Just Sold My First Site Without Cold Calling Here's How I Done It...

by Mr Squeeze

Posted: 11 years ago 33 replies

OFFLINE MARKETING

Hey guys,

Just thought i'd chime in and tell you all that I have just sold my first website to a local small business, here's how I done it.

The first thing I done was look through the yellow pages online directory for local businesses in my area. What I was planning to do was to cold call all of the businesses with no website listed, however my youngest child wouldn't stop crying and moaning...

Calling was out of the question, I wouldn't be able to concerntrate and the business owner wouldn't be able to hear me. But just as I was going to put my laptop away I noticed a few businesses had mobile numbers listed for their business, so guess what I done?

Yep that's right I simply texted them saying:

Hi Mate,

I create websites for small businesses, I have created a demo site for your business. Call or text me back on this number if you'd like to see it.

Regards,
Stephen

I ended up sending out 20 of these messages to various companies all in the same line of business, and out of the 20 I received 2 messages back.

message 1) Really busy at the minute, will call later to discuss.
message 2) How much?

So I text the first guy back saying thanks for getting back and telling him he could call any time, and I text the 2nd back saying £199 plus £30 p/m hosting and maintenence.

I am able to charge so low because I have set up a basic html template which i can customize in an hour maybe hour and a half if I take my time.

The guy text me back saying he already has a domain and hosting but doesn't know how to build a site, so he is happy to pay the £199.

Basically all I need to do now is collect some details, and complete his site tonight.

I will show him the completed site on one of my domains and then when he has seen it and is happy with the design he is paying me via Paypal.

Who knows the other person might call later too, that'll be an easy £400 in one day for me.

I plan on blasting another list of mobiles later to see where it gets me. Will report back with details.

Regards,
Stephen.

P.S. I am going to be calling tomorrow, child permitting that is lol. Any questions please feel free to ask.

P.P.S I'm off to finish my site.

#calling #cold #site #sold

tupai 11 years ago

Great job closing your first client!

Did you ever use the phone at any of the process for the 2nd guy? Or did you go to email?
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- Mr Squeeze 11 years ago
  
  Hi Tupai,
  
  So far I have only contacted via text message, I will however be speaking with him on the phone later to fine tune the website.
  
  Thanks,
  
  Stephen
  
  Thanks
  
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DianaHeuser 11 years ago

Now that's really good. Thanks for the advice Stephen.

Di
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- mojo1 11 years ago
  
  This was awesome and just the kind of inspiration I need to see with an overly active 18 month old who sometimes get cranky when mommy is working on the computer
  
  Thanks
  
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Adrian John 11 years ago

Brilliant !!!
Your method would be an TRUE WSO who would made you $10xxx in sales and you chose to share it with us.
That's what i call an TRUE WARRIOR.

Thank you so much!
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mojo1 11 years ago

Hi Stephen,

Your success is contagious. I was wondering if you could share how you found the mobile phone number.

When I went to my local yellowpages.com in the US, I didn't see a specific number titled mobile number. I did see a link showing a mobile icon but there was no place to actually enter a text message just a phone number.

Pardon me for the silly question but I am not a mobile phone owner...I know gasp
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- jimbo13 11 years ago
  
  You think this is legal in the UK do you?
  
  Hope you have got yourself a bloody good lawyer.
  
  What you are doing is unsolicited SMS Marketing.
  
  The potential fines are £5000 per complainant if any of the 18 non-responses have complained to their mobile operators or ICO.
  
  So unless you have missed out the bit whereby you are sending the correct legalities preceding and concluding your message; which I suspect you haven't, you may wish to have a little think.
  
  Dan
  
  Thanks
  
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Mr Squeeze 11 years ago

Hey guys,

Thanks for the kind words I'm glad you enjoyed reading my method.

@Mojo Over here on the UK yellow pages there is simply a mobile number listed instead of a land line.

Also when I click each listing it brings up a profile which shows wether they have a website or not.

I have also made it much easier, I have downloaded the yellow pages app on my android phone.

Now instead of having to copy numbers from the pc to the phone, I simply click the phone number on the app and then click message on my phone which automatically places said number into the recipient space on my messages tab.

I then simply long hold in the message content box and paste in my message, then hit send.

Hope this helps,

Stephen
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Mr Squeeze 11 years ago

Hi dan,

Thanks for letting me know, I had no idea about this. I will have a read up on that right now.

Thanks,
Ste
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- jimbo13 11 years ago
  
  No problem Steve
  
  Majority of mobiles are not registered with TPS however SMS comes under Electronic Communications Act like e-mail in the UK.
  
  Therefore one would normally identify the sender etc and conclude with an opt out.
  
  Don't take my post to mean you can't do it but be careful.
  
  Good Luck
  Dan
  
  Thanks
  
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dminorfmajor 11 years ago

I was never able to find any mobile numbers when I was trying to do this full time. Where did you find these numbers listed?
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- sanash 11 years ago
  
  Hi Stephen,
  
  This sounds a great idea. I am based in the UK too and have checked yell - you're right, there are lots of businesses with no website that list their mobile number. Could be a smart approach if handled with care!
  
  I just wondered how many pages/what content etc you are providing for £199 plus £30 recurring?
  
  How did you get on with your second batch of texts?
  Sally
  
  Thanks
  
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  Ben_R 11 years ago
  
  cold calling is a better approach - imho sorry for double post had to delete other one
  
  Thanks
  
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Ben_R 11 years ago

steve is right TPS

although i reckon it is a good idea -its not legal - cold calling is legal -- so shall cont that - gd luck scousea
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JeremiahSay 11 years ago

Good job and congratulation on closing your first deal, rinse and repeat the process at least 1 daily and soon you'll have a steady flow of income .. Don't forget to improve along the way
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AppsFromHome 11 years ago

Nice work on landing a client but as others noted, be careful with the SMS...

That is the way to think though, outside of the box....that is how you stand out to business owners and the way you land deals.

Next time, try social media as well...I've reached many a prospect through Facebook - they may not be on as much as the normal person, but I find they check it more than their e-mail.
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ascot01 11 years ago

congratulations on your sale the first step is always the hardest.

If sms marketing seems to be working for you you might want to invest in some sms marketing software one of my friends is using textlocal and seems to be very happy with it, they charge about £25 per 1000 text, ok its an extra outgoing but you can have peace of mind knowing that you wont be getting lumped with any hefty fines.

Regards.
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BrandyM 11 years ago

Oh man, I really thought at first this was going to be a great method for me because I hate cold calling. I have other people do it for me but I know its not as effective if I just did it myself.

i'm assuming that your not supposed to text someone a marketing message unless they have opted-in to your texts first. I'm trying to get exposure to my text marketing business and thought this was a great idea because its practical and shows them exactly how it works.

Maybe if you give them an opt out notice at the bottom of the message???

Glad you were able to land a client, I don't think it works in the US though but is a brilliant idea and glad its working for you.
- Thanks
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Spock1 11 years ago

That's great but not quite honest. You might really get some sales if you actually tried creating the site first for a few businesses.
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- Shamir Rele 11 years ago
  
  i'm assuming that your not supposed to text someone a marketing message unless they have opted-in to your texts first.
  
  It's a 'one time text message'. These businesses give out their number willingly in the yellow pages - they should expect at least some mail coming in from companies who want to promote their services. It's part of the game. Bottom line: Don't be afraid of texting because you feel you are sending them spam. Just send a 'one time text'. You'll be fine.
  
  Glad you were able to land a client, I don't think it works in the US though but is a brilliant idea and glad its working for you.
  
  I don't see this NOT working anywhere in the world. As long as there is a directory of some kind and SMS, it will work. In fact, you probably have a wider scrope of clients in the US...its a huge place.
  
  Thanks
  
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marc.v 11 years ago

I've never seen a mobile number listed on any directories for U.S. businesses. Bummer.
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rgrimes 11 years ago

Great Job and congratulations on your success in landing your first client! Keep up the good work and it will work out tenfold!
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Ryan0111 11 years ago

Excellent Job! Hope you can get more clients!
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imwarrior84

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Stephen Courtney

Hey guys,

Just thought i'd chime in and tell you all that I have just sold my first website to a local small business, here's how I done it.

The first thing I done was look through the yellow pages online directory for local businesses in my area. What I was planning to do was to cold call all of the businesses with no website listed, however my youngest child wouldn't stop crying and moaning...

Calling was out of the question, I wouldn't be able to concerntrate and the business owner wouldn't be able to hear me. But just as I was going to put my laptop away I noticed a few businesses had mobile numbers listed for their business, so guess what I done?

Yep that's right I simply texted them saying:

Hi Mate,

I create websites for small businesses, I have created a demo site for your business. Call or text me back on this number if you'd like to see it.

Regards,
Stephen

I ended up sending out 20 of these messages to various companies all in the same line of business, and out of the 20 I received 2 messages back.

message 1) Really busy at the minute, will call later to discuss.
message 2) How much?

So I text the first guy back saying thanks for getting back and telling him he could call any time, and I text the 2nd back saying £199 plus £30 p/m hosting and maintenence.

I am able to charge so low because I have set up a basic html template which i can customize in an hour maybe hour and a half if I take my time.

The guy text me back saying he already has a domain and hosting but doesn't know how to build a site, so he is happy to pay the £199.

Basically all I need to do now is collect some details, and complete his site tonight.

I will show him the completed site on one of my domains and then when he has seen it and is happy with the design he is paying me via Paypal.

Who knows the other person might call later too, that'll be an easy £400 in one day for me.

I plan on blasting another list of mobiles later to see where it gets me. Will report back with details.

Regards,
Stephen.

P.S. I am going to be calling tomorrow, child permitting that is lol. Any questions please feel free to ask.

P.P.S I'm off to finish my site.

Well done Stephen, very clever I will do it myself thanks for sharing

Thanks

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bearbo001 11 years ago

Thanks for this, Stephen. This is definitely encouraging.
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- 1 reply
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- natas105 11 years ago
  
  I'm so happy for you! In all honesty...i have been trying out various methods that were offered through various wso's and so far I got nothing! I have three kids, so I know what you mean when you say you can't really call them all the time. Besides that, i don''t like calling prospects and since I live in the netherlands, timedifference is an issue as well.
  
  One thing that's on mind though: Is it spamming, when you send out just one sms?
  
  I would love to see that html template you use. Do you have an example you can show us?
  
  Keep us posted!
  
  Thanks
  
  Signature
  
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Steve Hunt 11 years ago

This is a great way of getting you out there Stephen, I hate cold calling...I have found a couple of text messaging companies here in the u.k that provide this type of service for marketing, used with the yellow pages could be winner.
As long as you don't spam people I think this should be o.k

Steve
- Thanks
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terip 11 years ago

A lot of people hate cold calling but I'd still recommend it. But, in my opinion, marketing is a 'if it works then it's good' type of deal. So I say congrats on your first sale.
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guardado8 11 years ago

So are all those numbers on the UK yellow pages mobile numbers??
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- Shamir Rele 11 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by guardado8
  
  So are all those numbers on the UK yellow pages mobile numbers??
  
  No, some of them are, some of them are not. Generally, you can tell which numbers are mobile and which are landline. (in the UK).
  
  Thanks
  
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The-English-Webmistress 11 years ago

Hey Stephen, even though a number of posters have pointed out the difficult legalities surrounding sending "unsolicited text messages/marketing", I congratulate you on overcoming what was a difficult situation and taking the initiative.

Not everybody gets as far as you do in moving forward in their business dealings.

Well done!
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WayneMoore 11 years ago

Interesting method- It astounds how EASY it is in this 'game' if people do the one thing that's important TAKE ACTION- Thanks for the method!
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Just Sold My First Site Without Cold Calling Here's How I Done It...

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