Starting a new journey usng 7878's method

[Thyzerd]

Good job! About Placesscout, you can buy their program and if you don't like it just ask for a refund within first few weeks.

Personnally, I think the software isn't suitable for you. In Europe the only service they support is Tripadvisor and it takes hours to collect data sometimes.
Alot of errors and reports that aren't right. It's a good piece of software still, and I can see why people might like it... But for me it wasn't usefull enough.

And for scraping functions, local scraper has proven more effective. But give it a go, and ask for a refund by email if you don't like it. It's only a small investment anyway.

 

[yvann94]

Yes in fact, I only need Tripadvisor and Google + trackers because they are the one used in Europe.
I saw that Places Scout could be good for finding new clients but I didn't know about Local Scraper. I guess Local Scraper is just less complete than Places Scout but do the additional functions of Places Scout worth it ? Especially for Europe businesses ?

I think I'll try Places Scout and will see how it's working. And may ask for a refund if it's not good.

 

[originalposter]

UPDATE :

Yes ! Just had my 2nd appointment. And he took an offer of 300€/month (I know it's not that expensive but it's money ) for a contract of 10 months (the restaurant is closed during july/august) so that's 3000€ !

For now :
3000€ (one contract of 300€/month on a 10-month contract)

Great job! I believe I closed my first one at $400 USD also, so around the same price as you. Nothing to be ashame of. Definitely a good start! Money is money. Congratz!

 

[yvann94]

Yes That's a good price for the time it will take Thanks

Will try to sell them some upsells also, at least for the 1st month but as they already have a webmaster, it'll be a bit difficult...

I also found the software Scrapping Expert. Does someone know this software ?

 

[originalposter]

Yes That's a good price for the time it will take Thanks

Will try to sell them some upsells also, at least for the 1st month but as they already have a webmaster, it'll be a bit difficult...

I also found the software Scrapping Expert. Does someone know this software ?

Most of my clients already have a webmaster also, but business is business.
They will be happy to go with whoever that offers best 'value' (not price) and service.

I wouldn't be surprised if they drop their existing webmaster and go with more of your services, once you build up your relationship with them, of course.

Here is a real life example:
As you know, my platform not only help increase reviews but collect leads. So we usually do a monthly email blast (this is upsell #1)

But this client was already working with another graphic designer (also freelance). and the first few times, I would have to wait for him to finish up the 'design' and give it to me, so that I can do the blast for him. But at one point, I told this client to give my graphic service a shot and he is happy with it.

I am now doing both email marketing (upsell #1) and graphic design (upsell #2) for this client. Not only it helps speed up the process, but it also allows me to do more for him and bring a bigger value to the table.

 

[yvann94]

I have to think about the different upsells I should propose them. I saw that their Facebook page was not updated (and I know it's their webmaster who does that so...) Your example seems perfect also

I need to write the contract now :/ Could someone send me the contract they use so that I can translate it to my language... I think the contract I have found is not that good...

When you ask for payment, do you ask, a monthly payment ? 3-month ? half-year ? yearly ? I was thinking of a 3-month payment...

 

[anthonyseoul]

Congratulations on your success so far.

I have a few questions. Did you send lumpy mail or flat mail? What did you include in the envelope?

Do you have a website for your business? I have started to create a website. I wonder if it's a good idea to let the client know this website in the first letter you send so that he/she can find out more information without having to call. Good idea or not?

 

[yvann94]

That is exactly what I put in the letters :
- I use normal envelopes, which are rectangular. I thought of using Kraft letters but I think it would like more personal with normal letters, especially if the name is hand-written.
- I put 2 pages : one with their reviews and one with my letter. I use 100g paper, so that the package seems bigger.
- I only put some dices in one package but had no answer from them (I know 1 test is not enough to know the impact of dices)

For the website, I actually made one but I don't tell about it in my letter. I don't have an exact answer of this question. I also wonder whether it is a good idea or not.

 

[cataratas]

Hi yvann94

Are you still after a contract to use/adapt?

I'm not sure of the rules of linking you to one here so I will pm you.

Regards

 

[yvann94]

Thanks for your link Actually, one has already given me a sample of a contract but I will mix yours and his (and translate both to my language too :/ )

 

[yvann94]

Contract finished Just have to send it to the client tomorrow.

Tomorrow :
- Call back the restaurants that haven't called me back
- Write some more letters ( ~ 15)
- Email the 1st restaurant to propose another offer
- Send the contract to my first real client

Total revenue : 3000€ (+ VAT)

Costs : ~ 50€

 

[ashj1893]

Contract finished Just have to send it to the client tomorrow.

Tomorrow :
- Call back the restaurants that haven't called me back
- Write some more letters ( ~ 15)
- Email the 1st restaurant to propose another offer
- Send the contract to my first real client

Total revenue : 3000€ (+ VAT)

Costs : ~ 50€

Please explain how you sealed the deal! $$$ I'll be doing my follow up tomorrow

 

[originalposter]

Contract finished Just have to send it to the client tomorrow.

Tomorrow :
- Call back the restaurants that haven't called me back
- Write some more letters ( ~ 15)
- Email the 1st restaurant to propose another offer
- Send the contract to my first real client

Total revenue : 3000€ (+ VAT)

Costs : ~ 50€

Excellent job man. Keep it up. Make sure to upsell for even more $$$ and of course, bring more value to the table.
Once you start to build relationship with the owner, it will be very easy for him to pass over more work/services to you.

 

[RedNova]

Contract finished Just have to send it to the client tomorrow.

Tomorrow :
- Call back the restaurants that haven't called me back
- Write some more letters ( ~ 15)
- Email the 1st restaurant to propose another offer
- Send the contract to my first real client

Total revenue : 3000€ (+ VAT)

Costs : ~ 50€

Good job! I'm following your thread.

 

[yvann94]

Please explain how you sealed the deal! $$$ I'll be doing my follow up tomorrow

In fact, it was quite easy. I just talked and showed no other paper than their bad reviews on Tripadvisor... I had taken my computer with me but it stayed in its case.
Here are some questions they asked me (in fact, all the 3 guys of the restaurant listened to me ...) :
- Explain how your system works : I had talked about it on the phone but they didn't understand it completely
- Why shouldn't we post fake reviews ? => I always give the example of the clinic which had a 300k $ fine for doing such a thing. Generally, the next question is : Ok, so what do YOU propose then ?

Excellent job man. Keep it up. Make sure to upsell for even more $$$ and of course, bring more value to the table.
Once you start to build relationship with the owner, it will be very easy for him to pass over more work/services to you.

In fact, for this restaurant, I think I could give them a lot of advices but I'm not sure it would be a good thing because it would be advices at the opposite of their previous decisions. I think they invested a lot of money in dumb things but I can't tell them that. Because they have already invested this money :/
There is so much to do with them but they seem to have a quite good relation with their current webmaster... he's not that bad anyway... Their SEO is quite good ( ranked 5-6 on their best keyword) but with the Google Places ads, their site is far below...

 

[yvann94]

UPDATE :

I have called back all the restaurants.
Results ? Not that good. I wasn't able to talk to the owner in any restaurant. 3 people couldn't be contacted (wrong number or phone messaging). One restaurant told me to call back tomorrow morning cause the guy was not here. I gave my number to 3 people and they will talk about me to the owner and he might call me back tomorrow morning. Also got the mobile number of the person in charge of communication of one restaurant. So that could be good.


Will know if I have more leads or not tomorrow.

 

[anthonyseoul]

Hi, I'm following your journey.

Did you send any letters to hotels? I am just about to send a batch out.

If you did, did you get any replies? Who did you address the letter to?

 

[yvann94]

No I focus on restaurants for now. Had no calls from the 3 restaurants that told me they will call me today :/ But still have a meeting tomorrow. Have sent 7 more letters this morning, these letters will arrive tomorrow morning. Hope I'll have some leads.

 

[hobokook]

I always thought restaurants aren't willing to shell out $500/month for ORM.

Are you targeting only high end restaurants?

 

[yvann94]

Not especially. 300€/month is not a lot of money for restaurants that can gain at least 1/2 clients by day. (so basically 30-50€/day)

Will try to contact big chains of restaurants and other businesses... I think it is a bit different to trade with chains than with one-person restaurant...