Servicing Local Clients Remotely

14 replies
I live in a remote area about 35 minutes from a reasonably sized town. I'm looking to get into local business marketing services in that town such as consulting, copywriting, online and offline lead generation, etc.

I'm a little confused as my coach is telling me not to pursue local clients because I want to work from home or on the road for the most part.

I always assumed that its very possible to service local accounts remotely for the most part. Other than acquiring clients and periodic meetings, I don't see why most of the work can't be done from home.

Am I thinking straight or are those of you with local clients constantly needing to be face to face w/them?

Thanks.
#clients #local #remotely #servicing
  • Profile picture of the author Bronwyn and Keith
    Hi Paul

    We tend to meet with most clients first up.

    Then we roll into email, telephone and skype communication as we explain to them that we can keep our service costs for them down by "not" having travelling time added into the equation.

    Hope that helps.

    Regards

    Bronwyn and Keith
    Originally Posted by PaulintheSticks View Post

    I live in a remote area about 35 minutes from a reasonably sized town. I'm looking to get into local business marketing services in that town such as consulting, copywriting, online and offline lead generation, etc.

    I'm a little confused as my coach is telling me not to pursue local clients because I want to work from home or on the road for the most part.

    I always assumed that its very possible to service local accounts remotely for the most part. Other than acquiring clients and periodic meetings, I don't see why most of the work can't be done from home.

    Am I thinking straight or are those of you with local clients constantly needing to be face to face w/them?

    Thanks.
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    • Profile picture of the author MikeAmbrosio
      Hi Paul,

      So far, every client we have we had "face to face" meetings with to kick things off. It is recommended that you do this because it puts a face on you and your business. We find that most business owners require the "high touch".

      However, much of the "day to day" fulfillment CAN be done from home. We do that too. Sometimes we have additional meetings, or we may take a client to lunch once in a while, but mostly we fulfill from home/office.

      For me, it's the best of both worlds because I enjoy the face to face every now and then, yet I still get to dictate my own schedule.

      Hope this helps.

      Mike
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      • Profile picture of the author Bronwyn and Keith
        Hi Mike

        Yeah we are with your approach.

        It is nice to get out of the house every now and then.

        Regards

        Bronwyn and Keith
        Originally Posted by MikeAmbrosio View Post

        Hi Paul,

        So far, every client we have we had "face to face" meetings with to kick things off. It is recommended that you do this because it puts a face on you and your business. We find that most business owners require the "high touch".

        However, much of the "day to day" fulfillment CAN be done from home. We do that too. Sometimes we have additional meetings, or we may take a client to lunch once in a while, but mostly we fulfill from home/office.

        For me, it's the best of both worlds because I enjoy the face to face every now and then, yet I still get to dictate my own schedule.

        Hope this helps.

        Mike
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      • Profile picture of the author John Callaghan
        I've been doing offline marketing for 10 years and have learned that hard way that you should never do the actual work at the client's site. Do it from your home, a coffee shop, a library etc. (basically anywhere you get a net connection). I'll meet the client face to face for a requirements definition meeting but after that it's all done remotely.

        If you work in front of them it's really hard to control the scope of the project because they'll constantly be distracting you with "helpful" ideas.

        Also, there's an important decision for you to make as you're getting started. Do you want to 1) only service clients located in your local area or 2) pick an local oriented niche, then work that niche across the country (i.e. become the IM expert for Chiropractors, or Locksmiths, or...)

        Some people prefer #1 and other people prefer #2. I started in #1 and quickly switched to #2. I now have clients all over the country and do all of the work from my office.
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        • Profile picture of the author Bronwyn and Keith
          Hi John

          Good decision to "Not" work in front of the clients.

          You might even find that some of their suggestions are decidedly "Unhelpful" and that could ruin the relationship altogether.

          Regards

          Bronwyn and Keith
          Originally Posted by John Callaghan View Post

          I've been doing offline marketing for 10 years and have learned that hard way that you should never do the actual work at the client's site. Do it from your home, a coffee shop, a library etc. (basically anywhere you get a net connection). I'll meet the client face to face for a requirements definition meeting but after that it's all done remotely.

          If you work in front of them it's really hard to control the scope of the project because they'll constantly be distracting you with "helpful" ideas.

          Also, there's an important decision for you to make as you're getting started. Do you want to 1) only service clients located in your local area or 2) pick an local oriented niche, then work that niche across the country (i.e. become the IM expert for Chiropractors, or Locksmiths, or...)

          Some people prefer #1 and other people prefer #2. I started in #1 and quickly switched to #2. I now have clients all over the country and do all of the work from my office.
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  • Profile picture of the author marketingva
    I've worked with local clients for 15 years and I never meet with them. I made an exception recently and it turned out badly.

    Bonnie
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    • Profile picture of the author solotr
      Originally Posted by marketingva View Post

      I've worked with local clients for 15 years and I never meet with them. I made an exception recently and it turned out badly.

      Bonnie
      Hi Bonnie,
      Do you have a report or something to tell those of us in very small markets how to do it?
      Gina
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  • Profile picture of the author homemodifications
    much of the "day to day" fulfillment CAN be done from home. We do that too. Sometimes we have additional meetings, or we may take a client to lunch once in a while, but mostly we fulfill from home/office.
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  • Profile picture of the author redlegrich
    I'm not sure where your coach is coming from. It's the Internet, people work for other people around the world! Has your coach ever heard of outsourcing! Don't worry about it, go get some business and make it happen. The phone, Skype, email and so on will be fine.
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  • Profile picture of the author Quentin
    I live in a different country at the moment and use a contractor to do the initial face to face in my home city then do the rest on skype and email so it is very doable where ever you live.

    Quentin
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    • Profile picture of the author Bronwyn and Keith
      Hi Quentin

      Thats an even better idea - also removes the emotion from the "business" relationship to a degree.

      All the best


      Bronwyn and Keith
      Originally Posted by Quentin View Post

      I live in a different country at the moment and use a contractor to do the initial face to face in my home city then do the rest on skype and email so it is very doable where ever you live.

      Quentin
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  • I am planning on using a few local businesses to get some proof for other clients in other cities. That way , I can say 'take a look at this business ranking , or the video I created for this person'. Just my idea.
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  • Profile picture of the author marketingva
    Hi Gina,

    I don't teach people to do what I do. I make it up as I go along. My best advice would be to ask for referrals. When someone sends me a referral I always end up doing business with them because it's a warm lead.

    Bonnie
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    • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
      You can get new clients, do all the work and get paid remotely.

      Many of my early clients were small business owners from the other side of the world.

      I used telephone, email and Skype to communicate.

      Often it takes verbal communication to convert a prospect into a paying client.

      In fact one of the biggest secrets to converting a high percentage of prospects who approach you by email is to talk to them in person or on the phone as quickly as possible.

      In your case using the telephone will be cheap enough.

      Kindest regards,
      Andrew Cavanagh
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