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Starting SMS Marketing but one prob!

by nerfsmurf
10 replies
<Solved>
So I contacted a number of individuals and small business owners about sms marketing and within one day (my first day), I got four who were interested in the 1 month free trial. Great? Great!

Few hours later my car got towed and that took about $240 out of my "Lime Cellular white label fund." So I will probably have to wait an additional week or two before I can set up these people on their trial accounts. I would use another company and one of their cheaper non white-label plans for the mean time, but I don't want to have to re opt-in my client's subscribers again.

I haven't really looked at anything besides Limes white-label service, maybe they have something cheaper I can use in the meantime and I can upgrade to re-sellers without re-opt'n everyone?

This might be my course of action for now, but what would you guys do?
</Solved>

<Update - 12/3/2013>

Thanks for the replies, I have raised enough capital to afford lime's white label.

I have my site almost complete, need to complete my call to action video; I have my flyers printed out and next to me (I intend on doing B2B walk-ins 4 days/week); got the gist of my contracts done, but now I'm onto accepting payment. I'm temporarily going to use Paypal and add Auth.net in January. I am also going to file for a DBA this week. I really don't want to wait until the DBA process is complete, I'm super eager to meet these establishment owners!!!

How would it look if my clients payments were made out to my name (via PayPal or check) as opposed to my future business name?

</Update>
#marketing #prob #sms #starting
  • Profile picture of the author kemdev
    I wouldn't use a free trial.

    Especially if it costs me out of pocket.
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  • Profile picture of the author jamesfreddyc
    Originally Posted by nerfsmurf View Post

    This might be my course of action for now, but what would you guys do?
    So, you are essentially paying them to do work for them? (let that sink in for a minute)

    If it's a trial offer, maybe change that to doing a demo for them instead. This would allow them to check out the features and such but no go until they pay your fees. Or perhaps there is a reason to not work with someone that is interested in free offers?

    If all else fails, maybe consider a low entry price point with minimal features/benefits that at worst make you breakeven. But doing what you are doing sounds like you will be quickly working on going out of business. I suppose free trials are ok for a big budget operation, but I wouldn't consider it as a start-up (just my perspective).
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  • Profile picture of the author imsolutionsgroup
    Originally Posted by nerfsmurf View Post

    So I contacted a number of individuals and small business owners about sms marketing and within one day (my first day), I got four who were interested in the 1 month free trial. Great? Great!

    Few hours later my car got towed and that took about $240 out of my "Lime Cellular white label fund." So I will probably have to wait an additional week or two before I can set up these people on their trial accounts. I would use another company and one of their cheaper non white-label plans for the mean time, but I don't want to have to re opt-in my client's subscribers again.

    I haven't really looked at anything besides Limes white-label service, maybe they have something cheaper I can use in the meantime and I can upgrade to re-sellers without re-opt'n everyone?

    This might be my course of action for now, but what would you guys do?
    Question: You say you don't want to "re opt-in my client's subscribers again", but you're offering these businesses a free-trial. Where did these subscribers originally come from?
    Signature
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  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    Personally I would suggest you do Lime just with a smaller starting package. Yeah your cost will be higher but the value in SMS is you and handling it for them so your price will always be much higher then your cost to cover your time anyways.

    Please don't offer DIY for them unless they request it. You will churn and burn too many that way. Business owners want someone to do it for them. Yes you will have to have them collect and sign people up and give you the offers but you will train and help with both while handling the back end.
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    Aaron Doud - Sales & Success
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  • Profile picture of the author jaybyrd42
    Have you thought of using Twitter SMS? https://blog.twitter.com/2010/introd...other-sms-tips
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    • Profile picture of the author umc
      If you don't need features other than basic texts and are running it for your customers, Betwext.com offers an inexpensive platform. Just a penny or so per text. No bells and whistles, but easy to use and cheap.
      Signature

      Simple "pay what you want" life coaching services online.
      Get out of your own way in business. It's personal. Click Here

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  • Profile picture of the author nerfsmurf
    Thanks for the replies, I have raised enough capital to afford lime's white label.

    I have my site almost complete, need to complete my call to action video; I have my flyers printed out and next to me (I intend on doing B2B walk-ins 4 days/week); got the gist of my contracts done, but now I'm onto accepting payment. I'm temporarily going to use Paypal and add Auth.net in January. I am also going to file for a DBA this week. I really don't want to wait until the DBA process is complete, I'm super eager to meet these establishment owners!!! How would it look if my clients payments were made out to my name as opposed to my future business name?
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  • Profile picture of the author Matthew North
    Selling SMS is an easy way to make money.

    The second part of your strategy should be supporting your direct customers in setting up and designing their SMS campaigns.

    I would have thought that you could use Lime's merchant gateway instead of your own?
    Signature

    you cant hold no groove if you ain't got no pocket.

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    • Profile picture of the author nerfsmurf
      It's an additional $65! I hate that I spent my $,$$$ college refund checks on stupid stuff back before I learned that I could provide valuable services for people myself... now here I am pulling strings. Actually thinking about a car title loan.

      Setting up and designing their SMS campaigns is something I have already thought about. After payment, an appointment will be scheduled where I will meet with them to discuss subscriber gathering and ways to use their sms service along with some campaign ideas to get juices flowing. After the first meeting, everything else will be done via a little web portal I made to cut down on e-mail/phone use, which will still be welcomed.

      I plan to offer a self serve package, but priced in such a way to where it makes more sense to get the maintained package. Similar to fake pricing strategy that was posted here about a week or so ago.
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  • Profile picture of the author Marta K
    I wouldn't even mention the self serve- they will still expect you to jump in and fix whatever mess they do simply because you have sold it to them. Avoid. Make a tiny starter package - like an hour of consultation per month or sth, to cover yourself as a minimum.
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