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Advice on offline marketing situation...

by Superior Content Creation
7 replies
So I took some advice of a few posts on this forum and started working the offline marketing bit. I'm a real newbie, but I just offered a simple service--setting up a free website for small business owners and signing them up through a hostgator affiliate link so I make $100 bucks per client and try to get some upsells. This does not seem like much of a challenge because even though I'm a newbie I've done my share of playing around with wordpress and even if it ends up taking me a little longer to bust out a page, I can certainly produce a quality product.

Here's the problem. It turns out you don't even have to "try" for an upsell. The upsells come on their own. Wait--is that a problem? :-)

--I just started pitching to clients today and I've already got 3 who I am almost positive are on board. But one of them wants a forum and also wants to know if he can get his site in a second language. Whoooah!--we're out of my comfort zone now...lol

I realize I can outsource this, and I'm all for that, but I want some advice on how to deal with the client. I already explained that those things are doable but will cost money and I will get back to him with a quote. So, how do I come up with a quote for these things, and should I just try to keep him focused on the basic package and work the rest out later, or should I get a set agreement now while his imagination is still running?

I guess I just need some advice about how to proceed. Any comments appreciated.

Thanks.
#advice #marketing #offline #situation
  • Profile picture of the author dvduval
    I always let my clients know that I pay my employees on an hourly rate, and while I can estimate the time it will take, I still have to pay based on actual time. Then I go about getting some of the clearest goals started first. For example, it will take 2 hours to get your forum installed. Then we can take a look at what other modifications are needed. You may not sell as much this way, but at least you can keep things more manageable.
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    It is okay to contact me! I have been developing software since 1999, creating many popular products like phpLD.
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  • Profile picture of the author SullyUI
    Hey there, congrats on getting clients, and indeed this is an easy way to make money.

    You have to decide how much your time is worth and multiple that time by the amount of time it will take you to add those things.

    If you think your time is worth 40 dollars per hour then if it takes a half hour to install the forum then it would be 20 extra dollars. If you have to do custom stuff to the forum you would charge more.

    If you are outsourcing it you would charge more, so maybe like 40 dollars and then outsource it for 20.

    I'm not saying to use the above numbers, just giving an example. Again, you have to get an estimate on how much your time is worth. You can find this by just asking people how much they would expect to pay for your services and maybe charging a little more to see how your clients respond. It's something you learn as you go.
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    • Profile picture of the author Superior Content Creation
      The thing is that when I say I'm a newbie I really mean it...lol I don't have any idea how long it takes to set up a forum, and I certainly don't know where to start with the multi-language option. I suppose I could just put some bids on elance and see what quotes I get that are backed with a reputation.
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      • Profile picture of the author Superior Content Creation
        Since I'm using wordpress, is a forum plugin adequate?
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        • Profile picture of the author jan roos
          Don't quote on an hourly basis. Think of a number that you'll be happy to do the work for, then quote triple that amount and work your way down.

          You'll see that you'll get a much higher price this way.

          Cheers
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          • Profile picture of the author Jagged
            Originally Posted by jan roos View Post

            Don't quote on an hourly basis. Think of a number that you'll be happy to do the work for, then quote triple that amount and work your way down.
            Hi Jan,
            You are correct that no one should quote offline work by the hour...
            But I can see where the OP is coming from...If he is unclear as to the actual scope of work & time needed...how can even put together an estimate to start with? Tripling it would more than likely cover everything but you could still be cutting yourself to thin...

            If your not sure of the scope of work....take a look at elance or simular sites...search for simular projects & see what they are going for....know how much you can outsource things for...that way at least you can put together an estimate that won't kill you.

            Good luck,
            Ken
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  • Profile picture of the author Gabe77
    Check out the current rates for doing a specific project. You may have to ask around or check out the rates of freelancing website developers. You can work the numbers from there.

    The price you set for the work to be done highly depends on you i.e. complexity of the work, time spent, admin costs especially you're thinking of outsourcing it.
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