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What am I Missing?

by Bobster0007
17 replies
Im having a hard time understanding why businesses are not begging for help. It seems like common sense to me that if I had a local business, I would want to be seen first or at least the first page by people looking for my service / product. I must be missing something so i need help understanding this. I have sent out many targeted letters and emails. I dont know how many actually get to the owner / decision maker though. Do they think I would have to do illegal activities to move them up? IDK but somethings going on and Im left scratching my head. I can do practically any search and nobody around here has their Google Places page Optimized. This is a golden position that nobody seems to understand. You would have to spend many thousands of dollars and lots of time to even have a chance to out rank GP with your website. I mean even big money niches like lawyers are not Optimized. I am not able to comprehend this. I could do so much for them given the chance. I have read many WSOs and know how to getter done. I feel like im looking at a red car but everyone else seems to think its a green car. lol...:confused:
#missing
  • Profile picture of the author DWolfe
    Put your self in their shoes. The economy is in bad shape in their eyes. When they get a sales pitch their defense goes up. Some are going to read your e-mail some are going to toss it.


    You may have to go out and build relationships in person. Also some owners are so busy working in their business they have no time to work on their business. It is not so much seeing a different color vehicle, they may see the red car but figure they can not afford it or know how to drive it.
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  • Profile picture of the author alcymart
    It all has to do with the "words" written. The terminology you use in your messages and your approach. Most letters are tossed away by a secretary simply by reading the subject line. With the correct subject line, the message will make it to the owner 95% of times, however if you lack knowledge of "written words" in your message, he will toss it away.

    He or she will actually be very excited if you used the correct "written words". You simply need to learn how to compose a business "worded" message.

    Here is the correct Subject line format as an example: No more, no less and case sensitive.

    ATTN: John Smith

    Yes, you need to research his real complete name prior.

    Also in business terminology, we don't write "Price", we write "quote", as in I'll send you a quote next week.

    Also your signature plays a role. In fact, the subject and body and basically every single word may play a role if you want to expect a prompt reply or interest in your offer.

    Here are a few words in business terminology which some are not even in the dictionary: Adaptive Firm, Brand Equity, Broker, Cannibalization, Seed Capital, Distinctive Competency, Co-Branding, Early Majority, Everett Rogers, Frequency Marketing, intraprenuership, on-costs, Marketing Audit, Burden Rate, and many hundreds more...

    I'll teach anyone who is willing to learn

    Take care,

    Bernard St-Pierre
    Marketing Consultant
    Copywriter/Teacher
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    • Profile picture of the author Bobster0007
      Points well taken guys!

      My email header is usually this........... I was searching........or.....I was searching for you

      ps..... I have removed personal info and city...

      There are 1000 people searching for the phrase "auto repair city" per month using Google. Imagine if they could find you! What would adding even a small percentage of those potential customers per month mean to your profits? They are buying from someone. Why not you?

      Most of the old ways of getting new customers are dead, well over 80% of people now search online for local services and products.If you don't keep up with new marketing / advertising changes you will lose customers. Get the upper hand on your competitors by being seen by people looking for you.


      Your customers are trying to find a business like yours using Google. Unfortunately, right now, you are not found on the first page.If you are not on the first page then you won't even be seen.

      Try it for yourself right now. Type in your browser "auto repair city". Your competitors that you see on the first page are receiving the calls. Is it time to claim your fair share yet?
      Each client can be very valuable to your bottom line.

      You don't show up because, right now Google thinks that other businesses are more important than yours.

      I can change that for you now. Safe and legal means only. I don't just try to do it and hope for the best. I have the specialized skills to do this. You don't pay until i deliver. No risk to you at all. It won't cost an arm or leg and I don't need access to your website to do it. I can completely explain everything and show you clearly how to generate new leads that you never had a chance at before. This is using new and powerful techniques. You will truly Dominate local search.

      I have contacted other local businesses. I will only work with 2 local businesses because the front page space on Google is limited and sought after.

      Call me Now! with your next available appointment. You will not be sorry!

      Sincerely






      PS... You will not be contacted again!
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  • Profile picture of the author MaxReferrals
    The bottom line is the business owner doesn't UNDERSTAND the web, online and IM, bc they don't LIVE in this world daily like we do. They are concerned about two things:

    1. Getting more customers and clients.
    2. Making more money

    I might add a third to this (for certain industries): retaining customers/clients.

    Show them what you do, and how it accomplishes these 3 things, and they will buy all day long.

    As you put it, they will BEG for help, if your message resonates on these 2 or 3 points.

    However... keep marketing GP, mobile, PPC, SEO QR, social, SMS, web dev, etc.... and they'll look at you as another local marketer trying to sell them something they don't understand.

    You're pushing a rope doing this - (not to mention, the business owner must consciously admit they don't know something about how to grow their business... not an easy confession on their part.)

    Translate to them *how* your IM services directly fill their needs above, and you'll have more business than you can handle.

    Good luck.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mwind076
    Off the top of my head, you are assuming that each business knows what you do. These people get calls, mailings, visits etc. every day, they hear you, and 50 other people telling them how to get more business. So, you have to be not annoying, fast, and interesting.

    I cold call, I'm an appointment setter. I don't get hung up on because I play into that "I know you get tons of calls, but I'd like to set up a time to talk to you about _____."

    I'd love to help, my email is in my profile.
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    • Profile picture of the author Bobster0007
      I finally got a call back. I spoke briefly and found out what i needed. I have a meeting thursday and will lock this down. I think the biggest problem is most of these so called SEO companies smooth talk them out of their money and do nothing for them. Now the client is gun shy and its hard for them to trust anyone. Im even offering to work on a contingency basis for now.
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      • Profile picture of the author EMaria
        Originally Posted by Bobster0007 View Post

        I finally got a call back. I spoke briefly and found out what i needed. I have a meeting thursday and will lock this down. I think the biggest problem is most of these so called SEO companies smooth talk them out of their money and do nothing for them. Now the client is gun shy and its hard for them to trust anyone. Im even offering to work on a contingency basis for now.

        Hi Bobster0007,

        There you go! Congratulations. Something had to give, right? Now you know it's not you. Seems you are at a point where you are discovering your own way.

        Before you know it, you will have more clients than you can handle, and then your biggest concern will be whether you want to start outsourcing or not. :confused:

        Good luck, and keep us updated.

        Ellen
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        • Profile picture of the author Bobster0007
          Originally Posted by EMaria View Post

          Hi Bobster0007,

          There you go! Congratulations. Something had to give, right? Now you know it's not you. Seems you are at a point where you are discovering your own way.

          Before you know it, you will have more clients than you can handle, and then your biggest concern will be whether you want to start outsourcing or not. :confused:

          Good luck, and keep us updated.

          Ellen
          Thanks Ellen for showing some luv over here! .......anyway, I did get some GPs work from him so it did feel good fo sho....Now im working hard to fulfill my end.
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    • Profile picture of the author Intermission
      I'm having the same problem with the businesses I have been in contact with.

      Many of them I have even gone in person. Haven't actually tried doing emails yet. Cold calling was tough because of the receptionist or 'gatekeeper'. In person wasn't much better, no owners. Most people just don't want to even discuss a website or Google, Facebook, etc. I need to figure this out.
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      • Profile picture of the author Bobster0007
        Originally Posted by Intermission View Post

        I'm having the same problem with the businesses I have been in contact with.

        Many of them I have even gone in person. Haven't actually tried doing emails yet. Cold calling was tough because of the receptionist or 'gatekeeper'. In person wasn't much better, no owners. Most people just don't want to even discuss a website or Google, Facebook, etc. I need to figure this out.
        Im going to add a small photo of myself to the PDF after i figure out how using with Acrobat X pro. Im just trying different things to see what hits. I think maybe if they see a face to put with the email maybe some will bite. Getting the work is way harder than doing it. But thats why great salespeople make great money.
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  • Profile picture of the author dannygnenerate
    Here's the deal when in person you have to ask them how beneficial this is to them. Be clever and have a portfolio ready while you're talking to them of those you've helped or who you're currently working with. This way you give them a sense of credibility. Remember it's all about the emotion you portray and bring out of them. Tell them the benefits to their business and what could happen if they didn't do it NOW in this stale dry economy and how this expands them... Get their email and create a page for them and say this is what your customers will see before they get to your site (I can make it if you'd like). Email it to them or have it ready before you even walk in on a laptop or for they can bring it up. If you're doing it through e-mail then that's a tougher market because only 20% actually open emails like that aren't from their contacts... they deem it to be spam. Maybe bring clients to them through the texting market which is highly untapped and people open those like crazy... Here's what you'd need for that dannygenerate . com /lm1 (sorry I had to write it like this, I don't have 15 posts yet) These are some options that made me very successful. GET RID OF WHAT DOESN'T WORK!!! or you'll be trapped. Good luck and much success to you.
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  • Profile picture of the author homerunhitter
    People generally want to keep things the way they are. Getting someone to do something for you is harder than it seems.
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  • Profile picture of the author sdentrepreneur
    I have been full time since 2008 for Retail Businesses and have never sent a unsolicited email to a client or direct mail piece. I go to Chamber, LeTip, BNI, Meet Up and Business Mixer/Happy Hours.
    At these meetings I don't try to sell my service at first, I build relationships with who I want to work with, have conversations and sometimes offer a free consultation. My favorite tip is to put your name as Google Marketing or Facebook Marketing. You will then have the people who are interested and understand IM swarming around you wanting to learn more.
    After maybe 3 to 5 connections with the people I chose to work with, then I would set a time to bid them my services. My best client I got from one of these was a Franchise and now do the marketing 120 locations. Lastly, brand yourself as a leader with a LinkedIn Profile with recommendations and a Facebook Business Page. This will help close some deals. Hope this helps :-)
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  • Profile picture of the author BrendaG
    I have found the business owners I have approached to be intimidated by anything related to the internet. They 'get it' in a general sense, but it is way out of their comfort zone. I've been doing some very basic market research on the fly to see if this is something I want to add to my mix given all the recent mobile hype. Despite what the mobile gurus pitch, not all brick and mortar businesses are clanging to go mobile or be online.

    Even my local pizza shop is just warming up to the idea of text campaigns after several casual conversations of simply seed planting while I'm ordering lunch. And I have to admit I created some hype with the college kids working there during slow weekend hours.

    In fact, they finally agreed to a sit down so we could chat after months of grooming...and I have been frequently this place for years!

    I chatted up another take out guy last weekend as I ordered a sub (impromptu convo on a Sunday)....he's heard of these ideas like text message marketing, but feels his close proximity to the local university is enough...and I saw his eyes glaze over when we talked about how actual campaigns may flow for him....

    It's a consultative sale to be sure - and they need slow immersion into this world....in my brief experience with it.

    It's about the relationship first...until they open up and feel comfortable with it...like most things, it takes time....and demonstration that it actually will boost their business. Where I live, restaurants are still going strong....and they feel what they are doing is working so why change?
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  • Profile picture of the author Bayo
    Focus on what they want not what you want.

    The IM angle is sexy and for us marketers we have a lot of emotional energy invested in what we DO, sometimes forgetting that businesses are for the most part not even remotely interested in what we do e.g. Google Places setup, FB pages, getting them to page 1 in Google.

    What you need to be more focused on is understanding what they want, what not having it is causing them and getting them to realize it.

    Many people are over-weight and the health is at risk. Doesn't mean they talk a walk every now and then ... which is 100% FREE!

    Why not? Because while they may say they want to be in good shape (like a business owner saying they want 'more business') their action confirm what they want.

    Your letters sound like they're leaning more towards 'a hope and a prayer' as opposed to highly focused, but I could be wrong.

    I also agree with the general thought expressed so far.

    Bayo
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  • Profile picture of the author Scott Lambency
    I would suggest give them some free information...

    "Don't Hire An SEO Service Until You Read This FREE Report"

    Or...

    "How Much Money Are You Leaving On The Table If Your Costomers Can't Even Find You Online?"

    In your report, let them know how valuable this online real estate can be. Compare search engines to the advertising methods they are already using...

    Talk numbers. How many people use google to search over other methods? Offline advertising is a dying medium. Find a creative way to let your customers know that if they don't keep up with the changing times, their businesses will become extinct.
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    • Profile picture of the author EMaria
      Originally Posted by Scott Lambency View Post

      I would suggest give them some free information...

      "Don't Hire An SEO Service Until You Read This FREE Report"

      Or...

      "How Much Money Are You Leaving On The Table If Your Costomers Can't Even Find You Online?"

      In your report, let them know how valuable this online real estate can be. Compare search engines to the advertising methods they are already using...
      I wholeheartedly agree with this approach. Provide great information so they start viewing you as someone who just might know what they're talking about. Once they start to feel this way, their confidence will grow as they contemplate doing business with you.

      Something I did at the beginning of the year was to look up several businesses in my area in the Yellow Pages. I had 20 nice copies of a 54-page general report printed up. They looked very very professional. My goal that day was to merely visit 20 businesses, and make casual conversation. I introduced myself as another business owner in the area and just wanted to stop in and say hello. I had even patronized a few of them, so I worked into the conversation about what great service I received the last time I was there.

      I didn't try to twist their arm into listening about how they should get this or that regarding their marketing. I just talked for a few minutes, very pleasant and casual, handed them a copy of the report and said "Here's some great information that "might" be of interest to you ... please accept this complimentary copy". I then smiled and said "have a nice day!". They smiled back and said "Thank You!"

      Of course I had my contact info, including my web address inside the report. I received 2 clients from that effort. There was no sales pressure to business owners, and no anxiety and fear on my part.

      I took me a while to work up the nerve but once I got my mindset to the point where I believed that my goal was not to go and try "sell" somebody on something, but rather to approach a few other business owners and give them some information that might be of interest to them, it was cool.
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