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Whats my next step?

by fredjr1978
6 replies
Hello,

I am currently moving some of my time and work to the offline businesses in my community. Because I am new to the business and have ZERO clients, I am offering a 30-90 day free trial (haven't decided how long yet) to the first 3 clients. My hopes would be to make them paying customers after the trial, but more importantly I would be able to approach other local businesses and let them know of other local businesses I am already working with in order to gain their trust with me and the work that I can do for them, hopefully making the sale easier. Of course these clients would not be getting a free trial.

My questions is that I currently have my first two businesses willing to take me up on my free trial offer and I want to know if anyone can let me know what they would work on first with these clients without giving them to much for free, but seeing the value in my services to sign a 6-12 month contract with me?

Thanks for any help!
#offline marketing #step
  • Profile picture of the author GSX Enterprises
    What exactly are the services you're providing? I would recommend giving them a taste of what you can do but then explaining to them that you can ramp it up even more. By doing this they can see the benefits but you can have more leverage to get some $$ and return clientele!

    -Safe Travels
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    • Profile picture of the author fredjr1978
      Yes, I am hopefully going to be doing a website for them using Hostgator or Bluehost right off the bat so I can make something from there free trial from me. If they don't take that offer that is fine, I plan on starting out small providing them with some SEO and Keyword Research and some reports explaining to them why I am going to be focusing on the keywords that I am. Then of course I would start working on those keywords and getting some back-links for them.

      Other services on top of SEO & Keyword Research would be setting up Autoresponders, Blogs, Article Writing and some Video Marketing. These of course would be where the extra money comes in.

      Am I on the right track here?
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  • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
    I know this isn't what you've been told before, but it's not always best to start by giving people stuff for free - especially when your model is just based around web sites to start off. It's easy to end up spending time and money for nothing.

    Rather than go for freebie seekers - why not just make your offering more robust and go for serious businesses who will see the value and be happy to pay.

    It sounds like you've read some 'offline business' threads and are trying to start a business you're not really sure about. That's not necessarily a big problem (lots of people do it), but you need to be very clear about what services you're offering, what benefits you can deliver and how to demonstrate that value to people - then you won't have to give stuff away.

    Andy
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    nothing to see here.

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    • Profile picture of the author clickdirect
      It is always tricky in the beginning as unless you have a few customers, you do not have that credibility to get more customers. I would also agree that offering things for free will not always get you the right type of customers and your perceived value of service may diminish. I would try to offer great value and by offering additional services and a discount rather than completely free.
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  • Profile picture of the author EvcRo
    IF you offer them stuff (websites?) for free make sure they sign up for hostgator through your affiliate link, to get something at start.

    I used to make websites with payment after completion. I still have 3-4 sites that are not paid for 6+ months. I never accept any work without a % in advance.

    Also, if you go to much on "free" you may be seen as not proffesional or quality provider.
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    • Profile picture of the author Sparhawke
      Originally Posted by EvcRo View Post

      I used to make websites with payment after completion. I still have 3-4 sites that are not paid for 6+ months. I never accept any work without a % in advance.
      I would not hand over ownership of the account until they pay, if they don't pay I am sure I have some very creative ways to compel them such as driving all business to their competition and it may be seen as a lowdown dirty tactic but how honorable is getting services and then stiffing them on the bill?

      I know some will hate this post but the last thing you ever do is hire someone to do a job then make their children miss meals because you don't feel like paying them for a job well done...I am sure after a month or two of really telling people what their business does they will feel the hurt.

      If they do that to a business that provided a valuable service how committed are they to provide a good service to their own clients?
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      “Thinking is easy, Acting is difficult
      And to put one's thoughts into action is the most difficult thing in the world ~ Goethe”
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