Help with an offline method of mine

I could use some advice, I am about to call some targeted small buisness owners, who more then likely dont know anything about seo, or how they will get new customers from my services.

How do I explain to someone who doesn't know exactly how this will effect his business, also I don't know if it makes it worse but I am only 17 and do you think that will turn them off or intrigue them into converting? (People say I sound way older)

The only other thing I am worried about is face to face when I pick up the check or choose to meet him/her. Should I wear a suit (I do have one) Or like a button up shirt.


Finally any suggestions on any ebooks or videos/mp3's about selling and pitching. Because that is where I am going to struggle.


I figure my conversation will go like this

ME:Hey can I speak to the owner of this facility.
Employee:Sure one moment(gets owner)
ME:Hello sir I wanted to speak with you a little about all the business your losing. ( I say this to spark his interest)
Owner:What are you talking about.
ME:I noticed you weren't even being found online I tried to find your business but couldn't eat/shop there because you had to directions to your buisness online.
Owner:Oh well we are located at 1234 Fake st
ME:You know I happen to just be the person who can help you get that number one spot in Google under your niche because I am sure your tired of fighting over customers with competitors.
Owner:STOP SPEAKING TO ME A**HOLE
ME: /cry


Well besides the last 2 lines I assume I will say something like that but I need some more mentoring and I was hoping BHW could help out.

Speaking from experience you are almost never going to have any success getting through to the business owner or decision maker if you are cold calling. It is such a hard thing to do to get any success this way.

Perhaps you could try other methods of finding clients like thinking about where people who are actually looking for your services would be. Jump on CL, look in the local paper for people looking to hire internet marketing assistants - thats sort of thing. Try getting business through businesses that you may already have some sort of relationship with first. Restaurants you go to frequently, shops you use all the time, family and friends with businesses etc.

pimpnasty, I don't want to break your spirit but getting to the decision maker just isn't that easy. I don't know exactly what type of businesses you are promoting to but from my experience its far more effective to do an awesome sales pitch in the form of a letter/postacrd or flyer and follow up with a phone call, another letter then another phone call.. It may sound a little quirky but someone needs to see something at least 6 times before it sinks in.
You'll need some type of port folio for credibility with testimonials, statistics ect.
Sometimes it easier to get in the door with something totally unrelated to break the ice and create a trusting relationship.
Wow them there, gain the trust and you'll be able to convince them of anything.

Dude!.....Don't mess around with the SEO stuff!

Teach restaurants how to do email marketing. Sign up for Aweb Aff program and get them to signup under your aff link. You build the list for them for a 1 time setup and recurring monthly fee. If you don't want the hassle of dealing with biz owners, outsource this on CL. People are out of work right now and have time to do this! Maybe a cute girl or something...The cheerleading squad....heck....have a whole team of peeps! You teach them how to do it!

To get prospects on the list, get the biz guy to offer a free desert or something to become a special VIP. People love this! Do a free birthday meal for anyone who is on the list. Do a free meal for 2 (one time per month) to some couple on the list! Give away a Beemer! Endless possibilities here! Check out how some of the big chains do their email list building for ideas! (TX Roadhouse, etc...)

Take this and run!

T

P.S. Don't cold call as you have been advised earlier

You will have a tough time calling like that, especially during business hours. This does work though if you are very good at what you do, you shouldn't explain too much on the phone, just enough to spark interest.

Stick has the right idea with the flyer/post card. You can do much more in less time since you will have the person you called going, "huh"? It still doesn't address the concerns they may have, so a meeting or phone call should be the next step. I don't think you should keep sending them letters or calling them. One of each should suffice, if you can't convince after that then depending on their interest level; you should move on. A lot of programs out there dealing with offline marketing have things spot on. If you are having a tough time convincing someone on a good business opp, then fuck em. Don't waste time when you could close a deal much easier with businesses willing to "spend money".

Other than that, once you come off as someone who knows what their doing and they seem to trust you, then you are good. You haven't failed if you don't try, so don't worry about going face to face. They may argue on some things like pricing, but you will have to justify that anyways. No offense, but being young could hold them back. So again, that's up to you how you solve that. Start them off at a low rate for good basic services where they can see results, then move them up from there.

Selling them on autoresponders is just like SEO, so go for the whole tree instead of the twig. You still have to sell them on the idea. Yes it will be less cost, but money is money. You could spend an equal time explaining a marketing package and make more money. Not to mention, much more autoresponders to equal out returns on SEO income.

I myself am very keen on starting a SEO service for local businesses in my area as well. I am surprised to hear there is not more enthusiasm for this idea. Email marketing would work with aweber but there is so much more potential with SEO marketing especially if you can convince a business owner how much it would mean to have their website on the first page of google. For example, do a search for cooling and heating services in your area. Go to the 3rd or 4th page of google and email those companies or even cold call them. Tell them you can increase their business and you would like an opportunity to talk to them. Tell them you have contacted other people in their industry and that you are offering this service to a select few businesses.

I perosnally do not have expertise in this field but I am in the process of getting "ukescubas" guide being sold here on BHW on "http://www.blackhatworld.com/blackhat-seo/buy-sell-trade/56277-google-domination-using-geo-targeted-keywords-amazing-18min-detailed-video-tutorial.html"

His service has gotten amazing reviews and I am sure I can learn how to do this in time.

At first my intention was to make free websites for people and charge them for hosting or have them sign up for hosting under my hostgator affiliate link. This is another avenue to make money with websites. I think there is potential for money to be made but one has to be very proactive and not fear rejection.

I would love to hear what you guys have to say about this as I still consider myself a noob and your input would be very helpful. Thanks

A lot of good advice here..

But if you are thinking about doing it your way...

Your script sucks and will lead you to quit after your 10th hangup.. With that script it will be your 10th call.

Don't ask for the owner, write your script with this in mind. your goal is to get the gatekeeper to say "I don't know!" If you do then you are more likely to get the owner on the phone.. Why because the owners know..

Don't lie and make sure the questions you ask are about your biz in general.

Okay not so much as in seo as it is in business listing under google yahoo msn etc. Would this make it easier to just get like 200 dollars out of them?

fastmoney said:

Don't ask for the owner, write your script with this in mind. your goal is to get the gatekeeper to say "I don't know!" If you do then you are more likely to get the owner on the phone.. Why because the owners know..

Click to expand...

Amen to that.

I just act dumb when I get the gatekeeper on the phone, or meet them on an in person cold call. I usually just say something like "uhmm, I'm not sure who I need to talk to but maybe you can tell me who manages your website (or online marketing, whatever). I have some information they should know about".

That works a lot better for me than "can I speak to the owner please?".

Good Advice Duff!