A little trick that helped me.

[BootLoot]

Ok, so I've been working for myself completely doing local SEO and web design since January. I'm currently making about $8000 per month from all my clients. I got most of these customers through telephone cold calling. I know many of you say that this hasn't been very successful for you, and it wasn't for me at first. So here is a little trick that I used that helped me IMMENSELY. Some of you may know it, others may not, either way I'll still share.

When researching who to call I just google XXXXX carpet cleaner (for example) and skip right to the third page. I pick a business and I'm going to let them know that their SEO sucks and they could be doing better. NOW, most of us would call them right away based on this information alone. Not me, I first go to the BBB.org and find their business profile. The reason is, this contains name of the owner or principal manager. AHA! So if I see the owner is named "Samuel L. Gompers" I'll call the business, and when that BITCH of a secretary answers, I simply say in a confident manner, "Hey, let me talk to Sam".

This works nearly EVERY time I do it. Of course sometimes they'll ask who's calling, but not often. This trick may sound trivial, but it works like a charm.


TRY IT and let me hear your results.


PS: When cold calling, never try to sound like you're actually selling something, remember you're asking for TIME right now, not money. I'll get on the phone when cold calling and talk to them with a care-free attitude, like they're one of my oldest friends.

 

[popcrdom29]

That's some great advice. Do your clients ask to meet you face-to-face before they hire you?

 

[BootLoot]

I have met with all my clients face to face except for one, who was an out of state referral.

 

[edgematch]

So you make a call, your voice is cool by just saying "give me Sam", and they give you $8000 and some say "excellent idea".

Are you Angelina Jolie?

 

[BootLoot]

So you make a call, your voice is cool by just saying "give me Sam", and they give you $8000 and some say "excellent idea".

Are you Angelina Jolie?

Not quite, you still have to know what you're talking about, it's just a simple little lead in that can make a huge difference.

 

[areevezcash]

thanks this is helpful

 

[testeee]

I do this as well but I say "firstname lastname please". When they say please hold, you say thank you. That way you get a please and thank you in on the gatekeeper right off the bat. They will likely trust you more that way.

 

[seanjohn]

What's everyones success rate with booking appointments by this method?
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[testeee]

My success rate is actually crazy high... but I do extra research on them. I look to see if they are in yellow pages or craigslist. I look at their google places page/ranking, I look at their existing (if there is one) website.

I often start off talking about their yellow pages add and see how thats doing for them.

My problem is that I hate cold calling, I tend to put it off... or quit after I get one appointment, but it does stink'n work.

 

[narayanan86]

good trick pal.. though this method isn't a possible thing in my city/town, I loved your attitude

 

[MKelly]

If Samuel L. Jackson's surname was 'Gompers', do you think he would be as famous?

 

[BootLoot]

I hope so. My closing rate with this is super high.

 

[Black Beret]

Hey Boot,

That is some great advice!

If you don't mind me asking, how many clients do you have and roughly how long did it take you to get them?

I am looking to do lead generation for local businesses.

I don't know a whole lot about local SEO, but it seems to me like there are still numerous domain names available that would rank #1 quite easily with a little work.

I must say, your post is very motivating!

BB

 

[BootLoot]

I have about 14 monthly recurring SEO clients, this is all since January of this year. In addition to that revenue, I design several websites per month for local clients as well.

 

[MattL]

Are your exact words "Hey, let me talk to Sam" instead of something like "Hey may I speak with Sam"? So instead of asking a question your giving a demand, or is it just the fact that you know the owners name?

 

[rocket]

Some good advice on the BBB lookup. Its great to do some research first. Business owners love it when you actually know something about their biz. A real attention getter.

For all of you that think you just hit the easy button, you have to know your stuff. Tell the owner in a few short minutes an overview of the plan and how all of this will result in more leads. Don't really get into "sales" because that is up to them. All you can do is bring them potential customers. Don't over promise anything, like getting them to the front pages.

After some practice, you will find you own method. I would take this one step further. You can even look at the bottom of page one, top of page two. Go to the site, and look in the home page title. If the actual keyword is in the title, then they are at least trying to rank for that keyword, but aren't getting the job done. Don't promise page one, but basically tell them that you can help them do what their current seo guy can't. That might result in a larger fee.

Good luck.

 

[Nekroev]

I just logged in hear to look for offline marketing ideas. I've been hitting roadblocks lately all my clients have been thru referrals was looking to expand. talk about timing

 

[rocket]

I have about 14 monthly recurring SEO clients, this is all since January of this year. In addition to that revenue, I design several websites per month for local clients as well.

Me as well. I do ecommerce, email marketing, ecommerce, seo, design, programming, pretty much anything web related. Helps to capture many different types of jobs and retain clients. Plus, almost every job turns into an upsell because I convince them to buy additional services such as seo, hosting, email marketing, etc.. Web design is usually just the start.

Diversification is key.

 

[rocket]

I just logged in hear to look for offline marketing ideas. I've been hitting roadblocks lately all my clients have been thru referrals was looking to expand. talk about timing

There is a lot of money in internet marketing, but offline can be more steady and you can make a lot there too.

Search BHW world for "offline" and you'll find all kinds of stuff. Offline is great and you'll have a little more control than with internet marketing, especially given the amount of competition.

 

[k.mcmacken]

sweet