Hi there Glad I've found this forum, looks like it'll be of use. I am launching my own digital marketing business this month, initially will be focusing on social media. I just have a question as I assume some of you guys are experienced in launching businesses and getting sales online. What sort of sales strategy would most of you advise? I've bewen reluctant to really try my hardest to get work thus far since I have no online branding as yet and thus no credibility. I just fear that initially, I may be struggling to get customers since it takes time to build your brand up. Anyone got any advice? Thanks
I guess the first thing I would do is to build a list. If you are using Facebook, then run ads on facebook and get them to your fan page. Within the fan page, you can do opt-in so that they will be in your mailing list. Offer something of value, a report or something similar in exchange for their email address. The key to online marketing success is list building!!!
Thanks for the replies. I've already written a 20 page e-book which be used as an incentive to opt-in, my fear is just that everyone does this and so I may struggle to convert people to customers. Might sound silly, but imo the majority of people who opt-in to marketing mailing lists, be that for free info or an ebook or whatever, are people who already work within marketing and have no intention of being a customer. Ronmac, have you been into linkbuilding for a while? What else do you do?
Start with businesses in your area, like restaurants, bars and niteclubs. You'll find a few out there that need someone to manage their social media accounts. After you land a few, it will boost credibility and confidence to move on to bigger fish. You'll want to make sure your website is optimized for your keywords to get decent rankings.
thanks MD, yeah thats the plan just get my online branding up then get myself out and about as much as possible. Bit apprehensive as to how successful I will be in acquiring people, but no other way to find out ! You think I'm best just cold calling and trying to go see them?
if you have time, try building a relationship with these people first. They are local, correct? Get to know them. You'l'l have a much better chance of landing them if you do that, opposed to cold calling
Is there a way for you to offer your services for free for a limited time, so they can see results? That's all it could take to get you started. Be up front. Tell them you're just starting off and that's why you're making the offer. In return, you'll ask for a testimonial from them for use in your own marketing. So... do a mailout to a few to start. Tell them you'll be phoning to set a time to call in to see them. When you do get to meet them, have a questionnaire ready, for the questions you need answering before you can get started. You're getting the message across as to how totally professional you are. It works.
Hey, Thanks for taking the time to ask questions! Well, to get customers for your business it takes hard work, smart work, & consistancy over a period of time. No one knows how long it will take the next person to reach the level of success they are hoping for. Before you even think about making money online you main focus should be on what its going to take to get the traffic you need to make the sales your hoping to make. If you can build your traffic to a decent size making money online won't be and issue, because there are many people who can do it for you, and or help guide you in the right direction. If you provide good content and learn to help people then people will help you and in turn make you money. That is kind of the way it works, but before your helped you have the learn the importance of helping others. I was on a blogging buddy of mine's blog today and he commented on a comment I had previously stated. This is what he said, "After a year of blogging your search engine traffic should start increasing everyday rapidly if you practice basic SEO. Your post and pages will start being indexed at a much fast speed." Hope that helps! Thanks again! God bless, William Veasley
Really appreciate you taking the time to offer suggestions guys, think I'll be a regular user of this forum! I have considered offering for free at least initially so may well do that. Will keep you guys updated on what I do and how it goes. Site should be up in 2 weeks so will post the link and maybe ask for reviews lol
You are wise to ask these questions... and also very correct - if you have not established yourself it will not be "easy" to get customers. But sooner than later you will have a few. And you'll make some great cash. And they'll love you.... and tell their friends... and you'll have more cash. As for "branding" forget about it. Just hearing/saying that word makes me cringe because I equate it with spending money on stuff you can't track i.e. fancy brochures, billboards, etc.... save "branding" for Coca Cola. My advice to you is to do something TODAY that will get you a customer TOMORROW. Start by writing a letter to your extended family, friends, parents friends - everyone you know. Write to them about your new business and let them know that since you are just starting out you'll do work for real cheap just to get referrals and testimonials. I guarantee that will be nothing but a good experience for you. Good luck and I wish you success.
Hey, This is great stuff here! I totally agree with you here except for one thing. I think branding is very important in building your business. Every business needs a brand, because that will help serperate you from the next business. I'm sure there are many other business out there trying to sell a similar idea. A unique brand will be what separates your business from the next. You made some very good points though. I have never thought about it, but it would be a smart move if I let everyone in my family know of my business. They could add for extra promotion if they tell someone else. Just my 2 cents. God bless, William Veasley
Well if it is a new website then you will probably want to take the traditional route of building up a proper, traffic generating website. Once you have enough peeps flowing into your website you're bound to make some sales. The people who buy your product can be asked to provide reasonable feedback and spread the word among friends. But this can vary based upon the product you are offering. I would recommend a 100% online approach rather than advertising this locally among your community.
Didnt realise there were more replies on here. I both agree and disagree, yes its a good idea to offer cheap/free work to get testemonials, but I think without decent online branding I will struggle so definitely think thats quite important. Whilst a traffic generating website would be great because we are also offering a 'packaged' service approach (just buy it on the site like a product) as well as bespoke work, I dont think that is a focus, at least for now. Although I will still be doing as much seo as possible on it.
I think a lot of the advice above is valid. I'd definitely say try and build a portfolio using local businesses, friends and family. When trying to hook customers online, credibility is key. When you talk of branding I'd agree it's important if your founding a major player in the marketing industry, but as your not 'yet' a decent logo and name should suffice. Just build that portfolio prospective customers will want to know what you can do for them, and what you've done for others.