Cold mailing or not?

Hey there !

Is it a good idea / solution to get new clients or just attention around your business or would you consider it being annoying and maybe even scare away potential clients?

My situation is: I got a freelance service I want people to know about (www.thelarsen.com). I dont have a huge network or a good solid list as so many are talking about. I have been looking up the yellow pages and simply emailed everyone with a business with in my targeted audiance.

If this is a bad idea then what could I do instead and what can I do aswell?

 

Definately a bad idea...i would never do business with someone who has to spam my inbox to get work..

 

I wrote this funny thing at the end however

And its not spamming as its only one email (once). But I would really like another idea then - How would you reach clients who you will never meet and who most likely never will find your website?

 

Even if it is only once, it is STILL spam.

Advertising via Google, Facebook, word of mouth etc...



Nobody likes getting emails from god knows who, no matter how "good" the product. Hell, someone could really have made a genuine "lose weight pill" but decided to send unsolicited mails

 

The email it self can maybe be called spam but that depends on who is getting it. If its a moody little business man who hates the world, then he will call it spam. If its a business who happens to need a website, then its an advertisement or simply.. an email.

Malky66 said:"someone who has to spam my inbox to get work". I'm not spamming anyone as they only get 1 email. To spam your inbox I would have to repeatedly send you a message like spamming on a forum.

So let's please step away from the "spam" subject. It's called "cold mailing" because the person who is receiving the mail is not expecting it. You cant tell me that you have never had a lead and then called or emailed the person.

Advertising is sadly something I cant afford. So i'm looking for a free of charge way to let people know who I am and what I do.

 

Wrong


It is spam, no matter how you sugar-coat it. What want to do is to send UNWANTED emails to advertise - which is plain and simple SPAM.

Yeah, that's spam buddy. This "cold mailing" or "cold calling" is annoying as heck and regarding the calling even illegal (depends on the country, but where I live, it's illegal).

 

Then let's say my friend told me that businessX needs a website and I should send him an email. I do so and businessX is recieving an email from a person who is offering the service he is looking for. Then I guess its a WANTED email to advertise - which is plain and simple not considered spam?. And even if it is "spam" then I guess its just usefull spam.

Cold calling is not illegal here little fella, and just because you find it annoying dosn't mean its a bad way to do business. 80% of the firms here are doing it and it will NEVER be considered a bad way to sell your product/service.

But please do spend some more time trying to convince me that its spam because your arguments are just so good and relevant to the topic.

 

If you look at the stats, the conversion rate for cold emailing is very low. By some stats (you can research it online), it's only 0.000008% in some cases. If this is true, the hours you spend reaching your potential clients will be nothing but a waste of time. You can use the same time promoting your service on Twitter, G+, FB, forums and get a way better conversion rate.

 

I have been doing this for a few years and it have landed me several jobs. I have a return rate of 20% from emails and 1% ended up being a client (I by the way also follow up with a call to those I email that show interest) so 100 emails landed me 1 job.

I am also using most of the social media to promote my work but I think its very hard to get new people to follow you without doing the promoting some where else. And that is kinda what I am looking for. How do you get out to people who dont know you so that they see your website, follow you on twitter, like your fb page and so on. There is the super slow way by just... waiting basicly but are there any tips or tricks to speed up the action?

 

So if your such an expert why the hell are you asking???...you obviously aren't going to take any notice of what people are telling you so good luck in your spamming career.

 

What is your problem Malky? The quote was from a website that i just looked up because we were talking about the rates. What I have been doing up untill now and ofcause will keep on doing has nothing to do with the subject. I was asking if anyone had any ideas on what I could do aswell or instead and I must say your personal response didnt really answer anything.

If you think it is such a bad idea then bring something usefull to the table. I cant use your "thats spam" to anything and neither can I use someone trying to convince me that it is.

You havnt said ANYTHING so for you to say that im not going to take any notice of what you are saying is BS. I answered to GMF that I cant afford to buy adverticement and I answered gwikad.com that I am using the social media but then I followed up with a question because I want to discuss it with him or someone els who got an idea.

The whole point is to discuss something, give an answer, an idea or ask a question. Not just say "what you do is wrong!". Its useless.

 

That totally depends on the circumstances - If a firm is actually searching for a designer, they usually write an offer somewhere - then it wouldn't be considered spam because they asked if someone was willing to do a job.

1) I am not a / your "fella"
2) Learn to read - I stated: "depends on the country, but where I live, it's illegal", which implies that I don't know in which country you live and therefore I do not know if it's legal or not.
3) Yes it is a bad way to do business because you badger people
4) I doubt that 80% are doing it, else ones telephone would ring constantly. But it might be so

I will

Indeed, they are. Just because you fail to listen to reason doesn't mean that my arguments are invalid




There's only so much you can do if you currently have no budget for paid advertising. We just want you to avoid the spammy route, which might look like the best way, but it simply isn't.

Since you are already doing the social stuff, you can also look for some reliable classifieds websites and check if you can post your offer there..

 

Thanks for a kinda mature answer.

1) Well im not your "buddy"
2) I was just stating that it is indeed legal here and thats why its so commenly used
3) This might be a country problem aswell because here you simply just delete or say no thanks
4) Well it does actually - Newspapers and phone companies are the most common

And yes your arguments were invalid because they simply dont apply here. So i could say the same thing about listening but what ever lets move on.

I am and will try to avoid this "spammy" route because I dont like it and that is why im asking on this international forum how you do it in other countries. The first thing you will learn here is "pick up your phone and start calling people".

How are you expanding your social network? lets say facebook - Do you advertise it on forums or do you only rely on your friends inviting other friends?

And about the websites - Could you give me an example of a website? Is it like a freelance job board you mean?

 

Hey Christopher,

I hate to tell you this, but Malky is right. Technically it is spam. Let me ask you this simple question. If I sent you only one email suggesting you start using a male enhancement product, is it spam, or just helpful advice? (I'll bet you'd click that spam or delete button really quick.)

Now, I'm not saying don't do it. But...

If you are going to do it, do it the right way. What are you bringing to the table in those emails? I have sent a few cold emails to prospective clients, also. My technique has never elicited a complaint.

Here's what I do. I watch advertisements on classified sites, the newspaper, and other sources. I take the time to check the companies website, Facebook presence, Twitter feed, LinkedIn account, YouTube channel, and anything else I can find. Then I email them giving them my opinion on their current marketing strategy, how they could improve it, and point out any errors I found on their sites. I try to give them a couple tips they can implement on their own, and mention if they would like to discuss any ideas to give me a call.

I receive replies about 30% of the time. Less than 5% of the time does it turn into business. It is a tough way to get new clients, but it can be effective if you take the time to HELP them, not just advertise to them.

I have to take back my "no complaint" statement. I did have one attorney tell me I was arrogant and disrespectful, because their "new site" was not completed yet, so they had not had a chance to do all of those things yet.

 

I have done it in a few different ways and it depends alot on who I am contacting.

In the beginning (my first half year of being a freelancer) I did something like this:

(This is what I would consider spam and its not something I do anymore)

Then I have done some targeted emails to webdesign firms. With these it was more like a job application that included a resume and my CV. Basicly like you would normally send an application, I was just offering my service as a freelancer to them.

Then I have also done kinda like you said. Looked up all the information on the person and there firm, then mailed them what I could do specificly for them and given them some examples plus ideas to improvements on there website.

The problem isnt that I cant get clients this way. Its just not a way I like doing it really.. Thats why I would like to get some ideas or tips on what I can do besides this or maybe even instead of this. Many people talk about "building a list" and having a huge network and both of those are interesting but no one says where to start or how to expand.

 

I'm brave...

In the USA, Spam is legally permissible provided it follows certain criteria laid out in the CAN-SPAM Act: a "truthful" subject line, no forged information in the technical headers or sender address, and other minor requirements. If the spam fails to comply with any of these requirements it is illegal...generally, we refer to two distinct types of Spam - Unsolicited Bulk Email (UBE), and Unsolicited Commercial Email (UCE). The key part of each being 'bulk; - that is, sending the identical email en mass.

To the OP's question, I would add that, as in all marketing, the more targeted the prospect the better the conversions.
One example is if one offered website design or logo creation, then get a list of newly registered businesses and contact them directly, either through email (permitted in the USA), direct mail a post card or letter, and or make a phone call.

I would give something of value with the first contact in either case. Perhaps just statistical 'Did you know there are 1,100 other Chiropractors advertising in this area? I can help you noticed fast...'

My own experience is that conversion rates, in descending order, are: Phone call, direct mail, email.
Combined with regular follow-up.

Best of Success!

 

I think is not a good idea.

What you can do is:

Try to post useful content in forums related to your niche, use the social media sites to promote your services and build your list.

 

This thread got me interested in Spam legislation in other countries - like Denmark
And I found this wiki entry: Email spam legislation by country

 

Great definition and explanation!

My concern was not the legality as much as the risk of having his domain tagged as a spam sender by getting a high percentage of "This is SPAM" clicks on the various email providers.

It sounds like like Christopher has the part of the equation figured out, and is providing good information in his emails.

Christopher,

A few other ideas would be to engage with client directly. Are you dealing with your local market primarily? If yes...

Become a regular fixture at Chamber of Commerce meetings, Lions Club, Kiwanis, and other groups attended by local business people.

Consider doing local training classes highlighting ways to improve your business with online resources. These can be done as a Chamber event, at the local library, or something you plan in an actual meeting room. Keep in mind, if you do a training session for the Chamber, Library, Kiwanis, or other groups they send out newsletters and emails telling about the upcoming event getting you wider publicity than just the people who attend the session.

How many local computer dealerships have you contacted and offered a "finder's fee" for helping you get new clients? Talk to the technicians. They know who needs what.

Those are a few ideas...

Oh..and with any method you use you may want to..Offer a free ebook or email course showing them how to improve their business with (you fill in the blank), to entice them to sign-up to an email list so you can send out news and special offers. Remember, those emails should include announcements about any new sites you helped launch.

 

Thanks for the great response!

I think its a really good idea getting more involved with both the new businesses and having some kind of local training class. It would be fun to maybe combine these two ideas and make a course, a hand book and some sort of getting started class.
I'm not very involved in the local businesses and this might be a mistake on my side.. When I moved here, I didnt think I would stay for very long and because its a really small town (maybe 50 people total) but there are multible small towns around this one so it should be possible.

Using the "finder's fee" is also something I will start doing. I have actually used this on a small scale by telling my closer friends that they would get a fee for sending me clients but it never paid off as those I told it too was busy starting or running there own businesses.

This is what I am really interested in right now:

This "list" is something I have seen being said over and over on this forum and people talk about it as there reason for making money online. Why is this "list" so important, who is on the list and how can it help me?