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How to respond when a potential client wants a meeting?

by Mady1234
12 replies
Hi all,

I'm doing offline for a while now, not going too bad either. However, every now and again, there is a client that wants to meet with me. I'm out of the States, so that will be a hard one... What is the best way to overcome this?

Thanks!
#client #meeting #potential #respond
  • Profile picture of the author Robert Domino
    Originally Posted by Mady1234 View Post

    Hi all,

    I'm doing offline for a while now, not going too bad either. However, every now and again, there is a client that wants to meet with me. I'm out of the States, so that will be a hard one... What is the best way to overcome this?

    Thanks!
    What are you selling?

    I don't think you can really get away from telling them you're offering your services over the web and you can guide them through whatever on the phone/skype.

    Unless it's such a big client that flying over would be worth it, but that's doubtful.
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  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    I think the best way is the "truth".

    "I'm actually in the UK right now on business. I won't be back in the states till August. I could schedule something then or we could do a live conference call at......... say 5.. no wait you are central time 6pm on Thurs. Would that work?"
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    Aaron Doud - Sales & Success
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  • Profile picture of the author Mady1234
    I'm selling mobile sites. Actually, 90% of the time people don't ask for a meeting, they don't even ask where I'm from...lol.. I'm an expat living in Egypt, rather not tell 'em that. Fortunately, my accent is not too bad.

    Thanks Aaron, think that might work!
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  • Profile picture of the author kebertt
    Most of the time potential clients will request a meeting when they're interested in moving forward, but require a bit of a push to get past the skepticism; you are just a voice over the phone after all.

    What I've done in the past is provided value to the client when possible: a rough demo of their future website, which gets the process moving forward. This of course is assuming that you can deliver something without putting too much effort and time in, in the event that they aren't interested. With that said, once they can see that you mean business, most clients will have no problem proceeding.

    Just some food for thought - this is what really got my previous offline business rolling.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Originally Posted by Mady1234 View Post

    Hi all,

    I'm doing offline for a while now, not going too bad either. However, every now and again, there is a client that wants to meet with me. I'm out of the States, so that will be a hard one... What is the best way to overcome this?

    Thanks!
    The more you worry about this, the more it will be an issue.

    It shouldn't be an issue. If an occasional prospect doesn't like it that they can't meet you in person, so be it. Drop 'em. There are plenty of other prospects out there who won't be bothered by it at all.

    The rest will be perfectly happy to meet with you on skype or phone.

    You could state the fact that you do your meetings this way right on your website, so that everyone understands up front how you do business.
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  • Profile picture of the author RockNRolla
    I would just tell the truth. I was in Portugal for 3 weeks last summer and a potential client contacted me by email requesting a meeting on the Monday (less than a week in to my holiday). I simply replied saying I was currently in Portugal catching up with some friends, and then went about arranging a meeting fro when I returned.
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  • Profile picture of the author iamchrisgreen
    You just need to make it part of your mindset and your ideal client profile, that you only work with people that you can connect with remotely.

    I have a coach at the moment (someone from WF) that I am paying a decent amount to, but i've never met him in person, just had some very productive skype chats with him.
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    • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
      Originally Posted by iamchrisgreen View Post

      You just need to make it part of your mindset and your ideal client profile, that you only work with people that you can connect with remotely.

      I have a coach at the moment (someone from WF) that I am paying a decent amount to, but i've never met him in person, just had some very productive skype chats with him.
      If someone provides value I can't see many having an issue with this. I work with many people I have never met in person. This is just part of modern life. I think too many of us find objections for our clients that really aren't anywhere other than our own heads.

      "Stinkin Thinkin" as Zig Ziglar would call it.
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  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    Use it to your advantage. Tell them that you don't come out and meet with clients in person and that is why you are able to keep your costs down and in turn charge them less for the mobile sites. If they do want to talk to you then you could offer to speak with them by phone.
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    • Profile picture of the author RimaNaj2011
      Just tell them you're based out of XYZ so that's not an option.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mady1234
    Thanks everyone, for your comments! I suppose I shouldn't worry about it so much, I just get too clumsy when someone actually asks me for an appointment...lol.. And I might be wrong, but telling them that I'm from Egypt will probably not make the best impression....
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    • Profile picture of the author WillR
      Originally Posted by Mady1234 View Post

      Thanks everyone, for your comments! I suppose I shouldn't worry about it so much, I just get too clumsy when someone actually asks me for an appointment...lol.. And I might be wrong, but telling them that I'm from Egypt will probably not make the best impression....
      The one thing to remember in sales is CONFIDENCE.

      If they ask you a question like that and you fire straight back with an answer and are confident about that answer, they won't even question it.

      I worked in hotels for years and you learn very quickly that you don't need to know the right answer to please people... you just need to be able to answer them with confidence.
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