How to market boot-camps & seminars

Question

Hello,
            
            I am trying to market my new schedule of boot-camps/seminars.
            
            When I began my career as a real estate investor I paid BIG money for courses led by gurus who were just looking to take advantage of poor people chasing the dream.  There are MANY courses out there and even more people are taking the courses.  Still, over 90% of my fellow investors (who I studied with) gave up during training.  Refusing to quit I was determined to make it work.
            
            Now as a successful real estate investor, my goal is to help others do the same.  Fact is: No other industry has created more millionaires than real estate. It is the single most successful method of creating wealth for countless people worldwide.  It is the financial vehicle that the top 3% of the richest people on the planet use to build their personal fortunes.
            
            While I do offer courses similar to those that got me started (and the many others out there), mine are different in some ways:
            1. I don't just provide recycled investing 101.  I also help people conquer their fears, uncertainties, and the biggest obstacles that stop them from succeeding in the beginning.
            2.  I don't throw them to the wolves when they are finished taking my boot-camps.  I offer the much needed hand-holding, motivation, and knowledge to help ensure their success.  Others usually try to upsell more expensive programs for attendees who want this.
            3. I don't talk down to attendees as if I'm some big guru expert.  I speak to them as though I remember what it was like in the beginning for me - scary and overwhelming.   I develop a rapport that makes people feel more open, trusting, and comfortable in proceeding down this career path with myself and other like minded individuals.
            
            The TRICK - selling seats to a boot camp.
            
            I've had my course offering compared to other well-known gurus.
            I offer much more content and value for a lot less cost of admission.  It should be a no-brainer.  But how do I get this message (my course info) in front of the appropriate target audiences without a current database to email to?
            
            What is the best method/medium to target prospective attendees?
            
            Thanks for your help.

James M. · Answer

ReBlackBook has brought up a great point.  That is probably the thing I would recommend the most as you will probably get the highest response rates in the quickest amount of time.

Another alternative you might consider is PPC campaigns.  While you have the potential of getting highly-targeted traffic using PPC, it can be costly if not done efficiently, meaning you have to constantly view your results and continuously test new things.

Peter Kolat · Answer

Create joint ventures with real estate investors and real estate gurus who have lists on the internet.
            
            first, you need to contact them, form a relationship with them, and do a 50/50 split on profits (or whatever you guys decide on).
            
            Once you figure out the terms, you can do a teleseminar or a webinar with that guru, provide great content on the teleseminar/webinar and sell your seminar at the end of the call.
            
            You can create a website with a killer sales copy, then get affiliates to promote your site while you give them a commission (at least 30%).
            
            Peter

Joshua Dorkin · Answer

You could send us a copy, Michael . . . if it is one we think is worth mentioning to our members, then you're off to the races.  Shoot me a PM and we can discuss.