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Local Marketing Strategy

by sgtsavvy
16 replies
Hi guys, glad i found y'all, this place is amazing.

Got Three primary questions that would be absolutely incredible to get experienced answers to...

Well... After about 6 years of being involved with marketing and content creation, I've finally taken the plunge and am going for setting up a local marketing consultancy.

I've setup a 3 month plan to get a sustainable local marketing business up and running. (not including the last 4 months of getting my ducks in a row figuring out vision, goals, my real reasons for doing this, getting the material information created and pieced together including structure and services.. etc.)

I know Wordpress, SEO, Content Creation, Email marketing, basic Social Media, and pride myself on my problem solving and thinking skills.


First Question...

How hard is learning the local SEO like google places, yahoo listings, bing listings, YP, etc how much work is actually involved. ?

I mean, is it something that takes more than one or two times of just going through the process and figuring it out, or is there more involved? what does monthly management involve?

and How much do you charge for a complete package of these services...? (what might that all include? )

Is that something i can charge 2,000 usd for...

Second Question...

Basically the same question as question 1, but for mobile marketing...


And Finally...

In regards to zeroing in on first target...

Well i've been positioning for and focusing on setting up this company to offer market research-SEO, email marketing, social media, local marketing, (plus eventually mobile marketing) and optional training to teach those who are interested how to manage the maintenance internally...

Question is that im in pretty desperate need of that first sale... im trying to determine what route to take in getting my first sale.

Im reading through these boards where im reading how lots of you are saying this type of business is a nightmare, and am now starting to wonder if i should just offer like one service and find a way to make things as little complicated as possible. Since im not trying to setup a massive agency but moreso make a lot of money-build some credibility and marketing results, and phase things into requiring as little involvement from me as possible to fund my passion projects.

i've created a qualified prospect list, phone scripts, consultation questions, and am trying to hire someone to do the calls and consultation appointment setting... But the last guy i hired from peopleperhour i never heard from again after he sent me an invoice. (good thing i didnt pay him )

If you were in my position what would you do?

Maybe just learning mobile marketing and offering that (which seems to require very very little work and a high monthly payout) would be better and easier than offer a full on suite of services and dealing with all the headaches and bad clients...?

When i've got more results and information to report i look forward to contributing.

Jamie
#first sale #local marketing #target #zeroing
  • Profile picture of the author jimbo13
    Simple rule.

    Minimum Offerings + Maximimum Payment Methods = More Sales.

    So yes, go with one thing to start with and just focus on it.

    Like you say, you are not exactly trying to compete with WPP - and they don't jabber on about too many options for their clients.

    Dan
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    • Profile picture of the author sgtsavvy
      hey thanks. what WPP by the way?

      any ideas about which piece to focus on first out of the three?

      Local search,
      SEO,
      Mobile


      Any insight from anyone whos done the local marketing and what they include in their package/sell it for?

      Appreciate any help, i really really need some help here guys.
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  • Profile picture of the author sgtsavvy
    annnyone, any help... could really really use it right now, not having an easy time here.
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  • Profile picture of the author mjbmedia
    If youve spent that much time planning it all, and theres nothing wrong with that by the way, then you should be able to figure out the answer yourself from your business plan .

    You dont have to know how to do things, outsource it, and make sure you have enough margin to profit as much as you want. You only need to understand what mobile marketing can bring to a business not how to actually do it all .

    Youve had XX years in marketing it seems, so you tell us what is it your prospects will want from using you?
    1 To understand the technical aspect of your services
    2 To understand how you implement it for them
    3 To enjoy the extra clients and profit it brings :-) :-) :-)
    Signature

    Mike

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  • Profile picture of the author maintainie
    If youve spent that much time planning it all, and theres nothing wrong with that by the way, then you should be able to figure out the answer yourself from your business plan .

    You dont have to know how to do things, outsource it, and make sure you have enough margin to profit as much as you want. You only need to understand what mobile marketing can bring to a business not how to actually do it all .

    Youve had XX years in marketing it seems, so you tell us what is it your prospects will want from using you?
    1 To understand the technical aspect of your services
    2 To understand how you implement it for them
    3 To enjoy the extra clients and profit it brings :-) :-) :-)
    Yeah,that's what I want to know.Then thank you for the imformation.
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    • Profile picture of the author sgtsavvy
      good points.

      Yes, i've identified who my customers will be, and what they'll want from me.

      What they'll want from me is the extra customers and profits i bring to their business.

      while i appreciate the input, that not the questions im asking here though...

      what i was looking for was any advice on any of the above questions...

      Not trying to sound irritated, but is there a post count i have to get to get someone to share advice that reads your questions...

      anyways, most of the people and content around here are being very generous, i'll just go make some cold calls and stop stalling.
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      • Profile picture of the author jimbo13
        Hello

        Well I don't actually do any of this IM stuff myself but it seems to me from a sales point of view that Mobile would be good for you because:

        1. It looks as though you just optimize an existing site so not too much work involved, plus there are people on this forum who will do it for about $50

        2. It is a very fast, visual demonstration

        3. You can sell it for $300+ so make $250+ per sale

        4. It is your entry to sell the other things you mentioned later as you will need a more sustainable income than a one off sale.

        There are some telemarketers on this forum if you don't wish to do the calling yourself.

        Don't know if that helps you at all.

        Dan
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      • Profile picture of the author mjbmedia
        Originally Posted by sgtsavvy View Post

        good points.

        Yes, i've identified who my customers will be, and what they'll want from me.

        What they'll want from me is the extra customers and profits i bring to their business.

        while i appreciate the input, that not the questions im asking here though...

        what i was looking for was any advice on any of the above questions...

        Not trying to sound irritated, but is there a post count i have to get to get someone to share advice that reads your questions...

        anyways, most of the people and content around here are being very generous, i'll just go make some cold calls and stop stalling.
        sorry but your question was

        "if you were in my position what would you do?" well i answered that, I advised to outsource it rather than learn how to do it, why because its quicker, cheaper easier and I can concentrate on winning more clients and upselling existing ones rather than having to keep up to date with all FB, Google, SM, PPC etc changes .

        Your post also suggested you were only looking to offer set services when your prospects, as youve agreed, will mostly be interested in the extra profits and customers. talking to and offering them PPC, FB, SEO whatever is likely to confuse them , talking to them about increasing their profits and client base will make them listen. They dont care how its done or whats used, providing its above board , they want the bottom line higher .
        Signature

        Mike

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        • Profile picture of the author sgtsavvy
          i appreciate you taking the time to answer, im not trying to argue with you.
          it may not be clear, and we're likely misunderstanding something...

          i will be outsourcing the individual tasks, yes, thats part of the plan. what i was asking is for someone in my shoes a couple years ahead, who may have a similar mind who could tell me if its a better idea to just go with say selling google places as the initial pitch, or feel em out and then offer what will work best.

          Also, how much do people charge for a "local listings package" and what do you include.

          one of my, and probably my biggest strong suits is my creative thinking and ability to see the bigger picture and strategize what needs to happen for them to be the leader in their local market, so ultimately the higher level marketing "consulting" to figure what works best and most effective is where my interest is and will be how i'll be successful at this.

          Im just saying... getting that initial workload of clients, what is the best way to go, in terms of setting up no headache, good long-term relationships with clients who'll happily pay you handsomely for what you bring to their business.

          You know, if i knew the answer i wouldn't have to ask, so i cannot tell you what the answer i was expecting would necessarily be.. All i know is in two years, i'd be able to see the question and then know how to answer it. But i guess thats the difficulty in perspective and different personalities...

          again, thanks for the response, sorry if i wasn't clear.


          Jamie
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  • Profile picture of the author dericks3
    Jamie
    Feel free to email me or call me,I have an appointment setting service.
    We can discuss the particulars.

    Doug Erickson
    281-249-5187

    amazonpress1 (@) yahoo.com
    Signature

    Appointment Setting Services With 20 Years In Telemarketing...Very Affordable Rates....
    Guaranteed Results...Pm Me For Details

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  • Profile picture of the author SiteSmarty
    sgtsavvy: Serving local businesses is easier than you think. It's about your approach. If you're stopping business owners on the street saying "hey you want to buy a website" or making 50 calls to the businesses saying "hey you want to buy a website" or "mobile site" or "SEO" services, then you're not going to make it serving offline businesses. Cold calling, meeting in person isn't going to get you anywhere either.

    Business owners hire you to take care of their stuff, not to chat with you or listen to your sales pitch in person. They don't care about you at all. They want results, period. They pay for results.

    I'll answer your questions straight up:

    - It's easy to learn any of the local search systems you mentioned. Once or twice completing each step and you have it. It's just like filling out a form. The reason business owners will use you is that it's a pain in the butt to get the photos and videos together. (hint, hint) You have to learn how to SEO these systems, that's key.

    - You won't get $2000 dollars for your services at one time, you'll get 4-$5000 a year.

    - Forget outsourcing at first. Build your reputation locally. Outsourcing to the wrong dude just once will ruin you. Don't outsource.

    - Forget offering all those services you mention all at once. Pick one thing. Learn it. Be good at it.

    - Use the internet to approach potential clients. Go to Google Places and pick a category that shows Google Places in a search and start at the bottom listing.

    - Send them snail mail and offer them something. Make sure you have a way to check if they are taking your bait. If you don't hear back from them, then go to the next one on the list. Keep doing that and one will take your bait and reply. Depending on the reply re work your mail piece until you snag someone interested in your offer.

    - Now you can build a relationship with them. Now introduce that one easy thing you know well. Offer it a rock bottom price. They'll bite.

    - You only need that first client. Then upsell them with whatever you want.

    - As you're working with the client ask him to refer others to you. They will and you'll be off and running.

    - Back to the $2000 thing. You won't get local businesses paying a stranger that type of money up front. But if you do what I explained, over the year you'll make double of what you're thinking right now. Why? Because local business owners like to have a "Go To Person". They use you for whatever you can do.

    - Don't barg in on a business owner. Slow and easy. Let them know you first. It doesn't take much. Then ease in. Then upsell softly.

    Wish you the best. Just do it. Own it.
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    • Profile picture of the author sgtsavvy
      thank you very much, SiteSmarty.

      Heres the thing tho... i KNOW SEO, but i don't have any experience with local search and mobile advertising...

      SEO takes a while, the other two don't seem to be much to learn and implement, and they can secure clients immediately and have pretty immediate results as its a one off deal... So it seems like this may be better to start off with than a full blown SEO campaign which may take 3-6-9 months to rank for.

      Again, the first goal is just get a few clients as soon as possible build a good relationship, do the job well, and then as you said upsell and become their goto guy.

      Which would you do/recommend given that i need to build a client list, some experience, and MAKE some money ASAP?

      very grateful for the advice.
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      • Profile picture of the author SiteSmarty
        sgtsavvy: You don't need to worry about the list yet. Just get one client and do them right. When I say upsell I mean gently let them know what other services you offer. No selling.

        Business folks aren't like online business people. Most know nothing about internet marketing. They can use the PC, check email and fool around on social sites. But they don't know what you know.

        They want your help. They're good to work for. When you have the right attitude you'll find they pay without issues. Don't nickel and dime them. You get the picture.

        Forget the SEO to start. Just get them to let you complete their Bing Business Portal page for them.

        Why Bing? It's new. Just by completing their Portal page you'll rank them #1 in Bing fast. Plus use Bing Webmaster Tools. Bing is 30%+ of the overall net search market, convert that to numbers for them. You can get your foot in the door that way and secure a client.

        There are lots of ways you can work this. I secure every client I approach. No cold calling, no meeting in person. All by mail and the internet. So if I can do this from the middle of nowhere, you can do it in your community.

        You have to come up with your own system and keep it to yourself if you want to succeed in your community.

        In any business getting the clients is the hardest part. Everything else is just common sense and hard work. You can do it, just create a system for yourself and act. You can tweak as you go.
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        • Profile picture of the author thefsboking
          I hope someone within this thread can help. Having a background in IT i can price a network or pc job with no problem. Now that I am armed with knowledge of SEO what do offline contractors charge for services such as:
          1. Getting on page 1 of Google with Google places?
          2. Getting on page 1 of Google with Google places and client has website?
          2. Staying on first page of Google

          I realize the figure changes from one location to the next but if I can hear from a couple of people it would get me out of the parking lot and into the ballpark. thanks in advance warriors
          Signature

          Mike Williams

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  • Profile picture of the author bobbobson
    One of the things I love about SEO is how straight forward it is to practice, once you've learnt the basics. Like anything, the most difficult part is assessing each individual situation and coming up with a plan, but once you learn what to look for it's really pretty simple.
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    [Offliners!] Newbie Friendly Method = Easy Clients Paying $200 - $500 per month [AMAZING Reviews]

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    • Profile picture of the author SiteSmarty
      $99 to get to Google Places. Throw Bing Business Portal in for free because right now if you compete the listing, all of it, you'll rank #1. $99/m to keep it in #1.

      Feel out your particular market. If you're already working for someone you might be able to get more for the setup.

      As far as the SERPs go it would depend on the competitiveness of key phrase. Possibly an SEO could shed more light on that pricing.
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