Teleconferences: 15 Ways to Market Yours

By Catherine Franz
Posted Tuesday, August 31, 2004

Teleconferences, also known as teleclasses or teleseminars depending on the presentation format, are the second hottest marketing delivery technique for 2004. This delivery format satisfies the yearn to learn and opens an exchange to unbelievable global portions. Previously called distance learning, this format actually began in the mid-1990s through higher learning institutions. Now, without leaving your office or 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 teleconferencing services at these reasonable rates is not there yet. The bell is toiling 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 (www.mrconference.com). I found these services less than desirable. Many times, you get disconnect if you don't talk every 10 minutes or you are blocked from entering the call if their lines are full.

No, teleconferencing will not take the place of "being there". Yet, some teleconference leaders can just about bring you physically into feeling that same experience. 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 you listening skills will reach new heights quickly.

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 will also save you hours of analyzing your own. Look for the ads that you pay more than a nickel each.

4. Place notices all over your web site -- especially your main page. Remember, this is a passive method (meaning that you still need to get visitors to the site before they can read it).

5. Write and distribute Internet articles on the same subject. Unable to write, hire a ghostwriter. Allow three months for this process to begin working. You will also want to write and distribute at least three articles a month. Don't ignore this marketing avenue. This method is number five on the top promotional methods for 2004. If you are writing marketing articles a great media-posting 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 paragraph, usually limited to five or less 60-character lines, to entice readers about your teleconference offer.

6. Distribute your information globally. Whether using Internet articles, advertising or any of the other methods mentioned in #2 and #3. Find places in other 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 are responding to a "what do you do" segment, or ask the leader before hand for an opening as a complimentary service to theirs, for bartering, or even a commission.

8. Add a promotional paragraph to all your outgoing 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, (http://www.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 you get good with your local newspapers begin to start expanding to other locations. Choose a city and then do the same. When done, 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. Eventually you will want to delegate this over to a Virtual Assistant.

12. Write a telephone answering script and change your voice mail frequently to mention your teleconferences.

13. Use f*r*e*e 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 listing posting sites require that you complete "their" teleclass-leading course. A big downfall in time and expense. These include:

(http://www.seminarannouncer.com)
(http://www.teleclass4u.com)
(http://www.teleclasslive.com)
(http://www.teleclass.com)
(http://www.thefeelgoodplace.com/freetele.htm)
(http://www.Yahoogroups.com) has over 30 places to post your listing (depends on your topic).

15. If you give speaking engagements 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.

About the Author
Catherine Franz is a 15-year experienced presenter, 5-year teleclass leader, and graduate of six teleconferencing leading training programs. She works with individuals and businesses that want to expand their reach with tele- conferences. She will assist you in creating, delivering and marketing yours. (http://www.abundancecenter.com)