12th Oct 2011, 06:48 PM | #1 |
Andrew Mitchell War Room Member Join Date: 2011 Location: The Big Bad City
Posts: 50
Thanks: 126
Thanked 75 Times in 41 Posts
|
Hey All, I've been absent from the forum for a couple months as I have focusing on building my SMS business, which is going fairly well so far. Since july, I have landed 6 clients, three restaurants, a liquor store, a bar, and a nail salon. I wanted to share some tips on how I got over the hump and landed my first client, which was the liquor store: At the liquor store, I was at the cash register paying for a bottle of Malbec, and I noticed that they had a flier next to the register promoting their bi-weekly wine tasting. After paying, I asked the cashier if I could talk to the owner/manager about the wine tasting. The owner was around and had some free time to talk. I ended having a friendly conversation making small talk for a few minutes about the wine tasting with him. Towards the end of the convo, I asked him about how he promoted the wine tastings. He told me that he basically puts up fliers in the store about a week before the tasting, and also sends out an email a few days before the tasting. At this point, I mentioned that I have a mobile marketing biz, and gave him a brief rundown of the benefits sms marketing. Since he mentioned that he has an email list, the fact that text messages get read at a 90% clip compared to only around 5% for email really resonated with him. I offered to give him a free trial of sms services to promote the upcoming wine tasting, which was 12 days away, which he happily accepted. When I got home, I set up a keyword for the store, and then made up about 250 business cards for the cashiers to give to customers which had the keyword and shortcode that I had made for the store on it. After about a week, all the cards were given out, and I had 53 optins. I then sent out a text blast the morning of the wine tasting. As a result, the owner told me that he had 44 people show up for the tasting, which was about about 15 or so more than he usually gets and he was really happy. I now manage his SMS campaign, for which I charge $247.00 a month. Over the last four months, the owner has seen a steady increase in subscribers(he now has 278) and most importantly sales. I send out on average 10 texts per month, which works out to 1.5 per week. And thats how I got my first client! Here are a few points to take away from this: - Look for places that you visit on your daily travels throughout the week that you may have some familiarity with already. This can ease your nerves of approaching biz owners, as they may already know you. - Businesses that have email newsletters are good to target, as you can explain huge open rate advantage that SMS has over Email - Look for businesses that have special events, ie the wine tasting, and offer to promote it for free. I suggest giving yourself at least 10-14 days time to do this to build up a decent number of opt-ins. I hope this helps you guys out. I know first hand that it can be nerve wrecking when you first start out to find offline clients, but once you nail that one, you get a huge confidence boost. Cheers, Andrew |
The Following 23 Users Say Thank You to MitchKid For This Useful Post: |
12th Oct 2011, 07:18 PM | #2 |
Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2010 Location: Near Lima, OH
Posts: 46
Thanks: 33
Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts
|
Andrew- Thanks for sharing your story with us. It's encouraging to see that this can really work. Looking forward to hearing more about your success!
|
12th Oct 2011, 07:20 PM | #3 |
Warrior Member Join Date: 2011 Location: Dumaguete City
Posts: 22
Thanks: 1
Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
|
Thanks for sharing your story.
|
12th Oct 2011, 08:34 PM | #4 |
Andrew Mitchell War Room Member Join Date: 2011 Location: The Big Bad City
Posts: 50
Thanks: 126
Thanked 75 Times in 41 Posts
|
@trafficsniper and @terry- no problem. What I have found is that its not only about taking action but making a plan of action and THEN taking action. If u guys need any help with your biz hit me up and Ill do whateva I can to help you out
|
12th Oct 2011, 08:44 PM | #5 |
HyperActive Warrior Join Date: 2011
Posts: 179
Thanks: 43
Thanked 31 Times in 25 Posts
|
Better info than the couple of WSO's I bought this week......thanks man. Any way of getting in touch, as I'm new around here? Email?
|
12th Oct 2011, 08:48 PM | #6 |
Andrew Mitchell War Room Member Join Date: 2011 Location: The Big Bad City
Posts: 50
Thanks: 126
Thanked 75 Times in 41 Posts
|
@aussieguy you can email me at protools13@gmail.com I'd be happy to help.
|
12th Oct 2011, 10:38 PM | #7 |
John B Join Date: 2011
Posts: 145
Thanks: 49
Thanked 41 Times in 19 Posts
|
Andrew- which SMS provider are you using?
|
13th Oct 2011, 09:00 AM | #8 |
Andrew Mitchell War Room Member Join Date: 2011 Location: The Big Bad City
Posts: 50
Thanks: 126
Thanked 75 Times in 41 Posts
|
Im using txt180.com
|
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to MitchKid For This Useful Post: |
13th Oct 2011, 09:19 AM | #9 |
Dale Katchorek War Room Member Join Date: 2009 Location: Michigan
Posts: 34
Thanks: 12
Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
|
Thanks for sharing. This is an inspiring story. You worked on the relationship first. Then asked if you could help. A simple often over looked selling style. Don't go in guns blazing with your superhero cape on. Be nice. Let them talk. offer help. Bravo! |
| |
13th Oct 2011, 10:18 AM | #10 |
Heather! War Room Member Join Date: 2009 Location: US
Posts: 581
Thanks: 173
Thanked 163 Times in 106 Posts
|
Nice strategy, making a connection with the business owner is always a good tactic for getting clients.
|
| |
13th Oct 2011, 07:52 PM | #11 |
Andrew Mitchell War Room Member Join Date: 2011 Location: The Big Bad City
Posts: 50
Thanks: 126
Thanked 75 Times in 41 Posts
|
I know it sounds cliche, but when you can just go to a business and be yourself and build up a little comfort level, it goes such a long way toward landing the client. Thanks for the kind words everyone!
|
13th Oct 2011, 10:47 PM | #12 | |
Make It Happen War Room Member Join Date: 2008
Posts: 940
Thanks: 189
Thanked 279 Times in 165 Posts
|
Congrats on doing what most won't... TAKING ACTION!!! We have been saying for years that it takes action to create results. Warriors could learn a ton from your post, keep up the work and we cant wait to hear this time next year when you have 50 clients. To your continued success my Friend. Regards, Robert Mobile Fusion Texting | |
| ||
13th Oct 2011, 11:32 PM | #13 |
Local Mobile Join Date: 2011
Posts: 2
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
|
I love your business card approach to gaining opt-ins!! If your potential client already has an email list, make sure they email their subscribers to encourage them to opt-in also. Supply your client with that information as soon as you have his keyword and SMS package ready. This will build a much faster list at the begining. A QR code can be added into the email so that smart phone users can scan it and be taken straight to a mobile landing page or mobile website with much more information. It can even take them to a opt-in form where they can enter even more information such as RSVP. An even better way is sending out MMS text messages where you can use up to 500 text characters with an image, just an image such as a coupon, or even a short video. You would charge your client more for that service. At our text messsage service, if it cost you .04 per SMS text message, it will cost you 3 times that or .12 per MMS text message. But you will see a larger response rate. |
Local Mobile Text Messages your SMS and MMS text message service provider. Our packages start at $25. Take a FREE 10 day trial. 29 tutorial videos. Bulk SMS &, MMS image and video messages, Email Marketing, IM Marketing, Social Networking, Voice Broadcasting. ALL FROM ONE PLACE!!
| |
14th Oct 2011, 07:30 PM | #14 |
HyperActive Warrior Join Date: 2011 Location: Ontario , Canada
Posts: 128
Thanks: 15
Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts
|
Hey is it possible you can show me the designs you made up? and who paid for these? |
15th Oct 2011, 01:35 AM | #15 |
Advanced Warrior Join Date: 2008
Posts: 945
Thanks: 4
Thanked 24 Times in 24 Posts
|
For the liquor store that you are charging $247/mo which package are using with txt180.com? I ask because you mention that you send an average of 10 blasts a month and if the customer has 250+ subscribers then that would at least 2500 SMS for that month not including the SMS that come in from the optins and would be way over the two packages (500 and 1000) that txt180.com offer. Did you set the limit of how many SMS are included in the $247/mo fee that you are charging and anything over is charged at X amount per SMS? Do you use the same pricing for the restaurants and salon? Do you charge any setup fee at all? By the way for the liquor store the SMS content that you send is to remind the people of upcoming wine tasting days twice a week correct? So that would be at least 8 SMS blast a month right? What sort of ROI is the liquor store owner getting by using your service with the $247 monthly fee? How much does he make per customer that comes to the wine tasting? I assume he is getting a good return from his $247 monthly investment. Also for your restaurant clients what strategy are you using to get opt-ins form their customers? Are you advising the client to offer a discount on the customer's bill or a free drink to opt-in to receive weekly specials? Do you put up signs at the place or have cards on the table indicating a discount? |
| |
15th Oct 2011, 11:10 AM | #16 |
HyperActive Warrior Join Date: 2010
Posts: 388
Thanks: 99
Thanked 33 Times in 25 Posts
|
Get Chad Wyatt's SMS Plugin. You'll save so much money. It'll cost you $25 to run their service all month long. (Plus $5 for hosting, $1 for for the phone number.)
|
Free Web Design from Neodism.
| |
15th Oct 2011, 01:38 PM | #17 | |
Andrew Mitchell War Room Member Join Date: 2011 Location: The Big Bad City
Posts: 50
Thanks: 126
Thanked 75 Times in 41 Posts
|
| |
The Following User Says Thank You to MitchKid For This Useful Post: |
15th Oct 2011, 03:16 PM | #18 |
Warrior Member Join Date: 2011 Location: New York City
Posts: 28
Thanks: 4
Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
|
This was awesome info! Which city are you doing it in?
|
15th Oct 2011, 03:22 PM | #19 | |
Advanced Warrior Join Date: 2008
Posts: 945
Thanks: 4
Thanked 24 Times in 24 Posts
|
With txt180.com service do you have just 1 account and for each new client you get you just get a new keyword added to the account and the shortcode will still be the same for all clients? For each new keyword do we get a new 2500 text package with it or would we need to setup a totally new account for each client...so it would $38/mo for 1st account, then 2nd client $38/mo, and so forth correct in order to get 2500 text package for each client? | |
| ||
15th Oct 2011, 05:03 PM | #20 |
Andrew Mitchell War Room Member Join Date: 2011 Location: The Big Bad City
Posts: 50
Thanks: 126
Thanked 75 Times in 41 Posts
| |
15th Oct 2011, 06:28 PM | #21 |
Warrior Member Join Date: 2011 Location: New York City
Posts: 28
Thanks: 4
Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
|
nice! keep doing what your doing, never ventured into sms, gave me some reason to do so!
|
The Following User Says Thank You to Maddaloni For This Useful Post: |
15th Oct 2011, 06:47 PM | #22 |
Write and Shine the Light War Room Member Join Date: 2009
Posts: 367
Thanks: 69
Thanked 97 Times in 78 Posts
|
congrats and thanks for sharing. It sounds from your post like you are one sending out the texts on the client's behalf, is that right? Doesn't txt180 have a whitelabel setup where your clients could set up their own txt campaigns? i'm about to get into this and looking at various options, just trying to figure out what's best. |
15th Oct 2011, 10:48 PM | #23 |
Back End Specialist War Room Member Join Date: 2009 Location: USA
Posts: 46
Thanks: 46
Thanked 85 Times in 48 Posts
|
Thank you, Andrew. Very good information. I especially enjoyed the tips about visiting places that you frequent. This is good advice for people that have trouble with cold calling. Keep up the great work.
|
Steve Rosenbaum - The Back End Specialist Legally Extract Facebook User Data into Your Database | |
The Following User Says Thank You to Steve Rosenbaum For This Useful Post: |
16th Oct 2011, 09:33 PM | #24 |
New Warrior Member Join Date: 2008 Location: , , .
Posts: 21
Thanks: 1
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
|
Hey Andrew, Thanks for sharing your experience. I was wondering how you handle the logistics of getting the messages for your clients? Do you come up with the copy that gets sent out or do they? Do they just email you with what they want send out, or call you? Do you ask they give you a certain amount of notice? Thanks for any advice you have! |
The Following User Says Thank You to heresteve2 For This Useful Post: |
17th Oct 2011, 09:07 AM | #25 |
Advanced Warrior War Room Member |
Great story...thanks for the share. I have my short code and marketing materials but have been dropping the ball on the phone calls...thanks for the motivation.
|
The Following User Says Thank You to AppsFromHome For This Useful Post: |
17th Oct 2011, 12:59 PM | #26 | |
Andrew Mitchell War Room Member Join Date: 2011 Location: The Big Bad City
Posts: 50
Thanks: 126
Thanked 75 Times in 41 Posts
|
| |
17th Oct 2011, 01:03 PM | #27 |
Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2011 Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 60
Thanks: 2
Thanked 19 Times in 19 Posts
|
Congratulation Andrew on your success very motivation. This technique is worth all the effort. Good Job |
Methods I Use To Average Over $10,000 Per Month On A Minimum Budget! | |
The Following User Says Thank You to johnsmart For This Useful Post: |
17th Oct 2011, 03:32 PM | #28 |
Advanced Warrior Join Date: 2008
Posts: 945
Thanks: 4
Thanked 24 Times in 24 Posts
|
Could I get your feedback on this since I'm planning on starting my SMS service and want to use txt180: So then for this and other clients you say that for $247/mo fee they get up to 2500 text messages correct? Do you inform them that if they go over their limit there is a overage charge per text or do you not charge them and just cover the cost with the $150 5000 text package? With txt180.com service do you have just 1 account and for each new client you get you just get a new keyword added to the account and the shortcode will still be the same for all clients? For each new keyword do we get a new 2500 text package with it or would we need to setup a totally new account for each client...so it would $38/mo for 1st account, then 2nd client $38/mo, and so forth correct in order to get 2500 text package for each client? |
| |
17th Oct 2011, 03:45 PM | #29 |
Andrew Mitchell War Room Member Join Date: 2011 Location: The Big Bad City
Posts: 50
Thanks: 126
Thanked 75 Times in 41 Posts
| |
17th Oct 2011, 04:44 PM | #30 |
Advanced Warrior Join Date: 2008
Posts: 945
Thanks: 4
Thanked 24 Times in 24 Posts
| |
| |
17th Oct 2011, 08:57 PM | #31 |
Marketing Coach War Room Member Join Date: 2011 Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 137
Thanks: 60
Thanked 52 Times in 36 Posts
|
Congratulations Andrew, you have already accomplished more than many in your shoes! It's tough getting past 3-4 clients! You have hit on a great way to offer something of value, free, to get a return. Love your ideas on offering to promote a single event free. This is so much better than giving someone a free trial or free 30 days! Another twist on this idea is to offer SMS/Mobile Website services to your local Chamber of Commerce, a great way to get in front of hundreds of other business owners. Keep up the good work, and keep us posted. Thanks. |
| |
The Following User Says Thank You to TheLocalCoach For This Useful Post: |
20th Oct 2011, 05:29 PM | #32 |
Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2010 Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Posts: 618
Thanks: 79
Thanked 217 Times in 108 Posts
|
Congrats Andrew. I'm curious, how did you get your other clients? Was it through cold calling? I can't imagine a nail salon is an establishment that you frequent very often (haha). Anyways, congrats on your success! |
| |
The Following User Says Thank You to Brendan Vraibel For This Useful Post: |
21st Oct 2011, 09:09 AM | #33 |
Active Warrior Join Date: 2011
Posts: 52
Thanks: 36
Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts
|
I really enjoyed your very inspiring story and all the responses. Just getting started myself and positive experiences and outcomes help keep me motivated. I wish nothing but great success for you!!! |
The Following User Says Thank You to livlady10 For This Useful Post: |
21st Oct 2011, 10:07 AM | #34 |
Andrew Mitchell War Room Member Join Date: 2011 Location: The Big Bad City
Posts: 50
Thanks: 126
Thanked 75 Times in 41 Posts
| |
21st Oct 2011, 10:11 AM | #35 |
BacklinksProject.com War Room Member Join Date: 2011
Posts: 48
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
|
nice share mate! congratulation for your succeed |
The Following User Says Thank You to Le Project For This Useful Post: |
27th Oct 2011, 03:46 PM | #36 |
Active Warrior Join Date: 2010
Posts: 64
Thanks: 6
Thanked 27 Times in 25 Posts
|
this was very encouraging and informative, vanilladutch. Thank you for posting it.
|
The Following User Says Thank You to carmack For This Useful Post: |
27th Oct 2011, 04:11 PM | #37 |
Active Warrior Join Date: 2011 Location: Arizona
Posts: 61
Thanks: 17
Thanked 45 Times in 33 Posts
|
Awesome! Good marketing ideas win, don't they? To a huge degree, it's NOT about the platform or the cost per message or per keyword... it's about the consultant. Listening to the real needs of the client and helping them to achieve that by addressing their actual neighborhood. Truly well done! |
Want To Know How To Reduce High PPC Costs & Increase CTRs At The Same Time? PM Me For Details & Case Studies | |
The Following User Says Thank You to GilNelson For This Useful Post: |
27th Oct 2011, 05:57 PM | #38 |
Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2002 Location: USA.
Posts: 612
Thanks: 440
Thanked 125 Times in 101 Posts
|
Andrew, You are Da' Man!!! Great Job and thank you for sharing.
|
| |
The Following User Says Thank You to ASUService For This Useful Post: |
27th Oct 2011, 07:13 PM | #39 |
Active Warrior Join Date: 2011 Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 54
Thanks: 10
Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts
|
Andrew, You "ROCK!" The hardest part of doing this business or any business for that matter, is simply, going out and doing it. "ROCK ON!" |
1st Nov 2011, 08:36 PM | #40 |
Lets Face It War Room Member Join Date: 2008 Location: Michigan, USA
Posts: 333
Thanks: 40
Thanked 29 Times in 28 Posts
|
Hi Vanilla, Sent you PM, hoping you will respond! Cplayers! |
3rd Nov 2011, 09:18 AM | #41 |
Audiobook Nerd Join Date: 2009 Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 80
Thanks: 4
Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts
|
Shows what you get for actually going out and talking to someone. Cool story and thanks for sharing!
|
| |
The Following User Says Thank You to Matt Burns For This Useful Post: |
7th Nov 2011, 10:59 AM | #42 |
I can I will I must War Room Member Join Date: 2008 Location: Earlville IL
Posts: 831
Thanks: 134
Thanked 158 Times in 141 Posts
|
I just wanted to say thanks for sharing this with us. It's very inspirational as well as informative. Keep up the good work |
7th Nov 2011, 11:04 AM | #43 |
Advanced Warrior War Room Member |
I'm glad everyone is getting inspired from this post. I was out to eat with the misses this weekend at a nice Greek resturant that was going through Renovation and I causally asked the server what they were doing with the place. Turns out they were turning it into a cool night spot for drinks, karaoke, music, etc...and I subsequently spoke with the owner and got him in on a SMS plan to promote the new venue. I gave him the first month free...it will build his list, he will see first hand how powerful it works...and then he's on board for the long term. =) It's as simple as that people - it's not even "taking action" it's being personable and having a candid discussion on how your profession can help his business. Try it next time you out on the town....get more clients, and grow your business. |
Last edited on 7th Nov 2011 at 11:05 AM. Reason: Spelling | |
7th Nov 2011, 05:48 PM | #44 |
Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2009
Posts: 92
Thanks: 1
Thanked 14 Times in 13 Posts
|
I get asked all the time.. what is the best way to get local businesses to sign up for a SMS plan? My answer is ALWAYS... Do what ever it takes to get a personal "Success Story"! There is no brochure, website, power point, etc. That can replace a good "Success Story"! Now when Andrew talks to business owners, he can just tell his "Success Story" about working with the store down the street. If you don't have a personal "Success Story" that you can share with your prospects... Do what ever it takes to get one... give away the service for Free... Pay the business owner if you have too... Spend every waking hour you have focused on getting results for that first business... The "Success Story" you walk away with will be worth its wieght in gold, not to mention you are going to have a very happy client and like in Andrews case... A client that is more than willing to pay a price for your services that allows you to make a profit! Great Job Andrew! |
Chris Clements, Founder & CEO, YeeZ Mobile Inc. The Most Profitable White Label / Private Label SMS Reseller Program available to Offline Marketers! Long Codes & Short Code Keywords, in one account! YeeZ Mobile's SMSResellerProgram.com | |
The Following User Says Thank You to chrisclements521 For This Useful Post: |
Bookmarks |
Tags |
clients, current, landed, sms |
| |