"I can't get clients" - an excuse of the cowards.

"I can't get clients"

This is a sentence that really gets to me. It's uttered by the lazy, who sit at home in their bedroom wondering why people aren't coming to them.

THATS THE WAY THE WORLD WORKS MATE. GET USED TO IT!

I've worked for myself for a long time selling websites. It's tough.

It's not easy to do in this economy, business owners have less and less money available to them and a lot of them are set in their ways. They are just not interested in what I do.

So what? Move on, next!

If you are looking for clients, follow my guide on how to get some. I've given this advice to many people in many industries and those who have the balls to go through with it have made it work.

1. You need business cards. Sort some out.
2. You need some smart clothes. People will look at you different if you wear a suit. It's just true! Think of the authority and respect you give people like doctors, police and fire fighters just because they are wearing uniforms. Suits are your weapon.
3. Head to town or where ever the businesses are.

You are going to walk door to door and introduce yourself to each and every business owner. Does this scare you? Man up, this is how you grow a business. Are you honestly expecting to stay in business when you refuse to meet people? This is my script, its simple, easy and friendly.

Me: "Hello, I'd like to speak to the business owner please."
BO: "yeah thats me"
Me: "great, my name is ___________, I'm a web designer/SEO/STD patient based right here in (your town). Here's my business card, if you ever need a ___________ be sure to get in touch."

When you walk in you will be judged immediately, maintain eye contact, give a good firm hand shake, don't go in there with a bad attitude. Smile and be happy. Be confident and appear like you are the authority in your field.

Do you see how simple this is? These people will remember you, 95% of web designers are not willing to do this, you will be in the leading 5%. If they need your services they will think of you, if they run into you in the street or what ever they may well say hello. Get off your chair and stop being a baby.

Right away you will be asked questions such as "how much do you charge", "what sort of websites do you build" stuff like this. These are people who are interested, nothing wrong with trying to sell to these people right away.

Even if they are not interested right now, they may be one day.

Get out there and network.

don't be the kid in his bedroom playing xbox while waiting for the phone to ring.

Good for you for getting out there and doing some proper business development.

Although this is 'Bus Dev 101' it is amazing how many people don't do it - and you are dead right... just doing it makes you stand out.

People are more likely to buy from someone they like and trust - and if they've never met or spoken with you that's less likely.

Looks easy, but isn't too easy practically. Good that you have found it working. Some clients are just too much. As for example, even after being a programmer for 8 years, a client asks me to show an example of a specific niche site (that I have made before ) that he wanted me to make(I already gave him a good portfolio by the way). I tried to make him realize that the subject doesn't matter, but he never cared

I think finding the right client also matters. I would not do everyone's project. I would only take projects from people whom I am comfortable interacting with.

This is a really good way to get a small buiness or seo campaigns started right away. If you sit at your pc making backlinks everybday and still see no results, your probably gonna give up now or later. This is a brilliant concept to get out and make an impression and get known atleast

thanks for share op

Just couple of sweet two words to say, but that's where most of the people fail:

"Take Action"

The moment someone takes action, he's as low as 50% ahead of mass.

What has worked really well for me is doing what you said, but having the business card take them to a video of me talking more about the company/why I am the best person for the job. A lot of times when I try and speak to the business owner, I get shut down from the gate keeper. However, with a really interesting business card and offering them something for free with no obligation, as well as the video it helped me grab the clientele I needed. I haven't had to go out door to door for years, and I assume this will be the same for everyone after they get established if they are doing a good job. It is scary, but I know that if someone like me who is a big hermit can get clients, you can as well.

What you highlight is the disconnect between sales and technical ability and what you need is both.

You are very true that you need to take some form of action to get sales that doesn't revolve around sitting on your backside waiting for your phone to ring.

I also question whether or not all people are professional all the way through the process eg. sending a quality proposal document, asking the right questions, listening to the client (A LOT) etc, etc.

Thought about this method earlier. Screwed it as I felt like I would look like a creep if I randomly enter their store/business and offer them my services. Well, if it works for you, I will give it a try nonetheless. Will report my results within the next few weeks (exams next week, no time).

This couldn't be more true, I bank thousands a month doing exactly this (to a certain degree) with my text message marketing business.

durchi said:

Thought about this method earlier. Screwed it as I felt like I would look like a creep if I randomly enter their store/business and offer them my services. Well, if it works for you, I will give it a try nonetheless. Will report my results within the next few weeks (exams next week, no time).

Click to expand...

Businesses get at _least_ 5-15 people through their doors doing direct marketing in person every month. Don't feel like you're the only freak out there doing this, because you won't be.

Thanks for the share.

Even if they are not interested right now, they may be one day.

Click to expand...

This is very true. I've pitched my services to certain people who I thought would of not followed up and yet months later, I get a phone call from them saying they're ready to proceed.

Anyone looking for clients should also do a bit of research on selling, in my opinion.

For example, if a client says "I can't afford it", it rarely ever really means they don't have the money for it. It means they are unsure of your service, and you need to show them why they need it. Buyers are liars. You need to know how to deal with their excuses.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/first-person-buyers-really-liars-194700378--finance.html

It is "old school" business development, which we always be appropriate, I guess.

It is funny, how business development differs, depending on company you work in. I used to work in a really large, global company - I was the one reviewing the offers, filtering them out out and pointing at the door to those agent's, whose offers I didn't find appealing (and those were 90%).

Some time later I worked for a small company, approaching prospective clients myself and being pointed at the door in 90% of cases