Is this realistic?

13 years ago

That's hard to say without knowing your sales ability.

I think 2 out of 20 would be outstanding. More realistically is probably 1 in 100.

Here's the thing. You could get a client from the very first place you approach.

On the other hand, it may be the 25th person. In the end, does it matter?

If you're going to prospect in person, commit to it. Your first few times out won't be great.

Just like cold-calling on the phone, after you've been in and out of several businesses, you'll get a feel for what works.

I think using direct mail is a more powerful technique for generating leads.

That said, if you have limited resources and need money, then get ready to put in a full day of prospecting, and another day after that, and yes, another after that. This is work!

Don't set yourself up for disappointment by expecting to land 2 in 20 people as clients.

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Zach Waldman - Los Angeles Magician

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P1

13 years ago

Originally Posted by ZachWaldman

That's hard to say without knowing your sales ability.

I think 2 out of 20 would be outstanding. More realistically is probably 1 in 100.

Here's the thing. You could get a client from the very first place you approach.

On the other hand, it may be the 25th person. In the end, does it matter?

If you're going to prospect in person, commit to it. Your first few times out won't be great.

Just like cold-calling on the phone, after you've been in and out of several businesses, you'll get a feel for what works.

I think using direct mail is a more powerful technique for generating leads.

That said, if you have limited resources and need money, then get ready to put in a full day of prospecting, and another day after that, and yes, another after that. This is work!

Don't set yourself up for disappointment by expecting to land 2 in 20 people as clients.

Great tips! I am very commited I just finished my web design website from scratch no WP etc.

I plan to research local food businesses to see if they have a website if they do I offer to do a mobile site for them. And if they don't have a site do that.

I'm hoping to land a lot of interest by offering the services with 50 percent off just to build my portfolio, also pay them for referrals so win-win on their part.

Thanks
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ZachWaldman 13 years ago

Just to put this in perspective and to show you how easy your job is, let me tell you briefly what I used to do.

You may not know this (many people don't), but it's very common for magicians to try to get hired in restaurants and bars performing sleight-of-hand magic.

When I was new to L.A., I used to go to one restaurant after another asking if they had an interest in hiring a magician.

I'm dropping in, out of the blue, and asking them to give me money to approach their customers and entertain them.

Now, that is a hard sale!

Currently, I perform at five restaurants a week, and one of them is a very high-end place in Beverly Hills, CA called Crustacean. I've been there eight years.

Now I get gigs because I'm established and have a reputation. But back then, it was rough!

Going to businesses and selling websites is in the realm of something people understand and much easier to do. Now, go do it!

Good luck!

Zach
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Zach Waldman - Los Angeles Magician
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- Goldenboy 13 years ago
  
  To start something, is the challenging part. You have to endure hardships for you to learn something and from that learning; it will then be easier for you as time passes by. Landing 2 out of 20 clients is realistic, since it is not an assurance that from your 20 clients, anyone of them will purchase your products. It requires some skills on how to persuade people to see that the products which your are trying to sell are effective and is worthy for their money. You are still starting in that business so never be discourage of the output of your sales at first, as they say, great things starts at small beginnings.
  When doing visitation to your prospected clients, it requires time and effort so, I would agree Zach's idea that you have to commit to it if you really want to earn. Never be discouraged in everything you do, since not all the time that we can have what we want. But through hard work and perseverance, there is nothing impossible in what we do.
  
  Keep a positive outlook in life always.
  
  Thanks
  
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laurencewins

13 years ago

It does depend on what you're trying to sell. Whether it's door-to-door or telemarketing, it's a numbers game. You get enough no's and eventually you will get some yeses. Persistence is the key and don't let it get you down if you're doing it.

I have done it myself and it was hard but the more I did it the better I became and I turned more nos into yeses.

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Cheers, Laurence.
Writer/Editor/Proofreader.

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P1

13 years ago

Great advice guys! thanks.

Thanks

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RentItNow

13 years ago

I did door to door just to get a feel for what was out there. Also had some college students go out for me to pass out letters. Then used the data to refine what I did. Also learned the general feel for this service in my city (much different than in other places). It was worth a few days. Got one client from about 100 places but the value of what i did has built a business. I would not recommend door to door as a continual operation (you need to be working on the business not in it) but would recommend going out maybe once a month to re guage things.

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I have no agenda but to help those in the same situation. This I feel will pay the bills.

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P1

13 years ago

Originally Posted by RentItNow

I did door to door just to get a feel for what was out there. Also had some college students go out for me to pass out letters. Then used the data to refine what I did. Also learned the general feel for this service in my city (much different than in other places). It was worth a few days. Got one client from about 100 places but the value of what i did has built a business. I would not recommend door to door as a continual operation (you need to be working on the business not in it) but would recommend going out maybe once a month to re guage things.

Ouch, hopefully my low discount prices and referral incentives will pick up more steam.

Thanks

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garyisonline

13 years ago

Could you set up a food related directory style website? Then when you walk in, offer them a free listing in your directory. You could do it right there in front of them with a laptop and mobile internet. Even offer to put their logo on their listing etc. and some other benefit like one of their offers or discounts.

Now you've got 'em hooked (almost client) you have a relationship that you can use to nurture them into a full paying client.

I would forget the 50% build a portfolio routine. It's impossible to go up once they know you're cheap ... and desperate.

Give 'em something cool to hook them. Now that you're buds gradually nudge them toward your other services priced at what they're really worth!

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P1

13 years ago

Originally Posted by garyisonline

Could you set up a food related directory style website? Then when you walk in, offer them a free listing in your directory. You could do it right there in front of them with a laptop and mobile internet. Even offer to put their logo on their listing etc. and some other benefit like one of their offers or discounts.

Now you've got 'em hooked (almost client) you have a relationship that you can use to nurture them into a full paying client.

I would forget the 50% build a portfolio routine. It's impossible to go up once they know you're cheap ... and desperate.

Give 'em something cool to hook them. Now that you're buds gradually nudge them toward your other services priced at what they're really worth!

Hmm good idea, as for the 50% off will be temporary I'll just explain that I'm sure they know about discounts

Thanks

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imback

13 years ago

I would shoot for about 1-35. If you get your salesperson in front of a manager then 1-25 is achievable.

CHAD

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Adrian John

13 years ago

I'll be starting to cols call this week too to also sell mobile websites like you.
I do help fellow warriors everyday with their clients but i want to get my own too

cause the payoff will be of course much higher.

Maybe we can get together on Skype and brainstorm something, or we could try different approaches and see what we can get out of it.
What do you say?
Adrian

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P1

13 years ago

banditu, I don't use Skype.

I have MSN, AIM and Gtalk though would love to brainstorm!

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PoignantPixels

13 years ago

Sales I believe is all a numbers game. The more you clients you get in front of, the better your chances are of landing an account.

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webgladiator

13 years ago

I agree with some of the others in that you need to assess your skill level and comfort ability factor to cold call before you can get a good read on asking or much less getting an answer to this question? Just because the majority on here might tell you to dress up in a chicken costume because that has proven successful for most of us...is that really you?...I know, weird example, but hope you get the point!

Quit looking at the numbers and others non experience for a decision about being successful...you just might be "a natural" as they say! You'll never know unless you try my friend!