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Gotta Love This Email

by StarkContrast
10 replies
The other day I got an email with the subject line: "Help! My Phone hasn't rung in months." He goes on to explain in subsequent emails that yellow pages hadn't worked, economy's bad in his part of the state, etc. He mentioned that there were seven other people in his profession (working with him I'm not sure) who said the same thing about the state of affairs.

I looked at his site (and ran SEOSuite) and gave him a brief analysis of what I thought was the problem: lack of focus. Lots of things that his company does but nothing that draws the reader. I checked also links to his site and they are minimal.

Onpage optimization is non-existent, and I told him this was the first thing he should look at fixing.

The first thing I had asked him was what was his Bread and Butter specialty? I knew the general niche but I suspected there was even a narrower one, and there was.

I'm excited about the opportunity but am concerned that this could turn into a "let's see how much work I can get for free" scenario. While I am just starting out (2nd client in the niche, who is paying and seeing decent results), and the experience is good I'd like to at least have something to show for it. I honestly think I can help him to get his phone ringing again despite the location and circumstances.

As you may guess, sales (or asking for the cash) isn't exactly my forte. I wish it were and I know I need to do better.

He found me because of an article I wrote for an online association journal.

I guess the question is, how do you go from "I definitely want to use you" to "please fork over some cash first before I start work"?? Ok, a little crude but the idea is there.

Thanks.
#email #gotta #love #money #new client
  • Profile picture of the author MaxReferrals
    What was his reaction when you gave him the initial findings? Any buying
    signals from him??
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    • Profile picture of the author StarkContrast
      Originally Posted by MaxReferrals View Post

      What was his reaction when you gave him the initial findings? Any buying
      signals from him??
      Here's what he wrote regarding that:

      you mentioned these two points of interest. "optimized" either onpage or "under the hood" Could you just show me how to do this and you could help me with other aspects?

      My original email to him was more coherent than that. I told him there were some aspects that probably didn't require waiting around for the search engines to index links.

      In a separate email I explained in layman's terms the metatags but that was too much. I'll let you know what happens. He gave me access to his godaddy account.
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  • Profile picture of the author RKCastillo
    I would ask them how much they have budgeted for marketing as you would like to create a package that will work within their budget.

    That would at least get you talking about money.
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    “Free Video Reveals: The 7 Step System I Used to Create An Email That Closed An Offline Business Owner Without Ever Talking on the Phone”
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    • Profile picture of the author StarkContrast
      Originally Posted by RKCastillo View Post

      I would ask them how much they have budgeted for marketing as you would like to create a package that will work within their budget.

      That would at least get you talking about money.
      Thanks.
      I was just toying what that terminology earlier today. He HAD money, just not sure how much now:

      "I have ran ads over and over to no evail. Even my yellow page ads are not generating work."
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      • Profile picture of the author RKCastillo
        One of the packages we offer we call "Your Online Marketing Blueprint" We charge $500 for it.

        And it's a specific strategy for their business and it's a step by step guide on how to do it themselves.

        It's a Do It Yourself package for the business owner.

        I just make a bunch of screencast videos showing them exactly what to do and how to do it. They just have to go do it themselves.
        Signature
        “Free Video Reveals: The 7 Step System I Used to Create An Email That Closed An Offline Business Owner Without Ever Talking on the Phone”
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        • Profile picture of the author BarryWheeler
          Originally Posted by RKCastillo View Post

          One of the packages we offer we call "Your Online Marketing Blueprint" We charge $500 for it.

          And it's a specific strategy for their business and it's a step by step guide on how to do it themselves.

          It's a Do It Yourself package for the business owner.

          I just make a bunch of screencast videos showing them exactly what to do and how to do it. They just have to go do it themselves.
          I do the same thing. It works wonders!!!!
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    • Profile picture of the author McGruff
      Originally Posted by RKCastillo View Post

      I would ask them how much they have budgeted for marketing as you would like to create a package that will work within their budget.

      That would at least get you talking about money.
      I read this and thought it was an excellent lead-in to talking about money...I then read it out loud and realized even more how powerful a statement it really is!
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  • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
    Hey Marhamat,

    First thing is stop thing that sales isn't your forte. The business owner your prospect has no idea and you only project your own perceptions about your sales ability onto him/them.

    Be confident, Be assured, and Be relaxed. Go in and simply close the deal.

    If he's one of your first clients work with him a little on pricing but make sure he understands that your helping him out. Don't reveal that his discount is just because your getting started, its because you want to "help" him out, and because your helping him out his pricing is not to be shared with any one else. Its "ONLY HIS" price cause he's special. = )

    Hope this helps!

    Originally Posted by marhamat View Post

    The other day I got an email with the subject line: "Help! My Phone hasn't rung in months." He goes on to explain in subsequent emails that yellow pages hadn't worked, economy's bad in his part of the state, etc. He mentioned that there were seven other people in his profession (working with him I'm not sure) who said the same thing about the state of affairs.

    I looked at his site (and ran SEOSuite) and gave him a brief analysis of what I thought was the problem: lack of focus. Lots of things that his company does but nothing that draws the reader. I checked also links to his site and they are minimal.

    Onpage optimization is non-existent, and I told him this was the first thing he should look at fixing.

    The first thing I had asked him was what was his Bread and Butter specialty? I knew the general niche but I suspected there was even a narrower one, and there was.

    I'm excited about the opportunity but am concerned that this could turn into a "let's see how much work I can get for free" scenario. While I am just starting out (2nd client in the niche, who is paying and seeing decent results), and the experience is good I'd like to at least have something to show for it. I honestly think I can help him to get his phone ringing again despite the location and circumstances.

    As you may guess, sales (or asking for the cash) isn't exactly my forte. I wish it were and I know I need to do better.

    He found me because of an article I wrote for an online association journal.

    I guess the question is, how do you go from "I definitely want to use you" to "please fork over some cash first before I start work"?? Ok, a little crude but the idea is there.

    Thanks.
    Signature
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  • Profile picture of the author Scitknot9
    Gotta love the advice given on this forum - It's all amazing!!

    Even though it's not my OP, i appreciate the advice given!

    Scott
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    • Profile picture of the author StarkContrast
      Originally Posted by Rus Sells View Post

      Hey Marhamat,

      First thing is stop thing that sales isn't your forte. The business owner your prospect has no idea and you only project your own perceptions about your sales ability onto him/them.

      Be confident, Be assured, and Be relaxed. Go in and simply close the deal.

      If he's one of your first clients work with him a little on pricing but make sure he understands that your helping him out. Don't reveal that his discount is just because your getting started, its because you want to "help" him out, and because your helping him out his pricing is not to be shared with any one else. Its "ONLY HIS" price cause he's special. = )

      Hope this helps!
      This is great advice.

      Originally Posted by RKCastillo View Post

      One of the packages we offer we call "Your Online Marketing Blueprint" We charge $500 for it.

      And it's a specific strategy for their business and it's a step by step guide on how to do it themselves.

      It's a Do It Yourself package for the business owner.

      I just make a bunch of screencast videos showing them exactly what to do and how to do it. They just have to go do it themselves.
      I like this and will be incorporating something similar.

      Thanks for your responses all. In one of my last emails to the client I asked what "budgetary constraints" he was under. His response was pretty humbling actually. Here it is:

      Before you help me, I think it's fair to advise you at this time, I have no budget. My funds are paying for medical bills. My wife had a stroke and I am due to go into the hospital next month for surgery. Maybe we should shelve the project until funds will be available. I do not expect anyone to work for free. I will speak with one of my lodge brothers tonight and see if he will purchase my small boat. That will bring in some funds. I'll keep you posted.

      I already responded with a sympathetic email letting him know that he and his wife are in our prayers, and talked about the important things in life. If I'm to take him at face value (no reason to doubt otherwise), he's got a lot more stress in his life than most people.

      Thanks for your posts all. It has been most enlightening.
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