Over $100!

And this is with NO guarantee of how much the customer will spend... or how many years you can expect them to do business with you... that, of course, is up to YOU!

What happens with your advertising dollars? Isn't advertising sort of like fishing?

We throw/cast out our advertising dollars, cross our fingers and HOPE to get a "bite" or two.

Of course, we do our research, we look for the best "fishin' holes" and we use the best equipment (marketing plan) that we can... but none of this provides any guarantees.

Connections Groups Sponsorship is
GIFT MARKETING that...

> Costs you NO ongoing money/cash.
> GUARANTEES new customers in your door
> Double OPT-IN !

Here's how it works...

> Targeted demographics
Professionals, business owners, decision makers.

Currently the Connections Groups encompasses approx 12,000+ Central Florida members.... ALL professionals (white collar business), educated, executives, sales people, business owners, and decisions makers. Also, because of the unique organization we are, we know our members “get out there” more than the average person. They go out, and eat out, for business and social purposes, much more often than the average. They use “business to business” services as well as your regular, “consumer based” products and services. Half our members are married with families, the other half are single.

> Guaranteed customers!
Sort of like “Welcome Wagon” for “business 2 business!”

The "Get Connected" Certificates are used primarily for our “Circle of "I"” Membership Program. When a Connections member signs up as a member of the “Circle of "I"” they are given a "Welcome Pack." This is a collection of "Get Connected" GIFT Certificates compliments of our corporate sponsors (That’s YOU!) that they then redeem at YOUR business! Occasionally Certificates may be used as "give-aways" (at our discretion) which means even more exposure for you. Also, if you get REALLY lucky, your certificate might be part of special promotion prize package. Each time we feature your business… that is just more FREE exposure, and new customers, for you!

> Totally OPT-IN!!
The BEST part about the “Get Connected” program is this…. When Inner Circle members sign up they get to CHOOSE their sponsor gifts! Why is this so great? It means that they picked YOUR gift over their other options… meaning they are a “HOT” lead… already predisposed to your product or service!

FOUR methods of Promotion
Plus MORE! …just see below:

Your business is featured on the Connections Groups Web Site:

1) SPONSOR Listing. You are listed as a sponsor on the "Get Connected" SPONSOR page… with description of your business, contact names and information and, of course, links to your web site and email.

2) Web Banners. On the MAIN, and EVENTS pages the Sponsor Logos will be featured in a rotating banner in the top few inches of the web site…. Linked to the Sponsor listings page.

3) "Sponsor Gifts -Welcome Package." When your gift certificates (see below) are promoted in our newsletter and web site, as part of the “Welcome Package” you get a third shot at exposure. When members join, they are actually given a CHOICE of which Sponsor gifts they want. This means they will choose which businesses they want certificates from… meaning you are getting new customers who have already made a decision to do business with you!

4) E-Mail Newsletter: Circulation about 13,000, though right now we are growing new members at a rate of about 30 per week/average. As a sponsor, you will be featured in the eMail newsletter when you come on board. you’ll also be featured every time we promote the “Circle of "I"” membership using your gift certificates as incentives.  Most of the time this means MONTHLY exposure to ALL 13,000 of our members... regardless of how many gift certificates come in the dorr with your new customers!

> Word of Mouth: The best kind!
Because we are a networking organization our members TALK! We have regular mixers, seminars, luncheons, etc where members network and socialize with each other and to which you, and your representatives, are invited! You can bet that those members that have enjoyed/used your business will be talking about you! As a Sponsor…. You get FREE admission for you, and a guest, to the Connections Networking Mixers and to Connections Leads Groups.

> NO money out of your pocket!
How much cash does this cost?
NONE! Apart from a one time “set-up” fee of $75, (this is WAIVED for the first 20 Sponsors to be accepted) as a "Get Connected" Sponsor you don't give us your hard earned money. You simply provide products or services in the form of your own Gift Certificates OR "Connections Certificates" (which we provide). How are these used? Keep reading...

> Perception equals Performance
With the "Get Connected" Program you have the benefit of maintaining price integrity (no cheesy discounts to disrespect the quality of your products or services). These are SPECIAL, one time only GIFTS and will be perceived as such by the customers using them. You, of course, are then in a position to "up-sell," capture the customers information for your own marketing efforts, or whatever your creative marketing brain can come up with to convert these new customers into CUSTOMERS FOR LIFE! We get the customers in your door... you do the rest. (READ MORE about the "psychology of gift marketing)

> As a "Get Connected" Sponsor you get to attend all Leads Groups, Mixers and many other Connections events FREE!.

FAQ's: Frequently asked questions...

Q: What is the minimum amount I need to commit to be a "Get Connected" Sponsor?
A: No minimum amount.  You simply sign up to be a sponsor.... and you are all set!  Your sponsorship will continue until you cancel it (we ask for 30 day advance notice and you simply honor the gift certificates that have already been issued).

Q: What will be the retail value of each "Certificate?"
A: This will vary, depending on what your products or services are valued at. Whatever the amount though, this will be agreed upon, in advance, by both YOU and the leadership of "The Connections Groups." You WANT the "Certificates" to have a high-perceived value because you WANT them to be used (if they aren't used you don't get the customer in your door). Example: If you were a Restaurant, we would base the Certificate on the average cost of dinner for two... minus appetizers, desserts, cocktails, wine, etc. This gives you the opportunity to "up sell" your new customer. And, of course, it's possible your new customers will bring others in with them. But regardless, YOU are ahead of the game, because the hardest thing for ANY business to do is to get someone to do business with them the FIRST time. It's 8-12 times easier to get your customers to come back, or to get them to increase their spending with you, than to get that new customer... so being a "Get Connected Sponsor" makes your marketing job 12 times easier!

Q: Can I put limitations on the use of the "Certificate?"
A: Each Certificate will have three automatic limitations:
1) "No cash-change given / No cash value"
2) Gratuity, tip & sales tax not included.
3) A six-month expiration date from date issued – unless otherwise noted.
Other than that you don't want to limit the Certificates. It should have the same perception that any "Gift Certificate" would have. Any limitations put on the "Certificate" will only lower its perceived value, and perhaps even devalue the image you want to create. The customer has the right to spend that amount, or less, if they want. If you treat them right... they may spend more and you will also be successful in converting them to a repeat customer!

TIP: It IS a good idea to offer them change… in the form of another “credit” or gift certificate. This means you have increased your chance for “be backs!”

Q: How easy will it be to administrate the Gift Certificates?
A: Super easy!  WE do ALL the work!
Once we agree what amounts, and how many certificates will be issued, we will design a certificate for you and email it to you for your approval.  Each gift certificate will have a individual control number on it. You will also be sent a COPY of every Gift Certificate we issue... so you have the Name and contact info of the person who received it ...RIGHT AWAY!  This will make it easy to add these new customers into your own marketing program!  If you work off appointments... you might want to call them to set up a time for their first visit.  Or... perhaps send them some information on your business to introduce yourself.

Q: Can I use my own certificates?
A: Sure if you want to.  However ours will have the person's name on it, and it's own control number, and be issued as a PDF file to your new customer so it can't be altered. With our certificates, you have more info for your marketing program and less work.  Also... since we aren't mailing them "snail mail" ...there is not a risk that they will get lost in the mail.

Q: How can I increase my results as a Sponsor?
A: This is limited only by your imagination. But for starters...

1) CONSULTATION or Marketing Seminar:
First off… if you are a large organization we can arrange to have your Get Connected Sponsorship kicked off by a marketing meeting provided FREE to your staff. The Executive Director of The Connections Groups, Sue Copening, will introduce the concept of the program, explain how it works and, best of all, will provide to your staff a marketing seminar that is designed to increase their sales (or tips), their “be backs” and YOUR business! Ms Copening’s background is sales & marketing. She has 25 years experience overall, with 10 years in marketing and consulting in restaurants, hotels, advertising and general business. She formerly produced the radio show that became the Home Shopping Channel and consulted with Ed Droste and the “Hooter’s Six” on their initial marketing plan (see background info on Sue). Part of your benefit of being a Connections Group Sponsor is that you are also receiving, FREE, the services of a professional marketing consultant!

If you are a smaller organization… you are entitled to at least, TWO personal marketing consultations, by phone, with Ms Copening. Each consultation will be a half hour, or slightly more.

Also... all "Get Connected" sponsors are invited to participate, FREE... in the Monday Business Coaching Teleconferences.

Just call Sue Copening directly at 407-275-2956, or email her at: sc@connectionsgroups.com  to schedule your meeting.

2) Database.
Each Certificate has (on the back) a place for your new customer to provide their contact information. This is not required for them to use the Certificate, but it is implied, and most customers will provide this. This gives you the opportunity to add these new customers to YOUR database, send them a "thank-you" or follow-up letter, or involve them with your own marketing program!

3) Personal Touch.
You will want to make a SPECIAL effort when you have a new Connections customer come in or call. Ask your staff to notify you, the owner, or the manager on duty, that there is a Connections customer "in the house." That way they can go out, introduce themselves, present their business card and give the customer that VIP treatment. You know how the song goes... "People want to go where everybody knows their name."

4) Event Host / Vendor Table at event.
As a Sponsor, you are also entitled to HOST an event, or be the official Sponsor of an event (Sponsorships/vendor tables cost from $60-$150 on average - so this is just another great free perk for you as a Get Connected Sponsor!). These events give you the opportunity to meet Connections members face-to-face, market yourself, have company representatives there as greeters, hand out literature, or make a brief presentation, whichever is appropriate. These are just a couple of ideas... put YOUR "thinkin' cap" on!

Q: Sounds fantastic!
What do you need from me to get started?
A: There are 2 ways to sign up...
1) FILL OUT THE FORM ABOVE.
2) QUESTIONS?  Pick up the phone and call us!
     407-275-2956 (Sue )
3) If you want us to use your own "Gift Certificates" for the Get Connected program, once we agree what increments they should be in, you'll just pop those in the mail to us. If we use our own... we'll let you know the "control numbers" on them... for your records, and provide you with a "sample" so that you can educate and sensitize your staff as to their use and value (this will also be done at the Sales Meeting, if you set that up with us). We’ll get your info up on the web site and allow you to “proof it” when it’s ready so you can make sure it’s to your liking!

Sponsorships are limited (we don’t want too many businesses in the same “category”) so call or sign up today to make sure you secure YOUR spot first!

Questions?:   407-275-2956 (ask for Sue)
email:   sc@connectionsgroups.com