So, I Phoned a Local Pizza Shop a Few Minutes Ago...

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Ginesa Stevens

I just called one of my local pizza shops and asked to speak with the guy in charge of marketing. I already knew that the person I wanted was the owner, but I wanted to get past the gatekeeper on my callback. Needless to say, the guy who answered politely gave the owner's name and told me he'll be back in a half hour or so. He actually sounded excited that I'd called, so I'm definitely calling back. I just got one of their flyers yesterday, so I know they are looking to bring in more business. The question is:

"How can I be the one to help them do it?"

Now, I've already done my research on this place and there are a few things sticking out in my mind.

Poorly designed website - It looks like something that was created out of Microsoft Word when they first released their software. Call me superficial, but an ugly website can make customers go the other way. In addition to the lack of visual appeal, the navigation is horrible, so the website doesn't provide a good user experience.

No email capture - They aren't keeping in touch with their website visitors. They're already offering coupons on their website, but I see that as the perfect way to start building a list.

Not mobile friendly - If they popped up in a mobile search, visitors would most likely click away and go to another result. They are conveniently located near a bunch of area hotels, so they probably get a lot of business from travelers. Of course, they could be getting even more customers if they were accessible by mobile. The way I see it, they need a little bit of schooling in mobile marketing.

Google Places unclaimed - This is another problem I see for them. Their competitors are ranking in Google Places, and considering how I search the web, I'm sure that they're losing business. All of their competitors have full pages, and they link to their website. And for some weird reason, when I'm looking for something online locally, I always look for a website. If they don't have one, I move on to the next one. It might be a shot in the dark, but I'm thinking that there are a lot of other people who do this too.

Lack of social media presence - Again, most of their competitors are on Facebook, Twitter, and even Youtube in some cases. Their social networking presence is completely non-existent. If nothing else, they should be utilizing Facebook. Even on a local level, the power of Facebook can be phenomenal.

So, I was thinking to get my foot in the door that I could demo a SMS campaign. When I call the guy back, I'll ask if he's interested in getting more eyeballs on his ads. I'm taking a page from internetPro's book of marketing here, and hoping that I have similar success.

There is one difference, though. I'm not walking in cold...I'm calling in cold. Do you think it would be just as effective to do a demo over the phone? It shouldn't be too hard to close this type of sale over the phone, but then again, you never know.

I'm also tempted to offer a Facebook page bundled with the SMS campaign. I don't want to overwhelm the guy, though. What do you think?

by all means knock it out of the park... Demo it they will love it make sure they use there phone... it gets them involved and proof it can work. when they bite dont try to confuse them with all the other things you can do believe me when they have people coming in redeeming there text cupons they will wont to hear everything you CAN DO!!!

you will be there secret weapon.... let me know if I can help//

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hotlinkz

12 years ago

Pizza parlors are excellent candidates for mobile marketing, mobile messaging and mobile web services. Set them up with a QR Code that gives current customers a "Next Visit" discount. Set it up at the front counter with a "directives placard" that instructs customers to scan the QR into their mobile devices.

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BrianTerr

12 years ago

Originally Posted by hotlinkz

Pizza parlors are excellent candidates for mobile marketing, mobile messaging and mobile web services. Set them up with a QR Code that gives current customers a "Next Visit" discount. Set it up at the front counter with a "directives placard" that instructs customers to scan the QR into their mobile devices.

Yep I do exactly this! Also do a QR code with the Facebook page URL, customers walk in, see the QR code, are taken to the FB page on their phone, and "like" the page immediately, seeing the latest pizza offers!

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truly_gifted

12 years ago

So, I just got off the phone with the owner, and we've setup a phone appointment for Monday morning. I'll take the weekend to wrap my head around this SMS stuff so that I can have my ducks all in row. I think I'm going to go with the Trumpia trial for now, and see how things pan out.

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internetPro

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Ginesa Stevens

So, I just got off the phone with the owner, and we've setup a phone appointment for Monday morning. I'll take the weekend to wrap my head around this SMS stuff so that I can have my ducks all in row. I think I'm going to go with the Trumpia trial for now, and see how things pan out.

Excellent choice with trumpia... pre set up the name of the pizza place as your key word and what i did for my message was.....

give me ten minutes and i will show you how to reward loyal cutomers and take your marketing to another level.....

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truly_gifted

12 years ago

Originally Posted by internetPro

Excellent choice with trumpia... pre set up the name of the pizza place as your key word and what i did for my message was.....

give me ten minutes and i will show you how to reward loyal cutomers and take your marketing to another level.....

That's a very clever marketing message. I can just imagine the expression on their face to know that you can make that happen for their business. Heck, I'm still amazed myself. I had always assumed that SMS campaigns were a marketing tactic reserved for corporate giants. Talk about a foolish assumption, but hey, you live and you learn.

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criniit 12 years ago

@ginesa

Shoot me an email at stevie.brodsky at gmail dot com

I would like to talk to you about your future SMS marketing business
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TrumpiaTim

12 years ago

Originally Posted by internetPro

Excellent choice with trumpia... pre set up the name of the pizza place as your key word and what i did for my message was.....

give me ten minutes and i will show you how to reward loyal cutomers and take your marketing to another level.....

Thank you for the kind words! Hopefully both of your mobile marketing campaigns through Trumpia are going well.

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truly_gifted

12 years ago

Here's a thought I just had.

Since I'm going to be doing the demo on a trial account, I could create a generic keyword to use just for sales purposes. So, instead of me setting up multiple demos for various pizza shops, I have one that's always ready to go.

Then, once I make a sale, I can actually set them up with their own keyword.

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criniit

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Ginesa Stevens

Here's a thought I just had.

Since I'm going to be doing the demo on a trial account, I could create a generic keyword to use just for sales purposes. So, instead of me setting up multiple demos for various pizza shops, I have one that's always ready to go.

Then, once I make a sale, I can actually set them up with their own keyword.

I don't know if you have a smart phone or not, but what I do is I have a pre written coupon..something like "Congratulations! Show this coupon to your waiter for a free appetizer."

And what I do before I walk into the appointment is to jump on my iphone and make a keyword real quick that is the name of the restauraunt/bar/whatever and copy and paste the coupon as the response. (Takes maybe 20 seconds). This way when I give them the demo of the technology they have a customized keyword already and it gets them in the mind set of them already using the technology and it is setup and easy for them to get going.

It is easy and takes at max 1 min to set up right before and appointment.

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Ant Marshall

12 years ago

Sound's like they aren't branding themselves well at all dude.

Branding is vital for any kind of business like this.

Why don't you take this kind of approach to them and explain that you want to rebrand their image?

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Russell Hall

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Anthony Marshall

Sound's like they aren't branding themselves well at all dude.

Branding is vital for any kind of business like this.

Why don't you take this kind of approach to them and explain that you want to rebrand their image?

Anthony, I think that this is the case with the majority of small and local businesses. The problem is though that "Branding" costs a lot of money to get right, make stick and then takes time to see the benefits come to light.

That's fine if you're Pepsi Cola or McDonalds but for the average local business what they need more than branding is marketing... and I mean direct instant marketing that will make the cash registers ring.

Some of the other posts here on the use of text messages and QR codes have been brilliant and I feel this is the answer for this kind of business.

Cheers,
Russell Hall

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pmt3 12 years ago

I know I'm on the offline forum, but has anyone tried to market sms completely online? Perhaps through youtube videos or webinars? I like the concept but am not a cold call kind of gal. I have a lot of creative ideas on how to use sms, though, and would love to make a sale, then follow up with a weekly marketing newsletter to keep business owners involved and excited about thier marketing. Any thoughts?
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Steve Solem

12 years ago

I'm not usually one for spec work, but you could easily setup a new website for them using wordpress, use a free plugin to make it mobile ready and setup a demo sms account for next to nothing all in about an hour and really WOW them when you get to meet with them.

(Just be careful when critiquing their existing website as you never know if the owner or his kid may have designed it.)

I'm glad your cold calling efforts worked, but in the future if you're dealing with local restaurants - why not go in and buy lunch and ask to speak to the owner while you're there? It might cost you $10 - $20 that can most likely be written off as a business expense (check with your accountant on this) and I don't know of a better way to get a business owners attention and respect than to spend money in their business. :-)

Keep up the good work!

Steve

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Monique3000

12 years ago

I like the idea of QR codes, but I'm not sure why I've never implemented them into my business. I keep reading that they will be phased out. And goggle is coming up with something new (but, aren't they always coming out with something new...)

From inc.com/tech-blog/qr-codes.html

Are They Still Popular?
Google Places removed the QR Code option for businesses, leaving many to wonder if QR Codes will decline in popularity. Google is now researching the option of offering NFC (Near Field Communication) tags instead of QR Codes. The negative aspect of an NFC tag is that it is not as easy to print as a QR Code. On the positive side, you can get more data transferred and it is done more securely. Google is also trying to solve the problem of phones not having built-in Code Readers: they want phones to have NFC tag readers already built in when purchased.
If QR Codes are fairly popular and can be printed more easily than NFC tags, why not focus on getting QR Code Readers in the phones? Google certainly has a reputation for being at the forefront of technology and perhaps will prove that NFC tags truly are superior. It's hard to tell at this point. Though QR Code usage isn't widespread, it is becoming increasingly popular. With the rising number of smartphone users, QR Code usage rates increased this past holiday season

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Dennis Murphy 12 years ago

Hi Monique3000,

I'm not Google, but I see QR Codes popping up everywhere I look and picking up steam. Many small businesses I talk to have heard of them and are open to using them more and more. I guess we'll see what the future holds for them, but they are quick and easy to create and use.

Here is what QR Codes look like in Google Trends:

Google Trends: qr codes

Dennis
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- Steve Solem 12 years ago
  
  Like Dennis, I see QR codes showing up in all kinds of places today and even though Google has changed to using NFC for their Places stickers, I think QRs will be around for a long time.
  
  The problem with NFC for the average business owner is you can't create them yourself and they can't be used everywhere you could possible print a QR code - and how many people have phones that can read these compared to those that can scan QR codes?
  
  Check out NFC World for more info on NFC stuff, but I don't really see this affecting the rise of the use of QR codes today.
  
  Steve
  
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redlegrich

12 years ago

QR codes are nice but you get nothing out of it other than the one shot. SMS campaigns are where it's at! That way you can continue to market to them. The QR code scheme gets a coupon maybe for the time they are in the store, but the real key is using marketing campaigns to get business when the client is slow. That's when they start generating incremental business and really boost the ROI.

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Dennis Murphy 12 years ago

I totally agree that SMS campaigns are awesome, which is why I combine QR codes with SMS to automatically submit their information to the SMS list when they scan the QR code (with their knowledge of course).

That saves them from having to type in the SMS info and prevents them from typing it in wrong.

And you can still send the coupon, but it's delivered via text message bounce back once they've subscribed to the SMS list.

Dennis
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Jay Moreno

12 years ago

OMG if i hear one more person say you get nothing out of a qr code other than one shot i will scream! lol

am sorry but think outside of the box - surely its not that difficult to realize how you can capture peoples information when using a QR code.... we have no problems capturing leads with our QR code marketing

@dennis thats definitely a good way of doing it, some shortcodes or SMS relays are not that easy to enter and are open to human error, that method certainly eliminates that problem

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bankcardguru

12 years ago

We demo SMS all the time over the phone. Webinar seems to works the best. As usual the challenge is just getting the owner to carve some time to spend with you. But if your selling SMS you should have keyword campaigns that you can easily have them subscribe to the their phone. VIP Club, Birthday Club, text context, text to vote ETC.

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truly_gifted

12 years ago

Originally Posted by bankcardguru

We demo SMS all the time over the phone. Webinar seems to works the best. As usual the challenge is just getting the owner to carve some time to spend with you. But if your selling SMS you should have keyword campaigns that you can easily have them subscribe to the their phone. VIP Club, Birthday Club, text context, text to vote ETC.

I've been toying with the idea of hosting a free webinar. It's an easy and cost-effective way of getting in touch with several business owners at once. Might have to try that one.

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misterkailo

12 years ago

Whatever you do, never go in on a busy time lol. Walk in around 2PM on a Monday is best I think.

My buddy uses SMS marketing for his pizza shop, and he gets a lot more sales on Mondays now.

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Steven Carl Kelly

12 years ago

We now set up a complete SMS text and capture campaign for the restaurants before we even walk in the door, with all their keywords (at least six or eight) in place and complete e-coupons, ready to go. That way, we demo for them EXACTLY their own branded campaign, not a generic one -- believe me, that gets a terrific response.

Imagine holding up your mobile device and showing a store owner an text message from HIS restaurant with a link to an e-coupon, then letting him click the link and seeing a full e-coupon branded with his own logo!

That's what we call a closer.

Then all they have to do is sign on the dotted line, and their SMS marketing can begin in about 5 minutes. We just log in to our account via our smartphone and give them their own dedicated long code, then point that number at our server, which takes all of about 60 seconds!

We hand them their QR codes so that they can post them immediately. Then we get the rest of their POS materials (table tents, placemats, etc) printed and delivered the next day.

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rugman

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Steven Carl Kelly

We now set up a complete SMS text and capture campaign for the restaurants before we even walk in the door, with all their keywords (at least six or eight) in place and complete e-coupons, ready to go. That way, we demo for them EXACTLY their own branded campaign, not a generic one -- believe me, that gets a terrific response.

Imagine holding up your mobile device and showing a store owner an text message from HIS restaurant with a link to an e-coupon, then letting him click the link and seeing a full e-coupon branded with his own logo!

That's what we call a closer.

Then all they have to do is sign on the dotted line, and their SMS marketing can begin in about 5 minutes. We just log in to our account via our smartphone and give them their own dedicated long code, then point that number at our server, which takes all of about 60 seconds!

We hand them their QR codes so that they can post them immediately. Then we get the rest of their POS materials (table tents, placemats, etc) printed and delivered the next day.

What service do you use? I like the idea of everybody getting to use the word free pizza!

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Steven Carl Kelly 12 years ago

Originally Posted by rugman

What service do you use? I like the idea of everybody getting to use the word free pizza!

We use Twilio. After exhaustive research on all of the providers, Twilio had the most flexibility and best cost basis for us, so choosing them was a no brainer.
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TheLocalCoach

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Steven Carl Kelly

We now set up a complete SMS text and capture campaign for the restaurants before we even walk in the door, with all their keywords (at least six or eight) in place and complete e-coupons, ready to go. That way, we demo for them EXACTLY their own branded campaign, not a generic one -- believe me, that gets a terrific response.

Imagine holding up your mobile device and showing a store owner an text message from HIS restaurant with a link to an e-coupon, then letting him click the link and seeing a full e-coupon branded with his own logo!

That's what we call a closer.

Then all they have to do is sign on the dotted line, and their SMS marketing can begin in about 5 minutes. We just log in to our account via our smartphone and give them their own dedicated long code, then point that number at our server, which takes all of about 60 seconds!

We hand them their QR codes so that they can post them immediately. Then we get the rest of their POS materials (table tents, placemats, etc) printed and delivered the next day.

Steven,
As usual excellent advice! People considering White Labeling can learn allot from your methods. I agree there's nothng more powerful than walking in with a prospect's demo information already set up so they see their business name when they text in for demos.

Our Contest/Rafffle module gives you the option, for each contest, on whether to send the non-Winners messages. So you can, if you wish, at the same time it's scheduled to notify the winner, have a meesage to everyone else... "sorry you didn't win this week's Free Pizza, but bring in this text by (date) and get $___ off...."

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ChristopherDittemore

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Steven Carl Kelly

We now set up a complete SMS text and capture campaign for the restaurants before we even walk in the door, with all their keywords (at least six or eight) in place and complete e-coupons, ready to go. That way, we demo for them EXACTLY their own branded campaign, not a generic one -- believe me, that gets a terrific response.

Imagine holding up your mobile device and showing a store owner an text message from HIS restaurant with a link to an e-coupon, then letting him click the link and seeing a full e-coupon branded with his own logo!

That's what we call a closer.

Then all they have to do is sign on the dotted line, and their SMS marketing can begin in about 5 minutes. We just log in to our account via our smartphone and give them their own dedicated long code, then point that number at our server, which takes all of about 60 seconds!

We hand them their QR codes so that they can post them immediately. Then we get the rest of their POS materials (table tents, placemats, etc) printed and delivered the next day.

Great idea thanks! What pricing do you charge?

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Mike McAleer

12 years ago

That is great I love the thinking. There are so many services to offer to businesses that I feel they might get overwhelmed

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Steven Carl Kelly

12 years ago

BTW, when it comes to pizza shops in particular, our testing has shown that certain sign up campaigns and certain keywords convert best. Our top response rate has been to a "Free Pizza" campaign (everyone on the SMS list is eligible to win a free large pizza each week) and the keyword: FREEPIZZA.

Since we're not bound to shortcodes and have no limitations on keywords, we can give the FREEPIZZA keyword to every pizza place we service -- that ensures the highest conversion rate. But frankly, the way we set it up the opt-in works regardless of whatever keyword the person sends (or, in fact, no keyword at all, just a blank text message gets them enrolled in the list).

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xlfutur1

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Steven Carl Kelly

BTW, when it comes to pizza shops in particular, our testing has shown that certain sign up campaigns and certain keywords convert best. Our top response rate has been to a "Free Pizza" campaign (everyone on the SMS list is eligible to win a free large pizza each week) and the keyword: FREEPIZZA.

Since we're not bound to shortcodes and have no limitations on keywords, we can give the FREEPIZZA keyword to every pizza place we service -- that ensures the highest conversion rate. But frankly, the way we set it up the opt-in works regardless of whatever keyword the person sends (or, in fact, no keyword at all, just a blank text message gets them enrolled in the list).

That's a terrific concept. How do they do it, draw a mobile number out of a hat every week?

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Steven Carl Kelly

12 years ago

Originally Posted by xlfutur1

That's a terrific concept. How do they do it, draw a mobile number out of a hat every week?

Yes. For clients who want to run a free pizza sign up campaign, our software will pick a winner each week for them.

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xlfutur1

12 years ago

So for the people that don't win, do they ever get sent any messages? Or do you send another type of coupon to people that don't win?

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Steven Carl Kelly

12 years ago

Originally Posted by xlfutur1

So for the people that don't win, do they ever get sent any messages? Or do you send another type of coupon to people that don't win?

Everybody who texts to the long code is added to the SMS marketing list. They get whatever SMS messages the biz owner subsequently sends out. Since we draw a new free pizza every week, everyone on the list has a chance to win every week -- not just those who signed up that particular week.

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xlfutur1

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Steven Carl Kelly

Everybody who texts to the long code is added to the SMS marketing list. They get whatever SMS messages the biz owner subsequently sends out. Since we draw a new free pizza every week, everyone on the list has a chance to win every week -- not just those who signed up that particular week.

Ok, I get it. so when the winner is drawn then, you send just one SMS to that person letting them know they won. But all of the list gets other offers at other times during the month. How many SMS per month do you suggest the business owner limit it to? I assume that you are running the campaigns and not letting them do it.

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Steven Carl Kelly

12 years ago

Originally Posted by xlfutur1

Ok, I get it. so when the winner is drawn then, you send just one SMS to that person letting them know they won. But all of the list gets other offers at other times during the month. How many SMS per month do you suggest the business owner limit it to? I assume that you are running the campaigns and not letting them do it.

No, in most cases we set each customer up with their own campaign manager front end so that they can run their own. In many cases, like pizza restaurants, we're marketing this as a "customers-on-demand" service (it's 7 PM on Friday night and they're not close to their sales goals, so they can send out a mass SMS offering a discount or promo good for that night only). Therefore, we STRONGLY suggest that they send out no more than ONE mass SMS per week.

But the rest is correct: we SMS the winner each week to let them know they've won.

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robitn4

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Steven Carl Kelly

Since we're not bound to shortcodes and have no limitations on keywords, we can give the FREEPIZZA keyword to every pizza place we service -- that ensures the highest conversion rate. But frankly, the way we set it up the opt-in works regardless of whatever keyword the person sends (or, in fact, no keyword at all, just a blank text message gets them enrolled in the list).

I'm curious of how you handle wrong number texts, if any, resulting in an accidental subscriber. Some of these numbers are previously used and recycled back or added to Twilio's inventory via transfers from other carriers. Do you use a double opt-in, or...?

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Steven Carl Kelly

12 years ago

Originally Posted by robitn4

I'm curious of how you handle wrong number texts, if any, resulting in an accidental subscriber. Some of these numbers are previously used and recycled back or added to Twilio's inventory via transfers from other carriers. Do you use a double opt-in, or...?

All messages include a notice that they can "text STOP to opt-out" or the "text HELP for options" which then gives the the info on texting STOP to unsubcribe.

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mrmatt

12 years ago

Having worked with a pizza shop and many other businesses what I have learned is that you can set them up with anything and everything. They will either do nothing or do it for a few weeks and then stop doing it all together.

My only suggestion is that is if they like the idea you need to have it set up that you will manage everything for a monthly fee. So not only will you get your money upfront you will also be getting that recurring revenue.

Other wise you are going to have a pissed off pizza parlor owner who says internet does not work. Which, we all know it does.

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Izesta

12 years ago

Originally Posted by mrmatt

Having worked with a pizza shop and many other businesses what I have learned is that you can set them up with anything and everything. They will either do nothing or do it for a few weeks and then stop doing it all together.

My only suggestion is that is if they like the idea you need to have it set up that you will manage everything for a monthly fee. So not only will you get your money upfront you will also be getting that recurring revenue.

Other wise you are going to have a pissed off pizza parlor owner who says internet does not work. Which, we all know it does.

It's so interesting MrMatt that you and Steven Carl Kelly are having such a difference experience with how the account is managed.

You have found it does not work when the biz owner is in control of the account, yet Steven is apparently having much success with just the opposite. I wonder where the difference lies. Who/how the account is managed is a big part of the business.

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Steven Carl Kelly

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Izesta

It's so interesting MrMatt that you and Steven Carl Kelly are having such a difference experience with how the account is managed.

You have found it does not work when the biz owner is in control of the account, yet Steven is apparently having much success with just the opposite. I wonder where the difference lies. Who/how the account is managed is a big part of the business.

Make no mistake, we do have to step in at times to revive a flagging account that is withering because the owners aren't keeping it up. However, we try to screen each business to decide which is the best route for them: we manage or they manage. If they choose the latter, we explain to them what's involved... if we feel they're not truly capable of making the service thrive, we'll strongly recommend that we manage it for them. However, if they insist, we'll allow them to do it themselves, of course.

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Izesta

12 years ago

Originally Posted by mrmatt

Having worked with a pizza shop and many other businesses what I have learned is that you can set them up with anything and everything. They will either do nothing or do it for a few weeks and then stop doing it all together.

My only suggestion is that is if they like the idea you need to have it set up that you will manage everything for a monthly fee. So not only will you get your money upfront you will also be getting that recurring revenue.

Other wise you are going to have a pissed off pizza parlor owner who says internet does not work. Which, we all know it does.

Matt, how much is a reasonable monthly fee?

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hotlinkz

12 years ago

Let us know how it goes. Don't forget to ask about where they are spending other marketing money. Maybe you can have them divert it to their online and mobile marketing efforts. This is especially true when it comes to Yellow Pages ads.

Best of luck...

Calvin

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truly_gifted

12 years ago

Just thought I'd chime back in for a minute.

I've followed up with this guy several times, and he's a dud. You know, one of those business owners who will sink for refusing to swim even though they know they need to try something different.

Anyhow, there are lots of competitors in the area who would love to move in and snatch up what this guy left on the table. Some people don't catch on until they see someone else doing it, and by then, they're too far behind in the game.

Perhaps, he might get back in touch at a later date, but I won't hold my breath. He's a cookie cutter type of guy, and unfortunately, I don't sell cookies....

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Mr. Subtle

12 years ago

Originally Posted by truly_gifted

I've followed up with this guy several times, and he's a dud. You know, one of those business owners who will sink for refusing to swim even though they know they need to try something different.

I'm guessing he loved the SMS idea, but failed to see the ROI... which was?

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John Romaine

12 years ago

Perform a comprehensive website audit, then email it to him with a cover letter explaining he can either contact you, or you'll follow up.

Use your website audit to explain everything in detail (benefits etc)

This way when you speak to him next its not so "cold" and he'll likely be a lot more responsive.

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Tim Franklin

12 years ago

I called on a business one time and went for the "kill the old lame website" deal, which had worked before, on numerous occasions, however this time, it just so happened that the owner of the business was the creator of the old lame website that looked horrible and did nothing to bring in new business.

I learned a good lesson that day, never try to kill the competition unless you know who and what the competition actually is, LOL, still there is a healthy skepticism, in the offline world, as well as a downright deep seeded resentment toward website and online marketing I talked to one owner that was spending $89.00 per month for a cheap website and bottom rung hosting, which they called business hosting but was really just an old computer sitting in a local computer store.

When I told them they could probably get decent hosting for as little as $29.00 per month the owner just stood there with his mouth hanging open, he then invited me to have something to eat while he picked my brains and I signed him up on the spot.

There are literally thousands of such places out there that are being price gouged and taken advantage of by "so called Local business service providers"

One of my favorite "targets" is the local car dealerships, they tend to over pay on just about every service they have simply because they have the overhead.

But that has changed, with the way the economy is going people are open to talking and if you can get them talking to you, then you can make them a customer.

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fernandoescobar

12 years ago

Great post/discussion on SMS, mobile marketing, and QR codes.
Thanks for everyone's input.

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AnneE

12 years ago

So what happened? Enquiring minds want to know? The original post was on 4/14... did you end up pitching to the owner? If it was a yes... congrats. If it was a no.... then just keep on keeping on till you get that yes.

But don't leave us hanging.... I always want to know how the story turns out in the end.

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LastWarrior

12 years ago

Originally Posted by AnneE

So what happened? Enquiring minds want to know? The original post was on 4/14... did you end up pitching to the owner? ...don't leave us hanging.... want to know how the story turns out in the end.

AnneE, Look at Post # 38:

truly_gifted said:
"Just thought I'd chime back in for a minute.
I've followed up with this guy several times, and he's a dud."

LastWarrior

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John Durham 12 years ago

After you get your foot in the door due to all the great advice here... Heres my two cents:

Dont hang so much energy up on one prospect who hasnt really given you that many buying signals yet...

Here's the NUMBER ONE thing you can do (take it or leave it) to effect your pitch in the STRONGEST WAY - "Have lots of Prospects".

When a man/woman has 3 more appointments scheduled right behind this one, then they walk into their meeting with a different swagger, and point of leverage.

If you dont have any more deals cooking then every prospect you get in front of is gonna have all the leverage on you, because you will need the sale to close worse than they do.

Turn it around, develop a BUNCH of prospects, then when you walk into a meeting, your success or failure doesnt hang on one person... and its the subtle nuance that will change your tone NATURALLY, and DRAMATICALLY without even trying, and that will close more deals.

When you feel confident that you have more prospects than you know what to do with then you will sell more easily... Its more about your "VIBE" than what you say in this example.

So, theres my two cents. As Zig Ziglar says " Spend more time prospecting and less time suspecting".

Thats how you keep from getting what he calls "Cooked in the Squat". And its true. In this case one could spend an entire week making grand plans to call on a prospect who hasnt even expressed any major buy signals... thats called getting cooked in the squat.

I havent read the thread so I dont know how this panned out, but here was some good general advice to sell by.

Many folks (not you) have never done business before the internet... they grew up in a world where the aspirations were different "Money without being a salesman"...

Well for "Offliners" it doesnt work that way, and they would benefit highly from looking up some people like Zig Ziglar.

Hope this helps.
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- mtnbiker50 12 years ago
  
  @ John.. Awesome words of advise. I think that is also what holds some of us back so afraid that if we can't get "that one" were screwed so if we don't try it is a "possibility".
  
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