First Offline Meeting = Crushed

[goingreen]

Just wanting to spread the word about bringing the online game to the "real" world -> IT WORKS.

I turned a 30 minute meeting with a client today into a 2.5 hour meeting today at Starbucks. The client was amazing and they couldnt get enough hearing about how this stuff works.

I never talked price the entire time, strictly benefits.

Collaborate WITH the client and have them ask you questions about getting involved and you'll do well.

Work hard - keep punching and dont f'ing give up.

Didnt close the deal but the client whipped out a book of business cards FULL of 75 or so business cards I could begin helping right away.

Not to mention closing a deal with them. We couldnt get a price set for work so we'll be inking a deal on our next appointment in 2 weeks.

Work hard - learn to say your material like you've done it your whole life - and dont sell yourself short.

Good luck and keep the faith!

 

[CEPI]

This is great news! Congrats!

Also for others that read this that need great motivation for the "in-person" meetings and offline negotiations, look into picking up the book "Your First 100 Million" by Daniel Pena. A very no frills, no BS approach to closing out deals hardcore offline.

 

[ardley216]

Awesome news. Sometimes you get clients who sit in the palm of your hand. I find it best when I work WITH the clients, helping them, as I find out later, they help me back. All clients are different though. your next one may be a right bitch.

 

[2011nfl]

I never talked price the entire time, strictly benefits.

That's the best way to do it. Instead of selling the product or service, you're selling yourself, and you are worth way more than the product/service. That's actually part of what it takes to be successful in just about anything. If you sell yourself right, the price won't matter.

 

[bhspiderz]

Congrats man. Certainly is awesome to see such a positive attitude going after this. Hope all her business cards = jobs for you.

 

[SirKonstantine]

congrats.

 

[NeoPat]

knowledge is key mate, im glad your on the path offline work is everywhere. I bumped into my first client in the street, wowed them with SEO and the benefits, a week later we are discussing initial costings, and then costs to maintain and increase rank, just need to know what to charge the guy now for my services!!

 

[schwagoo]

Very good.. but get a check ASAP

 

[PhillipsPierce]

Keep us posted with what happens next, 75 business contacts.. sounds likes you're going to be real busy.

 

[WebOracle]

Very good.. but get a check ASAP

I second that. You should always try and close when you are with them and they are excited about it. If you wait too long then the excitement dies off and all they remember is the price and not the benefits. Otherwise good job bro!

 

[hamptonpq]

Good job, keep us updated on the progress. I'm getting ready to extend myself outside of warm/hot referred clients into the realm of semi-cold/cold clients so hearing positive stories is motivating!

 

[gooser898]

wow 2.5 hours and you couldn't close the sale. Interesting to say the least. It means that love the concept but are unsure about your specifically i would say. Or you were extremely out of their price range which i dont believe as this is your first meeting. They say it takes 7 min to build enough rapport to be able to close a sale. 7 min is a long time. 2.5 hours is amazing.

Fingers crossed you close.

 

[goingreen]

Getting a check right away is selling yourself short - and I was going to get stiffed. We're building relationships here that pay for a lifetime. If I wanted a check for $1,000 I could have got it. I'd rather solidify the relationships concrete the trust and get 75 checks for $1,000. Closing a deal one the first appointment wasnt even an option in my mind. Just a mere added bonus that almost happened.

 

[zerocoolflo]

2.5 hours ?

You don't have what to do with your time or you are a beginner in talking with a client

 

[GeeWhiz#1]

You should of been able to close the deal within 2.5 hrs, honestly.

Some tips for others when doing offline sales:
- Keep them talking
- Give them a brief on SEO etc but have your main focus on ROI, that's all they're interested in.
- Research their website, tell them what they're ranking for. What you can get them ranking for etc.
- Show them referrals, say you can ring [name] at [company name] for a reference.
- Tell them of passed campaigns and what you have done.

Try to get them to sign up for the deal there and then. Things like "I'll think about it" "I'll have a talk with..." are basically those guys saying no.

 

[sanjeev2010]

Great job GG!

Sounds like you are building a connection with the guy rather than just looking for a check. This'll be far more valuable to you in the long run!

 

[mrtwister_65]

we'll be inking a deal on our next appointment in 2 weeks

2 weeks is a long time. Even a week. Try to keep them on the hook, now and then, or your 2.5 hours will be wasted. Try to come up with some "unpredicted" turn in circumstances to pull in a next meeting date closer.

2 weeks is as cold as 2 months.

 

[StartupBros]

Holy shit 2.5 HOURS?!?! and NO CHECK!?!?

I charge my close friends for 2.5 hours of my time!

 

[flightrisk]

Good job on getting out there. How did you end the meeting? And why not ask for a deposit to get started right away?

Im in sales and alot of newer guys will spend alot of time with people and are afraid of asking for the sale because of rejection. Hopefully they keep there word. Some people will get excited about their new project talk to other people about it and the other sales guy will step in a say" I can do that for alot less lets get started now" and just like that you've lost them.

Not trying to bum you out..just say'n "strike while the irons hot"

 

[44proseries]

Speaking from sales experience, you are dead on about never talking about price. Price is irrelevant, within reason, when the features and benefits are sold properly. Basic rule of thumb:

-If the cost outweighs the benefits, no sale
-If the benefits outweigh the cost, SALE!

N