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contacting businesses by their contact form - does it work?

by Mitsakis
15 replies
I started contacting offline businesses by filling in their contact-us form on their website.

Does this method work? or am I losing my time?

edit: I am offering lead generation
#businesses #contact #contacting #form #work
  • Profile picture of the author AmarieP
    I contact businesses using their contact forms. It does work. I have gotten about 6 meetings from it and I also have gotten the "not interested" responses too. It works, but it also depends on what your pitch is and what your selling, just like if you were sending a regular email.
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  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    The average business gets about 50 emails a week for SEO it seems. What are you offering?
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    • Profile picture of the author Mitsakis
      Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

      The average business gets about 50 emails a week for SEO it seems. What are you offering?
      Lead Generation
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  • Profile picture of the author AustinDigital
    It can work, but it's all about the subject line. My offline business gets calls and emails daily, and funny thing is the pitches SUCK. Since I also do internet marketing, i'm reducing my costs substantially, but some of these people have me wondering how they even close a door!
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  • Profile picture of the author sitefurnace
    I think this should work really well in theory. I asked my hairdresser the other day for some tips on how to contact hair salons in general with my SMS offer. She said that calling would be the worst choice as they don't have time to just leave a client and talk on the phone. She said the best way was either via email or direct mail.

    You've got to remember that if a business gets a mail from their contact form then it could be a potential lead so why would they ignore it. Sure there are people selling seo this way but if your offering something else then it may be more effective.

    I think it's all about the subject line though. Make it personnel and you'll stand a much better chance of getting it opened, also send it from your main domain email address and include as much social proofing as you can such as LinkedIn, Facebook etc. maybe even add a photo of yourself.
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  • Profile picture of the author Stranger Danger
    Be sure not to have a misleading subject line - you want to ensure Can-Spam Act compliance.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mitsakis
    what answer rate should i expect?
    10%?
    1%?
    or less?
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    • Profile picture of the author davidsk
      From my own experience, they work. I have gotten meetings with business owners through their contact form. But I also get alot of rejections. Have something to offer that they are not currently getting. Stand out from the crowd and you will get meetings and close the deal.
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      • Profile picture of the author AmarieP
        Originally Posted by davidsk View Post

        From my own experience, they work. I have gotten meetings with business owners through their contact form. But I also get alot of rejections. Have something to offer that they are not currently getting. Stand out from the crowd and you will get meetings and close the deal.
        Same thing with me. I put either Hi or Hi [Owners Name] in the subject line (same with my emails)

        It also really does depend on what your offering. You really have to stand out from all the other emails. I always come off friendly and not so salesy. Offer to give them something for free like a report or even your services for a month or so. That has always worked for me and it makes you look genuine like your not all about the money.
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  • Profile picture of the author SiteSmarty
    The method of online contact isn't important, it's the message that determines the outcome. Hit their pain points with a solution and proof. If you hit it right, they'll reply if you send them smoke signals
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  • Profile picture of the author Mitsakis
    I contacted 30 businesses yesterday and today. No answer yet
    It's sunday though. I will wait until tomorrow.
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  • Profile picture of the author jacquic
    I haven't tried lead gen this way; not because I don't agreee with it, just that I have other ways I use. However, we have contacted businesses with genuine enquiries through forms (eg, about cycle parts) and not all of them answer! Those are ones I wil be contacting ref marketing because they obviously need at least that part of their back end sorting
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  • Profile picture of the author jacquic
    Sorry, it posted twice.

    I'll add then that the enquiries ref cycle parts were for major expeditions, so they lost a lot of money by not replying.
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  • Profile picture of the author DoWhatWorks
    I find it works better. My theory is that it works better because, when they receive a completed contact form, from their website, it's usually a generic message that they recognize. Additionally, they have already whitelisted their own domain, so it won't get filtered into spam. When you're sending an email the normal way and coming up with your own headline, it's much harder to get them to open it, as compared to when they get a notification email of their online form being filled out.

    -Terry


    Originally Posted by Mitsakis View Post

    I started contacting offline businesses by filling in their contact-us form on their website.

    Does this method work? or am I losing my time?

    edit: I am offering lead generation
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    Complete, Step-By-Step, "Feel Good" Business Blueprint: Start A Legitimate Business Today.
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