Fastest Way To Get Local Clients

I totally agree. I think what gave me the most momentum was walking in that first door. My husband even gave me an out...he said "You don't have to do this if you don't feel ready." And my answer was, if I never get this FIRST TIME over with, it'll just be that much more drama when it comes time to do it. So, I did it. And it was hard, and I couldn't get a wi-fi signal so my entire presentation was shot, BUT...I did it. And afterwards, I suffered HORRIBLE stomach pain because I was just that terrified to do it. BUT...I did it.

You just have to do it. Plain and simple. It's going to push all your buttons and the first time or the first ten times is going to be terrifying. But just do it and get it overwith! Because once you do and that discomfort and terror fades...you're unstoppable!

I've been able to avoid the cold-calling route entirely by getting relatives/friends/acquaintances to introduce me to bosses/business owners etc whom they know at a personal level.

And happy clients are always happy to refer you to non-competing business owners who they know.

Abdul.

You can't completely make the argument that you have to get leads only through online means to look credible. You can show the business that their customers are online looking for them, but a lot of times the business owners aren't online looking for your services.

A whole lot of business owners don't even know the options they have and aren't looking for people to do the services for them. Why do you think there are so many b2b salespeople out there in the world? For the most part, in order to get a business owners attention you need to get in front of them.

If you can get all the leads you need form the internet alone, then great, but you can find a whole lot more getting out there in person or hiring a salesteam to do it for you.

From personal experience, i find that trying to get involved in events that are happening within the local area help to not only increase the perception of the company in the local community but also leaves you directly in the line for getting those extra sales.

One way to get the highest rate of return is to meet with the client a little as possible. That's why closers are coveted in the b2b sales arena.

Here's one way: sign up on meetup.com. Look in your area for "small business" meetup groups. Sign-up go to meetings and don't sell, but bring a handout for the group with some killers quick marketing tactics (video syndication, facebook coupons, sms, whatever most are clueless). At the end have a coupon for a free or reduced consultation, a big promise and a call to action.

I am involved in this arena in an attempt to get some time freedom from my very successful offline business ( brick and mortar ).

Every week I get at least 6 calls from somebody trying to sell me SEO or web related services, most from call centers that can barely speak English.

Should a person come into one of my locations and offer some form of Internet services face-to-face, I would certainly at least listen. It would be a refreshing change from hanging up on callers.

Harmony is various efforts is what you need to find and that is the only way to succeed and relying on one form over another in a blind way is certainly a mistake.

My biggest problem is not fear of rejection, it is not wanting locals to know that I have this business as it will make it seem that my primary business and clients are not as important as they should be.

I am marketing in smaller cities that are an hour or so away and it is quite easy to talk someone into understanding what they have to gain by getting online. I treat it like a hobby-small business and feel certain I could easily replace my income but, I have 21 FT employee's that need paychecks and insurance that I would not want to let go from my main business......should I hire the right person who can run it for me, that would be something else.

Exchanges like these are priceless to us all, thanks everyone.

Enterpryzman

I got a simple strategy that works decently well if you want to target services companies I'll share it since pretty much if you read a few WSO's or free things in here you'd pick it up anyway (it's really common sense).

look up different service providers in your local area by searching "<area> <service>" e.g "sydney plumbers" then look to the right at companies that are currently using PPC (since they are already paying for marketing services they are likely to be more interested in hearing your offer).

Try to register a .com domain containing the two things you searched for such as sydneyplumbers.com and then use the method shared by Gene in his great report/guide on flipping domains in 10 steps. (you pretty much copy the details of the companies paying PPC for the keywords you used for your domain into a simple wordpress blog - this will be used for some SEO to get picked up by google quickly)

After this you can shoot emails to the owners of the companies that were paying for PPC letting them know you have a great domain they could be interested in that ranks well for their keywords they are currently paying $x per click for, and you are willing to sell it for <name your price>.

They may take it straight up then and there, either way the next step is the same, you offer SEO/marketing services to go with the domain since you know your stuff with SEO/Local this should be easy to point out your skill and that you're not some BS company offering crap. *Always remember not to use big buzz words or technical words as it may come across salesmen like and they may not like that, use simple words and explain it in simple terms to put a more friendly advice spin on it*

They'll either take up your offer or leave it, just rinse and repeat, you'll hit some miss some but it's a solid simple strategy that works and isn't some hyped up BS.

Another route could be calling up companies and offering free listings on Google Places, many local business owners who aernt on the internet use yellow pages or word of mouth... I'd say places is a great first step (apart from a website) in getting online and it's pretty easy for you to do, and it shows the company that you are reliable.

Hope I helped

-JB

Just remember to put yourself out there, you'll pick up attention and people will ask you questions, offer free seminars for business owners if you're comfortable and they will recognize you as the go to person for marketing things.

Here is my top tip for getting local clients, just doing this once can give you a stream of new business that can provide a fantastic income.

This is not for everyone as it involves public speaking (although you could outsource)
First of all you need to find one potential partner (does not even have to be a client) that is in the professional service industry like an accountant (CPA), lawyer, financial services etc.

Your partner/client needs to be established with a list of their own clients.

You approach your client to do a JV (they may not understand JV, so you might have to word it differently). The JV is to put on a presentation by you, sponsored by them.

Most professionals are always looking for ways to interact more with their clients (or should be!), and are more than happy to put on a presentation if its going to do two things:

1. Get them back in front of their clients
2. Add value

So if for example you went with an accountant and they hosted a presentation you would have them book the venue and mail their clients an email you have written for them, the name of the presentation needs to be something that peaks the interest of the client base.

So for small businesses, something like “10 Ways to Get More New Business Than You Can Handle In 2011”.

I tend to focus on social media because most businesses don’t get it!

It beats networking hands down because when you are speaking you are perceived as the expert, you also have the expert status thrust upon you because they all trust their accountant and their recommendations.

Once you have done one of these its easy to get other people in the audience to book you to speak in front of their clients, kind of self perpetuating lead generation.

Hope this helps.

John

I'm not sure about your areas, but I know in Canada (at least a LOT in Ontario), most stores/companies have No Soliciting signs on their doors.

You CAN'T just walk in and cold call or you're violating the law. (Same with in Florida is my understanding, if the sign is there - it's considered trespassing).

Face to face may be the best way to do it - but for here anyway, you need to have an appointment or something so that they are expecting you. (Fastest way to tick off a company here is to just walk in with the purpose of selling them something....)

And of course, to get an appointment usually requires a phone call... which around here people are sick to death of telemarketers, so you have to be creative.

Amber

That is a REALLY good point, Amber...and one I didn't even consider. This is one reason why I think that formal communication like a letter in the mail followed up by a phonecall that they are expecting will generate more success.

Another great point. Where I'm at (VERY rural area), if I walked in anywhere attempting to simply "sell", I'd be laughed at...or worse...

For me, the down to earth approach is the way to go.

FACT: A poor sales message will STILL be a poor sales message in ANY medium.

Someone who can't clearly show the value or benefits they can provide a business by direct response marketing messages, most likely won't do any better in person when the business regrets wasting their busy time to listen to a salespitch.

Some people are much more charismatic in person than they are by written communication, others have a talent for writing that doesn't necessarily come across as strong in person...

There is no "one method" for getting better results, there is only what works for the individual marketer, but most likely the problem is not the "communication tool" used, but the marketing message being given.

Fix the message and more people will see much better results.

~Dexx

Hey John - I love your JV idea.

The funny thing is, I absolutely enjoy public speaking and being up in front of loads of people, directing their attention...all of it. I've been a part-time professional magician for years - I get a kick out of presenting.

From big corporate guys to backyard bar-be-ques (did I spell that right?) people are more or less the same. At least when it comes to entertaining.

But face to face? I don't think I'd have a problem with that - I'd just be scared to go in and "pitch" myself. I think that's because I know how I feel every time I"m pitched something.

And I don't want to be that guy. On the other hand, having an appointment set up because they want to see me after I've mailed or presented for a group...that's different to my nerves.

That's why I love you idea. I've thought about speaking locally, and this would be another great way to do so.

Have you used it with success? It sounds like it as it's your top tip. But I'd love to hear a recent sample or two.

Anyhow, great stuff. There is obviously more interest if the prospects see you as the expert long before you hit them up first (although that way sounds successful too). I guess it's all about positioning.

Thanks for the idea...

wow good tips for newbie ... thanks for post it

I totally agree with you. I was a Realtor that turned to offline consult as well. I had a rough start getting seo clients. It was when I joined a BNI group in my area and was in front of business owners all the time, I started to get clents. Face to face is the best way to go.

I'm not really sure about this. I've found that cold calling has been one of my least effective methods.

I've developed a method with some promo materials where I walk into the business owner's office, plop down my brochure and a pricing sheet along with a free book with my name on it, and within a day I get a phone call asking to set up a meeting to sell them practically.

To each his own though

I started by doing a couple of jobs for free and then getting referrals. This can be a great way to build a business.