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Getting into selling Web Design and Cold Calling

by sooWoo
13 replies
This is something I wanted to do for a long time since I'm in a financial slump right now and this could help me a lot. I've been lurking this section for a while now and I've learn a lot. All I have is a phone that I have access to all day. My problem is trying to find clients. I don't have any money atm so I can't invest in a list, would something like Yellow Pages work for something applicable to someone like me?
#calling #cold #design #selling #web
  • Profile picture of the author JakeM1
    I'd personally try meeting people in person first.

    If someone has got a company listing in the yellow pages, I'd imagine they're probably more likely to have a website.

    Try asking in small shops as they quite often don't have a website.

    Another idea would be to find people studying/learning an art/craft and offering your services to them (painting classes, musicians etc.). When I was in a band recently, we were one of the only ones with a website and it seemed to help us massively. When trying to get gigs, some really big bands were using hotmail addresses and our email address and web page made us seem a lot bigger than we were.

    Also, use free ads when you can - Craigslist, Gumtree (if you're in the UK?), maybe even an advert in a local shop window.
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    • Profile picture of the author sooWoo
      Originally Posted by JakeM1 View Post

      I'd personally try meeting people in person first.

      If someone has got a company listing in the yellow pages, I'd imagine they're probably more likely to have a website.

      Try asking in small shops as they quite often don't have a website.

      Another idea would be to find people studying/learning an art/craft and offering your services to them (painting classes, musicians etc.). When I was in a band recently, we were one of the only ones with a website and it seemed to help us massively. When trying to get gigs, some really big bands were using hotmail addresses and our email address and web page made us seem a lot bigger than we were.

      Also, use free ads when you can - Craigslist, Gumtree (if you're in the UK?), maybe even an advert in a local shop window.
      I'm trying to avoid meeting people in person because I have no means of transportation right now. Even if I did, any type of business around my area is too far away for my liking.
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  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    So you've been wanting to do this for a while and now that you're in a financial slump you want to give it a go. Do you even know how to design websites?

    Good luck
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  • Profile picture of the author origin
    Start by building websites for friends and family. Start networking through them, let them know you are looking for clients and if they know anyone that needs a website they must let you know.
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  • Profile picture of the author gruss
    In 1996 I walked down every street in a local business district and knocked on EVERY door. I put 160 business on the internet in a small way, in the first 6 months, before a flood of larger web projects took that business in a very different direction.

    Things have changed and you need to be a little smarter when visiting businesses these days, because everyone is selling websites, but the method does still work and I've done the same thing every time I've needed money in a hurry in past years.

    Earlier this year I created a video explaining the method I've most recently used to find new web development customers on any business day. I made is specifically for people asking the question you are asking (How do I find new business today?).

    You can see the video on YouTube
    It is free and I won't even send you to an opt in page.

    Recovery Mode Basic Training - YouTube

    In hindsight the video is a bit long, but it is thorough.

    Hope you find something sensible in what I am saying in the video.

    BTW: If you want the resources mentioned at the end of the video, they can be downloaded at the following addresses.

    Action sheet
    http://homebusinesslearner.com/wp-co...tion-Sheet.pdf

    Work sheet
    http://homebusinesslearner.com/wp-co...Work-Sheet.pdf
    Signature
    HomeBusinessLearner.com
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    • Profile picture of the author sooWoo
      Originally Posted by gruss View Post

      In 1996 I walked down every street in a local business district and knocked on EVERY door. I put 160 business on the internet in a small way, in the first 6 months, before a flood of larger web projects took that business in a very different direction.

      Things have changed and you need to be a little smarter when visiting businesses these days, because everyone is selling websites, but the method does still work and I've done the same thing every time I've needed money in a hurry in past years.

      Earlier this year I created a video explaining the method I've most recently used to find new web development customers on any business day. I made is specifically for people asking the question you are asking (How do I find new business today?).

      You can see the video on YouTube
      It is free and I won't even send you to an opt in page.

      Recovery Mode Basic Training - YouTube

      In hindsight the video is a bit long, but it is thorough.

      Hope you find something sensible in what I am saying in the video.

      BTW: If you want the resources mentioned at the end of the video, they can be downloaded at the following addresses.

      Action sheet
      http://homebusinesslearner.com/wp-co...tion-Sheet.pdf

      Work sheet
      http://homebusinesslearner.com/wp-co...Work-Sheet.pdf
      Thank you for this information. I really appreciate it and will look through it later.
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    • Profile picture of the author joshril
      Originally Posted by gruss View Post

      In 1996 I walked down every street in a local business district and knocked on EVERY door. I put 160 business on the internet in a small way, in the first 6 months, before a flood of larger web projects took that business in a very different direction.

      Things have changed and you need to be a little smarter when visiting businesses these days, because everyone is selling websites, but the method does still work and I've done the same thing every time I've needed money in a hurry in past years.

      Earlier this year I created a video explaining the method I've most recently used to find new web development customers on any business day. I made is specifically for people asking the question you are asking (How do I find new business today?).

      You can see the video on YouTube
      It is free and I won't even send you to an opt in page.

      Recovery Mode Basic Training - YouTube

      In hindsight the video is a bit long, but it is thorough.

      Hope you find something sensible in what I am saying in the video.

      BTW: If you want the resources mentioned at the end of the video, they can be downloaded at the following addresses.

      Action sheet
      http://homebusinesslearner.com/wp-co...tion-Sheet.pdf

      Work sheet
      http://homebusinesslearner.com/wp-co...Work-Sheet.pdf

      Walking and talking is a great method for generating business in general.

      Cold calling works well too, but you must have a proper plan before dialing.

      Focusing on an industry or two is one the best things to do when you're getting started. So many people want to be everything to everyone and it can make it hard to have a focus.

      Specialization has a lot of benefits... you can become the go-to guy or gal in a market and you can really learn the problems and needs of your market...

      After you decide what you're focus will be, you'll need to purchase a list of businesses that meet your target market and begin calling.

      Jason Kanigan has some good scripts on here... (Do a search).

      You will get a lot of nos, but if you're calling at a reasonable pace with a good script, you should be able to uncover a solid lead or so from every hour of calling.

      Thanks,


      Josh
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      • Profile picture of the author sooWoo
        Originally Posted by joshril View Post

        Walking and talking is a great method for generating business in general.

        Cold calling works well too, but you must have a proper plan before dialing.

        Focusing on an industry or two is one the best things to do when you're getting started. So many people want to be everything to everyone and it can make it hard to have a focus.

        Specialization has a lot of benefits... you can become the go-to guy or gal in a market and you can really learn the problems and needs of your market...

        After you decide what you're focus will be, you'll need to purchase a list of businesses that meet your target market and begin calling.

        Jason Kanigan has some good scripts on here... (Do a search).

        You will get a lot of nos, but if you're calling at a reasonable pace with a good script, you should be able to uncover a solid lead or so from every hour of calling.

        Thanks,


        Josh
        Where would you find these lists you speak of? As I said in my beginning post I have no cash at my disposal.
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        • Profile picture of the author joe golfer
          Originally Posted by sooWoo View Post

          Where would you find these lists you speak of? As I said in my beginning post I have no cash at my disposal.
          You don't need a list. Create your own list. Pick a niche, geographic area, or both. Look up businesses in that area on the web. Start calling or walking.

          There is always business out there. Always. The problem is people are soft and give up too early. Get tough as nails and start making things happen.

          When I was 18, I picked an industrial section of North Akron and cold-walked every business. I had three sales job offers in one day.

          Then again, it was 1951. Times were tough. My mom packed me what she called the Invisible Baloney and Cheddar Cheese Sandwich which was two pieces of bread.
          Signature
          Marketing is not a battle of products. It is a battle of perceptions.
          - Jack Trout
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          • Profile picture of the author joshril
            Originally Posted by joe golfer View Post

            You don't need a list. Create your own list. Pick a niche, geographic area, or both. Look up businesses in that area on the web. Start calling or walking.

            There is always business out there. Always. The problem is people are soft and give up too early. Get tough as nails and start making things happen.

            When I was 18, I picked an industrial section of North Akron and cold-walked every business. I had three sales job offers in one day.

            Then again, it was 1951. Times were tough. My mom packed me what she called the Invisible Baloney and Cheddar Cheese Sandwich which was two pieces of bread.
            Joe's right, you certainly don't have to have a list...

            But, it can definitely speed things up if you have the money to invest.

            Here's a resource I have used and recommend:

            ListShack.com | Unlimited Sales Leads

            Thanks,


            Josh
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    • Profile picture of the author sbmort
      Originally Posted by gruss View Post

      In 1996 I walked down every street in a local business district and knocked on EVERY door. I put 160 business on the internet in a small way, in the first 6 months, before a flood of larger web projects took that business in a very different direction.

      Things have changed and you need to be a little smarter when visiting businesses these days, because everyone is selling websites, but the method does still work and I've done the same thing every time I've needed money in a hurry in past years.

      Earlier this year I created a video explaining the method I've most recently used to find new web development customers on any business day. I made is specifically for people asking the question you are asking (How do I find new business today?).

      You can see the video on YouTube
      It is free and I won't even send you to an opt in page.

      Recovery Mode Basic Training - YouTube

      In hindsight the video is a bit long, but it is thorough.

      Hope you find something sensible in what I am saying in the video.
      ...
      Good video, I think this could be adapted to other niches too.
      [Edit] I got the info, thanks!
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