage, or travel time required.
Technology is exploding in this part of the communication industry. In 2003 this market tripled their service features for leaders, use and availability in on the incline, and the attendance limitations of 30 a few years ago now expands to 150.
Teleconference phone numbers are still limited to availability in only certain states, like Florida and Nevada. The pressure for other states to add telecon- ferencing services at these reasonable rates is not there yet. The bell toils louder every year. Currently, you can purchase a personal-use 24/7 line in the range of $600 a year. Alternatively, you can rent a line by the hour from $10 up or even share a line.
You can find no cost teleconference lines, like mrconference.com. I found these services less than desirable. Many times, you get disconnected if you don't say something every 10 minutes or are unable to enter the call.
No, teleconferencing will not take the place of "being there". Exceptional teleconference leaders can pull your senses in with creativity.
If you have never experience a teleconference, I recommend that you do, but don't just try one. The greatest benefit to learning by phone is that your listening skills intensify.
1. If you produce your own e-newsletter or printed newsletter, you can add a teleconferencing announcement section.
2. Contact other e-newsletter or printed newsletter editors and ask to have your teleconference announced in their issues. You can swap for the space (your ad for their ad in your e- newsletter), barter for a space in your session, offer an affiliate option, purchase the space or pay per click. You want to advertise with your focus target.
3. You can also run pay-per-click search engine ads. The Google AdWords program is a great place to start. If you purchase an ad analyzer software (average $100) or a service (average $19.95/month) you will save time and make less mistakes. It saves hours completing the analysis on your own. Look for the ads that you pay more than a nickel each.
4. Place notices all over your web site -- the main page is a must. Remember, this is a passive method (you still need to get visitors to the site).
5. Write and distribute Internet articles on the same subject. Unable to write, hire a ghostwriter. Allow three months for expansion. You will also want to write and distribute at least three articles a month. You will not want to ignore this opportunity since this is number five on the top promotional methods for 2004. If you write marketing articles, a great post site is: www.ideamarketers.com. Each site has it’s own guidelines and speciality topics. To find other media-distribution sites, visit www.google.com and search on "submit article" and "[your topic]". Use your bio or resource paragraphs, limited to five lines of 60- character, to entice readers about your offer.
6. Globally expand your distribution. Whether you use Internet articles, advertising or any of the other methods mentioned in #2 and #3. Find similar opportunities in English-speaking countries like the U. K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
7. Announce your teleconference calls on other people’s teleconferences. You can slip it in with a question, when you respond to a "what do you do" segment, or ask the leader before hand for an opening as a complimentary service to theirs, to barter, or even a commission.
8. Add a promotional paragraph to your e-mail signatures.
9. Do you below to any discussion lists or boards that allow you to post your teleconferences. Some do and some don't. If you are not sure, ask the group's moderator. Off a special price for members on the list.
10. Write a press release for each teleconference. Become a member of PR Web prweb.com/ -- membership is free. I found this site to be the best for a Google pickup.
11. Begin a list of all your local newspapers that offer free community event announcements. Find out what their deadline are and submission requirements. Create what they need and send it to them about a week or two before their deadline. As experience level rises with the local newspapers expand to other areas. Contact one city and when completed, choose another city. Start a binder with all the information and set up your Internet browser with categories and your e-mail software with a separate "Community newspaper" section to keep yourself organized. You can delegate this to a Virtual Assistant.
12. Write a telephone message script and update the announcement on a regular basis.
13. Use free offers to attract people to come and find out additional information about your teleconferences. You can use an ebook, ecourse, special report or even a white paper. A transcript of another teleconference, if the same target market, would also work well.
14. List your class in teleclass directories. Some of these post sites require that you complete "their" teleclass- leader course. A big downfall in time and expense. These include:
seminarannouncer.com, teleclass4u.com, teleclasslive.com, teleclass.com, thefeelgoodplace.com, Yahoogroups.com has over 30 places to post your offer (depends on your topic).
15. If you give presentations or attend seminars, give out flyers on your teleconference program. Works well in networking groups too. Take the flyers to the libraries, senior and civic centers.
