Got my first appointment!

41 replies
WOOT WOOT! :p I made ten phone calls, left a lot of messages, got two "no's" and one appointment!

Holy cow, what do I do now? LOL
#appointment
  • Profile picture of the author MikeFriedman
    Congrats!

    Have fun.

    Just listen. Listen a lot. I've worked several sales jobs over my life and I can tell you one thing about business owners. They LOVE to talk about their business. It's their baby.

    Listen to what they are doing. Ask what they are doing as far as advertising now.

    Then talk about what you can do... SEO, Facebook, website design, Twitter, email marketing... whatever you are good at.

    Honestly, I've found the appointments are pretty much the easiest part of this business.

    Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author Lisa Gergets
    That's what I'm thinking...I plan on sitting down and just saying "So tell me about your business". I WANT to hear about it, to be honest. I mean, I'm really, genuinely interested, LOL.

    And I agree...the actual meeting will be the easiest part. The hardest part is making these darn phone calls.
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  • Profile picture of the author MsMotivation1
    Congrats, Lisa!

    In additon to Mike's suggestion, make sure you do some good research on their current website and online presence before your appointment. It only takes a few minutes really.

    That way, you will be better prepared to explain exactly what their business needs while meeting with them.

    Plus, I have found that business owners are really impressed when they see that I've taken some time to actually research their business in particular instead of just trying to sell them something.

    Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author CrhisD
    Congrats
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  • Profile picture of the author PaulintheSticks
    Originally Posted by Lisa Gergets View Post

    WOOT WOOT! :p I made ten phone calls, left a lot of messages, got two "no's" and one appointment!

    Holy cow, what do I do now? LOL
    Congratulations, Lisa. Can I ask what your script was? What services are you offering?
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    • Profile picture of the author Amir Luis
      CONGRATS LISA!!!!


      That is awesome....

      The first time I picked up the phone and made phone calls... it was a success.

      I remember sitting at my computer spending WAYYYY too much time getting prepared to actually reach out. Got all my ducks in a row... was almost completely broke... then finally reached out...

      I spent two and a half days calling... actually about 6 hours total. I had all kinds of misnomers and disbeliefs running through my head...

      My 3rd phone call was an appointment. The second day I had some strong interest who said he would call back. The third day. I ran the appointment and picked up a check. When I got back it was the guy that had strong interest. He gave me a credit card over the phone.

      BAMMNN!!! $1600 for picking up the phone and calling.

      Telemarketing WORKS with Offline Marketing. If I can do it... so can you...

      Where did I learn it? It all started with the WSO that's in my Sig...
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    • Profile picture of the author Lisa Gergets
      Originally Posted by PaulintheSticks View Post

      Congratulations, Lisa. Can I ask what your script was? What services are you offering?
      I didn't really have a script...but it went something like this:

      "Hi Dianna, this is Lisa Gergets - I sent you a letter a few days back. Did you get it? Oh good! Well I was wondering if I could make an appointment to talk to you more about what my company can do for your business. I know this week is pretty busy with the holiday, so how about next week?"

      That was it. I took the advice of one of the Warriors here on the forum and just made it my goal to get the appointment - NOT to sell anything.

      This particular client needs on site and off site optimization as well as an optimized GP listing. So that will be my goal. I plan on offering three packages...one for 6 months, one for one year, and one for two years. I'm still undecided as to the pricing yet though.

      Hope that helps!
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      • Profile picture of the author Riz
        Well done Lisa.

        That's the best way to make call. A letter followed by a call to make an appointment, not a sale .

        Now that you have got your first appointment in this manner you will feel more confident in making even more follow up calls.

        Riz

        Originally Posted by Lisa Gergets View Post

        I didn't really have a script...but it went something like this:

        "Hi Dianna, this is Lisa Gergets - I sent you a letter a few days back. Did you get it? Oh good! Well I was wondering if I could make an appointment to talk to you more about what my company can do for your business. I know this week is pretty busy with the holiday, so how about next week?"

        That was it. I took the advice of one of the Warriors here on the forum and just made it my goal to get the appointment - NOT to sell anything.

        This particular client needs on site and off site optimization as well as an optimized GP listing. So that will be my goal. I plan on offering three packages...one for 6 months, one for one year, and one for two years. I'm still undecided as to the pricing yet though.

        Hope that helps!
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  • Profile picture of the author MichaelHiles
    Awesome Lisa! Now get 5 more! Get that pipeline full and close em' up.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mr_Lauri
    Totally agree that telemarketing works! I love the idea of just calling and getting in touch with the owner.

    Have two appointments for this week. One with a lawyer and one with a beauty salon owner!

    Mr LE
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  • Profile picture of the author George Phillip
    Don't meet them at their place of business.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike Grant
      Originally Posted by George Phillip View Post

      Don't meet them at their place of business.
      I disagree.
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      • Profile picture of the author MikeFriedman
        Originally Posted by mgtarheels View Post

        I disagree.
        Me too.

        It's the best place to meet them.
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        • Profile picture of the author George Pitts
          Originally Posted by MikeFriedman View Post

          Me too.

          It's the best place to meet them.
          I think the business is the best place to meet them. You gain more understanding and see there surroundings plus its the clients comfort zone. I think this is the best meeting place
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      • Profile picture of the author George Phillip
        Originally Posted by mgtarheels View Post

        I disagree.
        Very many successful marketers do not meet at a place where the business owner has the upperhand. You meet somewhere closer to you, where you can take charge and be in command.

        Then again, whatever produces a result is the best thing to do.
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  • Profile picture of the author Riz
    At their place of business or NOT?

    From my experience i totally disagree with meeting them at their place of business (but it depends on the industry)

    If you do meet them at their place of business it is best to make sure it is before they start trading, after they close or in a lunch hour.

    Why?

    Well, speaking from my own experiences (it may differ for others) you walk into their place of business during trading time and you don't have their full attention. You feel like a salesman standing over a counter trying to understand their business and suggest possible solutions.

    Now this may vary industry to industry. Hair Salons, Beauty Salons, Clothes shops, restaurants or any other buisness like this and you will most likely end up feeling like a salesman selling over the counter. You on one side, them on the other with you only having half their attention. The business owner has this sense of power over you and it all comes across as a pitch as opposed to a consultation.

    If it's a lawyer, accountant or any other business of this type then meeting at their place goes a lot better than other industries.

    Meeting at a mutual place like a local coffee house or library cafe makes the meeting go a lot smoother.

    Like i said this is just based on my own experiences when i was building my client base and others may have different experiences.

    Riz
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  • Profile picture of the author scotth
    Congrats Lisa!

    Calling local business owners as much as most dont like going there, but it just flat out works you get a lot of no's but you will close business...especially sending out a letter or email first. Just do it!
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    • Profile picture of the author adriver38
      YAY LISA!!!!

      Thats great! That takes a lot of guts to make those follow up calls! Im sure you're gonna do fine. Just make sure you're prepared and be a really good listener.
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  • Profile picture of the author Lisa Gergets
    Okay, just talked to the business owner...we're meeting at 10AM on Wednesday at her home. (They don't have a business location actually...they have a mobile kitchen/bath showroom...how cool, eh?) She sounded very receptive to talking, so YAY!
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    • Profile picture of the author adriver38
      Cool! Please keep us updated and let us know how it goes. Ive seen a few of these places in my area, I bet they make great clients as 1 customer probably nets them $500+

      Im so happy for you!!! Im oficially inspired today, despite just finding out that Im making Thanksgiving dinner all by myself for 10 people at the last minute lol.
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    • Profile picture of the author timmykins
      Originally Posted by Lisa Gergets View Post

      Okay, just talked to the business owner...we're meeting at 10AM on Wednesday at her home. (They don't have a business location actually...they have a mobile kitchen/bath showroom...how cool, eh?) She sounded very receptive to talking, so YAY!
      Hi Lisa,

      Congrats, hope it goes well for you. Don't forget to take a camera with you and if the mobile showroom is there, get some pics and put together a video when you get home, get it on youtube the same day and hey presto, you'll have a very happy customer!

      All the best

      Tim
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    • Profile picture of the author Amber Jalink
      Originally Posted by Lisa Gergets View Post

      Okay, just talked to the business owner...we're meeting at 10AM on Wednesday at her home. (They don't have a business location actually...they have a mobile kitchen/bath showroom...how cool, eh?) She sounded very receptive to talking, so YAY!
      Hey Lisa - I thought I posted after your first one but obviously I got distracted...

      wanted to say congrats to you!

      Going in you might be a little nervous, but remember one thing: YOU are the expert!

      I did a presentation (first one in literally YEARS (ever that wasn't a friend actually) a few weeks ago... they called me back and wanted me to tackle the job on a regular basis, and the first time was a paid consultation/assessment.

      My point is: When I was first in, I was nervous for all of 5 min. Then I realized, heck, I KNOW this like the back of my hand.

      And they don't! (And that's why they asked me to do more).

      So knowing that they ARE interested and can see the value of your appointment, I know you'll do well

      And remember - if you DON'T know how to do something they're asking, don't let them know that - just come back here and ask us! I'm sure several of us would be glad to help.

      Keep us posted!

      Amber
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  • Profile picture of the author Carlsbadd
    Congrats,

    Try not to undervalue your services, talk about benefits and paint a picture of how you can help. I tend to try to stay away from a lot of techie jargon that will make the business owner's eyes glaze over.
    You are the authority on what you do , best of luck.
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  • Profile picture of the author thesanto
    When you're talking to your client - Feel like YOU ARE the authority on that area, and you know back and forth what you're talking about - Visualization works great for me!

    Hope it helps, kudos to you!

    Henry
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  • Profile picture of the author Vanessa Reece
    Well done Lisa!!! I have a feeling this is the first of many and you know what - when I read your posts it shines through how determined you are. That pays! I'm going to get some wine now and toast you from across the pond. V x
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  • Profile picture of the author richard_s_smith
    Ups to u Lisa! way to take action! ur absolutely correct on setting and not selling on the initial call, ur gonna do great! keep it up
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  • Profile picture of the author marketingva
    I interview all my potential clients by phone. During the summer a new potential client in my county talked me into coming to their office. They ignored me for 40 minutes, then when we got to the room they kept answering the phone or answering staff questions. They didn't hear one thing I said. I had to go back twice before the contract was signed. From now on I interview only over the phone like I do for my virtual clients.

    Bonnie
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  • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
    Lisa! Great job! I am confident that you will find as much success as you want. Be fearless, be confident, be authoritative.

    Fake it till you make it you have doubts and always endeavor to take control of the situation.

    Don't ever forget that they really need what you have and that they need to listen to your advice and counsel.
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  • Profile picture of the author Bronwyn and Keith
    Hi Lisa

    Thats cool.

    All you need is ONE appointment as that starts the ball rolling.

    Best of luck with the appointment.

    Regards

    Bronwyn and Keith
    Originally Posted by Lisa Gergets View Post

    WOOT WOOT! :p I made ten phone calls, left a lot of messages, got two "no's" and one appointment!

    Holy cow, what do I do now? LOL
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  • Profile picture of the author Lisa Gergets
    Aw man, thanks for all the support everyone. I am nervous, but of course I'm going to be nervous...if I weren't nervous, I'd probably be dead! LOL I'll take nervous any day.

    I'm now going to go b@lls-out until Christmas!
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    • Profile picture of the author Randy Miller
      Congratulations Lisa!

      Like many others have said, making that first phone call, closing that first sale is the hardest one.

      I'm not very far ahead of you as I've only had six offline clients so far, but I received a very rewarding call a few days ago from my first client. He was so excited when he told me that his insurance agency was showing up on page one of Google for three of the keywords that we had optimized for. The way that he found out about it was he had received two inquiry calls from potential customers that had seen him in the local Google search.

      After we got done congratulating each other and hung up the call, the thought occurred to me, "I've got to raise my prices!"

      Good luck to you!

      Randy
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      • Profile picture of the author DavidSimpson
        Congratulations Lisa! Remember not to give them too much credit just b/c they own a business. Talk in terms that they can relate to...like more traffic, more customers, more profits, less stress, more time off, etc...

        Most business owners could care less about SEO, PPC, Web Development, etc...You could bore them and possibly lose them if you go down that road.

        Ask questions and they will tell you what they need.

        Good luck!
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        • Profile picture of the author adriver38
          ...if I weren't nervous, I'd probably be dead! LOL I'll take nervous any day.

          I'm now going to go b@lls-out until Christmas!
          I wish there was a "LIKE" button for this, lol. Lisa Rawks!
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  • Profile picture of the author contentment1st
    Congrats! Looking forward to hearing the results of your meeting. G
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  • Profile picture of the author ADukes81
    Nice work!

    I hope to be posting the same thing in the next day or so.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tim Brendel
    Hi Lisa! I was curious if you had any updates on how your meeting went with your client.

    Cheers!
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    Awesome Lisa. The way to not be nervous is to just have a pipeline full of appointments like Michael said. Then you really dont depend on any single customer... also if you use the Haines criss cross directory for prospecting, you can schedule all of your appointments on the same street and make your driving time more effective. There is a little investment for that, but its well worth it if you can do it. You can literally prospect just by the street name. There maybe free versions, but I am not familiar with them.

    Good going! Bravo!

    Originally Posted by ADukes81 View Post

    Nice work!

    I hope to be posting the same thing in the next day or so.
    If I know you Adam, success is inevitable. You will ABSOLUTELY be posting success within days.
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