-- Partner with a local bank. The idea is to get yourself noted as a "pre-certified insurance expert for XYZ bank." Approach bank VP and recommend an informal partnership whereby you're available for complimentary onsite consultation for bank customers. Moreover, there's a tremendous amount of implied reliability and credibility when associating your business with a bank. The great thing about banks is that they usually distribute large monthly customer mailings. Ideally you'll want to piggyback on bank's mailing by having your sales flyer included. These flyers are usually called, "bill stuffers." Don't forget banks also distribute calendars, year-end statements, etc. Try to get noted in all of their communications. Of course, under umbrella that you're a partner with bank.

-- A bank north of Boston lets their small business customers display sales materials for a week in their lobby. Approach your bank where you have your business account and ask for same.

-- Try partnering with hospitals. They're well known for sponsoring workshops. They also distribute a weekly/monthly newsletter. My local hospital actually distributes their calendar of events in my local newspaper. By partnering with hospitals and similar organizations, your prospect-reach compounds tremendously, while you spend zero!

-- Consider joining your local chapter of Business Network International, www.bni.com. Of course, like any organization, it's only as effective as your networking abilities and how well members of that particular chapter work together. Always attend at least two meetings before joining. And watch out! Associations' memberships are down across board due to sluggish economy. There's definitely some hard selling going on. Take your time when deciding what organization is best for you. Don't be misled into joining anything.

-- Align yourself with a reputable online insurance media outlet. Ideally you want to become a regularly featured columnist, or perhaps act as a moderator for an upcoming online seminar, etc. This does several things for you. One, usually anything Internet-related is archived. So if a person is shopping around for insurance or financial products and you've partnered with a reputable and high search engine ranking online media outlet, there's a good chance your Web site will reflect high in search engine rankings. Two, if you're a regularly featured columnist, you immediately acquire more credibility than your competitors. Readers are more likely to reach out to you for product solutions.

-- Don't forget about organizations you already belong to. Are you taking advantage of their Web site resources, i.e., linking your Web site, being included in their membership directory, etc.? What's more, do a quick search on www.google.com for free directories. Try, [“your expertise” insurance directories], or [financial sales representatives directories.]

-- The key marketing strategy to keep in mind for any salesperson is that you must circulate, "be seen." It's most perpetuating sales lead program you can foster.

-- Finally, as you're working hard to generate all these new leads, make sure you have a follow-up plan in place. The fastest and most affordable follow-up method is to ask prospects if they want to receive your free monthly ezine.

7. Assure your visitors that they have nothing to lose by purchasing from you, by offering them a strong money back guarantee.

8. Make customer service a top priority. Answer any questions your visitors or customers have about your products or services as quickly as possible.

If you have people working for you that are responsible for customer service, train them how to successfully deal with your visitors and customers in a friendly, professional way.

9. Show your visitors that you offer a high quality product by providing them with a free trial. This could be first couple of chapters of an informational product, or a free trial version of a marketing resource or software product.

10. Use a call to action that directs your visitor to order from you, to start their free trial or whatever next step is in your sales process.

11. Use a PS that stresses again benefits of purchasing your product or that tells your visitor of a new added benefit such as a free bonus that your visitor will receive for buying your product.

12. Follow up with your visitors after they leave your site by providing free email courses or by publishing a newsletter.

This will keep people visiting your site and capture sales you wouldn't have made without a follow up system in place.