6 replies
I am curious if there are any decent WSOs you would recommend in regards to starting up my own brick and mortar consulting firm. I know there are plenty out there but I am really not interested in spending $20.00 after $20.00 for something that is not really going to point me in the right direction. I feel I am very capable of providing a solid service to a variety of clients and am really just having troubles with, "Where do I begin?"

Granted I've never done graphic design on a professional level but I've made plenty of websites that are eye catching. I know how to make use of SEO and the principals of it all in regards to bringing in more revenue for a business. I'm just not sure where I should begin. Do I form my own business and get a logo, etc? Should I try to land clients first? How do I land these clients when I really don't have a flashy portfolio or any credentials? What suggestions would you guys have for someone who is anxious to succeed and willing to go the extra mile to satisfy any customers I were to work for.
#start
  • Profile picture of the author bizwebstart
    Hi Tiger Claw

    Sounds like you have the technical skills.

    What I do is create sites first in certain niches and get them to page 1 of Google.

    Make sure that they have some traffic coming through then spark a relationship with a local company who matches the site.

    There is a lot of talk about how much money you can make with offline SEO but I have found local businesses to be really retisent as they get many emails telling them how they are going to get to number 1 on Google.

    I have found that you need to prove that you can deliver the goods before they will put their hands in their pockets so if you can prove what you say you can do that goes a long way.

    Regards
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  • Profile picture of the author LazyViking
    I've made a ton of money in offline SEO, but bizwebstart is absolutely right - it's a hard sell, and you really need to get warm, highly-qualified leads to have any chance. His "offline real estate" method is actually an awesome way of working results-in-advance into your process, and will make sales a lot easier. I know a couple of consultants who have started relationships by leasing those sites to business owners and then the business owner hires them to optimize his own site.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tiger_Claw
    Thanks for the information. I'm just curious how people make the move from their "9-5" job to building a successful offline consulting firm. I've done some research for my area and I would have some competition but there is still plenty of room to be successful here and I imagine I could probably do just as good of a job as my competitors.

    I'm also wondering if I should approach these business owners? I know an owner of a local restraunt and pub. Should I approach them with a site already tailored for their restraunt? If that is the way to go - how much do I charge them? Do I just "lease" the site? Do I sale the site?

    I am wanting to get this thing off the ground and I'm just not certain what is the first move to make. Should I make a website for my virtual company? I mean, where do I begin?
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  • Profile picture of the author Brenden Clerget
    You could consider sifting through the War Room.

    There's a TON of Offline WSOs in the wso section, so be careful. I see a lot of products on a daily basis that I read and want to puke because it's glaringly obvious the authors have zero clue what they are talking about. In the end, I learned all that I know from trial and error. It took a long time, too.

    There's good information out on the internet about starting an SEO firm as well, I've seen numerous really solid articles on the best way to go about it.

    Just take the initiative and get out and do it, and in the end you'll be A-OK
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    • Profile picture of the author Tiger_Claw
      Originally Posted by DrivenForMillions View Post

      You could consider sifting through the War Room.

      There's a TON of Offline WSOs in the wso section, so be careful. I see a lot of products on a daily basis that I read and want to puke because it's glaringly obvious the authors have zero clue what they are talking about. In the end, I learned all that I know from trial and error. It took a long time, too.

      There's good information out on the internet about starting an SEO firm as well, I've seen numerous really solid articles on the best way to go about it.

      Just take the initiative and get out and do it, and in the end you'll be A-OK
      That's the plan. Just not too sure how to go about it. I mean, I could look at all of the local business and see who does and does not have a website. I could create sites for these companies or "remodel" sites that need a good face lift. There is plenty of ways to go about getting business. Just curious what the different types of packages people offer and how individuals like myself got their start.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brenden Clerget
    Haha the second that you described sounds like the WSO I just put on special yesterday.

    A really good way to make some money and pick people up is to do facelifts on existing websites. You'll find that 85% of local business sites are trash, and they can use a re-design.

    Then just figure out how to upsell them afterwards!
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