Please Help: Customers Want Sample of Work From New Offline Business

by gtone
17 replies
We are a new offline business, offering digital services including mobile website and responsive website design. However, I have not had a order from client yet to design website or any of my services. Although I have been getting inquiries about our services from potential clients. But the challenge I am having is showing them example of my clients websites.

My question is, how do I answer them when they ask me to show them sample/portfolio of my work. You help and advice will be appreciated.

FYI: I have done some websites using templates on WordPress. But decided to close them all done because I want to focus on this offline business.
#business #customers #offline #sample #work
  • Profile picture of the author mjbmedia
    then show them the ones you have done that you closed down, screen shots will do , open them up again, make some demo ones and show them, make a couple for 'free; to use as demos or just tell the truth and offer a special (if you need to) to be my first client . Do what it takes to get some clients under your belt then this problem quickly becomes history.
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    Mike

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    • Profile picture of the author gtone
      Originally Posted by mjbmedia View Post

      then show them the ones you have done that you closed down, screen shots will do , open them up again, make some demo ones and show them, make a couple for 'free; to use as demos or just tell the truth and offer a special (if you need to) to be my first client . Do what it takes to get some clients under your belt then this problem quickly becomes history.

      Thank you mjbmedia. Really appreciate your input. Although, I do not have the screenshots of the ones I have done previously (closed down). I guess I will try making some for free. But I am a little bit unsure about that though.
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      Stay Focus.....
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  • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
    You should be honest and upfront.

    If you have good design skills offer to do a mock up for them but only do the home page.

    Then tell them if they like how the mockup looks to proceed your payment terms as as follows.....

    You're gonna have to sacrifice a little to get your start right.

    Every business takes some sort of investment to get started, either hard money or your time. So it sounds like you need to invest the time.

    Originally Posted by gtone View Post

    We are a new offline business, offering digital services including mobile website and responsive website design. However, I have not had a order from client yet to design website or any of my services. Although I have been getting inquiries about our services from potential clients. But the challenge I am having is showing them example of my clients websites.

    My question is, how do I answer them when they ask me to show them sample/portfolio of my work. You help and advice will be appreciated.

    FYI: I have done some websites using templates on WordPress. But decided to close them all done because I want to focus on this offline business.
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    • Profile picture of the author gtone
      Originally Posted by Rus Sells View Post

      You should be honest and upfront.

      If you have good design skills offer to do a mock up for them but only do the home page.

      Then tell them if they like how the mockup looks to proceed your payment terms as as follows.....

      You're gonna have to sacrifice a little to get your start right.

      Every business takes some sort of investment to get started, either hard money or your time. So it sounds like you need to invest the time.

      Thank you. However, I think it might put them away by thinking they only want experience business or person to do their website.
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      Stay Focus.....
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      • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
        Remember, your prospect had their first day in business too. Remind them of that and that despite that they still had new people willing to be their first customers.

        Your perception is setting you up to get nowhere.

        If they ask...

        There's absolutely nothing wrong with telling a prospect you have plenty of experience but your just starting out in business for yourself, and don't have any samples from previous work. But that your willing to do a mock up for their business at no charge to prove your abilities.

        Keep it simple and don't over complicate things, and of course you could spend the time making some stuff before you start prospecting but that may or may not be a waste of time because you could perhaps already done a few mockups and gained a couple of customers in the time you spent making samples of businesses that don't exist.



        Originally Posted by gtone View Post

        Thank you. However, I think it might put them away by thinking they only want experience business or person to do their website.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steeleton
    I don't think you need to come right out and say you are new....unless they directly ask. You don't ever want to lie to a potential client. Not a good way to start a relationship.

    So what should you do about the question of samples or other websites you created? Make some! Take the time and money if needed and design some templates, websites, etc. Design some fantastic pages for businesses like the ones you are targeting.

    Want to go a step further? Create the websites for FREE for businesses that don't have one in exchange for a glowing testimonial and recommendation. Now you have a website portfolio and testimonials.

    If you put the effort in upfront, I think you'll find that finding new business isn't really that tough.
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    • Profile picture of the author gtone
      Originally Posted by Steeleton View Post

      I don't think you need to come right out and say you are new....unless they directly ask. You don't ever want to lie to a potential client. Not a good way to start a relationship.

      So what should you do about the question of samples or other websites you created? Make some! Take the time and money if needed and design some templates, websites, etc. Design some fantastic pages for businesses like the ones you are targeting.

      Want to go a step further? Create the websites for FREE for businesses that don't have one in exchange for a glowing testimonial and recommendation. Now you have a website portfolio and testimonials.

      If you put the effort in upfront, I think you'll find that finding new business isn't really that tough.

      Thank you Steeleton, I understand your point. It is just that when they ask some questions, I become short of words and this might translate to them, that they are properly talking to a new company.

      But anyway, I would look into your suggestions. Really appreciate your advice and thanks again.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steeleton
    It is a learning experience when you are starting a new business. You might stumble a few times and you may lose some potential customers. It happens to all of us.

    What I can tell you for sure is that it does get easier. Customers tend to ask the same questions. You number one priority should be to talk to as many potential customers as possible. You'll start to see a pattern of the questions they ask. Practice your answers...the more you practice, the better you'll be with the answers.
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  • Profile picture of the author Underground
    You get a good header on your site and then go an make the rest of it a ''My first website'' website. You should sort that out.

    Many warriors crack on about getting their clients higher conversions when their own sites are probably causing most visitors to bail to look for someone approaching a professional image.

    Classic warrior forum style website.

    Not hating, just some stern, honest advice.

    Can anyone spot the difference between these two SEO sites?

    Clearwater SEO | Dominate your Competition

    St. Louis SEO Expert | Kotton Grammer
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    • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
      No difference! LOL

      Originally Posted by Underground View Post

      You get a good header on your site and then go an make the rest of it a ''My first website'' website. You should sort that out.

      Many warriors crack on about getting their clients higher conversions when their own sites are probably causing most visitors to bail to look for someone approaching a professional image.

      Classic warrior forum style website.

      Not hating, just some stern, honest advice.

      Can anyone spot the difference between these two SEO sites?

      Clearwater SEO | Dominate your Competition

      St. Louis SEO Expert | Kotton Grammer
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      • Profile picture of the author hometutor
        Why not premake some websites in a few niches.
        Get them high on the SEs
        Then sell them to your clients at a higher price due to their page ranking.
        Offer customization of course.

        Rick
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      • Profile picture of the author Underground
        Originally Posted by Rus Sells View Post

        No difference! LOL
        LOL. OK, well can anyone guess which one brings in millions a year in revenue and which one gets lower end customers only willing to pay 1 or 2 hundred a month renting pages?
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        • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
          Originally Posted by Underground View Post

          LOL. OK, well can anyone guess which one brings in millions a year in revenue and which one gets lower end customers only willing to pay 1 or 2 hundred a month renting pages?
          The one on the right gets more revenue. LOL

          I'd guess St Louis gets more revenue and the higher end clients.

          Interesting thing is that Clearwater is at 41994 on Alexa for USA,
          and St. Louis is 114,604 for USA.

          <><><><>

          TO OP:

          Don't overthink and psyche yourself out.

          You started this business because you think you can.
          Write down a list of why you think you can, and/or your partners can.
          You have the knowledge, skills and abilities gained through and should be hired because:
          1)
          2)
          3)
          And so on

          Then, use this list to bolster your confidence.
          Convey this confidence and caring to your prospects.

          Showing you care about all their related needs and goals really goes a long way over skill.
          I've been on committees selecting web services and have seen this time and time again.
          Last time, the highest bidder got the work and we reallocated budget items to pay.
          (So budget is not always a real objection.)

          Get into discussions about their personnel and who, if anybody is going to be
          updating the content - working the website...and how easy that will be for them to do...

          If they ask, then tell them how you got where you are and don't lie.
          Do a mock up or free site if you think it is a good investment of your time and resources.
          Actually if being new becomes an issue, then offer a new or first customer discount - say
          $800 for some package you would charge $1000 for. With the $800 - or whatever figure -
          being an amount you won't mind doing the work for. People tend to get angry or frustrated
          doing work for less than they want, or at a loss because they did not cover all expenses.
          And, you can miss better opportunities while doing the work you obligated yourself to do.

          Come in at a reasonable price for you to do the job well, cover all expenses, and make profit.

          Have discussions about value and return on their investment. One new customer means how much to them?...

          As Rus pointed out, they were new at their business at some point. Relax.

          Don't go for the big fish at first though - go for the people who won't slice you up as you make
          "mistakes". But, also, don't go for the low ballers who don't really "get" what it takes to
          market a real business.

          Dig up relevant posts on selling and marketing web stuffs on this forum by savidge, underground, MRomeo, Iamnameless, Jason Kanigan, Claude Whitacre, Rus Sells, Andrew Cavanaugh (google Andrew too - great resource for you), and the many others who know what they are doing. (Please don't be insulted if I did not put you on the list. I can't remember all - and don't want to overwhelm OP.)

          Dan
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          "If you think you're the smartest person in the room, then you're probably in the wrong room."

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        • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
          Low end clients? Not according the a certain video dude!

          Originally Posted by Underground View Post

          LOL. OK, well can anyone guess which one brings in millions a year in revenue and which one gets lower end customers only willing to pay 1 or 2 hundred a month renting pages?
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  • Profile picture of the author joecarson1
    "Want to go a step further? Create the websites for FREE for businesses that don't have one in exchange for a glowing testimonial and recommendation. Now you have a website portfolio and testimonials"
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  • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
    Interesting thing is that Clearwater is at 41994 on Alexa for USA,
    and St. Louis is 114,604 for USA.
    The reason the Clearwater BS SEO site has a higher Alexa rank is because #1 many interment marketers use the Alexa tool bar and that site was featured in a recent launch for a Worpdress plugin to manage PBN network/s.

    Not because a town of barely over 100k people are searching SEO every day.
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    • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
      Originally Posted by Rus Sells View Post

      The reason the Clearwater BS SEO site has a higher Alexa rank is because #1 many interment marketers use the Alexa tool bar and that site was featured in a recent launch for a Worpdress plugin to manage PBN network/s.

      Not because a town of barely over 100k people are searching SEO every day.
      Thanks. Figured there had to be some other reason.

      Dan
      Signature

      "If you think you're the smartest person in the room, then you're probably in the wrong room."

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