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Is a potential client phishing for info

by Jimi b
6 replies
What is a nice way of telling a potential client "I'm not telling you the exact details of how I make the weels turn on my marketing mechanism?" This is my potential 2nd client so I don't want to appear as if I'm not knowledgeable enough on what I'm offering. Also I don't want to give away too much info. I see This owner is intrigued with what I'm presenting, but he's trying to get too in depth. eventhough the system itself can be easily cloned, the methodology behind it is what make it so powerful. so Its okay to relay to him the components that make up this mechanism but not the bread and butter.

have any of you ran into this issue and if so how did you handle it?
#client #info #phishing #potential
  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    Can you give an example of what he is asking for?
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    Aaron Doud - Sales & Success
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  • Profile picture of the author Brendan Vraibel
    Normally I wouldn't advise this because usually when meeting with a client you want to be as simple as possible so that they understand exactly what they're paying for and the problems that you are fixing for them but I'll usually start to get a bit more technical so that it goes over their head and finally they just think "well I certainly can't do all of that, I better pay him to do it".

    Convince them that you are an authority in that particular field and that they can't bring the results that you can. For instance anybody can do a quick search of SMS marketing and find a bundle of 500 messages for $10/mo, but plenty of people are getting paid $200+/mo because they know how to bring back a great ROI for their client.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jimi b
      Originally Posted by B and B View Post

      Normally I wouldn't advise this because usually when meeting with a client you want to be as simple as possible so that they understand exactly what they're paying for and the problems that you are fixing for them but I'll usually start to get a bit more technical so that it goes over their head and finally they just think "well I certainly can't do all of that, I better pay him to do it".

      Convince them that you are an authority in that particular field and that they can't bring the results that you can. For instance anybody can do a quick search of SMS marketing and find a bundle of 500 messages for $10/mo, but plenty of people are getting paid $200+/mo because they know how to bring back a great ROI for their client.
      So after I get him to acknowledge there is a problem to be fixed, and I can fix it go technical? I was under the impression that technical talk during a presentation would only bore the potential.
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      • Profile picture of the author JR Consulting
        Originally Posted by Jimi b View Post

        So after I get him to acknowledge there is a problem to be fixed, and I can fix it go technical? I was under the impression that technical talk during a presentation would only bore the potential.
        If he's asking for it, give it to him. If it bores him, it's on him for prodding about it.

        One particular client I have started out like that. He wanted to know everything. So, I proceeded to start telling him. Everything. About 5 minutes into the most in-depth explanation he's probably ever heard anyone give about this stuff, he said, "ok, I've heard enough". He reached into his drawer, pulled out his check book and wrote me a check for the $500 deposit. He never asked me about anything technical again.

        In my opinion, you're better off losing a potential client because you've answered all of his/her questions and then he/she goes off and does it for him/herself, rather than losing a potential client because you didn't answer his/her questions.

        Anything that you're offering to do for him/her can be looked up on the internet. If he/she really wants to know how to do it, he/she will find out how, with or without you. Most small business owners barely have enough time to enjoy life outside of running their business. They'll gladly pay you to handle this stuff, as long as you can prove to them that you know what you're doing.
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  • Profile picture of the author Richard Tunnah
    I don't think you can tell a client too much info tbh. Why? Either it confirms to the client it's way over their head and they need you or they are indeed fishing for info to try to do it themselves. In which case they were probably never turn into a client anyway or maybe 2 months down the line when it goes wrong they'll call you.

    Rich
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  • Profile picture of the author globalpro
    Maybe look at it this way.

    It's not enough to own a car, but you need to know how to drive it also. Then if you want to be in full control, you need to know how to maintain/fix it too.

    I can tell someone how to fix their car, but them actually doing it is something else altogether.

    I think by telling them the behind the scenes (technical stuff) needs to be done if asked, but I would try and keep them focused on results. Me, at my age, have gotten to the place where if I need something done, that I can't/won't do, I ask how much and look for the desired/promised results when things are finished.

    Thanks,

    John
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