Is there market for student local IM services?

5 replies
Hello,
I am a student and I want to make some money with online and offline marketing for local small businesses.
I have experience online: ppc, local SEO, webdesign, Wordpress etc., offline: flyers, local ads.

Do you think there is a market for students offering these services?

The problem is I have no reputation , no connections, no testimonials or referrals. How can I start from scratch?

Should I walk in and offer them to help expand their business based on commission first? I could do some small free or cheap service for them and visit them next week, ask if they have seen results and if they want more.

But many small biz owners think it will not work.
How can I educate them, print out some good helpful report about IM, which will make them want it? But they have no time and no staff to implement it, so I would offer them my services.
thanks
#local #market #services #student
  • Profile picture of the author gange10
    What I would do is offer your services for free and base them on results.

    So just be honest write what you have above then say I will do for free and pay based on results.

    David
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    The way you start from scratch is by finding your first client. Once found, you do an outstanding job.

    You may not be able to charge cash for your first jobs. You "charge" by getting permission to use the business as a case study for your methods.

    So how do you find that first client?

    > Use your personal network - friends, family, businesses that you already do business with, etc. All you want is a referral and either an introduction or permission to name drop.

    > Can you go through your school?

    > Can you go to school boosters? Who advertises in the school paper, sports programs (the printed kind sold at events)? Maybe an alumni association?

    Get the first one, do an outstanding job, and ask for referrals and/or a testimonial.

    Success breeds success. I wish you luck...

    One more thing, you may want to hang out in the offline online section of the forum. The subforum is dedicated to exactly what you want to do, and there are some very smart people there.
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  • Profile picture of the author KeenR
    Put together a package as to what you offer and how much it cost (like a brochure). You should also have a website (since you are an internet marketer). Find a couple of people to allow you to prove your service for free. Once you have a portfolio of service you have performed, it will be easier to sell yourself. You will have to make some cold calls. Basically, you will have to sell yourself.
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