Offline biz members, are you happy with your results?

[AndrewCavanagh]

Originally Posted by Vikuna2009+

Jim,

I totally agree with you but after pounding the pavement Friday in 105F heat, and it wasn't any cooler yesterday either. That's why I did what I did. Maybe I get a call Monday, maybe not. At least I tried. Today I've made 3 more video slideshows for other businesses, all on spec. And it's only barely 11.30am. I will get a lot more than before the day is over .

In the meantime, I'm honing my skills and learning. Wish me luck !

While we may not be fans of cold calling I should add that ANYTHING you do that gets you talking to a business owner is going to help increase your skills and your chances of getting hired.

And you certainly can walk into businesses and talk to the owners...especially if you're already there spending money.

The best way to start out is to simply talk to business owners you know, businesses where you're spending money and business owners your friends know.

I have found that the people who are most willing to talk to business owners are the ones who get from zero to making a full time income the fastest.

The more of it you do the quicker you learn...generally speaking.

Walking into a business and trying to sell a pre-conceived service (cold calling like a salesperson) doesn't work too well.

If you're going to do it you want to focus on being more relaxed and laid back (like a customer who is a fellow business owner), asking questions and just getting to know the business owner and how he runs his business.

From there you can suggest ideas based on the information you've gathered and run with the idea that gets him excited.

That's a process that works well and is the opposite of trying to cold call/hard sell something.

Also keep in mind you don't have to "sell" anything on the first visit. You can just ask a few questions...get some information then come back later with some ideas.

Technically speaking you don't have to "sell" anything...you're building a client/consultant relationship not a salesperson/customer relationship.

The process is different and much more enjoyable for everyone involved when you do it well.

Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh

[Vikuna2009+]

Originally Posted by AndrewCavanagh

While we may not be fans of cold calling I should add that ANYTHING you do that gets you talking to a business owner is going to help increase your skills and your chances of getting hired.

And you certainly can walk into businesses and talk to the owners...especially if you're already there spending money.

The best way to start out is to simply talk to business owners you know, businesses where you're spending money and business owners your friends know.

I have found that the people who are most willing to talk to business owners are the ones who get from zero to making a full time income the fastest.

The more of it you do the quicker you learn...generally speaking.

Walking into a business and trying to sell a pre-conceived service (cold calling like a salesperson) doesn't work too well.

If you're going to do it you want to focus on being more relaxed and laid back (like a customer who is a fellow business owner), asking questions and just getting to know the business owner and how he runs his business.

From there you can suggest ideas based on the information you've gathered and run with the idea that gets him excited.

That's a process that works well and is the opposite of trying to cold call/hard sell something.

Also keep in mind you don't have to "sell" anything on the first visit. You can just ask a few questions...get some information then come back later with some ideas.

Technically speaking you don't have to "sell" anything...you're building a client/consultant relationship not a salesperson/customer relationship.

The process is different and much more enjoyable for everyone involved when you do it well.

Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh

Well, I have my first appointment in a few hours (Monday morning at 9am). Will I sell something? Don't know. All I know is that I did my research Thursday, went out Friday, gave a few free pointers, offered a free 15 minute consultation and she wants to hear more.

Personally, I am not a COLD CALL person, actually hate it. But, to get the ball going, I do whatever it takes. I made some more video slide shows yesterday (for businesses that had a half page color ads so I know they do spend money on advertising).

Will email it to them tomorrow and who knows, maybe I make a sale. When I do, I will post it here, lol . If I don't make a sale tomorrow, I will keep plugging and hone my skills.

All the best to you, Eva

[Vikuna2009+]

Originally Posted by Traffic-Bug

I have been a member of Local Business Builders also and I felt happy.

You felt happy What do you mean Have you made any money due to the advice of the forum Just curious...

[davidkimball]

Good Morning!

Eva, I am very intrigued about your PowerPoint presentation. May I have a copy of this to use?

I myself am just starting out and am contemplating joining offlinebiz.com. Probably will. Jim, your 7/19 reply hit home showing your style which is also my personality. A few weeks ago, I was picking up my vaccum cleaner from a repair shop and there was an adjoining graphics art business using the same space. I casually talked to him about some basic website marketing ideas and that I will soon be doing this for small businesses. He thought I was some big expert and said to let him know when I got started as he has a lot of business to send my way.

Wow.

Also, Andrew, I have seen you all over the place here giving out free information that if culminated together would probably constitute an entire graduate level marketing course (or two).

Also, the information all of you posters have been giving out in the form of current things you are doing are great lessons and ideas for many others to use.

I am very grateful for this thread and the giving nature of everyone. Sure hope it continues so more people can learn, earn, and serve.

David

[Lisa Gergets]

Well, I have to thank the OP for starting this thread. I was interested in reviews of the OfflineBiz Gold membership because I live in a part of Chicago that has a ****-ton of small businesses. (Can I say that here? ) Matter of fact, one of the neighborhoods we walk to on the weekends is having a sidewalk sale...

I do believe I hear opportunity knocking, and DAMN IT'S LOUD!

Off to join!

[lakeview]

TinkerAndPo, I am salivating at the prospects of the sidewalk sale. That should be fun!

I absolutely despise the thoughts of cold calling. I even tried to get over it by getting out of my comfort zone. I made phone calls and even pounded the pavement. Ugh! Now, I just talk to everyone I run across no matter where I am and let them know what I can do for them.

For example, my air conditioning went out and the owner just happen to come over with his guys that day. I think it was fate because he told me he never goes out with his guys. LOL I used my standard opening line "How's business?" and he's been interested ever since. I am currently re-doing his website and will be handling his SEO, video marketing and social marketing. He is also opening another business soon and wants me to handle everything with that site as well. And we haven't even talked about referrals yet!

Just recently I was at a new small bookstore talking with the owner. We've been in there a few times now to browse and buy a few things. She also sell knives and since my son collects knives, they were having a great discussion. She mentioned her brother-in-law has a store down the street and he sold knives. Of course, my son just had to go there. I am so far from being an "outdoorsy" type of person and I just really didn't want to go, but I relented. So, I asked the guy "How's business?" I found out he has no website for his store (just opened 2 months ago) and he wants a site really bad. He's also a plumber and needs SEO on his plumbing site AND he is going to start another business too and need online marketing for it as well. Man, I think I'm going to have to give my son a referral fee. LOL

The funniest thing is I had always tried to go talk to business owners without my three kids and didn't get quite as much response as I would have liked. If I take my kids, people are much more talkative. Go figure!

So, to answer the original question "Are you happy with your results?", I would have to say yes. Although it has taken time for me to get to this point (since I home school my three kids which leaves me with not as much time as I would like to devote to business), I am very pleased with my results.

Angela

[Vikuna2009+]

Originally Posted by davidkimball

Good Morning!

Eva, I am very intrigued about your PowerPoint presentation. May I have a copy of this to use?

I myself am just starting out and am contemplating joining offlinebiz.com. Probably will. Jim, your 7/19 reply hit home showing your style which is also my personality. A few weeks ago, I was picking up my vaccum cleaner from a repair shop and there was an adjoining graphics art business using the same space. I casually talked to him about some basic website marketing ideas and that I will soon be doing this for small businesses. He thought I was some big expert and said to let him know when I got started as he has a lot of business to send my way.

Wow.

Also, Andrew, I have seen you all over the place here giving out free information that if culminated together would probably constitute an entire graduate level marketing course (or two).

Also, the information all of you posters have been giving out in the form of current things you are doing are great lessons and ideas for many others to use.

I am very grateful for this thread and the giving nature of everyone. Sure hope it continues so more people can learn, earn, and serve.

David

David, when you say "can I have a copy of this to use" what do you actually mean? Do you mean that sending a copy of MY presentation to YOUR potential client, is going to make you money? (Even if YOU have NO idea how to manipulate Power Point).

I don't mind posting a sample but you have to remember, each situation is different. Since I have not sold any of my slides yet, I do not know the legal ramifications of posting it in a forum.

However, if you would like some guidance in HOW to create your own slides in Power Point (or Publisher) I'll be happy to respond to a PM from you and gladly share my limited knowledge.

My take on it all, experiment, try everything you can think of. I'm brand spanking new to ALL of this, and if I can do it, you can too.

I'm no techie, far from it, but with determination, you can do it too. I have a Youtube channel, and if you like to visit it, just go to Youtube.com. Once there, do a search for "toprosperity" without the quotes.

As you can see, it's not perfect but even if it is not, you can still get the word out.

Best of luck to you and all others, still struggling but working on it.

BTW, got this mexican restaurant that I have visited 3 times this week, they are FINALLY getting exited about what I can do for them and to get my name out, I am doing it all for FREE.

First, they offered me a glass of water (still to damne*d hot). Then I pulled out 2 cd samples of 2 other businesses that I have done. They made possitive comments, in spanish, and they were all EXITED!

They are re-paving the parking lot on Sunday and doing some landscaping to make the space more attractive.

Had this great omellette, for FREE, they are totally relying on me (with my limited abilities but more than what they can do).

So, what is in it for me? Nothing. However, as Andrew always says, BUILD A RELATIONSHIP! Beleive me, I am BUILDING it!

I will do anything and EVERYTHING to get this guys to the top. Once they are, I see referralls coming left and right.

In the meantime, if I have to survive on macaroni and "stolen" ketchup from Mcd Donalds (joke), I WILL DO IT!

Monday morning at 10am, on Youtube by Tuesday morning, from there I go!

Best of luck to you!

[Izesta]

Originally Posted by MikeHumphreys

............

One tip on what you are doing already: Unless it's something you can do very quickly, I'd create a portfolio instead of pieces for each prospective business.

Use what you've already created to make your portfolio. Ideally from paid clients, but if it's a non-client, you can add the watermark word "EXAMPLE" to them. You're showing your prospects the range of things you can help them with.

IF you can set it up on your own website, that's even better IMHO.

Hope that helps,

Mike

Great stuff here.

I agree Mike about putting presentation info on your website too.

I used Snagit/Powerpoint/Camtasia to create a movie with specific Google Local map screen shots with notes, etc on my site. Not only can a prospect see it any time, but it adds pizazz to my site.

I don't have much time to spend cold calling (and I stink at it), but I do have a Client Presentation book that also uses similar screen shots for the few times I do drop in. Also helps to always have something in the car - just in case I run into a prospect.

[gianne2705]

I haven't join any group yet because i'm still working out for my online jobs.I earn money with my everyday online projects for SEO and link building.

[Black Hat Cat]

Hmmm....I have a different question....are your clients happy with their results?

[Riz]

Yes, mine are very very happy - one of the owners of a restaurant i work with believes he would be out of business if i hadn't helped him in the areas that i did.

This was a client i helped for free as he was financially struggling and i knew i could help his business. We agreed that he would pay my fee when he could afford it.

I wouldn't normally do the work for free but he was someone that was a friend and had a lot of business contacts.

Since then he has paid my fee in full, is on a monthly recurring service and has provided me with some great referrals.

I love this business.

RA

Originally Posted by Black Hat Cat

Hmmm....I have a different question....are your clients happy with their results?

[Vikuna2009+]

Originally Posted by RA123

Yes, mine are very very happy - one of the owners of a restaurant i work with believes he would be out of business if i hadn't helped him in the areas that i did.

This was a client i helped for free as he was financially struggling and i knew i could help his business. We agreed that he would pay my fee when he could afford it.

I wouldn't normally do the work for free but he was someone that was a friend and had a lot of business contacts.

Since then he has paid my fee in full, is on a monthly recurring service and has provided me with some great referrals.

I love this business.


RA

That is great! From my little experience, it seems that most businesses do not understand the power of the internet. I intend to help this restaurant with everything that I can, track their results carefully and use that information to show others what actually can be done.

Probably does not mean money in the bank tomorrow but at least I am on my way.

Now, here is a problem, when I hit "submit reply" a window pops up and says my message is too short, what is up with that?

[Vikuna2009+]

Did figure it out, the quote mark ended up below my entry, simply had to remove it from there and put it in the right place. Edit....

[JodyRossDeane]

HI

I have received a massive amount of info, encouragement and inspiration from the materials on the WF. It's all here!
I Just started out myself, 6 months ago. Check out Maria Gudelis.

That's my two pence.

Jody

[JodyRossDeane]

Originally Posted by Vikuna2009+

David, when you say "can I have a copy of this to use" what do you actually mean? Do you mean that sending a copy of MY presentation to YOUR potential client, is going to make you money? (Even if YOU have NO idea how to manipulate Power Point).

I don't mind posting a sample but you have to remember, each situation is different. Since I have not sold any of my slides yet, I do not know the legal ramifications of posting it in a forum.

However, if you would like some guidance in HOW to create your own slides in Power Point (or Publisher) I'll be happy to respond to a PM from you and gladly share my limited knowledge.

My take on it all, experiment, try everything you can think of. I'm brand spanking new to ALL of this, and if I can do it, you can too.

I'm no techie, far from it, but with determination, you can do it too. I have a Youtube channel, and if you like to visit it, just go to Youtube.com. Once there, do a search for "toprosperity" without the quotes.

As you can see, it's not perfect but even if it is not, you can still get the word out.

Best of luck to you and all others, still struggling but working on it.

BTW, got this mexican restaurant that I have visited 3 times this week, they are FINALLY getting exited about what I can do for them and to get my name out, I am doing it all for FREE.

First, they offered me a glass of water (still to damne*d hot). Then I pulled out 2 cd samples of 2 other businesses that I have done. They made possitive comments, in spanish, and they were all EXITED!

They are re-paving the parking lot on Sunday and doing some landscaping to make the space more attractive.

Had this great omellette, for FREE, they are totally relying on me (with my limited abilities but more than what they can do).

So, what is in it for me? Nothing. However, as Andrew always says, BUILD A RELATIONSHIP! Beleive me, I am BUILDING it!

I will do anything and EVERYTHING to get this guys to the top. Once they are, I see referralls coming left and right.

In the meantime, if I have to survive on macaroni and "stolen" ketchup from Mcd Donalds (joke), I WILL DO IT!

Monday morning at 10am, on Youtube by Tuesday morning, from there I go!

Best of luck to you!

Haha

I love your outlook and your anecdote about the macaroni, believe me, I have been there, in fact, I was there just 6 months ago, yikes! and me with a degree, lots of business experience, but with a big JOB aversion, that's all changed now thank god. I realised the internet is a vast goldmine just waiting to be tapped. Before, it was like I had an encyclopedia in my head walking around, but with no implementation and action, my pockets were empty. I just needed to act, and the money flowed! Why?

I started to solve peoples problems.

And YES you are helping them. They will love you for ever!

Jody

[JodyRossDeane]

Thanks, you just gave me a great idea!

Offer online marketing and/or SEO to friends and local businesses for a nominal fee the first month, always with the option to cancel at anytime if not happy at any time, then after the first month and seeing results, you bill them monthly a normal fee.

Love it!
Thank you warriors!!!

[davidkimball]

Eva --

No, meant simply have a copy of one of yours to use as a guide as I create a similiar one. Always like to have new and different things in my toolbox.

David

[Tina Williams]

Hi Eva-

Just saw this thread and thought I'd add my two cents. I literally fell into the Offline Consulting Business and it was the best accident I ever had!

I started off doing free workshops for my Women In Networking groups and that just exploded into calls from local Chambers and other groups.

A HUGE help for me was Maria Gudelis's 14 Day Power Challenge and Offline Blueprint (it was a WSO a few months back) I believe she is doing another one coming up soon too.

The content landed me business and Joint Ventures!

Check the WSO for her next one and definitely look at your local Women's groups.

To your Success!
@Tina_Williams