How to get local clientele who need websites?

by bsurb
50 replies
I currently run a local business called, "Surber Signs" where I offer complete custom vinyl decals. I offer no minimum orders at great prices. I average maybe $40/week average from local customers word of mouth. Basically making small decals for my clients cars... There are lots of competition around my town such as large shops but they require you to order 50 to 100 of each design....

Now...

I want to somehow tie my web design services with my existing business, "Surber Signs". I live in a pretty large community and there are people who owner businesses EVERYWHERE. Lots who do not have websites. When I approach a business and ask them if they think a website would benefit them or if they would be interested in creating a site, I feel like they get intimidated and they get scared off. Its like they're afraid of spending $249 for a basic wordpress set up or something.

Businesses that already have a website set up, I offer them a deal for 100 custom vinyl decals of their logo that I think will help promote their business. I haven't really been out advertising because I'm not exactly sure how to do it... Do I need to make some kind of brochure that has my vinyl lettering and web design services listed? What steps should I take to gain more business?

I landed a recent job with a semi-pro basketball team. They already have a wordpress site set up, but I got my host gator resellers account set up and I told them $34.95 per month and it will cover their hosting and unlimited site changes. This is a start......

My current site, "Surber Signs" has everything listed that I offer "vinyl wise" but would it make sense to add a page for my web design services under my current services? Or do I need an entire different business name/website for web designing..... My facebook page has over 750 legit likes already so I would hate to create a whole other page to re gain likes...

What advice can you give me to:


* Make enough money to work at my laptop from home
* Finding the right clientele, (whether its 100 small $250 jobs or 5-10 $1,000 jobs)
* Should I create a brochure with my vinyl services/web design and have them printed to go handing out?
#clientele #local #websites
  • Profile picture of the author jamesfreddyc
    It's pointless to have a website that generates zero dollars. So how much does your "web development" services generate for your customer?

    Quantify it.

    Prove it.

    Then just present that proof to prospective customers.
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  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    Form two companies. Cross promote them so you leverage your current traction such as the 750 legit likes. Also market them separately. Web dev traffic is not necessarily the same as vinyl design traffic and vice-versa.
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    • Profile picture of the author jkruger
      I second the idea of separating the two offerings, with cross promotion.

      We have 3 main business funnels: web dev, web consulting, product dev... all are separate with cross promotion.

      Small business web sales is very competitive, everyone's brother is doing it Find local business networking opportunities such as chamber of commerce, rotary, BNI, etc....
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  • Profile picture of the author jamesfreddyc
    I'm sticking with this one here. The OP's problem is much more basic then tactics or ideas to pursue. There's a fundamental issue that is very simple and it is being overlooked:


    * Make enough money to work at my laptop from home
    * Finding the right clientele, (whether its 100 small $250 jobs or 5-10 $1,000 jobs)
    * Should I create a brochure with my vinyl services/web design and have them printed to go handing out?
    Where does the prospective customer fit into ANY of the above????

    See... the problem is with the OP. It's not finding an idea for marketing or how to sell web development services to local businesses. The problem is there is nothing in the above that is going to help the prospective customer because it's all about ME, I, MINE, MY MONEY, etc...

    OP -- come up with an exact dollar figure that you can generate to a prospective client. Prove that you can do it. Present the proof.

    You will have a much better chance of picking up new clients doing this.
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  • Profile picture of the author bsurb
    So for an example, use surber signs for the lettering only, and what about for web design? Do you think using FIRSTNAMELASTNAME.com for that type of business?

    JohnDoe.com ? Then list all services/packages/portfolio

    I think that $249 is worth it for a standard wordpress set up for their business. Don't you think? Then have them sign up for my hosting for $34.95 per month which includes unlimited site changes.

    But my problem is finding the customers to COMMIT to the service.
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    • Profile picture of the author jamesfreddyc
      Originally Posted by bsurb View Post


      I think that $249 is worth it for a standard wordpress set up for their business. Don't you think? Then have them sign up for my hosting for $34.95 per month which includes unlimited site changes.

      But my problem is finding the customers to COMMIT to the service.
      How much revenue does that site generate for them?
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      • Profile picture of the author bsurb
        Originally Posted by jamesfreddyc View Post

        How much revenue does that site generate for them?
        Are you referring to my Surber Signs website? I'm not really getting any business by random people on my websites. I'm getting business by mainly word of mouth around town for vinyl and website work.
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        • Profile picture of the author jamesfreddyc
          Originally Posted by bsurb View Post

          Are you referring to my Surber Signs website? I'm not really getting any business by random people on my websites. I'm getting business by mainly word of mouth around town for vinyl and website work.
          You said,

          I want to somehow tie my web design services with my existing business
          and...

          When I approach a business and ask them if they think a website would benefit them or if they would be interested in creating a site, I feel like they get intimidated and they get scared off. Its like they're afraid of spending $249 for a basic wordpress set up or something.
          The point of my answers is, why would a business owner care to have a website developed for them by you? You seem to think that the website itself is the "value" proposition, while I say fooie. It's not. They are not scared, they're just smart enough to know that a simply having a website doesn't bring them more business.

          The "value" you should be offering is not the website or development services. You need to show them how much revenue that website/your services will generate for their business.

          Quantify it with numbers.
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    • Profile picture of the author jgjh151
      If they balk at $250 for a website, they will not pay $35/m for hosting when Godadddy is like $4/m. A $250 website is extremely low end for a US designer/developer. You would not want to have to spend more than an hour or two on these sites at this price. To make decent money you'll need tons of them. Then if you host them, you'll have tons of monthly maintenance and updates for wordpress and plugins. For $35/m I would include no more than 1hr maintenance/changes, anything more and you bill them buy the hour. Or could spin this as a quick wordpress site for cheap and then charge $100+/m for hosting and online marketing to get them business form the website.
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  • Profile picture of the author bsurb
    How can anyone tell how many customers will go to their business by having a website?...
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    • Profile picture of the author jamesfreddyc
      Originally Posted by bsurb View Post

      How can anyone tell how many customers will go to their business by having a website?...
      Depends on how it's promoted. PPC, SEO, email campaign, etc...

      I do know this: there is no point in having a website unless it gets visitors and/or generates leads and sales. It can have all the great design possible but is useless if it cannot do that.
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  • Profile picture of the author javarog
    I dont understand why you would want to make websites and not promote your vinyl business first,, everyone needs signs or t shirts,, just get out there and beat the bushes,, there is a ton of business in the vinyl sign world... if you want a residual business then rent signs and banners
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  • Profile picture of the author bsurb
    As far as vinyl, all I do basically is window store front lettering for new shops, vehicle window lettering, magnetic signs. I don't do anything commercial big like giant signs or billboards. And I just started printing Tshirts.

    So you're saying just stick with that rather than promoting web design services?
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  • Profile picture of the author javarog
    How long have you been doing vinyl?
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    • Profile picture of the author bsurb
      Originally Posted by javarog View Post

      How long have you been doing vinyl?
      6 years experience, 3 years in business. I don't advertise. Its all word of mouth here in town I get random requests from Facebook for someone who wants one simple custom sticker. Takes me 10 minutes to make and I usually turn $20.

      Online most sites require 50 to 100 min. order of stickers. I will do 1 and ship out without a problem.
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      • Profile picture of the author jamesfreddyc
        Originally Posted by bsurb View Post

        6 years experience, 3 years in business. I don't advertise. Its all word of mouth here in town I get random requests from Facebook for someone who wants one simple custom sticker. Takes me 10 minutes to make and I usually turn $20.

        Online most sites require 50 to 100 min. order of stickers. I will do 1 and ship out without a problem.
        I agree with Michael. You could probably generate more business, faster, if you market your vinyl operation. Maybe then you could position your "web development" offer (I still see absolutely zero value in offering this unless you can prove that it would generate x number of leads/sales. But whatever).

        What problem does your vinyl sign/sticker solve for business owners? For example,

        -- Generate non-existent walk-in business
        -- Replace ratty existing window signs
        -- Update fugly window vinyl that was poorly designed

        You could probably come up with others. You get the idea... Then start calling into storefront businesses that you could strike up a conversation with:

        <you> "Hey there Joe, bsurb here... I've had some good success helping local businesses to generate more walk-in traffic. Would you like to hear what I am doing?"

        <reply> "ok. What'd ya got?"

        <you> "Well, about how much of your business is from walk-ins now?"

        <reply> [some number given]

        <you> I think I can increase that by x%. How about if I swing by the store tomorrow @ 4pm?

        <reply> ok. [or even, gasp...] NO! CLICK!

        It's all good. Call the next number on the list (oh yea, just go to Manta.com and look up businesses in a particular niche in your area).

        Get some appointments, go talk to these people in their stores, make your value proposition. But make sure the conversation is about them and position things to generate more revenue for them.
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        • Profile picture of the author davidmac00
          Originally Posted by jamesfreddyc View Post

          I agree with Michael. You could probably generate more business, faster, if you market your vinyl operation. Maybe then you could position your "web development" offer (I still see absolutely zero value in offering this unless you can prove that it would generate x number of leads/sales. But whatever).

          What problem does your vinyl sign/sticker solve for business owners? For example,

          -- Generate non-existent walk-in business
          -- Replace ratty existing window signs
          -- Update fugly window vinyl that was poorly designed

          You could probably come up with others. You get the idea... Then start calling into storefront businesses that you could strike up a conversation with:

          <you> "Hey there Joe, bsurb here... I've had some good success helping local businesses to generate more walk-in traffic. Would you like to hear what I am doing?"

          <reply> "ok. What'd ya got?"

          <you> "Well, about how much of your business is from walk-ins now?"

          <reply> [some number given]

          <you> I think I can increase that by x%. How about if I swing by the store tomorrow @ 4pm?

          <reply> ok. [or even, gasp...] NO! CLICK!

          It's all good. Call the next number on the list (oh yea, just go to Manta.com and look up businesses in a particular niche in your area).

          Get some appointments, go talk to these people in their stores, make your value proposition. But make sure the conversation is about them and position things to generate more revenue for them.
          Very good post, not just for the OP's question, but for anyone looking to increase sales. How can you help your client and also how you can show them is far more important than, I have lots of shiny bells and whistles!
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  • Maybe there's a reason companies require a minimum order of stickers.

    I think you need to do some research on sales and value selling and rethink your business model once you fully understand the concept of building value and target markets.

    Not trying to bash on you... but if you really want to meet the goals you're looking to achieve, seems like to me that you'll need to take a step back before you move forward.
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  • Profile picture of the author javarog
    When I first started in the vinyl business I did simple store hour signs, sold and installed for $60.00 , I did about 10 a day,, very little cost involved and made a bunch of money.. it was a simple thing to do,, had a mock up, walked into the business, got the job.. Why?? Because I identified something the larger companies either did not want to do or charged a ridiculous price to do.. what did I find? I found a part of the niche that was under serviced and had a high value to the client. From then on most of these clients called me for more work.. Then I made some car decals.. popular ones.. I took them to every convenience store and cigarette store and showed them.. alot of them bought on the spot and the ones that did not purchase I set them up with a consignment and checked back every week or so to see the progress, in a short period of time I was up to 100 a week.. I still have that model and now sell about 1000 a week on good weeks but average around 300.. There is money to be made you just have to go get it and find niches
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  • Profile picture of the author bsurb
    I also live in one of the largest retirement communities in the country and they love golf. I've been thinking about creating decals about golf and being retired, humor decals and trying to sell them.

    They also have lots of clubs in their community. Would it be a good idea to contact the club owners and see if they would have any interest having decals made up?
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  • Profile picture of the author mojo1
    Piggybacking on Savidge4, your decals are a great foot in the door and since
    you've proven to be a credible business person who finishes the job, upselling or better yet finding out why they haven't gotten around to putting up a website should be a lot easier discussion to have.

    Use the leads you have sold for your decal service. It's easier to sell to someone who's just bought something from you.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
    I sorta think it sends the wrong signal to have two different services that appear to be completely unrelated to each other. Actually they are so you may be sending a confusing signal to business owners.
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    • Profile picture of the author savidge4
      Originally Posted by Rus Sells View Post

      I sorta think it sends the wrong signal to have two different services that appear to be completely unrelated to each other. Actually they are so you may be sending a confusing signal to business owners.
      I have to disagree. Actually I do both of these AND Large Format Printing as well ( and other things ). All it really takes is an image of a back window of a vehicle with a company logo and a web address, and it brings the 2 together real fast.

      If anything it may instill added buyer confidence in a prospect that you do offer more than one service. In the minds of most, Web Design is a form of "Graphic Arts". I used to push this a bit further and market myself as a "Visual Media Specialist" and used the quote from Billy Crystal "Its not how you feel, its how you look!"

      Part of the process in selling to a localized market is breaking habits. ( in most cases bad habits ) People call whoever it is they call to get whatever it is they want done, because they have done so for years, OR someone they know has done so for years. Printing is a great example of this. Forget the fact you could save a prospect 50%, they all ready have someone for that. ( for the record I think Print Sales is one of the hardest sales on earth to make )

      Going to a client with any off the wall service, gets you in the door. not to many years ago, that service WAS web design. I often use vinyl as the way into clients. be it their vehicles or their store fronts. You can quickly turn this to looking at their website to "get the look and feel" of how their business is promoted... thus opening other doors.

      Added services can be used as a tool, a tool to getting to where the bigger better money in any organization. Sometimes that money is in the web site and other times it is in the signage.
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      • Profile picture of the author bsurb
        Originally Posted by savidge4 View Post

        I have to disagree. Actually I do both of these AND Large Format Printing as well ( and other things ). All it really takes is an image of a back window of a vehicle with a company logo and a web address, and it brings the 2 together real fast.

        If anything it may instill added buyer confidence in a prospect that you do offer more than one service. In the minds of most, Web Design is a form of "Graphic Arts". I used to push this a bit further and market myself as a "Visual Media Specialist" and used the quote from Billy Crystal "Its not how you feel, its how you look!"

        Part of the process in selling to a localized market is breaking habits. ( in most cases bad habits ) People call whoever it is they call to get whatever it is they want done, because they have done so for years, OR someone they know has done so for years. Printing is a great example of this. Forget the fact you could save a prospect 50%, they all ready have someone for that. ( for the record I think Print Sales is one of the hardest sales on earth to make )

        Going to a client with any off the wall service, gets you in the door. not to many years ago, that service WAS web design. I often use vinyl as the way into clients. be it their vehicles or their store fronts. You can quickly turn this to looking at their website to "get the look and feel" of how their business is promoted... thus opening other doors.

        Added services can be used as a tool, a tool to getting to where the bigger better money in any organization. Sometimes that money is in the web site and other times it is in the signage.
        So say for instance I wanted to create a numerous number of decal designs that is all about the retired folks in my area... Custom golf/retired decals and also Tshirts. Should I sell them under my company website? Or should I grab a separate domain such as thecommunitiesname.com and sell products from there?
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        • Profile picture of the author savidge4
          Originally Posted by bsurb View Post

          So say for instance I wanted to create a numerous number of decal designs that is all about the retired folks in my area... Custom golf/retired decals and also Tshirts. Should I sell them under my company website? Or should I grab a separate domain such as thecommunitiesname.com and sell products from there?
          if "thecommunitiesname.com" is available... well the last thing I would be selling is stupid stickers! hahaha

          How can you still be this confused? are you selling just stickers now? YES you sell them from your site as well as putting them on EBAY, as it has been suggested more than once before.

          How many stickers have you sold from your site in the last month? better yet.. what amount of unique visitors does your site get? I am betting using the above scenario of your site and ebay, the only place you would sell them is on ebay. - AND you want to get into the web design business.

          AGAIN... you need to FOCUS. as in DO ONE THING. get that ONE THING to work for you and produce income THEN and only THEN do you branch out and start providing other services.

          If the idea is to design and sell golf stickers... build out your site to do so. GET TRAFFIC to your site, and sell the crud out of these golf stickers.

          ONCE you can obtain success doing this... THEN start thinking about offering web design. Selling web design at that point will be effortless... BECAUSE your ability to produce a working successful site will shine through when you are making the pitch.
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      • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
        Perhaps you won't consider my advice authoritative but if you have HULU or watch NBC I'd encourage you to find the show, "The Profit".

        Watch the episode titled "Artistic Stitch" and you learn exactly why I said what I said.

        Think vertical product integration.

        Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

        Originally Posted by savidge4 View Post

        I have to disagree. Actually I do both of these AND Large Format Printing as well ( and other things ). All it really takes is an image of a back window of a vehicle with a company logo and a web address, and it brings the 2 together real fast.

        If anything it may instill added buyer confidence in a prospect that you do offer more than one service. In the minds of most, Web Design is a form of "Graphic Arts". I used to push this a bit further and market myself as a "Visual Media Specialist" and used the quote from Billy Crystal "Its not how you feel, its how you look!"

        Part of the process in selling to a localized market is breaking habits. ( in most cases bad habits ) People call whoever it is they call to get whatever it is they want done, because they have done so for years, OR someone they know has done so for years. Printing is a great example of this. Forget the fact you could save a prospect 50%, they all ready have someone for that. ( for the record I think Print Sales is one of the hardest sales on earth to make )

        Going to a client with any off the wall service, gets you in the door. not to many years ago, that service WAS web design. I often use vinyl as the way into clients. be it their vehicles or their store fronts. You can quickly turn this to looking at their website to "get the look and feel" of how their business is promoted... thus opening other doors.

        Added services can be used as a tool, a tool to getting to where the bigger better money in any organization. Sometimes that money is in the web site and other times it is in the signage.
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        • Profile picture of the author Nehaaggarwal
          Really useful reply, even some just for generic businesses!
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        • Profile picture of the author savidge4
          Rus,

          Honestly I do value the words that you speak. But... I am not speaking from a point of watching a tv show... I am speaking from a point of my own personal experience. "My Business" is really 5 business' in one. I do web services ( well did.. I sold that recently ) I am now going more towards CRO to fill in the gap. I do Vinyl, I do large format printing. I do graphic design, and I have a holdings company that does an assortment of wholesale retail kinds of things such as satellite services sales and installation, wholesale B2B paper products, and conventional print materials.

          Each and every one of the aspects of my business in a way are stand alone properties. To the point that in house, I bill one against the other for the services. As much as they each stand alone, It would be hard for me to imagine the level of success I do have if it wasn't for the diversity in services that I have.

          There is a HUGE difference between offering service.. and providing service. There is a HUGE difference between juggling timelines, determining deliver dates, etc. and KNOWING I can have it in the clients hands TOMORROW if needed.

          I you look for a moment at my primary services, and just think for a moment.. you will see that they are a collection of services that are one of 2 things. They are an entry point for new clients, or they are upsells to existing clients.

          Those primary elements are "Vertical Integration". Vinyl and web can be and is in my case "Vertical Integration" It may not be so much the service itself, but HOW the service is marketed.

          I do a nice new website design for you.... I then turn right around and make a pitch to do your store front windows in a matching aesthetic. I use vinyl to do this. Part of the pitch is then pushing the ideals of brand unification both on and offline. More often than not in my case the Offline upsell is worth more than the initial top dollar web site.

          Then the Vertical gets even better... once I have the outside appearance down.. I work my way inside. Interior signage and marketing ( Large Format Printing ), print services and the list rolls on and on. did I mention that I eventually get them into a set value paper products contract?

          Now if you were to directly communicate doubt that the OP could manage this type of vertical... well, I would without question, question the ability there. As I have stated to the OP previously, he needs to work on creating a point of success for himself. Then and only then should he consider expanding his service to extend into any type of vertical.

          Based on what we know of the OP it would appear that the plausible point of success would come from the vinyl business he has. Based on the many postings he has made I am more than assuming there would need to be some investment in equipment to get him beyond the point of 1 off window stickers.

          I personally have as large as a 54" cutter. I am thinking he may have a 15" or so. The MONEY in vinyl is not 1 off window stickers... ( tho with the right marketing and execution it probably could be ) The money is in vehicle lettering such as the back window of a pickup at $150.00+ and a material cost of less that $10.00. Or as someone has stated before somewhere here about the idea of doing "Hours of Operation" for store windows at $75.00 a crack... the cost is probably $2.00 MAYBE.

          Regardless of the concept or the business, it comes down to the ability of the marketing. If you cant market yourself... then there is no sense even trying to market someone else.


          Originally Posted by Rus Sells View Post

          Perhaps you won't consider my advice authoritative but if you have HULU or watch NBC I'd encourage you to find the show, "The Profit".

          Watch the episode titled "Artistic Stitch" and you learn exactly why I said what I said.

          Think vertical product integration.

          Good luck in whatever you decide to do.
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    • Profile picture of the author Electrical
      Originally Posted by Rus Sells View Post

      I sorta think it sends the wrong signal to have two different services that appear to be completely unrelated to each other. Actually they are so you may be sending a confusing signal to business owners.
      I agree.

      From a consumer and business owner standpoint, I want a pro to do the work for me. I don't want the guy who letters my van to also do my website, I want a professional at website building.
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      • Profile picture of the author savidge4
        Originally Posted by Electrical View Post

        I agree.

        From a consumer and business owner standpoint, I want a pro to do the work for me. I don't want the guy who letters my van to also do my website, I want a professional at website building.
        The irony in the statement is, its ok for you the Electrician to develop your own site?
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        • Profile picture of the author Electrical
          Originally Posted by savidge4 View Post

          The irony in the statement is, its ok for you the Electrician to develop your own site?
          I don't see any irony at all.

          If I, as an electrician, was also selling a service developing websites, then you would have a point.

          Now think about that, doesn't that illustrate my earlier point rather well? Would you want to pay your electrician to make you a website? How about your landscaper, would you have him defend you in court? Would you go to your accountant for medical advice?

          So yes, it is perfectly ok for me to develop my own website on an amateur level.
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          • Profile picture of the author savidge4
            Ha.. come on now. Landscaper / Lawyer... you are comparing far extremes. look at your van.. I am sure it is labeled up ( if not it should be ) There is a logo, or at the very least your company name, there is probably mention of your Lic # there is probably a phone # there is probably your web address... now look at your website. Same info correct? now reach into your pocket and pull a business card.. same info correct?

            These are ALL forms of marketing. I personally see the vertical in MARKETING, it matters not what the vehicle for that is.

            Im going to throw something at you... I do Vinyl. I am going to Gross right under $400,000 this year with vinyl. My Gross profit is sitting right at about 86%. Nice little business right?

            When was the last time you saw a Vinyl shop? The answer is you don't. You see sign shops here and there, and most of them do vinyl lettering. SO you trust the guy that makes NEON signs to put Vinyl on your truck. Or maybe its the guy at the car audio place you trust to do this for you.

            When you start looking at that... does that make much sense? Wouldn't it make more sense to have something that is designed to CONVERT, done by someone that is skilled in just that... CONVERTING?

            I have seen your posts here. You understand that there is an art in the methods of obtaining and converting traffic. The side of your truck is no different.

            So let me ask something of you. In the next day or so, I ask that when you are driving around, to look at billboards. What is the difference between the billboards you see while driving around, and the message on the billboard you are driving?


            Originally Posted by Electrical View Post

            I don't see any irony at all.

            If I, as an electrician, was also selling a service developing websites, then you would have a point.

            Now think about that, doesn't that illustrate my earlier point rather well? Would you want to pay your electrician to make you a website? How about your landscaper, would you have him defend you in court? Would you go to your accountant for medical advice?

            So yes, it is perfectly ok for me to develop my own website on an amateur level.
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            • Profile picture of the author Electrical
              savidge4, I really don't understand your point. What are you trying to say?

              We were talking about it being ironic for me to be an electrician and make my own website.
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              • OP:

                What advice can you give me to:


                * Make enough money to work at my laptop from home
                * Finding the right clientele, (whether its 100 small $250 jobs or 5-10 $1,000 jobs)
                * Should I create a brochure with my vinyl services/web design and have them printed to go handing out?

                re-thread???


                or hope member got some good help already.


                people are buying websites and renovations every day.
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              • Profile picture of the author savidge4
                Originally Posted by Electrical View Post

                savidge4, I really don't understand your point. What are you trying to say?

                We were talking about it being ironic for me to be an electrician and make my own website.
                You don't understand that you find it ok for a guy that makes neon signs to letter your truck and have issue with having a company that offers lettering and web design?

                You don't understand that your average or might I add most companies slap your business card information on the side of your truck.... but when you look at a billboard how many business cards do you see?

                "45,000+ Homes Burn to the Ground Each Year
                in the USA Due to Electrical Malfunctions.
                Call NJ Electrical for Your FREE Home Electrical Inspection.
                (XXX) XXX-XXXX
                or contact us on the web: njelectric .com"
                a
                That would be an example of an effective message. You are giving the prospect in the car next to you or behind you a reason to call. But instead... "Hey I'm an electrician, call me. Look Im state licensed and insured!" is the message that is probably on your truck right now...
                Good thing you got a professional sign guy to letter your truck!
                And back to the irony.. are you seeing it yet?
                Signature
                Success is an ACT not an idea
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                • Profile picture of the author Electrical
                  Originally Posted by savidge4 View Post

                  And back to the irony.. are you seeing it yet?
                  I disagree that there is any irony, see post # 38. I develop my own website on an amateur level. I do NOT sell a service developing websites. That's the critical difference.

                  I believe in experience, I believe in training, I believe in acquiring skills. I believe it takes thousands of hours of on the job training to become a professional, and only then should you sell your services.

                  I do NOT believe in all this crap (that happens on a daily basis on this forum) in which a person decides to one day calls himself a website developer/SEO and the next day starts advertising and taking on clients.

                  Is it possible for a professional (or highly qualified person) in the vinyl business to also be a pro at website development? Sure! Is it likely? Probably not. Is it in the case of this thread? NO! The OP is just looking for a new job in which he can sit at home behind his laptop so he decided maybe tomorrow he will be a website developer.

                  No offense to you OP.

                  savidge4, as for the rest of your post, the company that lettered my trucks does not make neon signs. You also have absolutely no idea what the lettering (or do I actually have wraps?) says. I don't know what your reference to billboards has to do with the OP becoming an overnight web developer.
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                • Originally Posted by savidge4 View Post

                  You don't understand that you find it ok for a guy that makes neon signs to letter your truck and have issue with having a company that offers lettering and web design?

                  You don't understand that your average or might I add most companies slap your business card information on the side of your truck.... but when you look at a billboard how many business cards do you see?

                  "45,000+ Homes Burn to the Ground Each Year
                  in the USA Due to Electrical Malfunctions.
                  Call NJ Electrical for Your FREE Home Electrical Inspection.
                  (XXX) XXX-XXXX
                  or contact us on the web: njelectric .com"
                  a
                  That would be an example of an effective message. You are giving the prospect in the car next to you or behind you a reason to call. But instead... "Hey I'm an electrician, call me. Look Im state licensed and insured!" is the message that is probably on your truck right now...
                  Good thing you got a professional sign guy to letter your truck!
                  And back to the irony.. are you seeing it yet?

                  This was beautifully written.

                  #Winning
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  • Profile picture of the author rocknitish
    An online mailing list requires hundreds of blog posts, constant promotion and enduring patience. But online marketing is less effective than its offline equivalent in reach and versatility.
    Offline mailing lists, particularly for business development, are very useful. The point of an offline list is not to capture email addresses or gain attention, but to scan the local business environment for clients who either lack a website or have an outdated one.
    Using the mailing list to provide potential clients with information about your services. It is surprising how effective this "outdated" strategy can be in generating phone calls and emails. Start using it.
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  • Profile picture of the author bsurb
    Well iv already recently upgraded to host gators resellers account... And I have one client who is now paying me $35/month. The hosting costs $25/month they are the only client I have so far.
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  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    Having revisited this thread and after looking at your website (weak example, frankly), I tend to agree with Savidge and jamesfreddy and javarog.

    Vinyl signage seems to be your strong suit and it seems you can make a living with that.
    I'd forget about your work from the laptop goal. Get out and get local business that needs the limited
    production run or one off signage service, and the retirement community stuff.

    Meanwhile, you probably need to get stronger at web design, and definitely marketing knowledge so you know how to sell, what to say, and how to bring client results.

    Learn more about the web design business so you don't reinvent a low end, low income business model that is a trap for yourself.

    Read stuff by Alan Weiss and Jay Abraham and Dan Kennedy, etc.

    Read threads like these:

    http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...r-clients.html

    http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...-out-line.html

    http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...offliners.html

    Dan
    Signature

    "If you think you're the smartest person in the room, then you're probably in the wrong room."

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  • Profile picture of the author bsurb
    And as far as my vinyl website, should I be doing SEO to gain nationwide customers?

    Is my website clean looking enough?
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    • Profile picture of the author savidge4
      Originally Posted by bsurb View Post

      And as far as my vinyl website, should I be doing SEO to gain nationwide customers?

      Is my website clean looking enough?
      bsurb,

      I am going to be honest with you. your website needs help. AGAIN.. how many sales has it produced?

      in regards to SEO.. you need to attack this from the local perspective, as well as the national. the question bears asking; Why wouldn't you?
      Signature
      Success is an ACT not an idea
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  • Profile picture of the author bsurb
    Bringing the old thread alive, I had another question. Sticking solely to just vinyl, if I had my website up with portfolio pictures and information about my business, would it be beneficial to create blog posts explaining why lets say, a pair of magnetic signs can benefit one's business? And then promote that post on Facebook or possibly a campaign?

    Or a post that tells business owners that having small decals made up to pass out to customers for free would help them with promoting their business/services?
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    • Profile picture of the author Freebiequeen1999
      Originally Posted by bsurb View Post

      Bringing the old thread alive, I had another question. Sticking solely to just vinyl, if I had my website up with portfolio pictures and information about my business, would it be beneficial to create blog posts explaining why lets say, a pair of magnetic signs can benefit one's business? And then promote that post on Facebook or possibly a campaign?

      Or a post that tells business owners that having small decals made up to pass out to customers for free would help them with promoting their business/services?
      Hi...yes both are good ideas. Getting reviews, "testimonials" will help.

      A key rule in sales is "what's in it for me?"

      No one will buy cause you want t hit your quota, or you didn't have sales or just for the h of it. Rattling off facts and figures, getting too techy or geeky can dissolve interest.


      It is always "what's in it for me?"
      When you do a takeaway - they thing "what's in it for me, I don't want to miss"

      If you do a monkey see monkey do and/or "competitor" pitch - "what's in it for me? I don't want to be the only shop/salon/car repair shop without that"

      If you "agree" to give them a deal they are happy cause "what's in it for me, I made a great bargain"

      Most biz owners will be much more interested in how it can benefit their business than all the tech specs of how durable the vinyl is, how fade resistant the colors are , etc.
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      • Profile picture of the author savidge4
        Originally Posted by Freebiequeen1999 View Post

        Most biz owners will be much more interested in how it can benefit their business than all the tech specs of how durable the vinyl is, how fade resistant the colors are , etc.
        here is the thing with Vinyl... if you don't get into the Techy stuff.. you are going to be using crap product. Cheap 2 year Vinyl is like $25.00 for a 30" x 10yd roll. the good stuff commercial industrial grade? its like $75.00 for the same roll.

        Which would you want on your store front or vehicle?

        All that "techy" stuff you always say to side swipe.. in MY world its called up selling.. its called providing the best product possible. If you spend the time and get certified in some of this stuff. Say from Oracal? I can give 10 yr fade warranties. When was the last time you saw a Vinyl advertisement.. well ok not so often.. when was the last time you ever heard that a vinyl installer could do such things?

        I do the same thing with Large Format Printing. Upsell into the good stuff and I can place a 100yr fade warranty on a print backed by HP.

        That comes at a price. and if you are not having the Technical discussion with your clients... I would suggest you are missing out.
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        Success is an ACT not an idea
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        • Profile picture of the author bsurb
          Originally Posted by savidge4 View Post

          here is the thing with Vinyl... if you don't get into the Techy stuff.. you are going to be using crap product. Cheap 2 year Vinyl is like $25.00 for a 30" x 10yd roll. the good stuff commercial industrial grade? its like $75.00 for the same roll.

          Which would you want on your store front or vehicle?

          All that "techy" stuff you always say to side swipe.. in MY world its called up selling.. its called providing the best product possible. If you spend the time and get certified in some of this stuff. Say from Oracal? I can give 10 yr fade warranties. When was the last time you saw a Vinyl advertisement.. well ok not so often.. when was the last time you ever heard that a vinyl installer could do such things?

          I do the same thing with Large Format Printing. Upsell into the good stuff and I can place a 100yr fade warranty on a print backed by HP.

          That comes at a price. and if you are not having the Technical discussion with your clients... I would suggest you are missing out.
          Good information.. I normally just use Oracal 651 with vehicle lettering, magnetic signs, and store fronts.

          I usually tell them the life expectancy is at least 5+ years.
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    • Profile picture of the author savidge4
      I would say you need to work on case studies. How having car "magnets" increased so and so's business by so much percent. How Store front applications increase visibility and increase profits. How banners increased awareness and attendance to a special function or sale.

      The technical side of this is you want to look at the keywords in each of these categories Store windows as an example you would want to target "storefront window signs" low competition decent traffic. The same with Car Magnets you would do your research and find a term such as "custom car magnets no minimum" might be a target worth hitting.

      Content marketing is NOT about writing some content just to say you did. you have to AIM the content at an audience. If you are just writing because that's what you think you are supposed to do.. it wont work for you. If you understand your market and your target? then you can write content that aims at drawing those people in, and your content in CONTEXT will match what they are looking for and you stand a chance at conversion.

      Here is the biggest trick with content marketing. STOP selling, and just start providing information. Allow the information to do the selling for you. As an example you have an article on the different types of Vinyl. There are 2 year, 5 year and commercial / industrial grade. there are clings and low adhesion. there are prints and textures. there is heat transfer ( if you have the equipment to provide that service )

      Do another article on all of the colors they can choose from. again patterns and textures. Explain what you have in stock and what would be special order.

      This entire process without selling a thing allows the end users mind to start thinking of ways to use your product and service. As long as you have your phone number on your site and a contact form, you will get contacted about doing this that and the other. THAT is the power of content marketing.

      Originally Posted by bsurb View Post

      Bringing the old thread alive, I had another question. Sticking solely to just vinyl, if I had my website up with portfolio pictures and information about my business, would it be beneficial to create blog posts explaining why lets say, a pair of magnetic signs can benefit one's business? And then promote that post on Facebook or possibly a campaign?

      Or a post that tells business owners that having small decals made up to pass out to customers for free would help them with promoting their business/services?
      Signature
      Success is an ACT not an idea
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  • Profile picture of the author Freebiequeen1999
    Well here is my point - unless you show them "what's in it for me"....you won't get to the point of discussing the tech aspect

    Yes, there can be technical info that is important....to actually deliver the product that will work for them. It can also be an upsell. BUT it is not what gets your foot "in the door"...

    it is not what gets you the appointment or what gets you the sit down

    I used to sell spa, facial, tanning, sauna etc equipment....I knew and had access to all the specs, wiring, size of equipment, upgrades, plumbing needed etc

    but we only got to that point once I had gotten their interest , painted the picture and shown them "what's in it for me"

    showing Betty of "Betty's Hair Cuts" or "Betty's Curl Up and Dye" how she would - make more money, get more clients, get better clients, outdo her competition etc etc (what's in it for me)...
    if she would redo her salon into a spa - salon ...."Spa Elizabeth" etc

    Once she was hooked on being "Spa Elizabeth"...in her little town LOL....then it was just a matter of going over the specs and sometimes that would change depending on her contractors, building permits etc if this was a whole deal. Sometimes it was just facial equipment and spa pedicure "thrones" ..whtever..

    she still had to be sold on "what's in it for me"

    I have been able to sell all sort of stuff this way...I did know a lot about spa stuff (cosmetologist) but overtime I had to learn other fields and it all comes down to whats in it for me

    for most biz owners - primary -more customers,more money
    secondary - more prestige , beat out or get ahead of competition, less work for owner,less headach

    you work those "doorways" till you find the right key
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  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    Really, tech or not, it's virtually always about WIIFM.
    Signature

    "If you think you're the smartest person in the room, then you're probably in the wrong room."

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