Day 1 - Starting Biz Tomorrow [Am I missing anything?]

43 replies
Hello everyone,

I have been an avid reader of the offline section for a very long time and implemented many tips and tricks to someone else's business up until now.

I was working for a friends company and last week things finally came to a halt and I parted ways. Its done and over with and I am excited to start on my own now! I don't know if its weird but I got goosebumps when I finally registered my own company lol.

I am basically going to start selling websites to small businesses and thats it. Thats the start. I am not overcomplicating this anymore then that cause I know I can sell websites and deliver consistently. Its something I was doing for my friends company so I am going to stick to what I know and know I can sell.

Things done so far to startup the biz:

1. Registered company.
2. Opened a biz bank account.
3. Signed up for Square Payments.
4. Got a website up and running - Websites | Made Easy (I know its not the best and the copy could be way better but I just want to start selling.)
5. Emails accounts all setup.
6. Got a scraper software to scarpe contacts from Yellow Pages.
7. Have scraped about 10,000 contacts and divided them into 10 excel files with each containing a 1000 contacts.
8. Each file will be used over 10 days, cold calling 100 businesses per day.
9. Outsourced web design using Odesk (have a guy who designs websites for me for $100 a pop).
10. Hosting account ready for unlimited domains.
11. Will be using Name Cheap as primary source to buy domains.
12. Setup a Cashboard account for invoicing.

I think a pretty much covered everything I have done thus far. Am I missing anything?

Im quite fired up and ready to start selling. I can't wait to get a check written out to MY company's name lol. Im hitting the phone tomorrow at 9:30AM.

GOAL:
-5k profit per month within the first 3 months of operating
[Something to chase after. I know I can smash that goal out of the park but hey its just a start and really when it comes to selling, sky is the limit.
#biz #day #missing #starting #tomorrow
  • Profile picture of the author cshilling22
    The only thing that you are missing is to start calling. Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    Your site needs to be optimized for IE.
    It stretches as I navigate.

    Otherwize your plan sounds good.

    Make records of your phone calls
    so you can track prospects status
    and see patterns of what works best
    for you and niches to pursue...
    Also, in terms of dialogue you used -
    which converts best...

    Vet other web designers in case
    your guy is no good or is too busy
    for the turnaround a new client wants.
    Also, be care-ful of where you get in
    your web designer's stack of business and keep
    him on top of your clients' needs/promises you made.


    Dan
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    "If you think you're the smartest person in the room, then you're probably in the wrong room."

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  • Profile picture of the author Volux
    Looks like you have a clear-cut idea of what you're doing. Just get it started immediately. Test, tweak, and refine.
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    Need a website? Forums? PM for a quote!

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  • Profile picture of the author ferrazzo75
    Looks like you are prepared and also have the passion! Good Luck man.

    All I would add is to stay focused and even if things don't go your way at first stay persistent and you will succeed.

    Last prepare for the worst and have back up for outsourcing and other forms of getting clients other then cold calling.
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    "Do today what others won't and accomplish tommorow what others can't."
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  • Profile picture of the author kellyyarnsbro
    The game plan you've set is nice. Stick to that plan and everything else will follow as to your goal.
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  • Profile picture of the author digichik
    You may want to look at taking checks by phone(electronic checks). There have many posts here about taking checks, to avoid chargebacks from clients who pay by credit card and want to take advantage of you. It's sad, but it does happen, better to be prepared.

    If you do want to take credit card payments you may want to be sure to have a refund policy posted. If a client does try to do a chargeback, this may protect you. Having a refund policy posted has protected me in a couple of cases. It's not full proof, but it's better than not having one.

    Keep your lists, even after going through them. Many of the people you talk to will tell you "No" one day, you'll call them again a few weeks later, like you've never called them before, and they will be interested. You can usually go through a list, repeatedly, at least 3 times and pull additional clients from it.
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  • Profile picture of the author leemajors
    Hey Bro.
    I don't know you but just thought I'd see what you were all about.. I just wanted to post this part of your Intro, or Contact info.. It's a bit confusing.. I just cut/pasted it.. I'm just trying to help you out.. Read through every page and make sure it flows.

    Good luck Man,

    Appreciate you stopping by and checking out what I have to say. No? get this straight, unlike most bloggers, who get email and never respond to them, I read every? floods my inbox to respond to about 99% of them (remaining 1% - is spam lol).
    But hand? on for a sec, before you email me, here are a couple of pointers:


    Originally Posted by Osman_M View Post

    Hello everyone,

    I have been an avid reader of the offline section for a very long time and implemented many tips and tricks to someone else's business up until now.

    I was working for a friends company and last week things finally came to a halt and I parted ways. Its done and over with and I am excited to start on my own now! I don't know if its weird but I got goosebumps when I finally registered my own company lol.

    I am basically going to start selling websites to small businesses and thats it. Thats the start. I am not overcomplicating this anymore then that cause I know I can sell websites and deliver consistently. Its something I was doing for my friends company so I am going to stick to what I know and know I can sell.

    Things done so far to startup the biz:

    1. Registered company.
    2. Opened a biz bank account.
    3. Signed up for Square Payments.
    4. Got a website up and running - Websites | Made Easy (I know its not the best and the copy could be way better but I just want to start selling.)
    5. Emails accounts all setup.
    6. Got a scraper software to scarpe contacts from Yellow Pages.
    7. Have scraped about 10,000 contacts and divided them into 10 excel files with each containing a 1000 contacts.
    8. Each file will be used over 10 days, cold calling 100 businesses per day.
    9. Outsourced web design using Odesk (have a guy who designs websites for me for $100 a pop).
    10. Hosting account ready for unlimited domains.
    11. Will be using Name Cheap as primary source to buy domains.
    12. Setup a Cashboard account for invoicing.

    I think a pretty much covered everything I have done thus far. Am I missing anything?

    Im quite fired up and ready to start selling. I can't wait to get a check written out to MY company's name lol. Im hitting the phone tomorrow at 9:30AM.

    GOAL:
    -5k profit per month within the first 3 months of operating
    [Something to chase after. I know I can smash that goal out of the park but hey its just a start and really when it comes to selling, sky is the limit.
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  • Profile picture of the author DaniMc
    Bring your contact info higher on your site with a call to action.

    Line up a few more designers. On Odesk, for $100, your quality is going to be very low (just a prediction).

    Forget about low prices. Sell at a higher price point so you can hire a better developer. You will avoid headaches this way.

    People say you should under-promise and over-deliver. I think that is terrible advice. Over-promise, sell the moon, get an appropriate payment, and then over-deliver on THOSE promises.

    If you take that attitude, you will charge correctly and have very happy clients.
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    • Profile picture of the author bob ross
      Originally Posted by Dan McCoy View Post


      People say you should under-promise and over-deliver. I think that is terrible advice. Over-promise, sell the moon, get an appropriate payment, and then over-deliver on THOSE promises.

      If you take that attitude, you will charge correctly and have very happy clients.
      100% agree with this!
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  • Profile picture of the author jgant
    I like your site.

    By all means start cold calling, but why not choose an industry and start a marketing blog for that industry and attract leads that way? In time, you would have a list of businesses interested in your marketing. You could sell additional services and additional websites to them.

    Think of the long term so you aren't dependent on cold calling for years.

    Do you offer other solutions such as content/SEO? If you don't, you might want to find some partners to work with so when prospects ask about rankings and content you have a solution for them. Most small business owners don't want to write content for a site ... they want it done for them. They also expect their site to rank in the search engines.
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    How I hit $10,000+ per month very fast w/ 1 niche blog - Click Here to learn more (no opt-in).
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  • Profile picture of the author RedShifted
    I can definitely say I'm pumped for you.

    Because most importantly, you haven't really wrote a list of goals. You have wrote a list of things you ALREADY accomplished. And that speaks volumes about where your head is at and how well you will actually perform with this business.

    Although many of these first steps probably seemed easy to you, please keep in mind that many people dream about taking these first steps their entire lives, w/out doing a thing.

    So if you want my honest feedback, you've already succeeded.

    You are focused.
    You have a clear goal.
    You can taste the money.
    Your actions have proven this.

    And you will get that money. I have no doubt about that.

    When I was doing web design my goal was 4k a month, and I was able to reach it after month #2. So your goal seems perfectly clear and reasonable to me.

    Nothing left to do but marketing and sales, which is the fun part!

    =]

    Good luck - Red
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  • Profile picture of the author max5ty
    Originally Posted by Osman_M View Post

    Hello everyone,

    I have been an avid reader of the offline section for a very long time and implemented many tips and tricks to someone else's business up until now.

    I was working for a friends company and last week things finally came to a halt and I parted ways. Its done and over with and I am excited to start on my own now! I don't know if its weird but I got goosebumps when I finally registered my own company lol.

    I am basically going to start selling websites to small businesses and thats it. Thats the start. I am not overcomplicating this anymore then that cause I know I can sell websites and deliver consistently. Its something I was doing for my friends company so I am going to stick to what I know and know I can sell.

    Things done so far to startup the biz:

    1. Registered company.
    2. Opened a biz bank account.
    3. Signed up for Square Payments.
    4. Got a website up and running - Websites | Made Easy (I know its not the best and the copy could be way better but I just want to start selling.)
    5. Emails accounts all setup.
    6. Got a scraper software to scarpe contacts from Yellow Pages.
    7. Have scraped about 10,000 contacts and divided them into 10 excel files with each containing a 1000 contacts.
    8. Each file will be used over 10 days, cold calling 100 businesses per day.
    9. Outsourced web design using Odesk (have a guy who designs websites for me for $100 a pop).
    10. Hosting account ready for unlimited domains.
    11. Will be using Name Cheap as primary source to buy domains.
    12. Setup a Cashboard account for invoicing.

    I think a pretty much covered everything I have done thus far. Am I missing anything?

    Im quite fired up and ready to start selling. I can't wait to get a check written out to MY company's name lol. Im hitting the phone tomorrow at 9:30AM.

    GOAL:
    -5k profit per month within the first 3 months of operating
    [Something to chase after. I know I can smash that goal out of the park but hey its just a start and really when it comes to selling, sky is the limit.
    It's good you're actually going to do something...that's always the hardest part for most. I'm quite sure after a couple weeks you'll have an education about dealing with businesses you never thought you could have. You'll tweak a couple things and only get better.

    I'm not going to argue with your statistic that 72% don't have a website because I'm not a web developer.

    I do know this though...a lot of companies already have a website. The problem they have is they had their site built a few years ago and it's way outdated.

    I would suggest you keep open the possibility to redo older sites. I think there's a huge market out there.

    A lot of those you call may tell you they have a site, but if you dig deeper you'll find out their site is useless. They can't update it on their own and the whole thing looks like something from the 90's.

    Just a thought.
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  • Profile picture of the author markethealth02
    Personally I hate cold calling - have you tried direct mail?
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    • Profile picture of the author sodomojo
      How did your first day go?
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  • Profile picture of the author Osman_M
    Wow! Thanks guys for the encouragement. Didn't realize so many posts came up under this thread.

    Just to pin down somethings mentioned here:

    1. I am only going to design or re-design websites. Thats what I want "I Want A Website.net" brand to do and thats it. I don't confuse things. I believe that if I keep it simple the more easier it will be to scale it up. I pick a niche, focus on it, master it and use the brand to my advantage. If I want to branch out into SEO and etc, I'll create another business system and launch that service. Thats just me lol.

    I think with this process I have setup cold call >> setup appointment >> close >> design >> deliver >> customer service... I can automate the process and eventually hand it off to other people.

    2. Why cold call? Lol its just the fastest to generate business. There might be more efficient ways but cold calling is the fastest.

    Day 1 : This past friday.

    dials - 100
    people talked to - 44
    DM's talked to - 19
    Hot leads - 6
    Appointments set - 2

    Weekend is over, Day 2 tomorrow! I am going to have a check in hand this week.
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    • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
      Originally Posted by Osman_M View Post

      Day 1 : This past friday.

      dials - 100
      people talked to - 44
      DM's talked to - 19
      Hot leads - 6
      Appointments set - 2

      Weekend is over, Day 2 tomorrow! I am going to have a check in hand this week.
      Great job putting it into action. Keep it up. Remember it takes 21 days to make a habit.
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      • Profile picture of the author noneya
        This is truly fantastic. I'm excited by your focus and your goals. I will be watching this thread closely and know you will be a smashing success.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tracy411
    Way to go! As others here have said, you are starting off well in that you have a definitive focus, have laid the preliminary foundation and are actually getting to generating leads. Extra kudos to you for cold calling. If you've read for anytime here, you know that that is something most people complain about, but never do. In fact, they avoid it like the plague. If you can do all this, all there is to do is to keep going. This process will present many lessons that will help you grow your business

    All the best to you,

    Tracy
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  • Profile picture of the author Eddie Spangler
    Just curious about how you classify what a "hot lead" is
    What are they saying short of "lets meet" that makes
    you consider them hot.

    Have a great week.
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    Promise Big.
    Deliver Bigger.
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  • Profile picture of the author Volux
    Really interested in knowing your progress!
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    Need a website? Forums? PM for a quote!

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  • Profile picture of the author PanteraIM
    You have all the fundamentals laid down, great work.

    Next I would create a marketing plan, and set yourself some business objectives. Having a plan to call 100 business is a good start, but focus on your goals and not business activity.

    What I found useful in setting up my business was to use the GOSPA model of strategic management. GOSPA stands for:

    Goals: The end result, how much MONEY are you going to make?

    Objectives: List how many objectives (sales), do you need to make to make to hit your goal

    Strategies: How are you going to make those sales? How are you going to pitch them? How will you show value? What selling tactics will you use?

    Plans: Write down everything you need to do based on priority, this is where you'll form a list of things to do to fulfil the strategies to hit the sales to achieve your revenue target.

    Actions: Write down what you are going to do on your list of plans and prioritise them based on value and urgency and then focus on doing these activities day by day to fulfil your plans

    Out of those 100 dials you will set yourself a goal of setting x amount of appointments which lead to x amount of presentations getting x amount of sales.

    Then every morning I would write down your sales goals for that day. Remember your unconscious mind will deliver whatever results you program into it, and goals are what is going to fuel your furnace of achievement.

    'I have made 3 sales by 5:30 today.'

    'I have made $4,000 in sales by the end of this week.'

    'I have made 5 qualified appointments by 2:30pm tomorrow.'

    Once you get your business off the ground I would then keep raising your goals higher and higher. Make goals that excite you, because pretty soon 5 or 6 sales a week isn't going to motivate you to take action. Think big!

    'I make $200,000 per year by 01/03/2014'

    'I have made $10,000 in sales by end of this week.'

    The only thing which may hold you back is your belief that it's possible. At the start these goals may seem huge, but the more you write down your goals, review them and think about them, the more your unconscious faculty will unlock your dormant potential. I cannot stress how important this is!

    Then eliminate any distractions and prioritise your prospecting above anything else. 8am to 6pm should be regarded as your holy time, do anything else you need to do after and before these times and focus on business generation.

    Good luck and god speed,

    Pantera
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  • Profile picture of the author tollybear
    i personally think your website is awful, fix it

    I love your plan though. Good luck!
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    • Profile picture of the author non
      Originally Posted by tollybear View Post

      i personally think your website is awful, fix it

      I love your plan though. Good luck!
      what's wrong with the website?
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      • Profile picture of the author Entrecon
        Originally Posted by non View Post

        what's wrong with the website?
        1. One long scrolling page broken up by big images, not friendly
        2. Opening text shows most companies don't have a website and that isn't followed up with a why you need one. If over 75% don't have one, why do I need one?
        3. I don't know what all of those white/grey bars are under process represent
        4. "Our Expertise Cannot Be Challenged". Really? Where is the proof? Where is your portfolio? Where are testimonies from previous clients?
        5. There is no "meat" to the website. Just a bunch of fluff.

        For some businesses, this might work. But if I am looking at someone that is going to be building a website for me, I want to say "Wow!" when I go to their website. If you are selling websites, you really should be showcasing your work and what you will provide. Seventy-two hours to build a website? Sure, if you are going to crank out a 1 page sheet like the one you have.
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  • Profile picture of the author Radegast83
    I like your enthusiasm Osman, that is half the battle :-)

    Personally I think there is a room for a big improvement as far as your website is concerned.

    Don't forget, you will have only one chance to make the right first impression ;o

    Having said all that I like your determination and drive, I'm sure you will be fine and do well
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  • Profile picture of the author Osman_M
    LOL, I'm loving the website critic. Thanks guys. Once I get sometime I'll be sure to work on a better site or better yet outsource to you experts.

    At the moment, I'm too busy handling my clients. I closed off 4 deals this past week.

    Client 1 - redesign - $900
    Client 2 - new site - $800
    Client 3 - new site - $1250
    Client 4 - redesign - $1500

    My cost has been $400 so I made a decent profit of $4050 in the first week. For the people who pointed out concerns about getting a website made for $100 and it not being quality....trust me I have been working with the developer for over a year now and have established an amazing relationship. I have been giving him consistent work for the last year and he gives me nothing but quality.

    I appreciate the support you guys are giving me and the other members through PM's. Its amazing to come back and see this thread with amazing posts.

    For the people who are always hung over on the little details and everything needing to be perfect, my advice: follow people who have succeed and just copy there ways. People like John, Jason and Bob Ross. These guys and many more already have won and they clearly show you how they did it Lol. It can't get easier then that.

    There are tons who can make sites, make logos, design everything and anything and do all the WORK that needs to get done..... But there are very few who can sell. Learn how to sell or else you'll be out of business pretty quick.

    Tomorrow is another day and hopefully another dollar. Happy weekend.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jeremy Lacer
      Originally Posted by Osman_M View Post

      LOL, I'm loving the website critic. Thanks guys. Once I get sometime I'll be sure to work on a better site or better yet outsource to you experts.

      At the moment, I'm too busy handling my clients. I closed off 4 deals this past week.

      Client 1 - redesign - $900
      Client 2 - new site - $800
      Client 3 - new site - $1250
      Client 4 - redesign - $1500

      My cost has been $400 so I made a decent profit of $4050 in the first week. For the people who pointed out concerns about getting a website made for $100 and it not being quality....trust me I have been working with the developer for over a year now and have established an amazing relationship. I have been giving him consistent work for the last year and he gives me nothing but quality.

      I appreciate the support you guys are giving me and the other members through PM's. Its amazing to come back and see this thread with amazing posts.

      For the people who are always hung over on the little details and everything needing to be perfect, my advice: follow people who have succeed and just copy there ways. People like John, Jason and Bob Ross. These guys and many more already have won and they clearly show you how they did it Lol. It can't get easier then that.

      There are tons who can make sites, make logos, design everything and anything and do all the WORK that needs to get done..... But there are very few who can sell. Learn how to sell or else you'll be out of business pretty quick.

      Tomorrow is another day and hopefully another dollar. Happy weekend.
      Great thread!

      Is your developer creating the websites in Wordpress or does he creates them by himself? And if he uses Wordpress, does he uses paid or free themes?

      Thanks.
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      • Profile picture of the author Osman_M
        Originally Posted by Jeremy Lacer View Post

        Great thread!

        Is your developer creating the websites in Wordpress or does he creates them by himself? And if he uses Wordpress, does he uses paid or free themes?

        Thanks.
        Good question!

        All websites are being created in wordpress. Once the developer finishes putting the site together, I put some copy together and then the site gets moved onto the domain name the client wants.

        At that point, login credentials are provided to the client so they can take over the site.

        The developer mainly customizes the default wordpress theme to my and the clients liking. He changes around certain design elements, and color elements to make it unique for each client.
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  • Profile picture of the author Newrichgraphics
    Osman,

    Congratulations on your success! I really wish you the best! You deserve it!

    I have a question for you. Does your sales process involve meeting in person with the client after talking on the phone? Or do you do everything by phone?
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  • Profile picture of the author Osman_M
    I had been getting a lot of PM's for an update so rather just replying to each and everyone I'll post it up in the thread.

    UPDATE:

    Making money is easy lol, you just have to be willing to commit and do it. What a cliche statement lol.

    I have been making consistent $6k profit since I started every month. Albeit it hasn't been that long but I'm only still selling, web design, re-design and mobile site design services. Im outsourcing all development.

    My prospecting method hasn't changed much, still cold calling but only 50 businesses a day now. I have also dived into LinkedIn and bunch of other prospecting methods just to test but cold calling is still number one. That is one thing that has not changed. Its a ritual for me 5 days a week to call 50 businesses a day. Plain and simple it helps me meet my goals and gets the job done.

    I'm averaging about 3-5 new clients per month and that's all I'm needing to make 6k profit. I have let go of smaller projects even though it would increase revenue and profit but too much stress will be the cost. At minimum a project must avail me $1k profit and then I will take it on.

    Other then that, some people might be surprised but I set my own timetable. Since I started, I'm only working 3 weeks a month and taking the last week off in every month. I'm using some free time to try different niche businesses. Needless to say, I have accomplished a process of prospecting, closing, and outsourcing the work.

    My next move, is to tackle 10k month profit. Which in my estimation will require me to work the last week of every month as well and I'm just not about to give that family time up yet lol. So, I'm going to tackle another business aspect is hiring a sales person.

    All in all, I'm content with what I have achieved thus far and now its time to up the game.

    Sorry for the long read guys but hopefully it will be helpful to some people.

    There are a bunch of tools I'm using to automate a lot of tedious business related tasks and if you guys would like to know more about those then let me know.

    That's all for now. :-)

    Cheers.
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    • Profile picture of the author hometutor
      Is it just me or is everything gray scale on your website? Colors and pictures attract.

      Rick
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    • Profile picture of the author The IM Factory
      Originally Posted by Osman_M View Post

      I had been getting a lot of PM's for an update so rather just replying to each and everyone I'll post it up in the thread.

      UPDATE:

      Making money is easy lol, you just have to be willing to commit and do it. What a cliche statement lol.

      I have been making consistent $6k profit since I started every month. Albeit it hasn't been that long but I'm only still selling, web design, re-design and mobile site design services. Im outsourcing all development.

      My prospecting method hasn't changed much, still cold calling but only 50 businesses a day now. I have also dived into LinkedIn and bunch of other prospecting methods just to test but cold calling is still number one. That is one thing that has not changed. Its a ritual for me 5 days a week to call 50 businesses a day. Plain and simple it helps me meet my goals and gets the job done.

      I'm averaging about 3-5 new clients per month and that's all I'm needing to make 6k profit. I have let go of smaller projects even though it would increase revenue and profit but too much stress will be the cost. At minimum a project must avail me $1k profit and then I will take it on.

      Other then that, some people might be surprised but I set my own timetable. Since I started, I'm only working 3 weeks a month and taking the last week off in every month. I'm using some free time to try different niche businesses. Needless to say, I have accomplished a process of prospecting, closing, and outsourcing the work.

      My next move, is to tackle 10k month profit. Which in my estimation will require me to work the last week of every month as well and I'm just not about to give that family time up yet lol. So, I'm going to tackle another business aspect is hiring a sales person.

      All in all, I'm content with what I have achieved thus far and now its time to up the game.

      Sorry for the long read guys but hopefully it will be helpful to some people.

      There are a bunch of tools I'm using to automate a lot of tedious business related tasks and if you guys would like to know more about those then let me know.

      That's all for now. :-)

      Cheers.
      I LOVE these type of posts, when someone documents their venture here from day 1 and then come back a few months later to update. Great job and I hope things keep going well for you! Please make sure to keep us in the loop on how things are going.
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  • Profile picture of the author Osman_M
    LOL, its funny you mention that because the time I started this thread back in March, that was brought up by so many people...that the website sucks, no lead capture form and etc.

    And for sure, most people are correct that the website is dull. Its getting a new design as we speak. But really honestly speaking, focus on goals, results and I sincerely believe that will get a person further down the line then a fancy website.

    However, as an education point I would like to mention this that in the little experience I have had thus far....not one client, not even a single one asked about my website, whether I knew html, wordpress, joomla or whether I have an office, where am I located or anything of that sort. Not to say all these things are not important but in the same token, these things should not hold anyone back.

    It just goes to show, as long as a person provides solution for the business owners, business owners will be happy.
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    • Profile picture of the author payoman
      Originally Posted by Osman_M View Post

      LOL, its funny you mention that because the time I started this thread back in March, that was brought up by so many people...that the website sucks, no lead capture form and etc.

      And for sure, most people are correct that the website is dull. Its getting a new design as we speak. But really honestly speaking, focus on goals, results and I sincerely believe that will get a person further down the line then a fancy website.

      However, as an education point I would like to mention this that in the little experience I have had thus far....not one client, not even a single one asked about my website, whether I knew html, wordpress, joomla or whether I have an office, where am I located or anything of that sort. Not to say all these things are not important but in the same token, these things should not hold anyone back.

      It just goes to show, as long as a person provides solution for the business owners, business owners will be happy.
      I have a couple of questions since we are doing virtually exactly the same thing :

      1. How many of your clients are 'local', as in, they could come meet you in person for an appointment with less than 30 minutes driving time? Any difficulty in obtaining 'out of town' clients? I think it's an Australian thing, but everyone here is super-wary if you're not 'local'.

      2. Have you got a portfolio yet that you would be willing to share?

      3. Have you had any troubles with your web design provider? This was one of my biggest issues (and still is to some degree).

      4. Do you do eCommerce and handle everything involved with clients for that?

      5. How do you accept payment? What are your terms? Do you outline a specific timeframe the client must submit their photos/website copy? If so, how do you reinforce this? What about contracts? (I'm having trouble with clients paying a deposit then virtually disappearing and never delivering the content I need to complete their site)

      6. Finally, how do you get your 'prospecting list' organised? Do you buy lists? Do you use a scraper? Or outsource list creation?

      Looking forward to your answers, thanks and great job
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      • Profile picture of the author Osman_M
        I have all the answers below in bold. Hope that helps.


        Originally Posted by payoman View Post

        I have a couple of questions since we are doing virtually exactly the same thing :

        1. How many of your clients are 'local', as in, they could come meet you in person for an appointment with less than 30 minutes driving time? Any difficulty in obtaining 'out of town' clients? I think it's an Australian thing, but everyone here is super-wary if you're not 'local'.

        I live in the greater Toronto area. There are about 6 major cities that are within a 100km radius. I have not even touched the main city of Toronto, just 3 cities that surround it and I have been making plenty of money. I have not had any 'out of town' clients per se out of the greater Toronto Area. However, I don't think it would be a problem in obtaining 'out of town' clients because a lot of leads I have gotten through LinkedIn, have been all through email communication.

        2. Have you got a portfolio yet that you would be willing to share?

        I have plenty, the new website design will have a portfolio on it and I'll share the link then.

        3. Have you had any troubles with your web design provider? This was one of my biggest issues (and still is to some degree).

        I have 3 developers overseas now. I had only one when I began but needed to hire more on a contract bases. I have probably sifted through about 25 developers all together to get these 3 I am working with now. I now its difficult to find good people especially ones that share similar creative design aspects and also communication abilities. All I can say is to go through a lot of them to find the good ones.

        4. Do you do eCommerce and handle everything involved with clients for that?

        I have only built one eCommerce site till date. We imported all the products for his site, implemented paypal for payment processing and that was it. We had an agreement that once we added the initial set of 250 products, the client would add any new products or edit previous ones on there own.

        5. How do you accept payment? What are your terms? Do you outline a specific timeframe the client must submit their photos/website copy? If so, how do you reinforce this? What about contracts? (I'm having trouble with clients paying a deposit then virtually disappearing and never delivering the content I need to complete their site)

        I accept payment through cheques or Sqaure payments (linked directly with my bank account. I am using Freshbooks for accounting, invoicing and client management. Amazing piece of tool. The reports it generates for you are very helpful and give tons of insights into the finances of your operation.

        I collect any data, media or content right in the meeting when the contract gets signed and the initial deposit is made. I have not had any problems in that aspect thus far. I estimate that when I go after 'out of town' clients it might pose a little problem.

        Now about contracts and clients disappearing after first deposit....you really have to gauge in your sales process if the client has the potential of doing just that. I don't know what specific things you look for but sometimes you know yourself when prospecting, that there might be some clients that agree to work with you but only after hard selling on your part. You would have a certain sense of doubt in your mind about that client because there communication might not be the best and etc. I have had one client take off after paying the initial deposit but even then I made profit lol .


        6. Finally, how do you get your 'prospecting list' organised? Do you buy lists? Do you use a scraper? Or outsource list creation?

        For cold calling, its simple. I have scraped Yellow pages for all the 3 cities I am targeting in various service based niches that don't have a website listed. Everything is in an excel file with each sheet containing 50 dials to make. I also employee another approach with Manta where I collect high end service based businesses manually, that don't have a website, and send a registered piece of mail to the owner directly.

        Looking forward to your answers, thanks and great job
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        • Profile picture of the author payoman
          Thanks for the reply Ozman, just a couple more questions that spring up from your reply :

          1. How did you organise the contracts (through a lawyer?) and any chance you could share them via PM?

          2. When you say clients have all the media with them on signing the contract, are you saying every single client you get physically comes to your office and meets you? And they actually have all the content ready from day 1?

          I ask because many clients of mine have no photo's and the main reason I have to wait on them is because they say 'I'm still organizing photo's'.

          3. Do you bill clients upfront for the full amount? Or use a 50% deposit system still? I'm thinking of doing what Iamnameless does and demand full payment upfront, and if they decline, 50% but with a hard deadline and the project is cancelled if the deadline isn't met and deposit is forfeited (or something like that).

          That kind of kills two birds with one stone, the content delivery problems and potentially late paying clients.
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          • Profile picture of the author Osman_M
            Answers in bold below.

            Originally Posted by payoman View Post

            Thanks for the reply Ozman, just a couple more questions that spring up from your reply :

            1. How did you organise the contracts (through a lawyer?) and any chance you could share them via PM?

            Its nothing fancy. The template invoices that Freshbooks has, I just used one of those and added 6-7 bullet points under terms and condition and also added another page for signatures.


            2. When you say clients have all the media with them on signing the contract, are you saying every single client you get physically comes to your office and meets you? And they actually have all the content ready from day 1?

            I ask because many clients of mine have no photo's and the main reason I have to wait on them is because they say 'I'm still organizing photo's'.

            I don't have an office and none of the clients have ever asked. I always meet them in there business location. For the content, I have a set of simple 8-10 questions depending on there business that I get them to answer, thats all I need to generate content. Same goes for media, I have my laptop and I grab whatever they have right there and then. I also use stock images for some clients in case needed.

            3. Do you bill clients upfront for the full amount? Or use a 50% deposit system still? I'm thinking of doing what Iamnameless does and demand full payment upfront, and if they decline, 50% but with a hard deadline and the project is cancelled if the deadline isn't met and deposit is forfeited (or something like that).

            I take 75% upfront now. I started off with 50% and slowly worked my way to asking 75% now. Soon enough I will also be taking 100% upfront. I don't really see it as a big deal. Just ask, don't make it too complicated. Concentrate on your qualifying process and the payment terms you demand will be a breeze.

            That kind of kills two birds with one stone, the content delivery problems and potentially late paying clients.
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    • Profile picture of the author DaniMc
      Originally Posted by Osman_M View Post

      However, as an education point I would like to mention this that in the little experience I have had thus far....not one client, not even a single one asked about my website, whether I knew html, wordpress, joomla or whether I have an office, where am I located or anything of that sort. Not to say all these things are not important but in the same token, these things should not hold anyone back.
      Take notice of this. If you are perpetually fiddling around with your website and business name and business cards and logos and brochures and research etc. etc. etc....you can just stop worrying about it.

      Start selling. You can make money without all that stuff. I also have never had even one person mention my website which is not very well designed, the links don't work, and there in no real info there.
      Signature
      Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
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  • Profile picture of the author Writerdave
    You are pretty much set for business. Remember to include God in your plans. Pray and work hard everyday and your first cheque is not so far away
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  • Profile picture of the author payoman
    Thanks for the replies Osman, loving it!

    Another question, regarding Freshbooks (since I use it), did you say there was a contract template where clients can sign? Do you use the Right Signature addon, or something else?
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  • Profile picture of the author charleskay
    nice plan! And I would like to know how far you've gone with profit making so far
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  • Profile picture of the author Mikaedi88
    What an inspiration for success.

    With a clear focus you'll do well in this enterprise, like your site, design and colour scheme is catchy.

    Mikaedi88
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  • Profile picture of the author KnightOnboard
    Congrats Osman_M:
    I am glad to see someone planning and achieving their dreams.
    Very specific and concrete goals making easier to be accountable to your promises.
    Thanks to PanteraIM....I like your GOSPA model of strategic management. It was the theory of Osman_M´s first draft.
    Thank you guys...
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