Client meeting, Private Real Estate Agent wants the WORKS.

What do you have on your resume that impressed him enough to call?

You're at a real advantage here in my opinion, he seems like he's serious and wants to get going ASAP.

Did he originally post a job on craigslist asking for someone that can do this for him, freelance?

I would offer some sort of bonus structure, I would put somewhere in the contract that if you perform all services adequately there will be a 10% raise every year, or something like that (if he plans on going long term). If he is I would bust my hump and do EVERYTHING I could for him. Realtors and the like are networking machines, this is definitely something that you can build up, outsource 75% of it while you're working 1/4 as hard (but 10x as smart) and earning 75% of the revenue

A very exciting opportunity!

I would love to have something going like this myself. If you're looking to bring someone on board to help or what have you, hit me up!

SentraThis96 said:

What do you have on your resume that impressed him enough to call?

You're at a real advantage here in my opinion, he seems like he's serious and wants to get going ASAP.

Did he originally post a job on craigslist asking for someone that can do this for him, freelance?

I would offer some sort of bonus structure, I would put somewhere in the contract that if you perform all services adequately there will be a 10% raise every year, or something like that (if he plans on going long term). If he is I would bust my hump and do EVERYTHING I could for him. Realtors and the like are networking machines, this is definitely something that you can build up, outsource 75% of it while you're working 1/4 as hard (but 10x as smart) and earning 75% of the revenue

A very exciting opportunity!

I would love to have something going like this myself. If you're looking to bring someone on board to help or what have you, hit me up!

Click to expand...

Not sure what impressed him enough for a same-day call other than detailing the social networks I have experience with, the "scope" of my IM knowledge, the local businesses I've worked with already, and the EXACT things I did for them. Many of which I...

1.Did for free to put em on my resume.
2.Only met with them and gave them a plan of action to follow.

Also, listed my IT certifications, the fact that I graduated High School, links to the local biznesses sites & profiles (if applicable), and references with working phone numbers

My resume is also SUPER EASY TO READ, and straightforward. The job was posted on craigslist as a "Marketing Assistant" position. He said my hours could be flexible around me. Asked how I preferred to be paid, hourly, etc. I said monthly would be best. Were meeting in the next few hours.

I plan on saying that when we work together I'll be working no less than 6-8 hours daily on his "project" and thus will be "cutting back" the hours spent on my regular job to show "dedication." We'll have weekly "conferences" and I'll provide detailed monthly reports.

I'll pm you when I'm done with the meeting for "help" as well. What's your expertise?

Great read! I hope you close this deal

Will allow you to expand and increase your earnings tenfold. Good luck & can't wait for update!

hateandbreak said:

Great read! I hope you close this deal

Will allow you to expand and increase your earnings tenfold. Good luck & can't wait for update!

Click to expand...

Thanks alot! Fingers crossed...

So the offer stands as this:
-Social Media Marketing, 3 networks
-Blogging & blog management
-E-mail marketing

$3999- setup, implementation and overall systems & custom strategy creation
$2999- Monthly implementation

"Bonuses" for signing up/agreement now:
-Create & run monthly ads
-Create a custom professional logo
-Re-design site/blog
-Offline "Creative Marketing Brainstorming" (Ideas for the business)
-In-Depth SEO Keyword research & Market/Competition analysis (PRE-SEO Package)

What do you guys think?

Good luck is what I think. So, I gather that they started out looking to hire an employee? Especially if that is the deal, I think you've come up with something that saves them some money and gets the job done without the added overhead of an employee. Should be win win unless they're control freaks.

gtownfunk

So here's what happened...

meeting went well. He was a very well dressed gentlemen... Had his shit together...
He showed me his 2 "sites" which were basically squeeze pages. They were put together quite nicely might I add.

The problem was this: He says he wants an employee, start small, then grow. I get that. However the more he talked he really needed the full "solution" which was what I laid on the table for him.

After I laid out my $3999 upfront then $2999 monthly, he figured It'd be cheaper to just pay me $20/hr.

Here's what I should have done:
-Have a detailed break down of each aspect justifying that price.

We talked more and he said to get him a breakdown asap and we'll meet again within a few days or so to come up with an agreement. I really tried to sell the package thing as "this way you don't have to lift a finger" type deal.

Since what he says he wants vs what he really needs is conflicting I'll try this...
Go ahead and provide the breakdown, figure out what pieces to do within 4-6 hours a day, consisting of social, blogging, email, & running/posting craigslist ads (something he said today) for around $15-$20/hr.

Nothing too fancy, just basic management workload with my expertise. I could do $15/hr, 5 hours daily per 5 days a week which is $1500/Mo.

He says he understand it has to grow and wants to start off small, then eventually go to full-time. I'm cool with that, he just won't get a full-scale marketing solution.

Also, I want to learn the real estate game... He says he wants to hold seminars/webinars, coaching, etc. by me "possibly" working closely with him I can learn that game, which he also stated he would eventually want me to work in that business with him.

Long story short, I'm in need of a "counter-offer" that's just too damn good to pass up.

Questions? Comments? I'm all ears!

gtownfunk said:

Good luck is what I think. So, I gather that they started out looking to hire an employee? Especially if that is the deal, I think you've come up with something that saves them some money and gets the job done without the added overhead of an employee. Should be win win unless they're control freaks.


gtownfunk

Click to expand...

Maybe a breakdown would have showed that it's better than paying me hourly. Or, he may have to see me work, start to trust me, and/or see this detailed breakdown I'm about to type up... Plus, he may be a bit of a control freak. But he said once we get to know eachother he'll be more comfortable. Says he doesn't like micro-managing... Which is a plus.

Well Information/Knowledge is a currency if that is truly something you want to do in the future. I have no advice to offer, but I am very interested in knowing how this pans out, don't forget to update this thread! This could be an amazing chance to get even more work since he probably knows 100s of other Realtors that probably need the same service.

Jumbo_Refill said:

Well Information/Knowledge is a currency if that is truly something you want to do in the future. I have no advice to offer, but I am very interested in knowing how this pans out, don't forget to update this thread! This could be an amazing chance to get even more work since he probably knows 100s of other Realtors that probably need the same service.

Click to expand...

Knowledge=currency is advice enough. I'm keeping it updated for sure. I could offer him X% comission for referrals. Especially if I'm allowed to all seminars, webinars, networking events, etc. It's a chance to get work and LEARN REAL ESTATE.

My IM knowledge+Advanced Real Estate coaching= Me w/ a Donald Trump hairpiece! "YOU'RE FIRED!"

So you've got a decision to make. At $20/hr do the math here. If you worked full time for him that would be 40k.

4k + 3k*12 = 40k

As he runs a business, he's going to understand that it is important to you that you are starting your business and building clientele or whatever. At 40k he can start making you do bullshit unrelated work, and you lose the opportunity to augment that income.

40k what he'd pay you... but then he'd have the overhead of hiring you, plus the expense of all the subcontracting.

Now consider this... if he pays you 40k, that's 40k for you... but then you're going to be fighting with him because all the 'expenses' and subcontracting is going to be a pain in the ass and he's going to want you to justify each one. You know how this works, you're going to be up at 2-3 in the morning talking to people all over the world. In my opinion, it doesn't make much sense for you. Now if 40k is at the top of your sights, go for it... but if you have 10 fingers and can move oxygen in and out of your lungs, there are probably better places to work.

Think about your dealing with him just like a housing contractor. ..... have to stop typing, it's making my blood boil thinking about it.

gtownfunk

Understood @GtownFunk. Here's the thing...
I make $8.25/hr tossing boxes at a warehouse...$7.50/hr for the rest of the week if I'm late just once...

I could use this as a stepping stone for referrals and exchange for his knowledge. At this point he's waiting on a breakdown to justify a $2999/Mo.

So I'll do that and pitch $15-$20/hr w/ access to all seminars, courseware, coaching, etc.

I'm kinda torn but the only thing to do now is move forward.

I'd MUCH rather get a lump sum so I can outsource though...

Gotcha.. you have to follow not just your heart, but what makes sense for you. If this is a good stepping stone, then great.. it might give you the opportunity to start off in a little bit more of a position of control. Maybe you can say something like okay.. "For 20/hr I can work 30-40 hours per week, but lots of it will be off of business hours.. and you've done your estimation on your 'budget'. Say that you were cutting that out of your profits before, but that you need a budget of approximately $1000/mo that YOU have discretion over per month.

If you give him the 'menu' and have someone that doesn't know wtf picking options like it was a buffet your life is going to be a nightmare.

gtownfunk

LoDownLoad said:

So here's what happened...

meeting went well. He was a very well dressed gentlemen... Had his shit together...
He showed me his 2 "sites" which were basically squeeze pages. They were put together quite nicely might I add.

The problem was this: He says he wants an employee, start small, then grow. I get that. However the more he talked he really needed the full "solution" which was what I laid on the table for him.

After I laid out my $3999 upfront then $2999 monthly, he figured It'd be cheaper to just pay me $20/hr.

Click to expand...

He's looking for someone on the cheap. That's why he's contacted you. From the sounds of your resume you would be easy prey for him.

LoDownLoad said:

Here's what I should have done:
-Have a detailed break down of each aspect justifying that price.

We talked more and he said to get him a breakdown asap and we'll meet again within a few days or so to come up with an agreement. I really tried to sell the package thing as "this way you don't have to lift a finger" type deal.

Click to expand...

No no no. You don't justify anything. He's manipulating you.

If you approached a large SEO company and got a quote then asked them to breakdown all their costs and justify it, they would laugh you out the room.

You're the business. You don't justify shit. You can charge what you like. Those are YOUR costs.

You can give him a breakdown, which might be

$100/mo : maintenance of facebook page
$200/mo: maintenance of twitter feed

etc etc, but you don't discuss your own costs or contractors fees. Those are not his business.

LoDownLoad said:

Nothing too fancy, just basic management workload with my expertise. I could do $15/hr, 5 hours daily per 5 days a week which is $1500/Mo.

Click to expand...

Get a grip, man. Do you want to be an entrepreneur making $10k/mo+ profit and living the life of your dreams, or do you want to be a schmuck making $1500/mo working for some other guy who's living the dream.

LoDownLoad said:

Also, I want to learn the real estate game... He says he wants to hold seminars/webinars, coaching, etc. by me "possibly" working closely with him I can learn that game, which he also stated he would eventually want me to work in that business with him.

Click to expand...

He's manipulating you BIG TIME. This is EXACTLY why he's hand picked you based on your resume. I've ran into these people on plenty of occasions. Big shots who dress sharp and will try to impress the shit out of you with their own experience and income. Anyone who fucking crap about you working in real estate with him is trying to hook you in with empty future promises so you'll work like a slave in exchange for a few scraps here and there.

"possibly" working closely my ass. What a load of nonsense. Are you your own man, or do you want some fancy charlatan in an expensive suit to take advantage of you?

Fuck real estate. Focus on your own business and your own bottom line. Give him a breakdown of what he's paying for (NOT YOUR COSTS. YOUR PRICES) and sell him on the benefits. If he doesn't want it, then get the fuck out of there because you're damn close to finding yourself giving up all your own dreams and slaving away for this guy while living a barely mediocre life.

LoDownLoad said:

Long story short, I'm in need of a "counter-offer" that's just too damn good to pass up.

Questions? Comments? I'm all ears!



Maybe a breakdown would have showed that it's better than paying me hourly. Or, he may have to see me work, start to trust me, and/or see this detailed breakdown I'm about to type up... Plus, he may be a bit of a control freak. But he said once we get to know eachother he'll be more comfortable. Says he doesn't like micro-managing... Which is a plus.

Click to expand...

You're absolutely oozing of desperation and he knows it. It's not a damn good opportunity. It's crap and you're going to sell your own dreams away for his.

Trust you? He's really done a number on you. He's got you thinking that you need to prove something to him so he could just give you a chance. Forget that. The attitude you want is that you're a successful business and you get shit done. If he wants shit done you might be able to fit him in as a new client for a full-services package.

LoDownLoad said:

Knowledge=currency is advice enough. I'm keeping it updated for sure. I could offer him X% comission for referrals. Especially if I'm allowed to all seminars, webinars, networking events, etc. It's a chance to get work and LEARN REAL ESTATE.

My IM knowledge+Advanced Real Estate coaching= Me w/ a Donald Trump hairpiece! "YOU'RE FIRED!"

Click to expand...

Bro.. Come on. This gets worse. You'll work for free in exchange for a % commission now if he lets you into seminars!! WHAT?

There are already 100's of better things you could promote yourself online. That's just affiliate marketing and you can choose far higher converting biz-ops than his stuff.

This guy is a prime scammer. There are 1000's of charlatans teaching real estate. If he's amazing he would write you a cheque for $25k, $10k set-up and $15k first month for a full-service marketing campaign. This is essentially a full time client gig.

LoDownLoad said:

Understood @GtownFunk. Here's the thing...
I make $8.25/hr tossing boxes at a warehouse...$7.50/hr for the rest of the week if I'm late just once...

I could use this as a stepping stone for referrals and exchange for his knowledge. At this point he's waiting on a breakdown to justify a $2999/Mo.

So I'll do that and pitch $15-$20/hr w/ access to all seminars, courseware, coaching, etc.

I'm kinda torn but the only thing to do now is move forward.

I'd MUCH rather get a lump sum so I can outsource though...

Click to expand...

Business doesn't work like that. You don't need to sell your soul to some prick for $20/hr to run your own business, and you don't need referrals either. Besides, do you really think he's going to give you referrals? He wants you under his thumb.

Get on the phone for 8 hours and I guarantee you'll have enough meetings setup for the next day that you'll close at least 1-2 deals. Real deals.

Forget this real estate nonsense. This isn't 2006. Unless you've got 7 figures to invest real estate isn't for you. Stick to IM. You'll make far more money with far less investment.

LoDownLoad said:

I used Fiverr/SEOclerks to estimate prices. I'm pretty good at picking outsourcers, however I'm always looking for more advice & knowledge. I've had good expiriences with people from Malaysia, Philipenes, Estonia of all places.

Click to expand...

If you use these to rank the site, you will kill it.

This is real estate, not a bargain basement. 99.99 pricing to beat the 100 $ limit is totally out of place. Charge what you need to make a good profit and round it up to keep some room for negotations. I would wave the setup fee. It's a big negative.

I stopped reading at the "hourly wage" mention. It sounds like he wants full control of you...a full time employee.

The minute he mentioned he wanted to pay you by the hour you should have simply said, "sorry I don't work by the hour."

Stick to your guns...want to be treated like an employee or business owner?

Sounds like this guy did some jedi ninja shit and mind fucked you...

Typical realtor...selling the dream...

He got you from $3k a month with complete freedom to MAYBE $1.5k a month and having to report to him, break it down, blah blah blah...

...oh but he will teach you the secrets? lol FU#K that. He knows you are like a wounded fish now and he is the shark just circling you waiting to pounce.

There are thousands...you landed a meeting with him...you will land others. Why sell yourself short and let HIM dictate your future?

Tell him to pay you $3k a month.

If he says ok: great, shake his hand and do business.

If he says no: tell him to suck it.

netmoney1 said:

...oh but he will teach you the secrets? lol FU#K that. He knows you are like a wounded fish now and he is the shark just circling you waiting to pounce.

Click to expand...

Exactly. This guy has indeed targeted him for a jedi mind fuck.

netmoney1 said:

If he says ok: great, shake his hand and do business.

If he says no: tell him to suck it.

Click to expand...

Well to be fair I believe the guy was looking for an actual employee when he posted his thread on Craigslist, unless I am mistaken.

Jumbo_Refill said:

Well to be fair I believe the guy was looking for an actual employee when he posted his thread on Craigslist, unless I am mistaken.

Click to expand...

Yeah, that is right. Just read the OP again. Either way...I would stay independent and not an "employee"

Regardless of what avenue you take OP good luck.

Ok... First of all.. I THANK ALL OF YOU for your input, insight, advice, words of wisdom, etc.


The craigslist posting was for a job, however I went in with the ulterior motive of getting a contract : ). We have another meeting planned for next week... This is where I'm determined to close the deal or walk...


No one's mind-fucked me (lol) or taking advantage. I see opportunities from all angles. I wasn't even looking for "clients" when I ran across his post. I actually was looking for a second job to provide cashflow for my IM business..


I'm very much an IM entreprenuer (in the making). I saw the opportunity, I shot, and we have a 2nd meeting...


As far as breakdowns go... I'm providing an overview of services in the amount of $2999. I'll "waive" $3999 and make him an offer he can't refuse. The first and best option is the monthly package which works out better for both of us. The second option is hourly... No less than $20/hr, EXTREME basics, nothing fancy or advanced at all, just basic posting, etc.


Why is hourly an option for me?.. Again, I work for ridiculously low pay killing my body.
$15-$20/hr is a huge jump from $8.50 my friends. Again, I was really looking for something to provide positive cashflow into my IM business.


I know and understand this offline game is EXTREMELY LUCRATIVE. My plan was to go back to building an offline biz when I made enough in my IM biz ($10k/Mo.). This way I eliminate the need to ever go back to a traditional job because again... I would have created a second stream of positive cashflow income to fund the main business.


Long story short, I'm shooting for $3K/Mo. On a side note I just realized I could just as well freelance on Odesk/elance for $20/hr. But again If I can close it than I'm going for it!


P.S.


Got an email & call from a HUGE "Urban" clothing store today. They have stores (as far as I know) all over the mid-south/southeast. I sent em' the resume, they got back promptly...
However this first one turns out the universe sent me a 2nd opportunity! They're looking for a blogger... Again, at the end of it I'm GOING FOR THE GUSTO!


Thanks again my friends. I'll keep everyone updated. Damn I love BHW btw : ).


Also as far as the realtor guy... Any tips on successfully closing the deal in my favor? Whatever the best reccomendation is WILL be implemented next week. As well as a multitude of what's already been discussed here so far. : )