Twitter + Offline Consulting = Cash Cow! *$0 Budget Required* Step-by-Step Instructions...

[Zachary R. Skinner]

Howdy Warriors,

To begin, I wanted to stress that am not trying to sell you darn thing in this post nor am I trying to get you to sign up to one of my mailing lists (although if you want to follow me on twitter that's up to you!).

The following info is completely free, no strings attached and just about anyone who has been a member of this forum for more than a few months can do this

Here goes....

I've noticed that a lot of warriors have been complaining that twitter isn't very useful for them. Still other warriors have complained that offline consulting doesn't work for them because they can't talk to people face to face or over the phone.

If you are one of these warriors then this post is for you.

Back in May, super IM'er Frank Kern said the following in his newsletter:

"I'm telling you right now, we are in an amazing opportunity. People like us (internet marketers) are facing an amazing opportunity in the sense that what you know, the skills that you have right now today, are head and shoulders above and beyond anything that people in the “normal business world” possess.

And you can and should be paid very handsomely for that knowledge, if you decide to
pursue it."

Most of you reading this are way, way ahead of the curve when it comes to generating traffic and selling online.....don't let anyone tell you any differently!

So here's how I've been making money with my IM knowledge using Twitter:

Step 1 - I wrote the following in my Twitter profile: I know how to make your website sell like crazy and send your traffic stats thru the roof....gospel truth. DM me to set up a FREE consultation

Step 2 - I used Tweetlater to auto send a direct message to anyone who follows me that says the following: Hey, I desperately need testimonials for my consulting website....how'd you like a free website optimization consultation in exchange for a testimonial?

Step 3 - I then logged into Twellow and started following as many small business types as I could find in the hopes that they would follow me back (most do if you're publishing good content)

Step 4 - I setup my keywords alert on Tweetlater for phrases like "my new website," "my new blog", "checkout my website", "my business" etc. If someone was tweeting about these things and their website wasn't very good (most aren't) I would reply back with an offer to give them a free consultation

Step 5 - When someone showed some interest I would ask for their email address and tell them that I would write up an optimization report for them. Then I would send them the following email :

Before I can begin drawing up my website optimization report for you I need you to answer a few questions for me:

1) Are you using wordpress for your site or blog? If not, what program are you using to maintain your website?

2) How long have you owned your website?

3) What kinds of paid and free online advertising have you used in the past and were you satisfied with the results?

4) Where are you currently getting traffic from e.g. twitter, google, yahoo, etc?

5) Have you ever created and distibuted online videos before?

6) Are looking for regional clients or clients from anywhere?

Once you answer these questions I will draft my report and send it over to you. Once you have taken a look at the report we can schedule a session on the phone or over skype so I can answer your questions.

I look forward to working with you...

Step 6 - Once I had their info I would go to work applying my IM knowledge and analyzing their site to determine how they could generate more traffic and earn more money from their site. Then I would put all of that information together in a pdf and send it to them.

Attached is one of the actual reports I created for a client I met on twitter a few weeks ago. Feel free to use this report as a model for your own reports, you can even copy some of the text if you'd like

While this report does not include any affiliate links, if it had I would have made an extra $100 or so because the person who this report was created for actually bought most of what I suggested in the report (most business people only barely understand what an affiliate program is it turns out)

Step 7 - This is the part where you actually make money. When you generate these kinds of reports the people who receive them are ecstatic! They have just had their minds blown and would love to hire you to do things for them.

Some are even willing to pay you an hourly fee to discuss their ideas and listen to your extensive IM advice. You can use Ether to setup your hourly consulting. Ether charges nothing up front but collects 15% of your earnings. I charge a very modest $60/hr.

And that's basically it folks. Now you have no excuses not to be making at least a little bit of money with twitter and your IM knowledge.

I'm also doing a bunch of other things with social media and offline consulting and things are going well. I can tell you firsthand that their is an absolute gold mine out there to be had!

Go got 'em Warriors!

[Daniel Adams]

Awesome work, man! Thanks for the example. I've done some consulting and have never heard of Ether.

BTW How many people have balked at $60? I think that's way too cheap.

[Pat Ordenes]

Great stuff Zachary. very generous to include the report also. Will come in handy no doubt.

[AfteraDream]

Interesting example. Thanx!

[dsmpublishing]

Great example - a lot of my customers on twitter are actually offline marketers and i have had several orders through the word of mouth of just one twitter. Who i have been chatting to alot lately. What i didnt know is that she has won several marketing awards in new york and is one of the best but unless your local to someone you really dont know who it is your dealing with.

I love offline marketers and it is nice to be taken away from the online marketing for a while.

kind regards


sam
X

[George Montagu Brown]

Muy interesanté my friend!

When I get my butt around to spending some time on Twitter I may give this a shot...

Cool idea: Imagine outsourcing the consulting. It would seem that someone with a fairly basic knowledge of IM could do a decent job and prepare a decent helpful report.

Do you know of any other ways to find clients other than advertising on Twitter?

George

[Mark Riddle]

Great information, and it also shows that a method that can be modified for anyone wanting to generate real traffic and real followers with twitter.


Mark Riddle

[Andyhenry]

Thanks for sharing. I've been doing the same thing (except not in the IM niche) and made 6 figures for my business this year from the business that Twitter has brought.

I don't know why people keep saying Twitter is a waste of time, but hey - If they don't want to listen to how to make money - it's not a problem for us.

Hopefully your example has enough detail that some people will actually give it a go.

Andy

[Michael Franklin]

Zachary,

Two things:

1) It is an absolutely brilliant plan that you laid out that others can follow. Thank you for spending the time to break it all down for the forum members.

2) I have always felt that Twitter would have better applications in the offline world than online and your post confirms my gut feeling....This is not to say that you can't apply it to online ventures (as others can attest!) but I believe it is much MUCH easier to go after the offline businesses.

Business owners are flocking to Twitter in droves so this is how you capitalize on this trend.....Again, sharp thinking on your part, Zachary!

[Zachary R. Skinner]

Originally Posted by Daniel Adams

Awesome work, man! Thanks for the example. I've done some consulting and have never heard of Ether.

BTW How many people have balked at $60? I think that's way too cheap.

You're not the only person who has told me that $60/hr is way too cheap. I will surely be raising my prices to the $100 range very soon.

$100 an hour is insane if you think about it...that's the rate commanded by highly educated professionals.

At the same time, I can still deliver a whole lot of value for the money because I save people alot of money and time and show them how to make alot more money from their website......that kind of information shouldn't be cheap.

[Zachary R. Skinner]

Originally Posted by Michael Franklin

Zachary,

Two things:

1) It is an absolutely brilliant plan that you laid out that others can follow. Thank you for spending the time to break it all down for the forum members.

2) I have always felt that Twitter would have better applications in the offline world than online and your post confirms my gut feeling....This is not to say that you can't apply it to online ventures (as others can attest!) but I believe it is much MUCH easier to go after the offline businesses.

Business owners are flocking to Twitter in droves so this is how you capitalize on this trend.....Again, sharp thinking on your part, Zachary!

I really appreciate the kind words, it really gives me that warm fuzzy feeling inside...

I'm actually doing a lot more with twitter than what I wrote about here but I can't give all of my secrets.

I felt this was something that just about any warrior could do, even the ones with bad people skills.

I think Twitter is useful in all kinds of ways. The people who really struggle with Twitter simply aren't using Twitter correctly. Once you really know how to harness the power of twitter the sky is the limit!

[sblackburn]

Great Post ---

Twitter is a great tool for both online and offline. We are using it a lot for our offline and things are taking off.

[Marhelper]

Originally Posted by Zachary R. Skinner

I really appreciate the kind words, it really gives me that warm fuzzy feeling inside...

I'm actually doing a lot more with twitter than what I wrote about here but I can't give all of my secrets.

I felt this was something that just about any warrior could do, even the ones with bad people skills.

I think Twitter is useful in all kinds of ways. The people who really struggle with Twitter simply aren't using Twitter correctly. Once you really know how to harness the power of twitter the sky is the limit!

What do you recommend (IE: reading material, etc..) for those just starting out learning twitter?

[parzlou]

Originally Posted by Zachary R. Skinner

Howdy Warriors,
To begin, I wanted to stress that am not trying to sell you darn thing in this post nor am I trying to get you to sign up to one of my mailing lists.

I am not sure that is allowed ... lol
but it is surely appreciated thanks much

[zedbiz]

Excellent use of Twitter - Great Job - Thanks for the ideas and the step by step plan.
Jack

[mwoeppel1]

Thanks very much! A great idea for a newbie, too!

[Zachary R. Skinner]

Originally Posted by Marhelper

What do you recommend (IE: reading material, etc..) for those just starting out learning twitter?

I recommend reading Tweetastic Twitter Traffic

[George Wright]

Zachary,

Nice OP and "report." For those of us not wanting to use twitter and do enjoy face to face all of your information can be used accordingly. Great ideas for any method of contact used, face to face, Phone, eMail, etc.

Thanks,

George Wright

[webatomic]

This is great. I've done a bit of offline twitter consulting myself and it really is a huge untapped market. Businesses really have no idea how to leverage the power of Twitter and once they catch on they get very excited.

[BlackTactics]

Very cool and unique idea.

As an added idea instead charging by the hour of you could offer some sort of ongoing contract with your clients. This way your not leveraging your time so much for a monthly fee.

My only concern about this is that is could probably quickly become saturated.

[Tom Brite]

I was looking at doing something similar myself but on facebook instead!

I was also going to send flyers to every local business in my area but then really didn't want to go and sit in their office and talk to them so this seems a perfect method for doing more international deals and not having to sit in their office and be lectured by them or whatever

Thanks
Tom Brite

[Zachary R. Skinner]

Originally Posted by George Wright

Zachary,

Nice OP and "report." For those of us not wanting to use twitter and do enjoy face to face all of your information can be used accordingly. Great ideas for any method of contact used, face to face, Phone, eMail, etc.

Thanks,

George Wright

Not sure what an OP is but thanks for the kind words!

[JohnMcCabe]

Originally Posted by Zachary R. Skinner

Not sure what an OP is but thanks for the kind words!

Zachary, OP is shorthand for "Original Post" or "Original Poster" depending on context.

In this case, George is saying you done good...

[Zachary R. Skinner]

Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe

Zachary, OP is shorthand for "Original Post" or "Original Poster" depending on context.

In this case, George is saying you done good...

Ah, I see. Well that's good to hear!

[SullyUI]

Thanks, great idea for a consulting service. I can definitely see how Twitter is useful for offline business.

[303webmarket]

Thanks for the great gesture and this eye opening info.

[Steve Campbell]

When I read the headline to this thread the first thing that went through my mind was "Go on...". There is some really good info here and I will definitely give it a try. Thanks a lot for sharing this and going step by step with it!

[Zachary R. Skinner]

Originally Posted by Steve Campbell

When I read the headline to this thread the first thing that went through my mind was "Go on...". There is some really good info here and I will definitely give it a try. Thanks a lot for sharing this and going step by step with it!

Steve,

I'm always happy to help out newbs struggling to find their way. There's so much crap out there that it's difficult to know what to actually do.

I really hope this works for you and everyone else who read this thread!

[David McKee]

Absolutely fantastic information!

You could write an awesome e-course on the use of twitter in this way, for example what you are doing could be expanded to include courses on practically anything, for advertising and selling seats at teleconferences, etc. Consulting is just one dimension of what this could be used for. Sort of a dynamic E-Business Card!

Thanks!

David T. McKee

[timmykins]

Nice post Zachary,

I've just finished reading a great book, "How to Sell When Nobody's Buying" by Dave Lakhani, it's aimed mostly at salesmen but in it he goes into great detail on using twitter and facebook for sell services or products, much the same as you are doing.

Personally, I've shyed away from using these mediums for my own business endeavours, but after reading the book and seeing your post, I'm on it!

Cheers

Tim

[shoaibonline]

hi warrior friend
no doubt this is a fantastic information for twitter lovers. thanks for sharing such bang info.This information shows that a method that can be modified for anyone wanting to generate real traffic and real followers with twitter.

[Mike Calvert]

Originally Posted by Zachary R. Skinner

$100 an hour is insane if you think about it...that's the rate commanded by highly educated professionals.

Great post, Zachary. Thanks for revealing your Twitter strategies.

This may be a bit off track for the thread, but $100 is not as insane as you might think.

My new personal physician interviewed me with her laptop for about 15 minutes on an initial consultation, and the bill arrived yesterday for $230. That's $920 per hour and it didn't even include a physical exam. So I guess what I am saying is, "Hey, go for it!"

Anyway, thanks once again, for your generosity and willingness to share such valuable information with us here.

All the Best,

Mike

[Zachary R. Skinner]

Originally Posted by Mike Calvert

Great post, Zachary. Thanks for revealing your Twitter strategies.

This may be a bit off track for the thread, but $100 is not as insane as you might think.

My new personal physician interviewed me with her laptop for about 15 minutes on an initial consultation, and the bill arrived yesterday for $230. That's $920 per hour and it didn't even include a physical exam. So I guess what I am saying is, "Hey, go for it!"

Anyway, thanks once again, for your generosity and willingness to share such valuable information with us here.

All the Best,

Mike

$920 per hour?????!!!

That sounds like highway robbery to me, I think I would have been livid!

[MarkR]

Zachary,

Great job on the post and report. Very nice use of Twitter. Kudos!

I'd like your comments on your report though. You provide the details of "how" to improve the clients website - i.e. what tools to use, how to use them, whereas I've always preferred to tell the client "what" to do to improve their website and "why" they should do it.

My thought is that you are giving the client a road map that they could do themselves, or take to a local webmaster and ask him/her to implement it. I understand most will feel like they owe you a chance to improve the site from the value you provided.

Does this ever come back to bite you (if you even realize it)?

Excellent work and nice share!

Mark

[Zachary R. Skinner]

Originally Posted by MarkR

Zachary,

Great job on the post and report. Very nice use of Twitter. Kudos!

I'd like your comments on your report though. You provide the details of "how" to improve the clients website - i.e. what tools to use, how to use them, whereas I've always preferred to tell the client "what" to do to improve their website and "why" they should do it.

My thought is that you are giving the client a road map that they could do themselves, or take to a local webmaster and ask him/her to implement it. I understand most will feel like they owe you a chance to improve the site from the value you provided.

Does this ever come back to bite you (if you even realize it)?

Excellent work and nice share!

Mark

No it hasn't come back to bite me but I've also only been doing this for a couple of weeks.

I actually agree with you, I think I am giving away too much information. I'm sure I could say less and still have more or less the same effect. In fact, for the average joe I think this is too much information.

In the future I think my reports will be much shorter.

[iw433]

First class info. thanks a bunch.

[MarkR]

Zachary,

Thanks for the response.

I'm glad you agree. All you have to do is lose out on good sized deal and it will cost you a lot of money. Fortunately, most business owners won't take the initiative to do it themselves or bother to get other quotes. The real issue with the Twitter model is that you haven't built up much of a relationship, so it's too easy for them to take another route with another IMr.

I wouldn't think you necessarily need to shorten the report. Maybe just replace the parts that give away your intellectual property (product/site name, how to info., etc.) and replace it with some pre-selling language. e.g. "You need to do X because it has proven to increase traffic/increase conversions/save you time/etc. I have used a site/program/tool to do just that many times and would be glad to help you with it."

Good luck, and thanks for the thread!

Mark

[Don-James]

An absolute thanks, Zachary! This is one of the best posts I've read on here in weeks - well thought out and delivered. Anyone missing this is missing out on a goldmine. In fact, this inspired and reminded me of some things I need to do.

Thanks!!!

[MakeCash]

Originally Posted by Zachary R. Skinner

I recommend reading Tweetastic Twitter Traffic

This is such a great link. This information is pure gold.

Your method for bringing in offline clients using twitter is so inspiring. I have a friend who is promoting a club and he asked me to help him with twitter since i am the "computer guy"..

This info couldnt have came at a better time... that link explains everything you need to build a strong targeted following.. I am going to use this strategy to try and promote for tonight and see what kind of response i could build in a couple of hours.

I think its definitely possible and if it doesnt work out tonight i would have completed the groundwork for building a large following for future events.

Anybody looking to get started making some money should definitely invest some time into this twitter method. It can be used to do so much more like building an email list, promoting a cpa offer, or even promoting a blog.

All you gotta do is take this valuable information the OP has blessed us with and make it your own. Test and Modify till you reach success.. Its possible, maybe not overnight like i am going to attempt to accomplish, but with dedication and hard work. As with any other projects you choose to tackle.

Thank you so much for opening my eyes.. I intend to report back my results for how well i can convert for tonight's event.. Im done rambling now.

-Make Cash
Felix Rodriguez

[Ryan Shaw]

awesome report; gave me some ideas for my services that I offer small businesses

[JaySabree]

Thank you

I'm a real fan of your Ether suggestion. I'm on my way to find out more about that service and any restrictions for international customers. Great post!

[Zachary R. Skinner]

Originally Posted by MakeCash

This is such a great link. This information is pure gold.

Your method for bringing in offline clients using twitter is so inspiring. I have a friend who is promoting a club and he asked me to help him with twitter since i am the "computer guy"..

This info couldnt have came at a better time... that link explains everything you need to build a strong targeted following.. I am going to use this strategy to try and promote for tonight and see what kind of response i could build in a couple of hours.

I think its definitely possible and if it doesnt work out tonight i would have completed the groundwork for building a large following for future events.

Anybody looking to get started making some money should definitely invest some time into this twitter method. It can be used to do so much more like building an email list, promoting a cpa offer, or even promoting a blog.

All you gotta do is take this valuable information the OP has blessed us with and make it your own. Test and Modify till you reach success.. Its possible, maybe not overnight like i am going to attempt to accomplish, but with dedication and hard work. As with any other projects you choose to tackle.

Thank you so much for opening my eyes.. I intend to report back my results for how well i can convert for tonight's event.. Im done rambling now.

-Make Cash
Felix Rodriguez

Felix,

Believe it or not I actually wrote that report as well around December of last year, I'm glad you liked it!

I wish you the best of luck with what you're doing. Please let me know how things turn out and if you have any questions feel free to hit me up.

[Sheila]

Great post, Zachary! Thanks for your generosity.

I just had to add my two cents when I saw your note "$100 an hour is insane if you think about it...that's the rate commanded by highly educated professionals." . . . Hello. . . YOU are a highly educated professional! Think about it - how much time and effort have you put into your IM education?

Most people become educated and never even use that information to help others. So, just because you've had the good common sense to educate yourself in IM and use that info. to help people make money - that's no reason to sell yourself short. In fact, it's a great reason to celebrate your accomplishments!

You're helping businesspeople make money, and you should be compensated for the part you play in helping them increase profits. That sounds like the work of a highly-skilled professional to me!

[MarketingMama]

Thanks for posting all that info. I'm doing some internet marketing training and listened to a 1 hour audio tele-seminar about using Twitter, and then I lost my notes! Now instead of having to listen to it all over again, I can use the tips you've posted here! :-) You've just saved me an hour (which is worth... well... some day I hope it will be worth at least $1,000! LOL). Though I have to admit I know there's still some stuff I learned before that isn't mentioned here. I just don't remember exactly what!

[Zachary R. Skinner]

Originally Posted by Sheila

Great post, Zachary! Thanks for your generosity.

I just had to add my two cents when I saw your note "$100 an hour is insane if you think about it...that's the rate commanded by highly educated professionals." . . . Hello. . . YOU are a highly educated professional! Think about it - how much time and effort have you put into your IM education?

Most people become educated and never even use that information to help others. So, just because you've had the good common sense to educate yourself in IM and use that info. to help people make money - that's no reason to sell yourself short. In fact, it's a great reason to celebrate your accomplishments!

You're helping businesspeople make money, and you should be compensated for the part you play in helping them increase profits. That sounds like the work of a highly-skilled professional to me!

Sheila,

You make a really, really good point here. Sometimes I forget just how much time and money I've spent to learn the things i know about IM...1,000's of dollars $1,000's of dollars to be sure. I think that's true of a lot of warriors here also.

Even if there were a lot of people out there doing this, I'm showing business owners how to make more money and that will always command a high premium.

$100 an hour for my knowledge is a bargain compared to the $930 charged by that overpriced doctor!

[MarketingHuddle]

Sometimes I think that an offline business needs a large Twitter following not only for the potential benefits, but for the "perception" they give to their target audience that they are credible!

[Zachary R. Skinner]

Originally Posted by MarketingHuddle

Sometimes I think that an offline business needs a large Twitter following not only for the potential benefits, but for the "perception" they give to their target audience that they are credible!

I think you're spot on here.

Twitter and other social media allow businesses that know what they are doing to build a sense of trust and transparency with customers and potential customers.

The means to do this never really existed before a couple of years ago. Businesses that jump on this now can quickly gain a competitive advantage....this is exactly what I tell my prospects and it's true.

Even small, local businesses can benefit from social media. As offline consultants we can capitalize on this because so many businesses don't have a clue when it comes to this kind of stuff!