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

by Mr Squeeze
33 replies
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
  • Profile picture of the author tupai
    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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    • Profile picture of the author Mr Squeeze
      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
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  • Profile picture of the author DianaHeuser
    Now that's really good. Thanks for the advice Stephen.

    Di
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    • Profile picture of the author mojo1
      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
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  • Profile picture of the author Adrian John
    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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  • Profile picture of the author mojo1
    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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    • Profile picture of the author jimbo13
      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
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  • Profile picture of the author Mr Squeeze
    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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  • Profile picture of the author Mr Squeeze
    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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    • Profile picture of the author jimbo13
      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
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  • Profile picture of the author dminorfmajor
    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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  • Profile picture of the author Ben_R
    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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  • Profile picture of the author JeremiahSay
    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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  • Profile picture of the author AppsFromHome
    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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  • Profile picture of the author ascot01
    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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  • Profile picture of the author BrandyM
    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.
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  • Profile picture of the author Spock1
    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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    • Profile picture of the author Shamir Rele
      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.
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  • Profile picture of the author marc.v
    I've never seen a mobile number listed on any directories for U.S. businesses. Bummer.
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  • Profile picture of the author rgrimes
    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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  • Profile picture of the author Ryan0111
    Excellent Job! Hope you can get more clients!
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  • Profile picture of the author imwarrior84
    Originally Posted by Stephen Courtney View Post

    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
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  • Profile picture of the author bearbo001
    Thanks for this, Stephen. This is definitely encouraging.
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    • Profile picture of the author natas105
      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!
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Hunt
    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
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  • Profile picture of the author terip
    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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  • Profile picture of the author guardado8
    So are all those numbers on the UK yellow pages mobile numbers??
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    • Profile picture of the author Shamir Rele
      Originally Posted by guardado8 View Post

      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).
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  • Profile picture of the author The-English-Webmistress
    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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    The-English-Webmistress is really Andrea, who went backpacking the world, accidentally landed in Panama, Central America, and never left. (Beaches! Mountains! Hot latin music! Piña Coladas!) She doesn't miss the London commute AT ALL...
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  • Profile picture of the author WayneMoore
    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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