business cards, and actively qualify leads on the spot.

[saddammolla]

Events & Demonstrations
Trade Shows & Exhibitions: For B2B, exhibiting at industry-specific trade shows would be key. I'd have a well-designed booth, engage visitors, collect
Local Fairs & Expos: For B2C, participating in local home shows, health fairs, or community festivals to demonstrate products/services and capture contact information (e.g., through a prize drawing).
Free Seminars/Workshops: I'd host educational seminars on topics relevant to my target canada phone number list audience (e.g., "Tax Tips for Small Businesses," "Basic Home Maintenance," "Getting Your Business Online"). Attendees would self-qualify as leads, and I'd capture their information at registration.
5. Early Internet Presence (The Emerging Frontier)
Basic Website: I'd ensure I had a professional, albeit simple, website. In 2000, this was often just an "online brochure."
Services Page: Clearly list my offerings.
Contact Us Page: Prominently display phone numbers and email addresses. A basic inquiry form would be available.
Testimonials/Portfolio: Showcase any early successes or client feedback.
Email Communication: I'd use email for direct, personalized follow-up with leads and to send basic newsletters to opt-in subscribers. Mass email marketing was risky due to spam concerns and nascent regulations.
Online Directories: I'd ensure my business was listed in any emerging online business directories (like early versions of YellowPages.com or specialized industry portals).
Google AdWords (late 2000): If my business embraced technology early, I'd experiment with Google AdWords (launched in October 2000). This would allow me to bid on keywords to show text ads to people actively searching for my services – a groundbreaking form of intent-based lead generation.
Key Principles in 2000:
Patience & Consistency: Lead generation was a marathon, not a sprint. Consistent effort across multiple channels was necessary.
Relationship-Driven: Trust and personal connections were paramount.
Manual Processes: Lead tracking (spreadsheets, Rolodexes, physical files) and follow-up were largely manual.
Education: Especially for emerging services, a significant part of lead generation involved educating the market.
Reputation: A strong reputation built on quality service and reliability was the most valuable asset.
My strategy would be about being visible where my target customers were looking, actively engaging with them, and building lasting relationships that would generate both immediate sales and future referrals.