Are You Sitting On An Offline Client Goldmine And Don't Even Know It?

Hesaidblissfully · 11-20-2009, 09:07 PM

I'm sure I'm not the first to mention this, but I bet to some people who want to pursue the offline consulting route (I'm a n00b in this area so take this advice for what it's worth), this will be one of those "smack your forehead it's so obvious" ideas. It was to me.

Before you go racing off to pound the pavement and show up to every business in your area or "dial for dollars" and cold call businesses out of the phone book, or even sort through some of the weirdos on Craigslist to find clients, think about the following fact:

Everyone on this forum has stores that they buy from, places that they like to hang out, restaurants/bars/clubs that they frequent, family, co-workers/ex co-workers and friends. Many are members of groups an associations. The bottom line is either directly, or through association, you already know a lot of people. And at least a fraction of those people have businesses that want more customers.

I'm sure pounding the pavement and cold calling can be very effective. But make sure you're not limiting yourself to doing ONLY that when you could be sitting on a goldmine of "warm" prospects who could use your services. All you have to do is make a list of business establishments that you already frequent and maybe family members and friends who might know someone who knows someone and make a few phone calls. As we all know, it's much easier to get "in" with someone who already knows you or finds out about you through a friend or colleague, versus just calling up a stranger on the phone. And you can still do cold-calling/pavement pounding as well.

I just made a list and I already have at least 10 people/businesses who either could use services like website building, SEO or autoresponder services, or who probably know people who do. And that's all just from friends, family and places where I shop or eat.

Who knows, your mom could be friends with one of the big wigs at your local chamber of commerce and you don't even know it.

AndrewCavanagh · 11-20-2009, 11:35 PM

Good advice and that really is the first place you should start:

# Business owners you already know...

# Owners of businesses where you're spening money...

# Business owners your friends and families know.

Also remember that when you talk to business owners...or anyone...that you can ask them who they know who might benefit from your skills and advice.

Referrals are a powerful way to get hired...especially if they come from a business owner.

Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh

JasonP · 11-21-2009, 03:02 AM

All very good information. But just like a sales page, you have to have an "offer". Offer a trial or something like that, or a special first time discount. It'll make the decision easier for the business.

Lou Diamond · 11-21-2009, 03:03 AM

Hello,
this is the way that many people have been pushed into this field.
I showed a friend my seo results and he gave me a job on the spot and the rest of his friends as well.

MichaelHiles · 11-21-2009, 05:41 AM

Networking referrals are my #1 source of business for marketing consulting.

JeffLam · 11-21-2009, 05:57 AM

Gotta say I experience this first hand too.

Whatever we do in this internet marketing field is virtually unknown to the people 'outside'.

Hence the looks on their faces when you tell them you do internet marketing.

"You mean selling stuff on eBay?"
"What, you have a blogshop?"

Damn you guys..

11-20-2009, 11:35 PM	#2
AndrewCavanagh Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cairns, Australia. Posts: 3,267 Thanks: 3 Thanked 784 Times in 425 Posts	Re: Are You Sitting On An Offline Client Goldmine And Don't Even Know It? Good advice and that really is the first place you should start: # Business owners you already know... # Owners of businesses where you're spening money... # Business owners your friends and families know. Also remember that when you talk to business owners...or anyone...that you can ask them who they know who might benefit from your skills and advice. Referrals are a powerful way to get hired...especially if they come from a business owner. Kindest regards, Andrew Cavanagh
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11-21-2009, 03:02 AM	#3
JasonP Just Another Dummy War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 218 Thanks: 4 Thanked 27 Times in 22 Posts	Re: Are You Sitting On An Offline Client Goldmine And Don't Even Know It? All very good information. But just like a sales page, you have to have an "offer". Offer a trial or something like that, or a special first time discount. It'll make the decision easier for the business.

11-21-2009, 03:03 AM	#4
Lou Diamond Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Long Island N.Y. Posts: 1,153 Thanks: 28 Thanked 192 Times in 101 Posts	Re: Are You Sitting On An Offline Client Goldmine And Don't Even Know It? Hello, this is the way that many people have been pushed into this field. I showed a friend my seo results and he gave me a job on the spot and the rest of his friends as well.
	Something new soon.

11-21-2009, 05:41 AM	#5
MichaelHiles Battle Scarred Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,563 Thanks: 665 Thanked 1,780 Times in 744 Posts Social Networking	Re: Are You Sitting On An Offline Client Goldmine And Don't Even Know It? Networking referrals are my #1 source of business for marketing consulting.
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11-21-2009, 05:57 AM	#6
JeffLam Entrepreneur War Room Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Singapore Posts: 573 Thanks: 128 Thanked 53 Times in 44 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Are You Sitting On An Offline Client Goldmine And Don't Even Know It? Gotta say I experience this first hand too. Whatever we do in this internet marketing field is virtually unknown to the people 'outside'. Hence the looks on their faces when you tell them you do internet marketing. "You mean selling stuff on eBay?" "What, you have a blogshop?" Damn you guys..
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11-20-2009, 09:07 PM	#1
Hesaidblissfully Advanced Warrior Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: , , USA. Posts: 717 Thanks: 33 Thanked 109 Times in 85 Posts	Are You Sitting On An Offline Client Goldmine And Don't Even Know It? I'm sure I'm not the first to mention this, but I bet to some people who want to pursue the offline consulting route (I'm a n00b in this area so take this advice for what it's worth), this will be one of those "smack your forehead it's so obvious" ideas. It was to me. Before you go racing off to pound the pavement and show up to every business in your area or "dial for dollars" and cold call businesses out of the phone book, or even sort through some of the weirdos on Craigslist to find clients, think about the following fact: Everyone on this forum has stores that they buy from, places that they like to hang out, restaurants/bars/clubs that they frequent, family, co-workers/ex co-workers and friends. Many are members of groups an associations. The bottom line is either directly, or through association, you already know a lot of people. And at least a fraction of those people have businesses that want more customers. I'm sure pounding the pavement and cold calling can be very effective. But make sure you're not limiting yourself to doing ONLY that when you could be sitting on a goldmine of "warm" prospects who could use your services. All you have to do is make a list of business establishments that you already frequent and maybe family members and friends who might know someone who knows someone and make a few phone calls. As we all know, it's much easier to get "in" with someone who already knows you or finds out about you through a friend or colleague, versus just calling up a stranger on the phone. And you can still do cold-calling/pavement pounding as well. I just made a list and I already have at least 10 people/businesses who either could use services like website building, SEO or autoresponder services, or who probably know people who do. And that's all just from friends, family and places where I shop or eat. Who knows, your mom could be friends with one of the big wigs at your local chamber of commerce and you don't even know it.