Offline Systems for Your Online Business

Many of the best systems aren’t run by computers 100%. We love that you can use software to send reminders but often the most powerful systems include personal attention.

Great systems are both high tech and high touch and enable the online business owner to “scale personal attention.” Here are a few scenarios where offline systems can support your business (and even bring in more income!):

Scenario 1 : Reach out to Leads

When your business reaches the point where you’re offering low cost levels all the way up to private access higher value programs, you’ll want to reach out to leads when they’re interested in your offers. But it’s more important to reach the client who wants an annual program that begins with a 5-figure investment rather than someone who wants to buy a $5 ebook.

If you’re selling products, you may want to follow up with wholesalers and those who select thousands in merchandise, rather than the lead interested in a single $10 sale.

A system that combines online and offline actions might trigger a task for your sales team to call the high level lead and answer any questions that they may have and encourage them to complete their order.

Scenario 2 : Client follow up

Automating your client welcome sequence and client service is awesome, but there are times you’ll want to connect personally as well. This could be at the beginning of a program to welcome the new client, on their birthday, halfway through a program or when they’re looking to upgrade or even refund.

Personal attention is critical – after all, you’re the one they chose to buy from and unless you want to be a commodity (something that can be bought anywhere, anytime, for the cheapest amount possible) you do need to have personal touches.

Even something simple, like a birthday greeting, can be an offline system. You can automate the reminder and then personally pick out a gift or card and send it in the mail. It’s a great blend of high tech and high touch.

Scenario 3 : Systems for Events

Imagine you walk into a conference and get a badge from a kiosk, your workbook pops out of a vending machine and then log in to a website to select your seat.

Sounds terrible, right? Even automated industries, like taking a flight, post a friendly attendant at the desk! So in addition to your automated systems to print badges, send welcome emails, and send follow up messages, you need offline systems.

This could be how your registration table staff greets attendees, the process of handing over the workbook, and how the team talks about your programs and the order process.

Would you rather your team say “yeah, sure, you can sign up for that, I guess.” or “absolutely! Our home study is perfect for women who want to implement quickly and have a great support network. Here’s the order form and there are 3 convenient payment options…” These personal interactions can be systematized so that you get the best results.

Remember that systems don’t have to be managed by a computer and the best ones remember that we’re human!