How did you get past the "let me see your examples?"

18 replies
When starting out in the offline world of course one does not have a real portfolio to show clients of the potential work that can be done.

How have you been able to get past the question of " can you show me your work or samples?" any smart business owner would ask this.

Outside of asking family and friends if they need a website or bartering a service for building a site.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
#let me see your examples #past
  • Profile picture of the author jeffrey73
    Build your own personal "professional marketer" website. Show them that, and say you're new to doing websites for businesses.

    Then show them some of your affiliate sites. That will prove to them you know the internet, and that's all they should care about.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3578804].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author hotlinkz
    First, not as many people will ask this question as you might expect.

    Look at this as an adventure. Sure you may miss a client or two in the beginning. We all have and everyone after us will as well. If the question comes up during consultation, tell them the truth. Here's an example of the pitch...

    "Well Mr. Client, I am just launching the public side of my business and you would be my first client. I do however have samples of my site designs. Also, my own website has been successful in the online marketplace for X number of months/years."

    Just remember what you are selling - increased profits and visibility. Not websites and SEO services.

    Best of luck!

    CeeJ
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3578805].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jburns
    Honestly as somebody who jacked up about every method of offline marketing possible. And now make consistent income I can Chime in.

    First you want to create a professional looking website. I usually help out somebody by providing them value and maybe do a free animoto video, or just do something for completely free like install a wordpress blog. This can be beneficial because it adds a lot of credibility.

    Another method was I used a secret method I will reveal. Most customers won't ask to see your portfolio if you are confident and position your message based around what they want, and how your services can align with their needs. Not the other way around

    But if you meet the occasional people who want to see what you have to offer, then here some tips:

    1) Find and establish a relationship with an outsourcer and reference his work. I know some people will say that this is lying, but honestly if this is the outsourcer you are going to use then it is not lying.

    2) Create free blogs for people and sell them hosting. I did this method and made some nice money. A lot of people needed blogs, so I sold them a blog, and then up sold them a custom logo.

    These two methods should get you going. Let me know as I have tried many things and have many tricks up my sleeve
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3578841].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author BudgetSEO
    Make a pro website, as already said by fellow warriors.
    I do show examples to clients but not for all services, as i do not wish to exchange my existing client's data with anyone, and i inform the same to my potential client.
    Offer them pay after work model, if you have confidence on your service quality.
    Its ok to lose a sale by being honest, rather than losing a relation choosing the other route, twisted sentence but makes sense.

    I remember a friend showing a sample report of his existing client to his potential client, and maybe he didn't brush his teeth that day, the potential client turned out to be a competitor, rest is history.

    Regards,
    -S
    Signature
    Let me Secure your wordpress website for the price of a small Pizza
    Weather Balloons Election Supplies
    If you need the ''cheapest'' quote, don't waste your time contacting me.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3579098].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Mike Grant
    "I'm currently looking to build my portfolio, which is why I'm only offering this service to you for $XXX."
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3579106].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Glenn Leader
      Originally Posted by Mike Grant View Post

      "I'm currently looking to build my portfolio, which is why I'm only offering this service to you for ."
      This is exactly what I did, but added that I needed a testimonial
      too as part of the package. Then you can do a screen dump of
      the website, and print it, along with the client testimonial.

      To the OP: Why not take out a membership with a template site
      like BoxedArt? Download several template images, print them, put
      them into a file, and show those?

      HTH

      Glenn
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3579671].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author SamuelJ
        Confidence and coniction in what you say and
        how you say it will remove this from ever happening.

        To answer the question if ever thrown at you.
        When starting out partner with someone who
        you will outsource to for 2 reasons

        1) If you don't currently have sites to show them,
        I assume you are starting out and you want to
        make sure you do get the clients you get, good
        results because your reputation will sell more than
        anything else in this market.

        2) You can use their case studies and testimonials
        on your website as the proof because they are the
        results your team have gotten
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3579730].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
          I use WordPress Websites and Small Businesses Website SEO from Expand2Web.

          Buying a professional license allows you to show sites allready in use.

          It's best to get in first by showing samples...then there is no need to talk about whether you built them or not.

          Plus, big tip, let them know they are Google Local ready and Mobile ready.

          You can even suggest they go ask others if there's are...and how much extra is their charge.

          Also, If it is Google Local ready, is the company name, address and phone number listed in that order.

          Most website builders get it wrong. Google wants it right.

          Let them know about these things and you come across as street smart, not some nerdy geek who may cause havoc down the track.

          Business owners have heard of horror stories from other biz owners.

          Just last night I was told a guy's nightmare of plunking down 10k on his ecommerce site that could never work properly and other geeks couldn't get it working either.

          Ended up trashing it and started again.

          There's many war stories floating around the biz arena.

          Best to head off their growth by telling them if they can type and send an email, then they can get into their website and add things like..

          staff updates
          change of hours
          new testomonials
          new offers

          Now you are talking their language.

          Best,
          Ewen
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3579831].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Adrian John
    I had someone asking me yesterday the same thing.
    I've responded something like this:
    "I'm just starting in this business and i have several projects in progress and i can't show you any examples right now.But i'll see what i can to about this, i'll talk with some clients to if they agree to show part of the work i've done for them than i' can show you.I have an non-disclosure agreement with all my clients and it's impossible for me to the other way.
    I'm trying to drum up some business right now to showcase to the community if you agree and that's why i run these special deals for this week only.
    I understand your concerns and i totally agree with you.Let me propose something to you.How about i start working on your project and you pay only after you are satisfied with the results? You got nothing to lose and i get my the chance to earn you business.How that sounds?"
    The business owner was in a hurry but seem interested and i left him my phone number and i also emailed him an resume of what we've talked over the phone.
    We shall see if he calls back or not, but within 1-2 day i'll get back to him at an convenient hour.
    Maybe this can give you some ideas.
    Signature
    ARE YOU A CONSULTANT? Do you have clients who could use MORE LEADS?
    Get them a MOBILE WEBSITE PLATFORM built to stay up with their clients habits.
    More than 50% of their customers buys from their mobile devices now!

    CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3579238].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author mogema
    If you dont have any clients yet you can always build some 'preview' sites around certain well known markets. Just put each one on a sub domain so that it doesn't cost you anything extra. Each site only has to be one or two pages.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3579593].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Hugh
    I keep a half-dozen pre-built generic website in my portfolio. SEO them
    so they are getting traffic. When I talk to a plumber, I show a plumbing
    website, showing current traffic levels. If he likes it, I quote three prices.
    1.) Similar site, one off price and I'm out of it.
    2.) Similar site at lower price, but with a monthly fee for SEO, etc.
    3.) Rent the site he's looking at for a monthly fee, changing the particulars.

    Hugh
    Signature

    "Never make someone a priority in your life who makes you an option in theirs." Anon.
    "Some see private enterprise as a predatory target to be shot, others as a cow to be milked, but few are those who see it as a sturdy horse pulling the wagon." -- Winston Churchill

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3580644].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Abul-Hussain
    I use samples from the people I outsource to and say this is what MY TEAM can do for you :-)

    Abul
    Signature
    Author | Speaker | Digital Marketing Coach

    I help ordinary people achieve extraordinary results online. Get in touch to see how we can help you build a 6 figure business.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3580707].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author yesucandoit
    Thanks a ton to all those that have replies to this thread.

    It has been really helpful and useful.

    Not to forget anyone but thanks to all those that chimed in and shared some real
    good suggestions.
    Signature

    He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.
    Martin Luther King, Jr.
    Must watch video
    http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/vi...abuse.hln.html

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3580772].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author grin
    It's pretty simple, business is all about give and take. So, getting a $2500 web site for $450 is a pretty damn good deal and only comes around so often. Now, is that $450 web site consultant that always charges that amount going to always be there? Yeah, but chances are their portfolio will never really excel now or then. So, if they are price shoppers, fine. If they are looking for a portfolio person with high quality; you can just face the fact you can come back to them later. OR, you can create a "comp" and show them what you plan on doing for them. You really only need to do that twice before you have a starting portfolio - and believe me your portfolio will never be perfect or crap. Also, you might want to create fictional company sites and highlight something new like FB iFrames. Things that are not really understood yet and few companies are implementing but you are showing in an example that is easy to understand will TRUMP a live portfolio any day. Portfolios will always be nothing more than an ice breaker towards a conversation. If you lose a prospect because of this, then at least you know what to expect next time you call on them, and you are already warmed up for the next proposal. Cut off, adapt, rinse and repeat.

    One interesting angle on this I would add. I have had portfolios that would impress tons of people after working with clients over just a few years. Because I was elevating, I started to walk into more sophisticated situations. At that point, my portfolio might as well have been the same level as when I first started. My competition was VERY good and the level of details obviously became much more complex. In that way of thought, you will never get it all just right, there will always be an objection - and often they really want to see HOW you respond/react to the objection more than WHAT you have to respond with. So either the conversation moves forward or it moves to another time to which you graciously thank them for their time and you will be happy to contact them again in the future with any new developments or opportunities you may offer them.

    Also, this just came to mind. I was in a situation like that and I whipped out a notepad and started drawing a layout (looked like crap). I actually got the contract on that. In a way I had just let go of any expectations, and I was really just fascinated with understanding their problem. My only point is really, you just never know exactly how it will go down - you can only believe it will always come out good for you.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3581112].message }}

Trending Topics