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Just got a new client this morning in the most unexpected way - do this or you're missing out...

by John Williamson
19 replies
Guys, something very exciting happened this morning. But let me back up a couple days to give you the full story. A few days ago I posted some short simple ads on my local Craigslist for sale section to sell some old pieces of furniture I had sitting around.

So back to the present. This morning I woke up to an email from a woman interested in one of the coffee tables I have. She simply asked if it was still available and if so, what would be a good time to come take a look at it. I replied and said it was indeed still available and we agreed to meet tomorrow. I noticed in her email signature that she is a realtor for a popular local real estate agency. I have a very simple email signature with my name, company name, and website.

Hopefully you see where this is going. For many, an email signature may be second nature, but I can think of plenty of contacts who don't have one.

Anyway, back to the story. The very next email she sent me said nothing about the coffee table - she had visited my website and immediately said she was interested in a re-design of her website and SEO services!

No selling on my end, no pitches, no closing, no qualifying, no effort on my end at all - the signature did all the work by just being there! Now sure, this type of thing may not be typical, but it shows that it is possible. It was so exciting simply because it was so unexpected, and refreshing in the sense that it did not take any effort or work on my part. Granted, your website will need to explain precisely what you do, but that's easy.

The point here is that by having a simple email signature, every email you send to a new person gets you more exposure and it just may be the case that the recipient on the other end desperately needs your services!

I may just have to look for more junk around my house to sell on Craigslist now.
#client #missing #unexpected
  • Profile picture of the author Kung Fu Backlinks
    LOL this is brilliant. Gotta love it when this happens.

    I will definitely be looking into selling some junk.

    Nice share.
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    • Profile picture of the author FBN
      Another great post John!
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  • Profile picture of the author jtchaschowy
    Nice post and an idea that popped into my head from this was going around town asking people or places if they have anything to sell. And sharing with them that you would handle the selling for them for a 5%~ fee of the cost. Take the pictures, write up a catchy body and title text. You could then use the publicity, not to spam your own services but just to have your email signature seen by more people who would be contacting you as the middle man. This would increase your publicity more than you would by selling the 4~ things around your house you might be limited to. And perhaps if people are selling more high-end things, furniture, TV, cars, game tables, you could have a more high-end audience checking it out.
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  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    I love it... That has happened to me a few times here and there.

    You know... just TALKING about what you do, when you're in different places, can result with more sales. Nice reminder John that there are always people out there that need our services.
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    • Profile picture of the author John Williamson
      Originally Posted by Kung Fu Backlinks View Post

      LOL this is brilliant. Gotta love it when this happens.

      I will definitely be looking into selling some junk.

      Nice share.
      Thanks!

      Originally Posted by FBN View Post

      Another great post John!
      Thanks!

      Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

      I love it... That has happened to me a few times here and there.

      You know... just TALKING about what you do, when you're in different places, can result with more sales. Nice reminder John that there are always people out there that need our services.
      Indeed. Sometimes I forget that most people around us in everyday life don't really have any knowledge of this sorta stuff.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ninja Ana
    Good point, got to set up my WF signature too
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  • Profile picture of the author Jon Martin
    I love this thread! It does two things:

    - Exemplifies what simple methods of exposure can do for your company/service.
    - Provides offliners with a reminder of sorts that real estate agents are a nice market for one to go after.

    Awesome. Thanks for sharing this!
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  • Profile picture of the author tylerd4
    I am very interested at this. I have my own company and this stuff helps me open my mind about another way to interact with clients. So, as I am still newbie for this field, can you tell me how far signatures can help us in our business?
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  • Profile picture of the author ADukes81
    Great story John! I had sold a desk on Craigslist a few months back and the same thing happened. the guy worked at a dealership and we just started chatting and it lead to him giving me his card. They needed help (horrible website, horrible online presence) I called a few times, but never got anywhere.

    Like @Iamnameless says, "Call until they tell you to stop...then call back in 6 months" I might just have to follow up with them.

    When I say "car dealership", this is the place on the East side of town with the "newest" car on the "lot" being an '85 Oldsmobile. Probably more salesman than cars. I think they have a nail salon, liquor store and daycare all inside. Not the classiest place.
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    • Profile picture of the author John Williamson
      Originally Posted by ADukes81 View Post

      Great story John! I had sold a desk on Craigslist a few months back and the same thing happened. the guy worked at a dealership and we just started chatting and it lead to him giving me his card. They needed help (horrible website, horrible online presence) I called a few times, but never got anywhere.

      Like @Iamnameless says, "Call until they tell you to stop...then call back in 6 months" I might just have to follow up with them.

      When I say "car dealership", this is the place on the East side of town with the "newest" car on the "lot" being an '85 Oldsmobile. Probably more salesman than cars. I think they have a nail salon, liquor store and daycare all inside. Not the classiest place.
      Nice. But yea that sounds like the type of place that may try to haggle you down to get a valuable service on the cheap. I try to only target businesses who have an established ad budget and don't think twice about spending $1000+ per month. Busting it to get a client that only pays a hundred bucks or so isn't worth your time.
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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    I gave out physical business cards at my high school reunion last December.
    In May this year I get an email from a stranger who saw a card on her school noticeboard. She is an admin officer. She needed their entire school reports proofread. It ended up being 1500 pages and 2 weeks worth of very profitable work.

    I later found out one of my school friends is a teacher at that school and had put the card on their noticeboard. So you just never know what action you do that can cause work to come your way.
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    • Profile picture of the author John Williamson
      Originally Posted by laurencewins View Post

      I gave out physical business cards at my high school reunion last December.
      In May this year I get an email from a stranger who saw a card on her school noticeboard. She is an admin officer. She needed their entire school reports proofread. It ended up being 1500 pages and 2 weeks worth of very profitable work.

      I later found out one of my school friends is a teacher at that school and had put the card on their noticeboard. So you just never know what action you do that can cause work to come your way.
      Awesome. Exactly; I seem to sometimes get so caught up in new forms of marketing that I forget about the old simple things like business cards and email signatures.
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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    I got my first batch of cards made up for that reunion specifically because someone else suggested it and I am so glad it did because it paid off big time
    I now have them circulating in a few places so I may get more work over time too.

    Also, I have announced on Facebook a few times that I am looking for writing or proofreading work and sometimes I get work that way so if you have a specific type of skill, why not do the same. Nothing to lose and maybe you can also make money.
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    • Profile picture of the author John Williamson
      Originally Posted by laurencewins View Post

      I got my first batch of cards made up for that reunion specifically because someone else suggested it and I am so glad it did because it paid off big time
      I now have them circulating in a few places so I may get more work over time too.

      Also, I have announced on Facebook a few times that I am looking for writing or proofreading work and sometimes I get work that way so if you have a specific type of skill, why not do the same. Nothing to lose and maybe you can also make money.
      Thanks for the tips. Think I have a box of about 1000 business cards sitting in my closet, may have to get 'em out and do something.

      Originally Posted by AntonA View Post

      Yeah I do this also well done, I sell all sorts of items on ebay etc, an that pulls in all sorts of clients into my office

      A little bit hear and then all adds up, an you will be surprised what people want if you do not tell them what you do, then you will never have a chance at reaching your full potential,

      Do not wait for it to fall in your lap make it happen!
      Precisely!
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    • Profile picture of the author hometutor
      Originally Posted by laurencewins View Post

      I got my first batch of cards made up for that reunion specifically because someone else suggested it and I am so glad it did because it paid off big time
      More basic stuff but remember, business cards are not just to convey information. They are in and of themselves a tiny sales pitch.

      In your business cards try to

      Show a problem
      Solution
      Why they should come to you

      DO NOT hand out your business card at the end of the conversation. Hand it out at the beginning. You can even create an opening by asking for his/hers.

      Slightly ot for this topic sorry,

      Rick
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  • Profile picture of the author AntonA
    Yeah I do this also well done, I sell all sorts of items on ebay etc, an that pulls in all sorts of clients into my office

    A little bit hear and then all adds up, an you will be surprised what people want if you do not tell them what you do, then you will never have a chance at reaching your full potential,

    Do not wait for it to fall in your lap make it happen!
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