How to find clients?

Hello,

After reading a post on these forums about creating free websites using vix or weebly and then selling them i decided to give it a go.
I created a website - and submitted it to a couple of search engines.

I then listed my website and services as web designer in about 5/6 directories including yell.
I searched facebook for companies without websites or very poorly created websites and also done the same by searching for businesses on Google. So far in the past few days i have sent out about 50 emails to which i have only received 3 replies.

1 replied saying no thanks, another said we already had a website and the last one just had a go at me

My question is how can i go and find clients? And advice will be greatly appreciated!

Just keep going. You will probably get 200 rejections but when you get that first one that says yes it will make it seem worthwhile. In any kind of sales you will always get more rejections than sales. Try phoning them or if they are local try paying them a visit with your portfolio.

Thanks for the advice

Like what Brum said, approach local businesses who have no website, or a crap one.

I think it would be best for you to team up with someone who knows how to SEO/SEM to get all important traffic to that website. You will get less rejections if you sell them the idea that you can make them money by bringing them people who are already searching for what they are selling.

So have a think about other freelancers, or businesses that could use a web designer. For example, a graphic designer may be doing work for businesses that would benefit from a website.

See how things are connected, thats how you think outside the box.

Ok thanks, may have to look for someone around here that can do that.

Say if i rang or went to local businesses, how will i start off? I mean if i was to ring and say, 'Hello, my names danny and im a webs designer...' they'll think its just another person tryna sell them something and put the phone down?

I saw a thread around here somewhere with a title like "?hosting business in a box?" If you offered them the websites for free if the used your reseller hosting you could make money and then you could up-sell them anything that you could outsource from here and do web design yourself.If you don't know where to start off with cold calling just find a book or anything that could educate you on cold-calling or you could learn as you go and let experience teach you.And try something like yellowpages or yelp if you are having trouble with FB.