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Mobile Websites - How to market them, approach clients, sales pitch - Please chime in

by JToneyUK
23 replies
Hey folks,

So I've ventured into the Offline marketing section of the warrior forum some time ago having previously been in the main discussion forum gaining some great knowledge in starting my own IM venture. I've started to set some things up but that's all an ongoing and drawn out process and I am a man in need of some more immediate income.

I am currently not working having finished Uni on a post-graduate course some months ago, and have always given thought to approaching local business with awful websites offering to update/improve them.

I gathered though that nobody just wants a website anymore, it's all about SEO and I'm very hesitant to offer "SEO services" because I've worked in field before, admitedly for a shocking company who did very little for their clients, but it was a huge hassle. I couldn't be doing with disgruntled customers wondering where they were in Google.

However, one thing I am rather interested in is mobile websites as I believe these are now of huge importance. And in particular, how they can be sold on the back of clever marketing such as using QR codes.

I did have a few questions for those in the know about this though. Can you simply generate a sale by meeting with a client, show them a demo of how a QR code can be scanned and taken directly to the mobile website, special offer page, opt in form etc? Is this the hook to get the sale? I say this because there is no need to then mention anything about SEO. Their offline marketing is down to them. If you offer a QR code and a mobile site, they can then use the code on their printed ads, in coupon/voucher booklets, t-shirts.

I think these sites would benefit certain businesses. Restaurants and take aways stand out. Place that do offers such as a special menu.

So basically I have found some great threads already here about how people have marketed their mobile website services. But I thought a dedicated thread feature everyones methods (if you wish to share them) could be useful.

Here is a great post about how to get potential clients coming to you, and this maybe something I will consider to kick off my venture:
7 Steps How to Get Business Owners to Come to You

Warrior Ben also posts some great threads, well worth a read

So it would be really great to hear how people go about finding clients, the types of companies who would make best use of a mobile website, whether you create basic info pages or more complex sites, make use of QR codes, offer SEO services and what are these for mobile websites, how you arrange to meet bosses (cold call, email, email and follow up, drop into the business and ask for 10 minutes with the boss).

Maybe there are other ways companies can use a "mobile web app" for other than just an info site?

Hope to hear from you guys and hopefully it'll give you all more ideas from the other contributors.

#approach #chime #clients #market #mobile #pitch #sales #websites
  • Profile picture of the author Mary Wilhite
    I was reading your post when I recalled something I read years ago.

    It goes something like this:

    Early to bed, early to rise, work like hell and advertise!

    One important formula in offline marketing is to let people know you exist.
    So whatever it is that you do, make sure you're letting people know about you and your service.

    If you can only afford guerilla marketing (handing out flyers, cold-calling, face to face talks with business owners) then do it.

    When you've earned enough, advertise. It's the fastest way to get a lot of clients.

    Best regards,

    Mary
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    • Profile picture of the author DrPaul
      Originally Posted by Mary Wilhite View Post

      It goes something like this:

      Early to bed, early to rise, work like hell and advertise!
      I love that! Never heard it before. Totally *SWIPED*

      Now it comes back to, "how to Market, a Marketing Business."

      If you're going to pitch a business owner on your Mobile Sites, I would first suggest, have your own mobile site. Make up a QR for the main site, and print it on your business card. Have a flier with a QR as part of your own Marketing Campaign. Have a few sample businesses with Similar QR codes hosted at you mobile site.

      Demo a Restaurant with QR on a table Tent Display, linking to videos for specials and Lead Capture for their customers.

      Demo a Real Estate Agent, with a mock up For Sale sign QR that leads to a virtual video walk through of a Home.

      Demo a Pizza Place, with a mockup pizza box top QR that takes you to their Mobile Online Order Page.

      Each time you get one of these ideas, Create a new mockup and add it to your portfolio.

      As you get clients, Get their permission to replace your Mockups with their real information (can you say, instant local references)
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      • Profile picture of the author sudden
        Originally Posted by DrPaul View Post

        I love that! Never heard it before. Totally *SWIPED*

        Now it comes back to, "how to Market, a Marketing Business."

        If you're going to pitch a business owner on your Mobile Sites, I would first suggest, have your own mobile site. Make up a QR for the main site, and print it on your business card. Have a flier with a QR as part of your own Marketing Campaign. Have a few sample businesses with Similar QR codes hosted at you mobile site.

        Demo a Restaurant with QR on a table Tent Display, linking to videos for specials and Lead Capture for their customers.

        Demo a Real Estate Agent, with a mock up For Sale sign QR that leads to a virtual video walk through of a Home.

        Demo a Pizza Place, with a mockup pizza box top QR that takes you to their Mobile Online Order Page.

        Each time you get one of these ideas, Create a new mockup and add it to your portfolio.

        As you get clients, Get their permission to replace your Mockups with their real information (can you say, instant local references)
        I'm new to mobile marketing but learning at a rapid rate.

        I was wondering whether you would care to elaborate on the exact process you use to create these mockups. Perhaps some samples to look at?


        Thanks

        Joshua
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    • Profile picture of the author S3Ware
      I recommend you check out this thread. It's 31 pages long but if you take the time to go through it, you will learn everything you need to start selling mobile websites.
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      • Profile picture of the author JToneyUK
        Cheers, I did see that thread after I had posted this one and have had a brief look through it. Might set a day aside this week to read through it all!!

        Originally Posted by baib21 View Post

        I recommend you check out this thread. It's 31 pages long but if you take the time to go through it, you will learn everything you need to start selling mobile websites.
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  • Profile picture of the author JToneyUK
    DrPaul they are all great ideas! That was the kind of thing I was looking for, specific companies and situations how QR marketing can benefit them. I am in the process of making a website to promote my services, and of course I will create a mobile version to show off. I did have that in mind also, that I create a few different demo pages for specific niches to show to potential clients.

    I really like the Estate Agents idea of going to a video of a house!
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  • Profile picture of the author JToneyUK
    Here's an idea I just thought about to try and tap up clients where a whole mobile site may not lend itself to the business they are in. For example, hair salons, now maybe a basic info site with location of business and costings could be offered, but how many people really go online to find a place to get their hair cut? Many people stick to their own towns.

    However, what the salon MAY benefit from is a single page promotion. Simply put, you create 1 mobile webpage with the salons offer on (For example a free shave with a wash and cut), the salon puts a QR code on its window with the sales pitch above it. People driving past, walking past etc can simply scan the code and show them their phone when they enter to get the deal. Infact the webpage could just be an image in the style of a coupon you get in the discount booklets. Simple.

    You can easily just charge monthly for the page/image hosted on your website and even charge them further to change the offer either weekly or monthly etc.

    This would probably work for butchers, mechanics, car washes or any local business where a whole mobile website may not be overly beneficial.

    OK so you cannot charge them the same amount as say for a whole mobile website, but it could be something to fall back on if the client really doesn't have the budget, and it is a monthly income. Furthermore its all hosted on your own website so the URL really isn't an issue.
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    • Profile picture of the author DrPaul
      Originally Posted by JToneyUK View Post

      Here's an idea I just thought about to try and tap up clients where a whole mobile site may not lend itself to the business they are in. For example, hair salons, now maybe a basic info site with location of business and costings could be offered, but how many people really go online to find a place to get their hair cut? Many people stick to their own towns.

      However, what the salon MAY benefit from is a single page promotion. Simply put, you create 1 mobile webpage with the salons offer on (For example a free shave with a wash and cut), the salon puts a QR code on its window with the sales pitch above it. People driving past, walking past etc can simply scan the code and show them their phone when they enter to get the deal. Infact the webpage could just be an image in the style of a coupon you get in the discount booklets. Simple.

      You can easily just charge monthly for the page/image hosted on your website and even charge them further to change the offer either weekly or monthly etc.

      This would probably work for butchers, mechanics, car washes or any local business where a whole mobile website may not be overly beneficial.

      OK so you cannot charge them the same amount as say for a whole mobile website, but it could be something to fall back on if the client really doesn't have the budget, and it is a monthly income. Furthermore its all hosted on your own website so the URL really isn't an issue.
      Don't forget that all types of salons use Television commercials as well. Any Video Ad can instantly become a flier, poster or business card sized QR.

      How about a Postcard sized poster of the stylist's Photo with the caption:

      I can't wait to meet you!
      Scan the 2d code below with your
      smart phone to see what I can offer!
      'It's not what you think!'
      [QR to online video commercial for the salon, featuring that stylist]
      or visit http : // mysite.mobi / stylistsname

      Make sure to use Lead Capture technology to build the list for your client.

      Now... think of where you can post these postcard sized fliers... Bars and singles clubs?... how about any place you can post up business cards (a post card isn't much bigger and public billboards generally don't care.)

      also: Be sure to post your own Business information and QR on the reverse side to build your own leads
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      • Profile picture of the author midasman09
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        Puleeze! I don't know why people here are always suggesting to.... "Contact Beauty Salons"!

        They AIN'T GOT NO MONEY! (Maybe 1 or 2 salons in ANY town)

        I learned LONG AGO that....MOST Salons have ONE owner who signs the lease for the space...then proceeds to RENT space to other "Beauticians" (same as the "Collectible and Antique Malls" in my area)

        So....you contact the Owner....present your Program and....because she has RENTERS of her Space....her usual reaction is...."I'll have to run this by my "Renters".

        So....you make an appointment when ....THEY ARE ALL THERE! Ya, right! to show your "thingee"!

        FORGET BEAUTY SALONS!!!!! There's a 1 in 100 chance you'd get the OWNER of the place to buy what you are sellin'....unless it's less than $100!

        Think about targeting businesses that have a LARGER audience (Restaurants) or Larger Ticket (Roofers, House Painters, etc)

        Sorry....I've got to go now so I can't explain how I would get local restaurants to BE MORE THAN HAPPY to pay you for you Mobile Site service.

        Don Alm
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      • Profile picture of the author SpeedyBanana
        Originally Posted by DrPaul View Post


        Make sure to use Lead Capture technology to build the list for your client.
        What do you mean by this? Can you expand on this a little more? Thanks
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        • Profile picture of the author DrPaul
          Originally Posted by SpeedyBanana View Post

          What do you mean by this? Can you expand on this a little more? Thanks
          Sure.

          Lead Capture Technology would be, an opt in list, an order form, a Like Gate (for Facebook), a contact form, or any technology that would allow you to 'capture information about a business lead'

          There are so many choices, that I just refer to them all collectively as 'Lead Capture'
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  • Profile picture of the author MoneyMagnetMagnate
    Make a mobi site called "A Cut Above"...
    then, if the Barber doesn't like it - maybe the Butcher will!
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    • Profile picture of the author JToneyUK
      Originally Posted by MoneyMagnetMagnate View Post

      Make a mobi site called "A Cut Above"...
      then, if the Barber doesn't like it - maybe the Butcher will!
      Lol, nice one!! :rolleyes:
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      • Profile picture of the author SergeParis
        Hey JToney,

        I am more or less in the same stage as you, actually building some mobile websites examples to show to local business owners and also a website to promote my services.
        I am very enthousiast about this new business for me, hoping it will result.
        I'm sure this thread will be very helpfull for all of us.
        When i'll have some ideas, i'll put them here.
        Good luck to all.

        Serge
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  • Profile picture of the author DrPaul
    How about short video introductions of the waitresses of a family restaurant? The the table top Tent Display can have the waitress' name and Photo with a QR linking to a 30 second video of her introducing herself and talking about the restaurant. The opposite side would be a short blurb telling how the owner is running a 'Friendly Competition' between the waitresses. The QR on THAT side is asking the customer to LIKE the page on Facebook and squeezes the customer to a survey questionnaire. At the end, if they would like to leave another comment, push them to Urban-Spoon to leave a review, ALL THIS BEFORE they have even ordered their meal.

    Always be sure to have your own info and QR on the bottom of the cardboard display, and build your lead list.
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  • Profile picture of the author JToneyUK
    Best of luck, Serge!

    Keep all the ideas and strategies coming guys, this is all real helpful.
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  • Profile picture of the author JToneyUK
    Does anyone have information about SMS opt ins? I understand QRs can be used for someone to opt in for SMS texts. But where are these numbers saved to, how are texts sent to this list and are there any free services for that out there?

    Maybe I should do some Googling and research a bit, but it's saturday afternoon and the football matches are all kicking off ;-)
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  • Profile picture of the author Warrior Ben
    Hey JToney,

    Thanks for your kind words! I think you are on the right track by not offering traditional SEO services. I've said it before, but the market is so saturated that it is hard to even get an appointment. Also many business owners have been burned in the past, so they are VERY hesitant to sign up with somebody new.

    As for selling mobile websites, I've found that a lot of my sales are one-time closes. If I don't get the close on the first appointment it really decreases the chances of closing. With that said, you should always follow up until you get a firm no... a lot of times business owners can be wishy-washy and persistence can help you close the deal.

    In terms of which companies to contact, I can't stress enough that you should only target companies that are currently advertising. You know they have a budget and it is an easy sell to get them to add a QR Code to their advertisement. When you just do a search for "hair salon" on Google and then call all those companies you are going to find that getting an appointment is much harder than calling somebody who is already advertising.

    I hope this helps and best of luck moving forward! Once you get that first sale, you'll be like a shark with blood in the water and you'll go get more!!

    -Ben
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  • Profile picture of the author JToneyUK
    Cheers Ben, great advice! I think the QR code intergrating into already on-going print campaigns should, theoretically be a good hook. But then I'm a thinker, and the more I thought about it the more I thought people might question it, or be hesitant to use it.

    I need to go look at QR providers and how you can manage campaigns and track usage and stuff.
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  • Profile picture of the author JToneyUK
    Hey bro I AM doing it!! I'm getting it all sorted this week, and hopefully by next week I'll be making calls :-)

    Thanks for the link, I thought there may have been services that you sign up for, not necessarily pay where you can create campaigns of sorts. Nice one though.
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  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    I highly suggest you read this post:

    http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...ml#post4588965

    You don't need to make it any harder than it has to be.

    Keep it simple and follow what others are already doing successfully.
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