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Help with potential client!

by Scitknot9
11 replies
Hi Warriors,

I'm hoping you may be able to help me, but first I'll explain where I am up to this point:

I have a friend who works in a tattoo studio. One of his clients is a well respected DJ, he plays all over the world and runs his own club nights. My mate happened to mention to him that he knows someone (me) who designs websites and mobile sites etc. The DJ was really interested and said ge needs a website and likes the idea of a mobile site too.

My friend gave him my contact details and passed his on to me. So seeking the opportunity (I'm thinking of the huge exposure this could get me as he has a huge FB following etc) I gave him a call, and left a message. Nothing too heavy, just that I'd received his details, it's something I could help him with and I'd like to arrange a meeting with him to run through his aims, etc etc.

I had no reply back, so a week later I rang and left another message....but still no reply. Now I know that he's a busy guy and I don't want to come across as hassling him, but as far as I'm concerned it isn't a "no" until he tells me.

However, because I don't want to seem like I'm pestering him, I haven't contacted him in a couple of weeks! Can you guys recommend what you would do in my situation?

Incidentally, while I was in the tattoo studio (getting some work done on my sleeve) I approached the manager and showed him a mock up mobile site I'd developed for the studio. I showed him on my phone and he said it was something he'd be interested in. I told him that I would develop it and host it for free in exchange for him posting a link to it on his FB wall (he too has a 6,000 plus following - a lot of which are business owners - I sense opportunity here). So I've developed the site and sent him an email, didn't get any reply. Then I sent him a follow up - no reply still!

What would you do in this situation too - I mean I'm offering it him for free!!

Sorry about the lengthy post,

Any help is appreciated and valued,

Thanks,
Scott.
#client #potential
  • Profile picture of the author Warrior Ben
    Hi Scott,

    I would just leave a short and direct message to your lead and say, "Hey, I was given your information because you have a potential interest in some of the services I offer. I'm not trying to be a pest, but I've been getting quite a few new clients recently and want to make sure I can fit you in. Please give me a call at (555)555-1234 when you get this."

    Don't go into detail of all the services and all that, just be direct and to the point.

    I hope this helps!
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  • Profile picture of the author Mac the Knife
    My advice is (and I have A LOT of experience in this area) is to get your friend (the one who gave you the "referral" to get in the loop.

    Someone who gives you a name is not really giving you a referral...they are giving you a suggestion. Sometimes this can turn into business, but more often than not, the result is what you are dealing with now. What you have to do is simply go to your friend and ask if he would do the following:

    Send an email to the Tattoo shop owner, CC you, and do a VIRTUAL INTRO, in which he would say exactly why he things you to should talk...OR

    Do a 3-way call whereas the conversation would be the same...your friend would introduce you two, say why he things you should talk, and then let you two set a time to get together OR

    Go there in person with you.

    As i have been doing referral marketing for about 13 years now, if someone gives me a name and a number and says "You should call this person, they are interested" I turn right around and ask if they will do one of the above 3, as otherwise, it is more than likely a waste of time. People ALWAYS say "Sure, I would love to talk to that person" but unless you get in front of them, it is lip service. Try this out and let me know how it goes. Good luck!

    Mac the Knife
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  • Profile picture of the author Scitknot9
    Hi Ben,

    Thanks for the help. Believe it or not, this is exactly what I said when I last left a message! I told him that I would like to arrange a meeting as I have lots of work to do for clients and wanted to ensure that I could fit him into my schedule.

    Macurdy,

    Thanks for your advice. It's a good idea, however the manager is at the studio 95% of the time and my friend sees him daily. I was going to ask him whether he would approach the manager and just enquire about the mobile site, you know as in "has he had chance to view it?, is he taking it on board etc?". It may help him take action?

    I was also going to ask if he could text the DJ and enquire whether I'd been in touch etc, might give him a kick up backside too, lol.

    The other alternative is to contact them through FB...good idea?

    Thanks for all your help so far, it's appreciated.

    Scott
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  • Profile picture of the author handlebar
    It's rarely ever a smart idea to chase someone because it triggers the cat and mouse game and positions you as a desperate sales person -- I did this a lot in my career and I've finally learnt my hard lesson plus it just drives you crazy as you're discovering.

    So from now on don't chase people let them chase you because only people who are dead serious about improving their situation will take the necessary steps.

    You want people coming to you and I never work with anyone unless they come to me and even then I make them go through hoops just so I know they're serious.

    Doing this means that I can charge at least 3 times the fee of other consultants simply because I'm managing the process by which they "find" me.

    Let people qualify themselves to you first and if they want you to ring them don't. Just say that if they're truly serious about getting x result then they can find you on your website or wherever.

    All the best mate
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  • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
    I have found that the best way for me to get return calls is to not give too much information on the voice message.

    I would usually just say my name and that I have something important to discuss with them and to place call me.

    Usually this just nags at peoples curiosity and they can't resist calling back to find out what its about, I know this is true of myself. LOL
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  • Profile picture of the author Scitknot9
    Hi handlebar (great name),

    Thanks for the reply. I can appreciate what you are saying, it's just frustrating that's all. I know that I would overdeliver for him big time and with all his connections, it would be awesome advertising!

    Rus sells,

    Thanks for the advice! The lead already knew that I was going to call him so I couldn't leave a message as you suggest. I've left 2 voicemails for him now, basically saying that I would like to arrange a quick meeting to discuss his goals etc.

    If anyone else has any thoughts I'd love to hear them.

    Thanks to everyone for the advice so far,
    Scott
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  • Profile picture of the author Mac the Knife
    One thing is for sure though...if your buddy can't help, and you have left messages, you are DONE. Move on. Get about 10 clients frothing at the mouth for your offer...listen, our job is not to convince everyone that has a business that they NEED our service...it is to touch base with the ones that are already convinced they need it and then provide it. If you miss that logic, you will never be extremely profitable. It is the difference between being a door to door salesman, knocking on HUNDREDS of doors and getting a few sales, vs. the guy who sells the SAME thing, but simply sits by the phone all day, taking HUNDREDS of orders from everyone who calls HIM. As handlebar says, getting them to call YOU is where the money is at.

    Mac the Knife
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    • Profile picture of the author Scitknot9
      Hi Mac,

      Thanks for this post - I hear what you are saying and will take your advice as you are obviously someone who has been through it before.

      I'll ask my friend for some help and if nothing comes of it i'll just leave it!

      Right, I'm off to grab your WSO, I believe that it will help me secure clients big time!!

      Thanks,
      Scott

      Originally Posted by Macurdy View Post

      One thing is for sure though...if your buddy can't help, and you have left messages, you are DONE. Move on. Get about 10 clients frothing at the mouth for your offer...listen, our job is not to convince everyone that has a business that they NEED our service...it is to touch base with the ones that are already convinced they need it and then provide it. If you miss that logic, you will never be extremely profitable. It is the difference between being a door to door salesman, knocking on HUNDREDS of doors and getting a few sales, vs. the guy who sells the SAME thing, but simply sits by the phone all day, taking HUNDREDS of orders from everyone who calls HIM. As handlebar says, getting them to call YOU is where the money is at.

      Mac the Knife
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  • Profile picture of the author Mac the Knife
    Hey Scott,

    Glad I was able to help. 'preciate your checking out my report. It definitely tells you exactly what I do on a regular basis. I am done with chasing clients...and you will be too, your time is too valuable to waste trying to convince someone of they should already be doing, ESPECIALLY if you are proactive enough to entice them with free offers...your desire, combined with a good offer and some sound prospecting skills will make you all the money you need...

    Mac the Knife
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  • Profile picture of the author BeckyBecks
    I have read all the replies, because I love sales and built a £50m turnover b2b business that was very sales focused. I have to agree that in my experience if you have not met the person, I would not leave more than 3 follow up messages, using different methods ie email, text voice mail or fb message. If no response forget it and move on, there will be companies/individuals out there who will love your service offering, find a way to connect with them.

    Networking at business events, offering to do a free presentation on your subject, getting an article in your local paper, are all good ways to get potential clients to come to you.

    All the best
    Becky
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    • Profile picture of the author Scitknot9
      Hey Mac,

      Thanks for all your help mate, and I appreciate the PM too - Still waiting on a reply but i'm thinking they do not work weekends, lol.

      Becky,

      Wow - 50 mill, I would sure like even a little bit of that, lol.

      I have taken every bit of advice in. I'm going to ask my friend to get involved a little, send a message to the guy on FB and if still no reply, I'm going to move on and waste my time no more.....It's he who is missing out!!

      Thanks Warriors,
      Scott

      Originally Posted by BeckyBecks View Post

      I have read all the replies, because I love sales and built a £50m turnover b2b business that was very sales focused. I have to agree that in my experience if you have not met the person, I would not leave more than 3 follow up messages, using different methods ie email, text voice mail or fb message. If no response forget it and move on, there will be companies/individuals out there who will love your service offering, find a way to connect with them.

      Networking at business events, offering to do a free presentation on your subject, getting an article in your local paper, are all good ways to get potential clients to come to you.

      All the best
      Becky
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