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Social Proof: Working for FREE?

by RyanLester
3 replies
Ive been doing website design for a few clients for now and that has been going okay but I want to move into Digital Marketing Consulting as a Digital Strategist helping businesses with (and without) an online presence leverage the internet for more business (just consultation, with products lined up as an upsell).

So far I have gotten 2 very nice testimonials from web design clients and plan to use this in my marketing marterial.

I'd like to know how may FREE consultations I should do (to get those testimonials) before i start charging?

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What would be the appropriate hourly rate to charge for a Digital Strategist doing website and digital marketing evaluations and coming up with a strategy for the client? - $100 per hour?

Looking forward to your responses.
#free #proof #social #working
  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    Free consultations should not be to get testimonials instead they should be to land clients.

    "Right now I am offering a free one hour no risk consultation. I am confident this will be the most valuable hour you spend growing your business this week. Are you available for me to stop over Wed at 2pm?"
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    Aaron Doud - Sales & Success
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  • Profile picture of the author Eddie Spangler
    I would focus on trying to figure out how to provide them as much value as possible over how much you should charge them.
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    Promise Big.
    Deliver Bigger.
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  • Profile picture of the author Preeti
    Ryan, I did the same exact thing when I first started off. Did some free work for clients in exchange for testimonials just to build up my credibility (and my confidence) to know that I could do this.

    Now that you've gathered some social proof, why not use this to prospect potential clients--particularly those in the same niche/city as the client's who provided you a testimonial?

    I find it SUPER powerful to start a conversation by sharing that I helped "Bob, who is also in the business of X just like yourself Mr. Potential Client.." and share their feedback.

    Once you have a couple of testimonials, make sure you:

    A) Offer the clients who you did the work for free to continue on with your services for a fee

    B) Start targeting other clients, who you will obviously charge, in the same niche as the clients who originally gave you the testimonial

    C) Take action, put some goals down on paper for yourself and get it done!

    Hope that helps!
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