Closed My First Sale Today!

11 years ago

Good stuff, keep it up and you will soon be earning six figures. Pinnacle cart is a great site for shopping carts, easy to work on as well and huge amount of options.

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DesertSand

11 years ago

Congrats , I look forward to my first sale.

Did you use images in your ad or just straight text?

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avandrunen

11 years ago

That's awesome Jeremy...great job...

Would love to know what you had put in your ad...or if your are willing...show us a copy of it.

I wish you continued luck.

Adrian

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Jeremy Bratcher

11 years ago

Originally Posted by DesertSand

Congrats , I look forward to my first sale.

Did you use images in your ad or just straight text?

Believe it or not, it was a text only ad. I think that image ads can work well but I haven't had any luck with them myself.

Originally Posted by avandrunen

That's awesome Jeremy...great job...

Would love to know what you had put in your ad...or if your are willing...show us a copy of it.

I wish you continued luck.

Adrian

Maybe after I close a few more and can afford to, I'll share the ad. Honestly, it's a swipe from Craiglist that I reworded and changed around a little. Nothing you can't find by looking at other people's ads in cities around the US.

Basically, I addressed issues that I found to be critical to my target audience (small business owners looking to get online) and told them in very plain language why they should hire me over the competition.

Thanks

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â€œThe question isnâ€™t who is going to let me; itâ€™s who is going to stop me.â€ â€“ Ayn Rand

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kINGMaddy

11 years ago

Good job jeremy and congratulations for your first sale. If possible show us a snap shot of the ad.

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humili

11 years ago

Congratulation on your first sales!

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Craig McPherson

11 years ago

Jezza,

Good on ya for perservering mate.
Thoroughly deserved.

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jamtrading

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Jeremy Bratcher

Just wanted to start out by saying thanks to all my fellow offliner warriors. I usually lurk the forums and only contribute when I know it's of value so I don't think anyone here "knows" me.

I NEVER thought I would get a chance to make this kind of thread. It only came with hard work, persistance, and passion to work for myself. I hope this post will motivate someone to take action because your first sale could be tomorrow if you do.

For those who are curious, this lead came from Craiglist which I had all but given up hope on. However, I kept pressing on writing and re-writing more ads for web design and this one stuck!

Closed the deal today for $2500 and we are already talking about another website to do.

What did the ad contain? Specifically, I identified a few points that most people looking for a web designer are concerned about: being ripped off, converting visitors to customers, and giving them control over their site when the project is finished.

So let me reiterate, as someone who was skceptical of being able to get quality leads from Craiglist, it can be done and really isn't as difficult as most people think.

Sorry for the disorganized rant. Still in shock a little bit.

very well done, great to see when something works out for someone who put in the effort, that is just the start for you now! thanks for sharing

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JohnnyBattles

11 years ago

What section do you advertise in?

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Lulu Chil

11 years ago

Congrats on your sale. You will close many more if you keep at it.

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jimzimm 11 years ago

Congratulations. The first one is the hardest, and more will be coming shortly. Keep doing what you're doing and don't forget to get a testimonial from your client when you are done. Testimonials are gold for finding future clients.
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mojo1

11 years ago

Congrats on your first sale of many more I'm sure.

Continued success to ya!

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Sue Bruce 11 years ago

Great news,

Just one of those a week and you're in the money!

Sue
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- ClayWhite 11 years ago
  
  Great job man! If you're like me then I'm sure that sale just gave you the confidence to push even harder now.
  
  Keep it up and never let go of your dreams.
  
  Thanks
  
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ryanreynolds

11 years ago

1) How did you convince them you knew what you were doing when it was only your first site?- did you have samples, or templates that you showed them.

2) Did you meet in person to discuss or was the deal closed exclusively over the phone?

3) What section did you advertise in? I have found more luck in the computer services section than the small biz ads section. But honestly, most business has come from word of mouth and networking.

Thanks
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Jeremy Bratcher

11 years ago

Originally Posted by JohnnyBattles

What section do you advertise in?

Computer Services with lots of competition.

Originally Posted by ryanreynolds

1) How did you convince them you knew what you were doing when it was only your first site?- did you have samples, or templates that you showed them.

2) Did you meet in person to discuss or was the deal closed exclusively over the phone?

3) What section did you advertise in? I have found more luck in the computer services section than the small biz ads section. But honestly, most business has come from word of mouth and networking.

1. I was honest with them. I confidently explained my vision and plan and asked how it matched up with their thoughts. I wrote up a project summary detailing (text only) the design process of the site they wanted built.

2. I did meet them at a local coffee shop to discuss specifics and make sure we were on the same page. Also, to review and sign a contract. I would definitely recommend using a contract because it protects both parties.

3. Computer services is where this ad was posted. I go between computer services, small business ads, and resumes. Haven't found that "killer" section yet.

Thanks to everyone else that replied!

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â€œThe question isnâ€™t who is going to let me; itâ€™s who is going to stop me.â€ â€“ Ayn Rand

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bkat52

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Jeremy Bratcher

Computer Services with lots of competition.

1. I was honest with them. I confidently explained my vision and plan and asked how it matched up with their thoughts. I wrote up a project summary detailing (text only) the design process of the site they wanted built.

2. I did meet them at a local coffee shop to discuss specifics and make sure we were on the same page. Also, to review and sign a contract. I would definitely recommend using a contract because it protects both parties.

3. Computer services is where this ad was posted. I go between computer services, small business ads, and resumes. Haven't found that "killer" section yet.

Thanks to everyone else that replied!

cool, just curious, was this a small or medium size business. I know its a subjective definition of what small business is, but when I think of small business I think of a local landscaping company with say 10 or fewer employees. Or a small non-chain restaurant. Just trying to get an idea of what kind of business would be willing to fork over $2500 for a site/solution.

Thanks
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Jeremy Bratcher

11 years ago

Originally Posted by bkat52

cool, just curious, was this a small or medium size business. I know its a subjective definition of what small business is, but when I think of small business I think of a local landscaping company with say 10 or fewer employees. Or a small non-chain restaurant. Just trying to get an idea of what kind of business would be willing to fork over $2500 for a site/solution.

It was actually a start-up. Technically, a small business as of right now. He has 2 employees.

I would expect most small businesses would be in this range, maybe lower but I don't have any expereince to speak from besides what I've read on this forum.

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â€œThe question isnâ€™t who is going to let me; itâ€™s who is going to stop me.â€ â€“ Ayn Rand

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avandrunen

11 years ago

Thanks for the reply Jeremy,

You make a very valid point...no need to recreate the wheel...search craigslist for others doing what you are and copy what works...with some change ups of course.

May your hard work and follow through continue to pay off.

Have an awesome day
Adrian

Thanks
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Matt B

11 years ago

I absolutely love threads like this! Great job dude.

Craigslist is great for offline leads, but a lot of other people continue to bash it. Personally, it's my #2 lead source after cold calling.

For those that are asking, split test different ads yourselves. Try some text and some image, play with different titles and copy for each. Experiment and find out what works best for you. If you continuously tweak and split test you'll be confident that you're send the most effective message with your advertising.

Keep killin it Jeremy!

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iamrichard

11 years ago

Cant agree with you more, Matt. People keep crying about how Craiglist fail on them. The truth is that it is not dead. One of our clients just told me that they got leads from Craigslist EVERY DAY!. It is just the way how you present your ads and how you catch their attention. Testing and make your ads engaging. Make them feel if they do not call, it is their loss.

Originally Posted by Matt B

I absolutely love threads like this! Great job dude.

Craigslist is great for offline leads, but a lot of other people continue to bash it. Personally, it's my #2 lead source after cold calling.

For those that are asking, split test different ads yourselves. Try some text and some image, play with different titles and copy for each. Experiment and find out what works best for you. If you continuously tweak and split test you'll be confident that you're send the most effective message with your advertising.

Keep killin it Jeremy!

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npk

11 years ago

great job. CL DOES work, if you work it.

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KristofferIM

11 years ago

You found the clients pain points and adressed them in your ad. That WILL give results.

Awesome work and congrats.