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Seeing Through the Fog

by AffiliatingAlan
9 replies
Im trying to write a business proposal to multiple websites. However all of them lack any information on their team or who the owner is. All their whoIS data is private.

I keep hearing about personalizing your business propositions and avoiding "to whom it may concern". In this scenario what should I do? Is there a way to get the name or do I have to call 30 companies and ask who reads the emails? I really dont want to do this incase they link my call to my email.

Also the rare websites that have team names have like 10 people they display. I have no idea who the email reader or proposition handler would be.
#fog
  • Profile picture of the author AffiliatingAlan
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author Jon Patrick
      I would just call them or send an email explaining who I am and the basics of what my business does, and ask who I would need to talk to about a business proposal. If a name isn't available and you're sending an email, address the email with "Hello," ...
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  • Profile picture of the author Jtraits
    direct contact with them. they are doing this clearly for keeping it private for security reasons. you will also notice using (at) instead of @ so bots won't get their email addresses automatically
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Originally Posted by AffiliatingAlan View Post

    Im trying to write a business proposal to multiple websites. However all of them lack any information on their team or who the owner is. All their whoIS data is private.

    I keep hearing about personalizing your business propositions and avoiding "to whom it may concern". In this scenario what should I do? Is there a way to get the name or do I have to call 30 companies and ask who reads the emails? I really dont want to do this incase they link my call to my email.

    Also the rare websites that have team names have like 10 people they display. I have no idea who the email reader or proposition handler would be.
    You're spamming your web design proposals to people who haven't qualified as needing your service?!

    Use the Little Unsure technique and get the decision maker's name

    http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...t-selling.html

    You're spinning your wheels right now churning out those proposals to unqualified suspects. Waste of time. Target better.
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    • Profile picture of the author TheBigBee
      I agree with Jason.

      I'd target a little better. Positioning is important too. At this point in time, if you sell web design, you'd be wise to target businesses in these verticals who spent money on PPC.

      Wny? Because PPC costs are rising. As they rise, it becomes even more important for folks to convert the traffic generated from PPC into customers. Part and parcel to conversion optimization is design. I'm not sure what caliber designer you are, but you can use MarketingExperiments.com as a resource to develop your overall design "blueprint."

      Tons of local insurance agents buy PPC - this would appear to be the lowest hanging fruit of the bunch as it is relatively easy to get the head honcho on the phone.

      Personally, I'd get one of these guys on the phone, let them know I have something pretty important to send them regarding their Google advertising in the mail, and send them a priority mail letter. In the letter I'd clearly spell out the problem and spell out the urgency in their need to contact me to talk about the solution.

      Approaching it this way allows you to do away with proposals. No one reads blind proposals. Even investors who claim they do. In my opinion, "proposals" should be just for government bureaucrats. You get these people on the phone, they understand the problem, opportunity, and competitive landscape, you can quote them a premium price, and say; "hang on while I send you a PayPal Invoice for agreed amount."

      My two cents.
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  • Profile picture of the author DaniMc
    Stop all the research - it will take forever to build your business.

    1) Outline some packages telling exactly what you can do for businesses.

    2) Go to as many places as possible where there are business owners and talk to them.

    You are at ground zero - put the mouse down and go talk to people.
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  • Profile picture of the author Peter Lessard
    What Dan said :-)

    Past: I would spend hours creating marketing materials, funnels, web sites, email templates, buying lists, dealing with providers to make all this stuff better. Result lots of hours work, empty bank account.

    Present: I go tanning I sell the owner on a site and marketing. I go buy life insurance I sell the agent marketing. I go to the bakery I sell them on fax blast to all nearby businesses. Result is I get to tan, get fat, buy stuff, socialize and fill my bank account.

    If its 2 am and there is nobody to talk to I post here or on any classified site about what I am thinking about and people contact me daily to do business with me.

    This is NOT to say I have not built some amazing automated funnels BUT there was enough research in place to suggest an amazing fit and usually it was on the heels of my knocking it out of the park for someone in that industry. I made a roofer a ton of money. Got his testimonial and used a results video and blasted roofers. Sold 10 in a week on marketing. Have continued doing the same in various niches.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
      Originally Posted by plessard View Post

      What Dan said :-)

      Past: I would spend hours creating marketing materials, funnels, web sites, email templates, buying lists, dealing with providers to make all this stuff better. Result lots of hours work, empty bank account.

      Present: I go tanning I sell the owner on a site and marketing. I go buy life insurance I sell the agent marketing. I go to the bakery I sell them on fax blast to all nearby businesses. Result is I get to tan, get fat, buy stuff, socialize and fill my bank account.

      If its 2 am and there is nobody to talk to I post here or on any classified site about what I am thinking about and people contact me daily to do business with me.

      This is NOT to say I have not built some amazing automated funnels BUT there was enough research in place to suggest an amazing fit and usually it was on the heels of my knocking it out of the park for someone in that industry. I made a roofer a ton of money. Got his testimonial and used a results video and blasted roofers. Sold 10 in a week on marketing. Have continued doing the same in various niches.
      Absolutely. You need to TALK To business owners.

      Wouldn't it help even more if you could talk to business owners who you know likely have a need for what you offer? Who can afford you? Maybe even who's niche you know something about?
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  • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
    Originally Posted by AffiliatingAlan View Post

    Im trying to write a business proposal to multiple websites. However all of them lack any information on their team or who the owner is. All their whoIS data is private.
    What is your proposal?

    Most proposals are doomed for failure if sent out on first contact,
    even if you personalize it.

    Let us know the ouline of your proposal
    so we can save you time and effort.

    Best,
    Ewen
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  • Profile picture of the author Achiz768
    Not having a vehicle and being literally stuck out in the country-150 miles away from a big city---I didn't have the luxury of being able to go out and talk with business owners. All I had was the internet & my cell phone and so I just sent emails & did follow up calls. I switched gears from selling online marketing services and sold a direct mailing instead---but I formed a local co op group first and positioned myself as a group director & a fellow business owner--giving me great credibility. Made my "sell" much easier
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