Scotty Stevens

Genuinely good tip - thanks for sharing.

Best regards, Scott Stevens

elis

MobileMarketingMogul ,can you share more how do you find and get in touch with your potential customers? is it by mail? postcards ? cold calls?

MobileMarketingMogul

Hi Elis,

I simply type into google the niche and local area I am after and see what comes up, this will allow me to see who is ahead of their competitors and who is lagging behind.

I then either find an email on the website or ring them up and simply say see that (competitor), I know why they are more successful than you just now and I can help you fix it, that usually gets them interested. Get me on skype or something if you require more help

Wild Card

Hi Scotty,
First, let me say congrats on making an effort and also for getting your 1st client.

I could easily ramble on here for pages but I think it would be more productive if I just make a few points:

1) Educating prospects is hard work and most of your prospects simply don't get that they should have a mobile site. Therefore you must (as the Godfather Marlon Brando said) make them an offer they can't refuse . . . What EXACTLY is your offer?
2) Buyers Buy. In your case, look for businesses that use Google Adwords and have Facebook pages/Twitter accounts/LinkedIn Profiles etc. These are businesses that get it . . . stop wasting time and energy on those that don't get it.
3) 100 x 100 = 10,000 Figure out what you can offer 100 businesses in exchange for $100 per month. That's your goal, right?

To your prosperity,
Jim

Jim Bettke
http://s-m-s.ca

Trevor M

Scotty,

I've been following along with your thread and it's been a great read.

From what I can tell, it looks like you've been pretty unlucky not to get a sale or two so far. You don't have a bad pitch, you're very enthusiastic, and quite organised.

But I do have one thing to recommend... It's very hard to sell recurring payments to local businesses before they develop a relationship with you. Before they trust you. Maybe you should look at getting rid of that?

Instead, you could try developing a relationship with them by selling them something for a fixed price and blowing them away with the quality. A mobile website for example. Then you've began to develop a relationship with them. Once you've completed the work and they're happy with it, you can send them an e-mail (or a maybe even handwritten letter?) letting them know if they ever need any other online marketing services like website development or SEO then you'd love for them to contact you.

Just a suggestion

- Trevor

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TonyD

Hey Ken, I use en-gb test-your-site-overview Test Your Site its the quickest way to see if a site isn't mobile as most of the other emulators do not display the site as if it was viewed on a mobile nor do they detect a redirect.

Normally though I just email myself a list of urls and check on my mobile which is just as easy.

JSD Global

Scotty,

Woohoo! CONGRATS!!! Was there ever ANY doubt? I think I will thoroughly enjoy a Guinness on your behalf today.

Incidentally, If you haven't read (or heard, as is my preference) "The One Minute Millionaire" by Mark V. Hansen and Robert Allen, please do yourself a favor...the second half is a VERY good story (lesson) about a single Mother (waitress) who MUST create $1,000,000 against insurmountable odds within 90 days. It will definitely feed your mind with ideas.

Keep up the great work!

JS

John Durham

That would be interesting to see.

Ehem... I mean, since your belief is that everyone who gives advice should be willing to be transparent.

Scotty Stevens

Hi Jim,

Some great tips here, thank you. I agree with you on targeting those who are advertising, and this is the way I'm doing it now.

Thanks again - appreciate it.

Hi Trevor,

That may be something I'll try. But I've heard too many people who are doing recurring right off the bat. The John Spangler thread is my favourite for this. I'm now taking his advice and offering a free critique at the beginning, as a lead in to offering my services.

But what you say is good advice, and taken on board.

Thanks again, Trevor.

Hi Tony,

I actually use my mobile myself, as it's been the most reliable way for me to see if they're mobilised/with redirects. I use Chrome on my Mac as well as my android, and as they're linked, I can simply open the web pages on my Mac, and then look at my other devices on my android Chrome, and there are all the web pages open. Super easy.

Hi Jay,

Happy new year to you, and good to hear from you.

That's one self development book I haven't actually read, so I just found a summary online which I'll go through, and get the book later. Thanks for the tip.

January, I've been busy on 2 main clients really - this new one (I wanted to do a full months work and invoice the full amount), and another (who has been away, and increased my work load).

So I'll be back to normal next week, prospecting as usual.

I'll keep you posted with any more wins and successful methods.

Best regards, Scott Stevens

steffanmax

You don't get a sale because there is no market.. Come back to reality dude, there is more money there...

You have a wordpress website -> dowload a plugin -> You have a mobile website..

People wanna see magic

-> Buy Cash-Flow Apps<-

jcandoit

Just finished reading the thread, I identified with a lot of what I read here, in other words, been there done that and bought the t-shirt. My breakthrough came when I gave up on trying to learn how to do all the tech stuff and found someone who done it for me on an job by job basis... no salaries for me to pay out and very little overheads.
This approach gave me the time to concentrate on selling my services and building the business. So far so good.
Everyone has their own areas of competence where they are comfortable with, once you decide to focus on what you are good at and outsource the rest, then things will really start to ramp up.
I will keep an eye on the thread for updates on your progress and you have my best wishes and support.
Well done and keep it up.

From Newbies to Pro's Simple Uncomplicated way to earn money online, "The App That Pays"

Scotty Stevens

Hi, and thanks for the uplifting words. I must admit I'm struggling with giving up doing some of the work, in favour of outsourcing it. I know it's the right move. But you're right, all I need spend my time on is getting clients, and outsource the rest.

I did put an ad on oDesk a few days ago, looking for a mobile website builder, and got loads of replies. I'm sure there's someone in there that can do the work once I've been paid, job-by-job.

If I do this, I know I can push on to the next level.

Thanks for the feedback.

Best regards, Scott Stevens

massiveray

You wanna see my bank balance John? Skype me

No matter what you is Miss, you can get the bizzzzznisssss.

steffanmax

And a client is not a friend you used to work for.. It's just a friend you used to work for, their trust you.. I would not see that as a sale.. Why not change the direction of your approche how many times have you done the same over and over again ?

“Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over again, but expecting different results.”

-> Buy Cash-Flow Apps<-

Andy Bo

How are you getting on Scotty?

Are you still headlong into mobile or have you veared?

Best of luck anyway, good thread.

Andy

Scotty Stevens

Hi Andy,

Thanks for your interest.

Yes, still doing mobile. I've found it hard-going, and even though you'd think it's an easy sell, I've found trying to convince businesses that they need it nearly impossible.

In the last couple of weeks, I've tried recording ten minute videos for hair salons, showing their website in its non-mobilised state, and what it could like, as well as showing some mobile stats, and AdWords searches.

I had a 50% open rate, 10% click through rate to the video, and only 1 person watched the video. Not too exciting.

Mobile is still my foot in the door to all the other services I do - SMS, loyalty programme, SEO, etc. I believe I have a good product, I think my pricing structure is good, and I have a good selection of outsourcers ready to make sites.

I'm only approaching those that are advertising, now. Those on AdWords, and the first page of Google, Groupon, leaflets through the door, in local newspapers/magazines, etc. So I'm happy I'm only going after qualified prospects, now.

But I need an effective way to get in front of them. These people are busy, and I need to interrupt this, without being annoying.

So I decided to try a different approach. I'll actually do a walk-in to these businesses, going through a quick presentation that the video was effectively doing. I'll book a mobile mock-up presentation, and try to close them there.

I'm trying everything. I'm not the best salesman in the world, but I know I'm not the worst. I just want to get in front of these people. So I plan to drive around town tomorrow and do this little demonstration to all the hairdressers I emailed.

I'm sure this will be a lot more effective. I'll find a way that works, and I'll keep going until I get there. When I get a winning formula, I'll start outsourcing things like the lead gen/site-making, and concentrate on the things I want to be doing (selling).

I've no doubt that mobile is about the best foot-in-the-door there is, and I won't give up on it. On everything I do, there is residuals - I charge hosting fees for mobile sites, so every client adds to my pocket long-term. It'll happen.

On the plus side, one of these hairdressers phoned me today and said they watched the video (although my YouTube is not registering the play count), and they don't want to get left behind. So I'm seeing them Friday. I'll do them a mobile mock-up using WillR's MMM. They seem to be interested in more than just the mobile site, so let's see.

But ideally, by Friday, I hope to have booked - and met with - other businesses, on the back of the walk-ins I'll do tomorrow and Thursday. So getting that phone call from that hair salon was a boost, as that's the first person that's got back to me interested.

I'll build on this. I won't make the £10kpm by the end of March, of course (in hindsight, knowing what I know now, that was completely naive), but if by then I have a prospecting system that's working, and some clients signed-up, then that'll be a big boost.

But the jewellery client is going well - if I can call him a client that is...

...anyway, either way, it's going well, and good practise. I've re-done their site, and I've done a mobile site. We've had some sign-ups. Tonight, I send out the first loyalty code. And I have some tweaks to do to an in-store postcard that they'll be using to give their customers in the shop. The postcard will sell the loyalty programme, giving customers various different ways to sign-up. I'm sure this will generate subscribers, too. Can't wait to see the results of SMS.

I started this thread as a way to help others who also are procrastinators, like me. It's a nightmare to shrug off, but I'm sure I'll get there. The bonus is that I've systemised everything. I document everything, and I have a staff backend built into my site, for outsourcers and staff. So although I didn't just go out and do it, I have a smooth-running machine, that will take some of the hard work out the way once it's making good money.

I've learnt a lot, and tried a lot of things/methods. I'm excited what the rest of the week will bring, the rest of the month, and most of all, the rest of the year.

Anyway, thanks for your interest, Andy. I didn't want this thread to die out, but I also have restrained myself from posting needless updates with no substance. If the rest of this week goes to plan, booking mock-up meetings - and the Friday meeting, of course, I'll have more positive stuff to report.

But every failure leads me to more of that lovely money-stuff, which we all love.

How are things going your end, Andy/all? Feel free to share (or not), if you like.

Best regards, Scott Stevens

AaronHeid

Just seen this, i am also about to start a business focused on local businesses and mobile stuff. Nice to read some experiences on this. I appreciate you sharing your journey with us

Scotty Stevens

Good luck to you. Let us know how you get on. It's a fun journey.

Best regards, Scott Stevens

MoBuzz

Scotty with a few tweaks I think you can crush it man. Need to really focus on conducting a proper needs analysis. Interviewing prospects in a sense to see if they are a fit for your program. Finding out where they are hurting, and if you have anything available to fill these needs. This has to happen regardless if you THINK you already know what they need. This is really sales 101, but so often overlooked or just not done correctly.

Hit me up and I will work with you one on one a bit to get over this hump man. No charge of course ; )

the offer is there.

Andy Bo

Hi Scotty,

Have you tried the free route? Before I get shot down for devaluing the market or myself - it's not my idea!

Give them a free trial - mock a basic site up/first month hosting free and then promote the site for them...

Once they see the benefit they want to keep it. Then, instead of a bunch of mock demos you have a working portfolio.

What do you think?

Andy

Scotty Stevens

Well I had my first proper meeting with a prospect on Friday, selling mobile. I had already sent them a video showing mobile searches in the area for their business (hairdresser) and they got that they needed a mobile site to stay ahead of the pack They didn't pull the trigger right away, but they're going to think about it. Seem keen.

But it's just one meeting. I'm just glad to get the first one under my belt. It went well, I gave them advice, there was rapport, it was good. The first of many.

But more than anything, I feel like I'm getting warmer, now. Basically, I'd sent 15 of these videos out to different hair salons in the area, all on the first page of Google (AdWords, G+, organic). But only 2 people watched the videos. 1 out of the 2 that watched the video phoned me back to know more (the one I saw yesterday). So all this tells me a) a proper demonstration is needed, to make them aware of the problem, and b) email just doesn't cut it.

Which is why my plan is to send out an email with a generic video (for the previous 15, I'd done them a personalised video each, but only 2 got opened, so that's a lot of time used up), and follow-up. And then for all those that don't get back to me interested (which will be most of them), I'll actually do a walk-in demonstration, covering what is in the video. I'll use this demo to book a presentation, and sell them then. I have a clear week from next week to start doing this consistently, so let's see.

Hi MoBuzz, yes, thanks for reminding me about including a needs analysis. I had actually taken that out of y presentation, but you reminded me that should be in it. So that's how I started the meeting. From that, I deduced that their goals and ambitions were not enough to be pitching the whole shebang - they just wanted mobile. So I showed them their mock-up - which took about 5 minutes using WillR's MMM. They liked it, then I made the offer, using the decoy pricing technique (do a search on the forum - WillR did a thread/post on it).

The only thing I left out was a ROI section, so they could see the potential profit after paying for the site. I use a spreadsheet for this.

But thanks for the lift. I do really feel I can crush it. The only thing between me and lovely tasty moolah is consistent action. I have a system that'll work for me, now, I think.

And thanks for the offer of help, too - most kind. I'll keep that in mind. I'm expecting good things from the next couple of weeks, now I have a system. But if all goes south, I'll give you a shout. That'll be most helpful. I see a lot of your posts on the forum offering sound advice, so that means a lot.

Hi Andy, well, the free route is a sort of downsell for me. The idea is that if folks don't pull the trigger, I'll offer a 7 day trial. If they don't take it after that, I'll offer my last resort, out-the-door downsell, where they can keep the site - as long as they pay the hosting/maintenance. If I get enough people on board, the hosting/maintenance alone will be good.

Thanks for the solid tip.

Best regards, Scott Stevens

marshallbailey

very interesting thread.. I see you are calling a lot of hair salons..

Have you thought about calling on business's that can afford a higher price for your service??

In my area urgent care centers and local medical centers are really spending money on mobile and updated website's.

Unfortunately I can't talk to them because it would be a conflict of interest with my full time job??

They know I like the "internet stuff" as they call it and have asked me to the jobs and I have to say no because I need my full time job.

Money79

Hello and thanks for your suggestions.

I'd like to ask you if you can tell me what are the tools that I have to buy to get started creating mobile sites. In fact I'd love to follow your suggestions, but I would also like to know what to buy to get started.

Thanks so much.

Nizoral Hair Loss - Hair Loss After Pregnancy - How to get rid of yeast infections - Ronnie Coleman Workout

Jemtrum

We're approaching the deadline 31st March and I am really looking forward to how you have reached your goal. I'm sure you have or at the very least are near to your goal. Keep us posted!

Scotty Stevens

Hi,

Thanks for the feedback.

Yes, I'm starting with hair salons as I've heard many marketers recommend them as a good niche. They have repeat custom, the average transaction is not too bad, and good mobile traffic/searches.

I've had no luck getting any on board, as good as my pitch is. Price/budget is brought up as an issue more often than not. So it's quite frustrating given the perceived value I give mobile sites in my pitch/prospecting/presentation. You'd think they'd want to come on board immediately, given the potential customers they're losing.

But getting money out of these people is like getting blood out of a stone.

I don't want to jump around niche-after-niche. I'm learning all the time, and perfecting my approach. I'm sure by the time I start my next niche, I'll be in a better position overall. But there's certainly higher ticket markets out there.

Thanks again.

Best regards, Scott Stevens

Scotty Stevens

Plus hairdressers are full of beautiful women. And I love beautiful women.

Best regards, Scott Stevens

MobileMarketingMogul

@ScottyStevens

I have been following your story and feel you would greatly benefit from this, it will give you so many pointers

[OFFLINE/MOBILE] THE ORIGINAL AND BEST WAYS TO MAKE $$$$ THROUGH CUSTOMERS SMARTPHONES

and I dont mind supplying a free skype session to dive into your offline mobile business in more detail

Check This Out For All The Best Strategies For Mobile Marketing http://mobilemarketingmogul.com/

Scotty Stevens

Hi Craig,

Thanks for the feedback. And also for the offer of a Skype call. Proof that this forum is full of great support.

I'm currently generating more hair salon leads to email this week, with a view to doing walk-in demos next week, and hopefully book some appointments to sell.

I've missed by goal by a long shot, and looking back, that target was simply too unrealistic. The WSO's make it seem so easy. But even as valuable as mobile is, getting money out of these people is so tough.

I need a win, a victory, a sign that I'm going in the right direction. I keep hearing stories of folks just getting into this and making great dough right off the bat, and it makes me think, "Is it me?"

I really hope to have some positive results next week.

Thanks again, and I may be in touch.

Best regards, Scott Stevens

Bill Alatis

Scotty -- "He with whom it all begins and ends" - which to me seems parallel to "If it's to be, it's up to me" - (BTW – I’ve found some of your Objectivist writings online - and ATLAS SHRUGGED is my all-time favorite book).

How are you doing on your upcoming goal this Sunday? Likely "you're going for it" full-out and have not checked back to your thread until the smoke has cleared.

(Shoot, I apologize Scotty. I was in the middle of writing this long thing over a whole day, back and forth between locations, before seeing your "missed the goal by a long shot" post. Clearly, I'm not a regular at this.)

My attempt at contribution in this post will depend on your level of satisfaction with your results. If you're on target, see if you agree that this might be helfpul, if not for you, then for others on a similar path. If you find you've missed the mark substantially, you can take it as both a gesture of solidarity and an actual offer or proposal of mutual support.

What you’ve already done has been remarkable. You have been courageous enough to publicly declare your goal (preferably, before others who have some similar interests, and ideally, before some who also have "unreasonable" targets set before them).
You have been willing to outline the parameters of your project and your progress prior to your declaration so that anyone reading it are clear as to where you were when you declared it.

And then, you’ve pointed somewhere on the horizon toward the outline of your destination and were willing to state, “that's where I will be on the target date!"

I assert that, within the very context of our OWN central role in the matter (a point with which I fully agree), engaging a dispassionate, but reliable *second party* may make the difference between success and falling short of one's most outrageous and ambitious goals.

In my experience, leveraging an external "sourceful listener" - someone to whom you make yourself accountable, *by regular reporting,* can be a key linchpin and powerful tool for many, if not most people who have a great undertaking before them.

This is why, with various levels of success, groups are formed under the tutelage of folks who have already succeeded in areas you and I are taking on. The mentors take the trouble to outright assign (or at least support the selection of) "accountability partners" within their group of students/mentees.

What I have found to be most effective is a simple reporting assignment set-up on a regular basis - at the very least once a week, or preferably, upon first arising each day.
The actual act of reporting means simply stating our results. And the partner's goal is first, simply to acknowledge receipt of the report (by voice or in written form), and second, to ask for any needed clarification so as to understand the reported results.

As "our mileage may vary," each of us must be the author of our own daily or weekly parameters and then agree on a manageable reporting schedule.

For me, as one example, the structure that works best is this:

I'd begin with laying out the sub-steps or sub-goals of my project, the sum-total of which when completed will amount to the successful outcome
-- what specific steps did I accomplish the day (or week) before?
Did those steps actually bring me closer to my goal, as originally imagined?
If not, what new sub-steps will I now put in place, or which of my other proposed activities will you concentrate on going forward? (eg. if not cold-calling, what other client-acquisition strategy will I employ - and what will constitute a completed effort?)
What is my specific target for today/this week - - money-wise, or number of contacts, or ... ?

The most central requirement of "committed listeners" is just that - they must be committed (which includes being accountable and responsive) to serving as a touchstone of accountability for their partners for the duration of their individual projects...

If they themselves miss a reporting deadline, or fail to acknowledge their partners' report within the agreed-upon time... they recover ASAP and follow-through - making a new promise to be on time the next day / the following week – and getting their priorities straight and steeling themselves so as to keep those promises going forward.

No time or energy wasted in blaming or self-recrimination, either. Simple matter-of-fact reporting, and a new promise made.

Similarly, each of us working on our own sub-goals follows the above parameters if we realize we've missed a deadline.

The phenomenon which seems to occur in these scenarios is the REALIZATION - the actual *bringing into BEING,* in physical, tangible terms, the mere ideas within that act of CREATION which is -- the very declaration of one's intended results within the agreed-upon time-frame.

Or in my case, it helps get me out of my own head and makes me look at what's actually what along the way (lol). Old-fashioned reality check.

In any case, I look forward to checking back to see how you did.

Feel free to PM me to discuss further. A committed second party may make a huge difference in your outcome.

In solidarity,

Bill

Keep on keeping on...

raydp

"I've missed by goal by a long shot, and looking back, that target was simply too unrealistic. The WSO's make it seem so easy. But even as valuable as mobile is, getting money out of these people is so tough."

One of the truest comments I've seen on this subject.

Scotty, your honest account of your experiences is amazing.

Ray

Scotty Stevens

Hi all,

Just a quick update.

I've really been struggling with selling mobile. I've tried everything but heavy cold calling.

With the responses I've got, and the low amount of leads I can get through with the methods I'm using, I'm ready to try selling desktop websites as the front end, as these will take less convincing. I will upsell mobile/SMS/SEO later.

There are plenty of threads of folks doing well with desktop websites, and I don't have any more time to take risks. There are people selling mobile and doing well. Unfortunately, I'll have to try selling an easier product before I'm good enough to sell mobile, it seems.

I just posted the following thread that goes into more detail about the direction I'm going in now. I'm not giving up on mobile. I'm just changing the way I do it.

Here's the thread I just posted:

Can cold-calling build a big offline business quickly?

I'll come back and update this thread, perhaps, when I have anything relevant to add to it.

Not giving up, just realising things about myself, my skills, the market, time management, and stuff.

Best regards, Scott Stevens

Dan Hower

Hi Scotty same here. First mobile websites did not work in Germany, I thought they are way behind in the old world and went to Australia where mobile is really big.

No success here either. Everybody is busy talking on both his mobile all day long but business owners are busy taking care of their business and can't be bother with something like mobile websites.

The few who are interested all have heard about responsive design and tell me mobile websites are a thing of the past.

Time to move on... which I do.

Scotty Stevens

Cheers, Dan.

Let me know what you get up to.

Best regards, Scott Stevens

nelio26

Great thread! Although Scott has had a hard time selling, I still feel motivated after reading the above posts to make mobile marketing my full time biz.

I'm not to good at selling either, so I think I'm gonna get someone else to do that while I focus on building the sites. There are a lot of people out there that can sell almost anything, including ice to the Eskimos. So instead of persisting on selling when I'm clearly not good at that, I'm going to change my focus and make it work for me by getting a good sales person and splitting the profits.

Lets see what happens...

Chris Kent

I think that's wise. Especially in the UK, I don't think making mobile your front-end offer is the way to go. Better to stick with the traditional site.

Amanda786

Hey Scott

Great post and great work. Without hardwork no one can succeed, local busienss are not easy to deal with it needs lots of efforts like you said in your post. Thanks for sharing such a great story.

Targetz

Nice timelapse and also nice skills thinking the whole thing out , 10k a month is a nice goal to, i gues u will succeed in the end. Urdoing the thing all by ur self?

Targetz

Local businesses are pretty the ones who spend much money on advertisements , for real. If u have something thats works (they are not technical though) and show results big time, like 15 k extra profit each month u will be the man, for as long as not much do .. They stick to local radio, newspapers and other old stuff