Businesses that don't use computers

Does anyone have any experience with businesses that do not use computers in their office - and yet have used your services for whatever it is that you offer (website design, ORM, Social Media, etc...)? The reason I ask is that I noticed that my chiropractor's office does everything on paper - no computer in sight. The same with my old dentist's office - all paper driven. I wonder if these businesses would even listen to someone selling anything internet marketing related.

As I was typing this I was thinking I should probably check first just to see if my chiropractor has anything online - and it looks like he doesn't. No website, no Google places page (still unclaimed), no Facebook or any social sites. I am sure he's been marketed to. I wonder if there is a special way to approach someone still doing things VERY old school.

If you're looking where to sell your services, there is one interesting niche I came upon recently.

A large insurance company sent me a list of agents who handle their clients. The list is truly huge, about 100-150 agents registered in every city. Most of these agents are loners, and do the paperwork for the insurance company to get their %. One interesting fact - 90% of them don't have a website.

Its almost classic if you ask me. High competition, high demand for new clients, low exposure to the relevant public.

I know some businesses like that. You might want to check with them first on their capacity for new business. I have dealt with some old school offline customers and the reason they do not have a heavy presence online, or don't market any longer is because they are in a comfort zone with their clients. They don't really WANT to bring in new business.

Of course if that isn't the case, I would start off asking the questions like:
"Do you ever look up businesses on the internet at home that YOU like to use, Dr. Chiropractor? Oh, you do? Well, what if there are people at home trying to look up your business? What do you think that makes them think about your business? I think even having a web presence that says your hours, information, etc is a good thing to have, even if you DO have to place that you are not taking new patients at this time it at least gives you a strong reputation in your field."

"What have been your fears about having an online presence?"

"What would happen if someone entered a bad review about you online and you have no online presence or customer testimonials refuting that claim?"


I am sure you know how to approach that, but that has been my experience with people that don't use a computer and have no online presence. They generally aren't looking to bring on new clients, but they also think that being online only means you are doing it to GET customers, and are unaware of the other benefits like listing hours, customers reviews, listing billing options... just putting up FAQs that will save their office staff all the phone calls answering these.

CEPI said:

I know some businesses like that. You might want to check with them first on their capacity for new business. I have dealt with some old school offline customers and the reason they do not have a heavy presence online, or don't market any longer is because they are in a comfort zone with their clients. They don't really WANT to bring in new business.

Click to expand...

This could be the case. He is one of the few chiropractors in town so he may not even interested in more clients - just getting them through the regular supply & demand.

CEPI said:

Of course if that isn't the case, I would start off asking the questions like:
"Do you ever look up businesses on the internet at home that YOU like to use, Dr. Chiropractor? Oh, you do? Well, what if there are people at home trying to look up your business? What do you think that makes them think about your business? I think even having a web presence that says your hours, information, etc is a good thing to have, even if you DO have to place that you are not taking new patients at this time it at least gives you a strong reputation in your field."

"What have been your fears about having an online presence?"

"What would happen if someone entered a bad review about you online and you have no online presence or customer testimonials refuting that claim?"

Click to expand...

Very good advice CEPI, thanks so much.

lancis said:

If you're looking where to sell your services, there is one interesting niche I came upon recently.

A large insurance company sent me a list of agents who handle their clients. The list is truly huge, about 100-150 agents registered in every city. Most of these agents are loners, and do the paperwork for the insurance company to get their %. One interesting fact - 90% of them don't have a website.

Its almost classic if you ask me. High competition, high demand for new clients, low exposure to the relevant public.

Click to expand...

Thanks Iancis for that idea. How did you happen upon them just handing that list over to you? Do you have an "in" at the company? Or can anyone just ask for those?

Thanks,
-the bug

thebug said:

Thanks Iancis for that idea. How did you happen upon them just handing that list over to you? Do you have an "in" at the company? Or can anyone just ask for those?

Thanks,
-the bug

Click to expand...

I wanted an insurance in order to reduce the tax. Called them, and they informed me that they do not work with clients directly, only via a registered agent. Next they sent me the list.

thebug said:

Does anyone have any experience with businesses that do not use computers in their office - and yet have used your services for whatever it is that you offer (website design, ORM, Social Media, etc...)? The reason I ask is that I noticed that my chiropractor's office does everything on paper - no computer in sight. The same with my old dentist's office - all paper driven. I wonder if these businesses would even listen to someone selling anything internet marketing related.

As I was typing this I was thinking I should probably check first just to see if my chiropractor has anything online - and it looks like he doesn't. No website, no Google places page (still unclaimed), no Facebook or any social sites. I am sure he's been marketed to. I wonder if there is a special way to approach someone still doing things VERY old school.

Click to expand...

A little modification to the post should do the trick:
/blackhat-seo/offline-marketing/505387-method-banking-over-4-000-month-sneaky-7-step-offline-method.html

I have never been to any sort of office that does not have a computer. I know of a few businesses, such as the Amish store that I go to that does everything by hand but that is because they do not have any electricity and do not believe in that sort of thing.