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Offline Gold: Do You Provide Ongoing Monthly Services for Monthly Fee?

by Nightengale
23 replies
Hi Warriors,

There was a thread a while back about what people charge offline clients for their online marketing services. I didn't see much about ongoing marketing services for ongoing monthly fees though.

Do you provide ongoing monthly services for reucrring monthly fees?

One of the first things that comes to mind is e-mail marketing/AR services. The trouble with that is writing custom e-mails or articles for a client's e-zine can quickly eat up your time and limit how much business you can take on.

Of course, if you focus on one industry, you could simply write a series of e-mails for that industry and use the content for each client without changing it, provided the clients weren't in the same geographical area. That's the only way I know of to provide e-mail marketing/AR services for your clients without limiting yourself.

So what do you do on a monthly basis which still allows you to scale YOUR online-to-offline business?

Your thoughts appreciated!

Thanks,
Michelle
#fee #gold #monthly #offline #ongoing #provide #services
  • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
    The monthly fees I charge are $97 per month which includes for the autoresponder monthly fee outside of the $500 one time fee to get started. In the upcoming workshop, I"m looking to even throw in hosting as this will naturally give them more value. It also, which is interesting, will provide more hooks with me and my business.

    Should they desire to not use my autoresponder services, it will now COST THEM MORE TO LEAVE. In other words, they are not dropping the autoresponder service but also their hosting. Definately gives you more leverage with your business while providing tremendous value.

    Right now I'm in a rural area (and know that I can charge more in most places in the country) but I'm continuing to build a foundation with my local clientele (with the autoresponder service). Once things REALLY get rolling with this (and I have about $5000 per month reoccuring which is only 50 business owners) I've got some tricks up my sleeve where people will be begging to pay me $150-$250 for this service. I'll elaborate more on this later down the road when I have time

    Hope this helps you !

    Chris Negro
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    • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
      You can charge $25 to $1,000+ a month for email marketing services.

      It's really about value.

      If you make hundreds or thousands of dollars in sales for a client every time you send out an email then it's worth it for him to pay you for that service.

      Also your thinking may be a little too rigid.

      Think about this:

      Exactly what are those emails you're sending out going to be about (especially if they're broadcast emails as many of the emails you'll be sending for brick and mortar businesses will be).

      First you need something to email about...a sale...a special offer.

      And that means there should be an overall marketing strategy...not just an email.

      If local phone calls are free are the staff telemarketing about the special offer or sale.

      If they are that means they need a script or guidelines of some sort.

      Is a physical letter going out by snail mail to past clients and prospects?

      If there is a physical sales letter then they'll need someone to write it.

      That same sales letter can be converted to a sales letter on a web page.

      They'll need someone to do that too.

      Is there going to be an upsell at point of sale...someone will need to brainstorm that and anything else the business can do to optimize the business created from this sale or offer.


      Offline Gold...the name of one of my products...was always meant to be about integrating online and offline marketing for brick and mortar businesses.

      And as a consultant you should be looking at getting multiple use for your clients from every piece of work you do.

      You can outsource many of the tasks I listed above.

      If you're adding pages to a website (even a sales letter) you can optimize those for keyword phrases to attract search engine traffic.

      You may even be able to convert some sales letters to online press releases and articles.

      And that's how you become worth every cent of a $1,000+ monthly fee.

      Or you could just write your clients an email every month.

      Kindest regards,
      Andrew Cavanagh
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      Old School Copy Like This Is BACK & Converting Like Crazy!
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    • Profile picture of the author Nightengale
      Chris,

      Do you write the autoresponders for your client? Or are you just providing the AR service and letting them write their own e-mails?

      If you write the e-mail FOR them, do you limit them to X number of e-mails each month and charge more for anything over that, or....?

      Just curious.

      Thanks,
      Michelle

      Originally Posted by chrisnegro View Post

      The monthly fees I charge are $97 per month which includes for the autoresponder monthly fee outside of the $500 one time fee to get started. In the upcoming workshop, I"m looking to even throw in hosting as this will naturally give them more value. It also, which is interesting, will provide more hooks with me and my business.

      Should they desire to not use my autoresponder services, it will now COST THEM MORE TO LEAVE. In other words, they are not dropping the autoresponder service but also their hosting. Definately gives you more leverage with your business while providing tremendous value.

      Right now I'm in a rural area (and know that I can charge more in most places in the country) but I'm continuing to build a foundation with my local clientele (with the autoresponder service). Once things REALLY get rolling with this (and I have about $5000 per month reoccuring which is only 50 business owners) I've got some tricks up my sleeve where people will be begging to pay me $150-$250 for this service. I'll elaborate more on this later down the road when I have time

      Hope this helps you !

      Chris Negro
      Signature
      "You can't market here. This is a marketing discussion forum!"
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  • Profile picture of the author Dexx
    Oh Andrew, such a way with words! haha

    But seriously, read what Andrew said...3x...and then one more time...then go back and review your current/possible clients to see how you can add more value to their profit model! (or simply reduce their current expenses to get better results)
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    • Profile picture of the author BlueStar
      Banned
      My absolute rock bottom is $997 setup plus $547 month. #3

      Next is $1,497 setup and $997 month (this is my most popular plan) #1

      $2,997 setup plus $1,497 month #2

      Then it's all customized from there. Usually 10k -20k setup plus 2k-6k month. #4

      You don't need a lot of clients to make 50k month.
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      • Profile picture of the author Nightengale
        BlueStar,

        What do you do/include for that monthly fee?

        Michelle


        Originally Posted by BlueStar View Post

        My absolute rock bottom is $997 setup plus $547 month. #3

        Next is $1,497 setup and $997 month (this is my most popular plan) #1

        $2,997 setup plus $1,497 month #2

        Then it's all customized from there. Usually 10k -20k setup plus 2k-6k month. #4

        You don't need a lot of clients to make 50k month.
        Signature
        "You can't market here. This is a marketing discussion forum!"
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        • Profile picture of the author BlueStar
          Banned
          Originally Posted by Nightengale View Post

          BlueStar,

          What do you do/include for that monthly fee?

          Michelle

          After the initial setup, not much

          Google Local listings (I dominate the locals), autoresponder program, onpage SEO, maybe some offpage, video marketing, soc bookmarking, etc... it depends upon their budget and their mindset. Some clients go full bore, others want basic marketing. I normally don't build sites or blogs, but I will if needed.

          I also include Group monthly coaching call(s) on Marketing via a teleseminar, offline and online marketing is discussed. This alone is worth the fee.

          You have to target the right prospects to get that kind of money. Mom and Pop pizza shop would maybe give me $497 setup and $97 month, no thanks.
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          • Profile picture of the author Kyle Tully
            Sure, you can setup monthly recurring charges on just about anything.

            Some of the people in my coaching program are charging $5000 per month for ongoing SEO work.

            Others are on copywriting retainers for similar amounts.

            And others still (like me) are focused on performance-based consulting work where we get a revenue share of profits generated, which in most cases is a recurring income stream.

            It all depends on the services you offer, the clients you target and how you position yourself.
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            • Profile picture of the author Nightengale
              Thanks for the info guys!

              Kyle,

              I'm already in the process of creating a membership program and know what I'll be offering for an ongoing monthly fee. I was just wondering what others are doing and what they're charging. I was just looking for more ideas, more or less.

              In fact, my monthly membership program is basically what BlueStar's is: monthly group coaching calls on marketing topics, both online and offline. I'll also be offering a variation on a monthly newsletter which they receive in the mail which is the "twist" to my membership program which will make it somewhat different than others I've seen. Because it's more or less my first membership program, I'm keeping it AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE. Less room for problems and screw-ups. I'm also very good on the phone and love to talk about marketing, my favorite topic.

              I'd charge much more for customized, done-for-you services though.

              As I design this, my main concern is integrity. There's been a lot of discussion about forced continuity, both here on the WF and elsewhere. I'm modeling one of my mentor's membership programs. She has the utmost integrity and I follow her very, very closely. Her membership program is forced continuity and she is very open about it and refunds promptly if someone requests it. (I know because I opted out at one point.)

              I've been an extremely happy customer, so I know it can be done successfully AND with integrity. So as I design my own, I want to make sure that my members feel they're getting good value for their money. Hence my question here. I was just casting about for ideas which might help me add more value to my program for my members.

              Michelle
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              "You can't market here. This is a marketing discussion forum!"
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            • Profile picture of the author BlueStar
              Banned
              Originally Posted by Kyle Tully View Post

              Sure, you can setup monthly recurring charges on just about anything.

              Some of the people in my coaching program are charging $5000 per month for ongoing SEO work.

              Others are on copywriting retainers for similar amounts.

              And others still (like me) are focused on performance-based consulting work where we get a revenue share of profits generated, which in most cases is a recurring income stream.

              It all depends on the services you offer, the clients you target and how you position yourself.
              Thank you, need to scream this from the mountaintops. Perception vs Reality.

              It's all about Positioning. Prospects call ME, I don't call them.

              I know my market and my prospects better than they do.

              I know before I talk to the prospect how much he can afford. I don't have preset prices that a client can pick and choose. I normally offer 2 options to choose from.

              I do my Homework before I do any direct mail, workshop, etc...

              Do people who shop for Mercedes go to a Ford dealer? Mercedes has positioned themselves to get customers with more money and will spend it to get that image.

              Same goes for Starbucks. Their coffee ranked #5 of 5 in a national taste test. McDonalds, Dunkin, etc.. beat them.

              Does anyone here know the #1 reason why people go to Starbucks? It's not the coffee. Take a guess and I'll get back to you.
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              • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
                Originally Posted by BlueStar View Post

                Does anyone here know the #1 reason why people go to Starbucks? It's not the coffee. Take a guess and I'll get back to you.
                Its the socio-psychological aspects of "the experience" of being sophistacated and feelings importantance. Getting into the mindset of these people....I would almost be certain this is what it is from a consumer behavioral standpoint.

                Chris Negro
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              • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
                Originally Posted by BlueStar View Post

                It's all about Positioning. Prospects call ME, I don't call them.
                Care to ellaborate how you "position yourself" where it creates an allusion of scarcity and value ...to the point where they "lucky" to get a hold of you.

                This is the MEAT AND POTATOES of offline marketing because once people lock this down.......a new dimenion will open up of HUGE MONEY. I've not perfected this yet...but I'm going in the right direction.

                Any suggestions?

                Chris Negro
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                • Profile picture of the author TimCastleman
                  Guys Positioning is Marketing 101. Seriously, how you position yourself in the market place takes you from the pulse and the paycheck clients to the ones with more zeros behind the main number.

                  You want to know how to position yourself?

                  - Write a book
                  - Give a speech
                  - Record an audio program
                  - Make them call you instead of going door to door
                  - etc.

                  It really isn't brain surgery. Oh and when talking about a value instead of cost is a way to instantly raise your fees.

                  Tim
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                • Profile picture of the author BlueStar
                  Banned
                  Originally Posted by chrisnegro View Post

                  Care to ellaborate how you "position yourself" where it creates an allusion of scarcity and value ...to the point where they "lucky" to get a hold of you.

                  This is the MEAT AND POTATOES of offline marketing because once people lock this down.......a new dimenion will open up of HUGE MONEY. I've not perfected this yet...but I'm going in the right direction.

                  Any suggestions?

                  Chris Negro
                  Chris, I am in Indianapolis for the weekend to watch the Indy 500, won't be back to the office until Tuesday.

                  When I get back I am going to provide a FR.EE WSO if that's allowed?

                  I'll share a lot of material that I use to get into the Mindset of business owners. I will also provide the process that I use to get business owners to Bite on using Metrics to get customers in the door even if they are Breaking even with the 1st sale.


                  BTW, in regards to Starbucks. I read a study that Starbucks conducted (spent $600,000 for the study) to see why people visited their shops. The #1 reason, drumroll:














                  They wanted to be Seen. People went there for the Experience. The customers of Starbucks said the coffee ranked about #6 in terms of importance. People said they wanted to be a part of something, it was considered cool to have a Starbucks cup in their hands. People said they would NEVER go into work or ride the train with a McDonalds or Dunkin Donuts coffee cup in their hand, but if you had a Starbucks cup YOU were considered cool.

                  So it was the least liked coffee (taste) of the top 5 players, yet it was the #1 choice for people who want to be seen as cool. Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, Ashton Kutcher and many other stars are always seen leaving a Starbucks. I doubt you'll ever see them with a Dunkin Donuts cup in their hand.

                  This is Marketing my friends, Genius.

                  Some of the best companies to follow for marketing tips are Starbucks and Apple. Apple is overpriced on everything, but it's so cool to have an Ipod or Macbook.
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                  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
                    I just finished reading Jay Abraham's 53 page sales letter for his new $30,000 protege' program.

                    Jay's basic model, the one he plans to teach, is to partner with selected businesses with no upfront fees. Pay is based on taking 25-50% of increased profit each month for 2-3 years. During that time, the consultant can also look for additional 'deals' such as JV opportunities. Again taking a percentage of profit for a set amount of time.

                    One thing I noticed is that Jay isn't following this model to the letter for his own program. Financing for the program is $5,000 upfront, then 15% of consulting fees until the other $25,000 is paid off.

                    The model that intrigues me is a blend of the two. I'm considering transitioning to an upfront fee plus a percentage of profit for a set amount of time.

                    I'd love to hear some of your thoughts on this...
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      • Profile picture of the author Dexx
        Originally Posted by BlueStar View Post

        My absolute rock bottom is $997 setup plus $547 month. #3

        Next is $1,497 setup and $997 month (this is my most popular plan) #1

        $2,997 setup plus $1,497 month #2

        Then it's all customized from there. Usually 10k -20k setup plus 2k-6k month. #4

        You don't need a lot of clients to make 50k month.
        Wow those are some step prices! [$1,000 a month!]

        How do you find your closing rates/% when you tell clients how much the price will be?

        I'm assuming your targeting high end niches like real estate then?
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      • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
        Originally Posted by BlueStar View Post

        My absolute rock bottom is $997 setup plus $547 month. #3

        Next is $1,497 setup and $997 month (this is my most popular plan) #1

        $2,997 setup plus $1,497 month #2

        Then it's all customized from there. Usually 10k -20k setup plus 2k-6k month. #4

        You don't need a lot of clients to make 50k month.

        I would love to charge these fees and would actually....but my market will not support this. Plus this is a small town area....with more limited budgets. Small -rural areas get more touchy and people will probably say your robbing them if they don't get results right away with the money that they would be sending with these rates.

        I know that yellow pages and radio ect...don't promise anything....but again...rural small town people are a weird bunch of ducks. This is why I know this isn't my final destination....bigger fish to fry and my sense is that my wife and I will end up in Phoenix within 3-4 years to plant and root and take this offline business to the next level.

        Chris Negro
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      • Profile picture of the author MarketingHuddle
        Originally Posted by BlueStar View Post

        My absolute rock bottom is $997 setup plus $547 month. #3

        Next is $1,497 setup and $997 month (this is my most popular plan) #1

        $2,997 setup plus $1,497 month #2

        Then it's all customized from there. Usually 10k -20k setup plus 2k-6k month. #4

        You don't need a lot of clients to make 50k month.
        What services do you offer for these set up and maintenance fees?
        Signature
        Mike Saunders, MBA
        Small Business Marketing Consultant
        www.MarketingHuddle.com
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  • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
    I definitely always have recurring monthly services - if you've ever successfully built up an online presence you probably already know that the work never ends - there's always things to be done to keep the results alive and improving.
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    nothing to see here.

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  • Profile picture of the author freudianslip27
    I totally understand the importance of targeting people who are prepared to pay 1K or more per month (hint-look to see who in your town is spending big bucks on adverising in the paper, radio, etc.).

    The problem I'm running into is with getting to the decision makers in these companies. You certainly just can't pop in and hope to catch them casually. Often times they aren't on the floor or even there.

    Any advice?

    Matt
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    WarriorForum Rules!

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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Riddle
    Chris,

    Go ahead and target the Phoenix folks now ~!

    Schedule your appointments and fly in if you have to.

    One client should be more than enough for your travel expenses.

    There is of course more steps but that is the overview.

    Mark Riddle
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    Today isn't Yesterday, - Products are everywhere if your eyes are Tuned!
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  • Profile picture of the author dh5114
    Awsome.. this is worth printing out and putting in a frame!
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    Coding RebranderPro - the viral PDF rebrander since 2009!

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  • Profile picture of the author melanied
    I have a few clients paying me between $500 and $2000 a month to manage different parts of their Social Media and SEO profiles. There was no initial setup fee because all of them already had strong web presences, they just needed tweaking and maintenance.
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    *melanie

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