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What are your thoughts on this method?

by yourface
7 replies
Basically what I want to do is create a website for an industry such as carpet cleaning or duct cleaning (anything related to home improvement). I will call the website "The environmentally friendly carpet cleaning association of North America" or something of the sort. I will create a list of qualifying factors for a company to be listed on my site such as Do you use non-toxic cleaning supplies, Are you insured? etc. Next step hire a telemarketer off elance or odesk and have them cold call a list of every carpet cleaning company in north america with a professionally written script including the qualifying questions. I will charge companies a one time fee of $150 to be listed on the site and in turn they will receive an official badge that they can place on their site linking back to my association's website. I'm hoping that the telemarketers can make 100 calls a day and close at least 4 sales. I will pay my telemarketers a 25% commission and at this rate I would be taking home $450 a day in profit. What do you guys think? Am I being too optimistic? Have any of you had experience with this type of business?
#method #thoughts
  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    The model has been around forever. It's a decent idea. You've got to ask yourself though, if you were on the other end of one of those calls, what would you do?

    Until you build up some influence I think $150 is pretty high in exchange for a spot on a brand new Website. Think of some other things you can offer that adds value to the listings. Maybe you could start an Internet radio station on home improvement and pump your site there. Now you've got some bait. There are other things you might do. Get listed in some of the who's who business guides. Take out ads in trade publications.

    I like the idea but really doubt you'll get a lot of takers at the price without offering more than a simple listing. Good luck and stay with it, it could be a big winner.
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  • Profile picture of the author jamesfreddyc
    Depending upon the proficiency of the telemarketer, you might get 4 conversations out of those 100 dials, not 4 sales. Just an educated guess.

    You should do the calls first to set your expectations.
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  • Profile picture of the author MrFume
    Business owners are a crabby, suspicious, cautious crowd-they do not readily see your vision if it is unfamiliar-believe me they are tough to deal with-they get pitched daily-it is hard enough selling them obvious benefits like good websites, marketing let alone a brand new service no one has heard of-it is a bit like the old 'if you don't want your shop to burn down pay us a monthly insurance policy'-that is how it will sound. I am playing devil's advocate cause it is hard. The internet radio station is a good idea-get your service well known before mounting a sales campaign IMHO
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  • Profile picture of the author yourface
    do you think if it was offered a very low price, like $30 for a lifetime listing sales would be easier?
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    • Profile picture of the author jamesfreddyc
      Originally Posted by yourface View Post

      do you think if it was offered a very low price, like $30 for a lifetime listing sales would be easier?
      Doubt it. I didn't get better sales until I stopped thinking about getting sales. heh!

      What problem(s) do you solve and how much are those problems currently costing your prospective customers? I've found that following Jason Kanigan's approach to bringing up the pain points in the conversation allows you to quickly sort thru and locate good prospects. Doing this you are not asking for a sale you are asking to solve their problem.

      Having a calendar of call-backs/appointments with THESE prospects are what leads to sales.
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  • Profile picture of the author karenfisher252
    Sounds good. But you must be ready to some improvisations on your way as not everything will happen as you have planned.
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  • Profile picture of the author mjbmedia
    If not being environmentally friendly was a major issue in that industry then you may have a strong hook, I don't know if it is in the US , but here in the UK it wouldn't grab anyone.

    Maybe find an industry that is suffering a well publicised crises and set up an association for those industry members that are totally free of the crises' issues , but even then I cant see it taking off that much without valuable add ons.

    But then again, BNI, FSB etc they don't do much for their members yet get their money for little more than a badge generic logo
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    Mike

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