I Sealed The Deal! - Yet It Wasn't Perfect...
I'm extremely excited today, as I sealed my first "offline" IM deal!
Here is what happened:
I have a company, which is currently not 100% active. (I'm working on a more urgent project, with even more income potential, which I will sync with this later to maximize revenue)
A guy called me on monday, asking for a meeting to discuss what I could do for him, and what would happen. Someone had told him that I was an "Expert" webdesigner - Which I am not!
I told him right away, on the phone. "I'm not an "expert webdesigner, but I CAN make simple websites. It's the marketing I'm best at"
That was good enough for him, so we had a meeting at his house today.
I had prepared quite a few questions, to map out what he needed, what kind of expectations he had, and to find how how much I could make from this.
I had also planned out what he would get after the meeting, if I could help him. ( Instructions, a "nice" offer, a bonus (A rebate membership to my newest project), what results he can expect, when he would get it, and what he would get.
This made it a whole lot easier. - For both of us.
The guy was really nice, and I managed to really get him all fired up. I told him a few "selling sentences" we could use for his website, and he loved it.
I also suggested a good domain, as well as a professional email he could get.
So far, everything went perfect.
Then I popped another question... How much have you planned to use on this (Including marketing), and what kind of results do you expect to see from that?
He had no clue, but he wanted to use as little as possible, until he found out if his idea would work. ( He's been a press photographer for 35 years, and is retiring. He wants to sell himself as a "Press consultant" for large companies, so the photographers will get better pictures, and the process will be a lot easier. I believe it will work, as he's the most experienced guy out there, attending over 8750 pres conferences)
I had initially hoped to get $700 for this deal, but he had so few preferences for the website and marketing, that I said "Let's say a maximum of $350 to make the website. Then I'll work as much as I can,and get your website up and running for that price. I will help you make the website and service more attractive later, and rewrite the emails you send to your clients, so they will give better results. - That will be an extra cost, but I'll do it for free until you get at least 1 customer - Then you'll pay me, AND write a glowing testimonial".
He nodded. "That wasn't bad at all" he said. And that's when I immediately regretted. I could have gotten closer to $700, than the $350 I got. (Upfront though. I just made a bill for him to pay )
Now building the website will take way less than half a day, and I will use wordpress. Then I plan on helping him sell it, as well as telling him how to market it offline too.
I gave him loads of good idea's, and he loved it.
Here is why I was so cheap:
- The guy was extremely nice, and he didn't have any preferences. "Do it your way, you're the expert" was the tone we had.
- He didn't want additional traffic, which is extremely rare.
- He didn't need anything fancy, just a really simple website.
- All he really needed was a simple,professional website, and some guidance.
- He did not want access to statistics, nor a monthly report I could make for him
How could I have charged $700 for something THIS simple? The truth is, I could.
I had him all jazzed up, and the situation was perfect. He was in the right "buying mood", and I was an expert in his eyes, with an endless pool of credibility to use as I would like.
So here is what you can learn from this:
1. NEVER underestimate yourself, and never sell out too cheap.
2. I'm only 19, with no higher education. Age is not a factor.
3. If you know how to sell anything, it can be used ANYWHERE.
4. If you meet their expecations, you can charge a lot more than you initially think.
5. Be honest and helpful. Whether they buy your services,or not. If you have helped them for free once, they will most likely recommend you to others, which to can get paid for.
6. Find additional ways your clients can help you, other than "direct" money. (I am certain this guy will recommend me further and bring me new clients. I will get a testimonial on my website, from a press photographer "legend". He will pay me better,and give me more work in the future,when I have helped him succeed)
I hope this was inspiring, and that you all see how easy it can be to make good money offline
Now remember: Always provide value, and the value will come pouring back at you in the future. Satisfied customers are one of the best marketing methods you can ever use.
And one last thing... HOORAY! I sealed my first deal offline!
To your success,
Preben
**** 100 WARRIORS AMBUSH THE WEB 50% OFF ****
Use Coupon Code BS89JV
Content overload? Too many tabs open? Then
check out my awesome tech startup! - It will make your life easier.
Twitter? - http://twitter.com/Preben_Frenning
.
Content overload? Too many tabs open? Then
check out my awesome tech startup! - It will make your life easier.
Twitter? - http://twitter.com/Preben_Frenning
Content overload? Too many tabs open? Then
check out my awesome tech startup! - It will make your life easier.
Twitter? - http://twitter.com/Preben_Frenning
[SALES COPYWRITING] "$80,000 in Just One Email!"
REVIEWS & LOTS OF EXAMPLES!
Content overload? Too many tabs open? Then
check out my awesome tech startup! - It will make your life easier.
Twitter? - http://twitter.com/Preben_Frenning