My Offline Journey

hits79 · Nov 12, 2011

Yeah, yet another thread for offline journey.

About Me:

I have been reading up, studying, practicing SEO for about 2 years now. I have successfully got few of my sites to google page 1 and within rank 5 or above. And I believe that If I give it my 100% I can get it to rank 1. But of course, real life comes in play and have to sometimes through that to the side. I still do little bit of seo on my sites, but not nothing major. I learned all I need to about SEO to actually start pushing myself to get offline clients. Learning SEO is never finished, as it's constantly being update with new techniques and strategies.

Taktical's Thread really pushed me to start doing something instead of constently reading forums, and wasting money on seo tools and software. Well, not really wasting. I must of read his thread dozen's of times, and there was nights where I couldn't even sleep due to all the ideas I kept getting on methods to promote offline clients. But I should really thank him for inspiring me to make this push.

To start off, I have to really and turely thank Taktical for the document's he provide in his thread. Those document yet pushed me further to actually start working towards generating clients. People do not realize what he has given, and many people will not push them self to make use of it. It's free for you to use, use it!

Things to Note:

I am doing this as independent, no website, no business name
I plan to do some SEO on my own, if I can not get big clients
If I land a big client I will outsource the work
I will use Takticals method of offering referral (more on this later, as to why I choose this method)

To kick start this journey I have bought two gigs on fiverr in which I will be using to help me promote my off line services.

I payed $25 for the brochure, because I wanted an editable psd file, which I can later add my information. How was the brochure?

That's only the front of the brochure, i think this was done very professionally as I only told her I need one for seo services. I will offer this for you guys to use also

Code:

http://www.mediafire.com/?oueprgy675p06mv

Code:

http://www.virustotal.com/url-scan/report.html?id=701feb292547e12d72e77ea3d834b008-1321053536

With this brochure, I will be leaving and giving to various office building I visit and customers I interact with. Since I work as IT Field Tech, I visit alot of business buildings, and can just drop this brochure off there. And also, this comes into play also, as I see the same customers almost monthly I can give them the brochure as well.

Remember Taktical mention about referral and networking? That's where this will come in play.

The bumper sticker, I haven't received yet as it was just send out to be deliver yesterday and today being holiday didn't get it. The bumper sticker will be on my vehicle of course and is also another method to advertise your services. I travel all day, and do you know how many people are behind me? It's a great method I believe

Other Offline methods to implement

Posting flyers to supermarket or other places where you can freely advertise.
Putting up Ad in the local newspaper (fairly cheap these days)
Spreading my seo services on facebook and twitter
And the probley most effect method will be letting friends/family know

At this point, that is all I have. Suggestions, comments, ideas, are all welcome

Balthazshar · Nov 12, 2011

I applaud you on TAKING ACTION! Too high a percentage of people will sit around, some will even comment on threads, but by and large the majority will not take action to change their lives and do something. You are. I applaud you ... keep going!

aStroke · Nov 12, 2011

Good to see that you're taking action.

You might want to reconsider making a website. If you don't want a business name, at least have a firstlastname.com to redirect your clients. Brochures are only a way to get your business name out there, not to sell your business. I don't know about you but when I want to hire someone's services, I want to know about their business. You must build credibility to your clients, and what better way is there than showing them your qualifications on your website?

Yes there is a chance that they call you directly from the brochure, but I think it's worth it in the long run to establish a web presence. Think about it. You're selling businesses a boost in their online presence, but you don't have one yourself. Doesn't that seem a bit ironic? If it does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for you, then you've only wasted $10 for a domain and an hour of your time.

I would also recommend business cards. Have something you can give out to people you meet on the streets, in a restaurant, wherever. It's much more smooth to hand them a business card rather passing them a big folded brochure you pulled out from your ass pocket. I got 1k for $20 at Gotprint.

You seem to have a good idea of what you will be doing already so if you choose not to make a website or business cards for your business, no problem. It is your decision. You might have a perfectly valid reason for not having them.

Best of luck.

andayiseo · Nov 12, 2011

Keep Going Mate

hits79 · Nov 12, 2011

aStroke said:
Good to see that you're taking action.

You might want to reconsider making a website. If you don't want a business name, at least have a firstlastname.com to redirect your clients. Brochures are only a way to get your business name out there, not to sell your business. I don't know about you but when I want to hire someone's services, I want to know about their business. You must build credibility to your clients, and what better way is there than showing them your qualifications on your website?

Yes there is a chance that they call you directly from the brochure, but I think it's worth it in the long run to establish a web presence. Think about it. You're selling businesses a boost in their online presence, but you don't have one yourself. Doesn't that seem a bit ironic? If it does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for you, then you've only wasted $10 for a domain and an hour of your time.

I would also recommend business cards. Have something you can give out to people you meet on the streets, in a restaurant, wherever. It's much more smooth to hand them a business card rather passing them a big folded brochure you pulled out from your ass pocket. I got 1k for $20 at Gotprint.

You seem to have a good idea of what you will be doing already so if you choose not to make a website or business cards for your business, no problem. It is your decision. You might have a perfectly valid reason for not having them.

Best of luck.

This is the part that I am still trying to figure out, whether to make website or not. However, after your suggestion, I think it might be a wise decision to actually do make one, after all I am in the SEO business, and doesn't make sense to not have one. Thanks for suggestion, really am grateful

Business cards also, thought of this and I just finished designing one. Thank you for suggesting gotprint, will check them out. Once I get my website up and running, I'll print some out. Right now, my business card is missing my website url. And of course, it's alot easier to pull out business card then brochure out of your ass

That's what I have so far for my business card.

masteraffmarket · Nov 12, 2011

that design is nice, but i would suggest you changing the internet marketer to something more along the lines of service

Seo consultant
search engine specialist

I think this just gives a different vibe in the customers eyes.
Hell make up a title, who are they to tell u otherwise. Your the expert

//MAF

jangozo · Nov 12, 2011

double and tripple that (y)
Gluck man just keep on pushing ... what about craigslist small ads ... every bit of a rumor and noise of your site should help ..

Balthazshar said:
I applaud you on TAKING ACTION! Too high a percentage of people will sit around, some will even comment on threads, but by and large the majority will not take action to change their lives and do something. You are. I applaud you ... keep going!

Getwhatchuwant · Nov 12, 2011

Hits 79 good thread but how have you determined costs and what are you offering?

I am working on the same thing and I have a meeting coming up;
I want to offer a full suite of services so the customer can basically pick what they want.

For instance Social page creation (and fans/followers)
Video creation
website building
Graphic design/logo
as well as the SEO

what are the "packages" you are creating and what are your fees for each?

That is where I am a nit stuck. Hell I can find most of the gigs on Fiverr myself but would prefer to spread the love here in BHW.

My end game is to offer training to my clients and use services here on BHW as an a la carte offering where they can just order what they want through me....

Last thing, how can I view/open a PSD file if I dont have photoshop...

hits79 · Nov 12, 2011

masteraffmarket said:
that design is nice, but i would suggest you changing the internet marketer to something more along the lines of service

Seo consultant
search engine specialist

I think this just gives a different vibe in the customers eyes.
Hell make up a title, who are they to tell u otherwise. Your the expert

//MAF

Very True, Will note on your suggestion and honestly Consultant does sound heck lot better then what I have

jangozo said:
double and tripple that (y)
Gluck man just keep on pushing ... what about craigslist small ads ... every bit of a rumor and noise of your site should help ..

I tried craiglist already, but haven't got any respond yet. I am not sure what you mean by craigslit small ads, is that like posting in like "computer gigs" section?

Getwhatchuwant said:
Hits 79 good thread but how have you determined costs and what are you offering?

I am working on the same thing and I have a meeting coming up;
I want to offer a full suite of services so the customer can basically pick what they want.

For instance Social page creation (and fans/followers)
Video creation
website building
Graphic design/logo
as well as the SEO

what are the "packages" you are creating and what are your fees for each?

That is where I am a nit stuck. Hell I can find most of the gigs on Fiverr myself but would prefer to spread the love here in BHW.

My end game is to offer training to my clients and use services here on BHW as an a la carte offering where they can just order what they want through me....

Last thing, how can I view/open a PSD file if I dont have photoshop...

I am not doing packages rather what the client wants done. Of course, I will offer facebook, tweeter, website design, logos, but that will be additional on top of my seo services.

As for pricing it all depends on the client, if it's a small shop, of course they won't spend $1000 a month for seo. But if it's a big company you can get a way with more. It all depends on the client honestly. I don't have a price set for anything yet.

If I happen to land client that is small, I will do all the seo for them and if it's a big client, I will outsource it.

I notice your thread also, and would love to talk to you, heck it can help us both out. Do you have skpe or msn?

As for the psd file, download a crack verison from kick ass torrent site

I use photoshop alot and it's a must have application.

NVBpro · Nov 13, 2011

I would suggest you simpler design for you card, remember simplicity give you more professionalism and trust...
Here is a example (photo is not the most important thing)

It's your choice

Wish you the best !

hits79 · Nov 14, 2011

NVBpro said:
I would suggest you simpler design for you card, remember simplicity give you more professionalism and trust...
Here is a example (photo is not the most important thing)

It's your choice
Wish you the best !

Hey mate, tha's really slick card there. Also, is that you? I checked out the website and watch your video about "dance" really nice.

Update: I decide to go ahead and throw in a website, took a few days to think of the name, and now am just putting the site together. As far as client wise, I left few flyers at various office buildings already and metion the services to few friends. Waiting to see if I get any calls

.

also, I am looking for logo design, if anyone knows anyone. Looking to spend about $30 for design if it helps.

hits79 · Nov 15, 2011

Ok got logo design done on fiverr. Not bad for $5

Sent from my Incredible 2 3D using Tapatalk

hits79 · Dec 3, 2011

Just a little update....

I been busy promoting my offline journey by handing out brochures and telling friends and family. Just last week I got my first phone call regarding website design. I meet up the client and to my luck, this guy had been scammed with website design in the past and I am his 3rd website design guy.

After speaking with him for about 2hours, he explained that all he wants is a website nothing fancy and doesn't care much about the design. Heck he even recommend me to grab any template and modify it to his needs, which is what I had in mind. But the only draw back is that this client want's an eCommerce site. It's a local pet shop and has about over 3000 items.

I haven't worked out any deals with him, since I am a bit confused as to if I should do it or not.

I know he won't pay much for the work as he's been scammed in the past, and with eCommerce site which has over 3000 items is gonna take quite some time to put all those items up on the site, as well as maintaining them. Therefore really left me hanging on deciding what I should do.

The pros of doing his site will be getting more clients after his site is done. But is it really worth say "$800" per month to do an eCommerce site from scratch?

Any suggestions would really be helpful right about now.

nesterdwarf · Dec 4, 2011

Didn't notice it being mentioned yet, but I'd go over your brochure before getting them printed. While I like the overall design, the text block on the left doesn't seem to have been written by a native English speaker.

Also, regarding the card design, while simple is usually always better, don't forget that the back of the card is just as important as the front and offers another area for you to educate your potential clients. Think of it as a mini brochure of what you can offer.

ND

KBC-12 · Dec 4, 2011

@hits79 Make a simple website with WP (make it look nice though) and give it to him for free. When he asks why, tell him it's because he has been scammed in the past and you understand where is coming from. Get him to pay a small amount per month (less than $50) for updates (1-3) and hosting. This will give him a web presence and build trust. Then in 1-2 months go back in and try to sell him a full on eCommerce site for a fair market price. This will prevent you from taking less for a job like that.
Also, don't you think there is a good possibility he will send you referrals during that time, after you give him a free website?

hits79 · Dec 4, 2011

KBC-12 said:
@hits79 Make a simple website with WP (make it look nice though) and give it to him for free. When he asks why, tell him it's because he has been scammed in the past and you understand where is coming from. Get him to pay a small amount per month (less than $50) for updates (1-3) and hosting. This will give him a web presence and build trust. Then in 1-2 months go back in and try to sell him a full on eCommerce site for a fair market price. This will prevent you from taking less for a job like that.
Also, don't you think there is a good possibility he will send you referrals during that time, after you give him a free website?

Giving him a wordpress site would probley not make much difference or perhaps even no point to it. He knows what he wants.

I am considering offering him to pay me once job is 50% complete or something that sort.

As for referrals yes, he has alot of contact and I am sure he'll refer me to other business oweners, that's why I am so confused as if I should do this for cheap or not. It's alot of work ahead for me, but perhaps I should look at it in the long run.

Getwhatchuwant · Dec 4, 2011

HMMM building an ecommerce store can be a pain in the ass, I tried it once and hated it. Instead I was lucky enough to find a fullfillment center that basically created the site and maintained it for me. That wont help you though.

I dont have much in the way of suggestions to make it any easier, but vendio is a decent ecommerce platform and it is free. It also has a function to submit to google shopping for free. All you would have to do is register the domain you want and of course the tedious task of uploading all the images and creating descriptions for him.

The plus side, doing this by hand will make the site SEO ready with lots and lot s of unique content, the downside is you will be working on this a few hours every day for the better part of a month to finish it.

I would estimate you will spend about 40-50 hours on the site, keep that in mind when you price it out.

Edit** I have quite a few contacts now but most of them seem to be hit by the economy, all are interested none have the extra $$$ to pay for SEO. I also saw you were interested in chatting more, I will PM you my email.

KBC-12 · Dec 5, 2011

hits79 said:
Giving him a wordpress site would probley not make much difference or perhaps even no point to it. He knows what he wants.

I am considering offering him to pay me once job is 50% complete or something that sort.

As for referrals yes, he has alot of contact and I am sure he'll refer me to other business oweners, that's why I am so confused as if I should do this for cheap or not. It's alot of work ahead for me, but perhaps I should look at it in the long run.

Yeah I know. But you should NOT go low on an Ecommerce site. Getwatyouwant has pointed that out too. What I am saying is that if he doesn't have a web presence he needs one. You can't settle for that type of site so make your FIRM offer to him and if he won't budge then you grease the wheels and reduce transaction friction by giving him a free web presence and more importantly creating a working relationship thus making him writing you that $x,xxx check in the future easier.

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