DAY 16-21
Haven't updated in a while because of other projects and not much going on for this journey. I made a total profit of $125 on my first client (I'm using a BST seller).
I decided to drop the "free web design" gig, for mainly two reasons: 1. I feel like leads don't want to switch their current hosting (since mine is technically extremely overpriced), and 2. I suck balls at pitching free web design. So, I plan to switch to shared hosting and I'm extending this journey for a goal of $2500 in profits. It looks like a measly goal for a lot of people, but I feel like if I set my expectations too high, I'll end up doing this for money and perform crappily.
Anyways, good news: I met with 2 more leads (getting better at cold calling). One is a psychologist with really bad reviews on yelp and GMaps; and a local auto repair guy with tons of customers, but no reviews or website. I literally felt like I hit a goldmine after meeting with these guys.
The psychologist wants me to make a website and do ORM for him. Since I didn't have the proper papers to sign, we decided to meet again after Christmas. After a bit of negotiating, we settled for $1000 upfront and $250 yearly, he wants me to also host his site for him. To be honest, I never really planned to offer ORM, but he seemed really intrigued when I mentioned it and asked if I could do it for him. As you guys know, ~$500 is already a shit load of money for me, so my mind was already going blank, so I just grabbed a price out of thin air ($1000 total) and he said "let's do it."
As for the auto repair guy, he's a bit similar, but wants to pay me separately. In other words, he wants me to make the website and do ORM, but he wants to see the website first. We negotiated on $700 (he wants me to take HQ pictures, so I'm paying my friend who is a professional photographer $150 to take pictures) for the website and $500 biannually for ORM.
So, how am I going to do ORM? It will be a hybrid of originalposter's method and 7878's method (basically ask them to go on the website and post a review; if it's bad, it'll be sent directly to the owner, if it's good, they'll be redirected to yelp or something).
Also, I know that a majority (or at least a lot) of BHW is filled with hormone spilling teenagers like myself (I'm 15). Don't be afraid to start up offline marketing. I feel like it is so much more profitable and so many businesses (especially local and small bizzes) are... unexposed to the internets. Right now is the right time to pick the ripe fruit, before they find out ;D. Anyways, a lot of you teens are thinking that they won't take you seriously because of your looks or way of speaking. Of my 3 meetings with my clients, here are some tips I can share to you guys:
1. Don't fucking mumble. Open your mouth when you guys talk for jesus' sake. I'm in drama, so it was easier for me to talk to random people; however, that doesn't mean you guys can't talk properly. All you have to do is open your mouth. Be confident, don't think that you're younger than your client. Before every meeting, I talk myself into believing that I'm a very successful 27 year old man that's made it on Forbes top billionaires.
2. Lose the acne. Whether it's surgery, over-the-top meds, or make up; at least lose MOST of your acne. Acne shows pubescent and your clients may take you less seriously. I had a SERIOUS acne problem before this, but slapped on some benzoyl peroxide and worked wonders for me.
3. Dress formally. For meetings, I wear a dress shirt, tie, jeans, and dress shoes. I occasionally wear my brother's coat. I'm sure most of you teens have dress shirts and dress shoes. Whatever you do, don't wear bowties. You may look spiffy as fuck, but I think bowties look less "business-like" than ties. Don't have a dress shirt? A polo or a button up will do. Whatever you do, don't dress like a fucking hypebeast or "bop" or whatever they call it. Just dress business-like.
4. Contracts. Ok, so here, I'm being a bit illegal, since you can't actually sign a contract until you're 18 (I do it anyways, because I just convince myself that none of my clients will take legal action). If you feel like your leads may take legal actions (most of the people where I live are pretty nice people... I think), convince them to pay through your site. Register your site under a LEGAL person's name (parents or older siblings). So all you're doing is selling your service while your guardian is handling everything of a legal nature.
PROFITS:
$125/$2500 (5%)
!
