[DogScout]

Originally Posted by Jason_V

Does anyone have a strongly suggested crm software?

I found infusionsoft and they look to be pretty solid for small business. Up to 25 employees and a database of customers no bigger than 500,000. Sounds about right with most of the companies the majority of us would work with.

I also just wanted to share an excellent free report they give out.

Double Your Sales with Infusionsoft.com

You have to give them your name, email, and phone number to get it.

They will then email you the report.

I have to say the report will benefit everyone reading this thread.

The CRM software looks pretty solid too.

They do a pretty good job of protecting the inner-content of their site until they not only get your name, email, phone but address too. (There's a lesson unto itself there)

However, I defeated that by putting this into Google:

site:http: //www.infusionsoft.com/ (make sure you don't put the space between the : and // I just had to do that bc the forum was giving the site name instead of the url.)

You can then see all the inner pages of the site. The report may even be listed there without having to give them your contact info. I signed up for the report before I did that search. I was reading the FAQ's and pricing and testimonials. Pretty solid. (They also love the residual income model, as you pay them monthly because the software is server based.)

As I said though, if anyone else has any better suggestions for CRM software, I'd love to hear it.

DO GET THAT REPORT, seriously, it will not only help you build your own business, it will help you build your clients business. I'm blown away by this report. If it were a WSO they could charge $47 for it. (Again there's lessons to be learned in what they do and what they say in that report for your own free reports. Even the layout is good to model.)

I was an Infusionsoft client for 3 months. Perry Marshall and Dan Kennedy use them (God knows why). Personally, my own set of ethics prevent me from doing business with them. That is my only comment.

[slvrsrfr]

Originally Posted by DogScout

I was an Infusionsoft client for 3 months. Perry Marshall and Dan Kennedy use them (God knows why). Personally, my own set of ethics prevent me from doing business with them. That is my only comment.

Who do you use DogScout?

I have found them expensive to use for similar features you can get elsewhere. I use Aweber for email and list management and just good ol' Excel for my own CRM, but then I only have several clients not hundreds.

[sb]

Originally Posted by Jason_V

Does anyone have a strongly suggested crm software?

I found infusionsoft and they look to be pretty solid for small business. Up to 25 employees and a database of customers no bigger than 500,000. Sounds about right with most of the companies the majority of us would work with.

I also just wanted to share an excellent free report they give out.

Double Your Sales with Infusionsoft.com

You have to give them your name, email, and phone number to get it.

They will then email you the report.

I have to say the report will benefit everyone reading this thread.

The CRM software looks pretty solid too.

They do a pretty good job of protecting the inner-content of their site until they not only get your name, email, phone but address too. (There's a lesson unto itself there)

However, I defeated that by putting this into Google:

site:http: //www.infusionsoft.com/ (make sure you don't put the space between the : and // I just had to do that bc the forum was giving the site name instead of the url.)

You can then see all the inner pages of the site. The report may even be listed there without having to give them your contact info. I signed up for the report before I did that search. I was reading the FAQ's and pricing and testimonials. Pretty solid. (They also love the residual income model, as you pay them monthly because the software is server based.)

As I said though, if anyone else has any better suggestions for CRM software, I'd love to hear it.

DO GET THAT REPORT, seriously, it will not only help you build your own business, it will help you build your clients business. I'm blown away by this report. If it were a WSO they could charge $47 for it. (Again there's lessons to be learned in what they do and what they say in that report for your own free reports. Even the layout is good to model.)

I can't give you any strong suggestion but I've used ACT! for years. They're OK, but bulky and have a fairly steep learning curve. I'm currently looking at: On-Demand CRM Software-as-a-Service(SaaS),Free CRM,Customer Relationship Management - Zoho CRM Haven't started using them yet but you may want to check it out for yourself. Please let us know if you find something you like.

[Kristen]

I took action this morning and called my naturopath. Long story short I am converting his website into a lead generating site for $200 worth of bartering. It's a start.

My plan is to develop a marketing plan including the mindmap image of the plan and outline what he has "bought" and show what he hasn't bought. Just to give him a taste of what is possible. And then of course take it with me.

I also need to get a monthly payment in dollars that will pay for the auto responder and any back linking activities.

He has self published a book so I will also offer to get that on Amazon for him.


Some thoughts on a new forum... It would be great to be able to add tags to each forum post that would serve as an index of topics. The poster and reader would be able to add tags. I would love to be able to click on Initial Interview, for example and get all related posts. The alternative and what I do now is search the PDF versions of the posts for specific topics.

Originally Posted by DogScout

Hey CJ,
My post was not 'aimed' at anyone.
more showing how an 'off-line MMC' seems to be called for. I am not starting one, but would pay to be in one AP started. Someone mentioned being unable to afford 1200 a year to be in something like that.

My take on that is this thread is 3 weeks old and will most likely go one for another 3 weeks at least. In that time, anyone who hasn't landed a client they would not have, and/or for $1200 a year more than they would have landed it for previous to this thread, then joining an MMC will never do them any good anyway. Because it will be obvious they are one of those Vagabond mentions as never implementing anything here anyway.

If a MMC was started in the Kennedy style, with 2 months free, in 60 days anyone that is going to use the info, would certainly make enough more money than they would have to pay for the MMC for at least a year or two. Granted we haven't discussed much on what to do after landing the client, but it looks like that is AP's next gift to us. (besides, just using what IM skills you have and seeing the client's biz with a fresh set of eyes and common sense would make what ever you charged worth it to him/her.)

Until 3

I'd gladly pay $1200/yr. to be in a MMC.

Kristen

[LouCyphre]

Dexx,

Attached are two templates that I had used for a client last year. They are blueprint style templates for Mind Manager version 7, but also might work with version 8. They were downloaded staright from MindJet when they used to have their Mindjet Labs open still (unfortunately it seems like they clsoed that off now).

Try them out, the client really liked how they came out back then, and it'll give you the look you were thinking about. For my client we even put those blueprint maps blown up and rolled into the tubings to give it even more of the architect feel to it.

Chris

[Dexx]

Where would someone go to buy tubings to hold them?

[Kristen]

In the US the post office has all sorts of mailing tubes. You can also try Staples.

[raskal]

Originally Posted by Dexx

Where would someone go to buy tubings to hold them?

I tend to like to look at a more commercial source. USPS and Staples are HIGHLY over priced.

Check out Uline *that link goes directly to mailing tubes.*

[AffiliateJ]

Originally Posted by LouCyphre

Dexx,

Attached are two templates that I had used for a client last year. They are blueprint style templates for Mind Manager version 7, but also might work with version 8. They were downloaded staright from MindJet when they used to have their Mindjet Labs open still (unfortunately it seems like they clsoed that off now).

Try them out, the client really liked how they came out back then, and it'll give you the look you were thinking about. For my client we even put those blueprint maps blown up and rolled into the tubings to give it even more of the architect feel to it.

Chris

I'm getting an error trying to open these. Can they be uploaded again please?

Thank you.

[David Rosa]

Oh boy it took me 4 days to get to the end....

I must say thank you... I knew nothing before this and I was about to sell my soul as an SEO GUY.... Jeez was that the wrong thing to do... I now have the confidence and knowledge I need to implement. Now I just need the experience and I will get it ASAP..

I'm in NYC just in case anyone would like to help a brotha out you know. LOL

Well i know this works because a couple months ago I was talking to a business owner and let him in on how effective an autoresponder was and things like that.. The next thing I know he tells me that his sales increased about 17% and now I will be helping him out with his business.

Thank you and I will be in here every day learning with the rest and TAKING ACTION

take care,

David R.

[LouCyphre]

Originally Posted by AffiliateJ

I'm getting an error trying to open these. Can they be uploaded again please?

Thank you.

I lowered the compression level on the zip file so please try now. Use the "legacycompr" zip file and hopefully that opens up fine.

Chris

[LouCyphre]

Originally Posted by raskal

I tend to like to look at a more commercial source. USPS and Staples are HIGHLY over priced.

Check out Uline *that link goes directly to mailing tubes.*

Thanks, you beat me to it. That's exactly where we went Uline.

Chris

[Dexx]

Originally Posted by raskal

I tend to like to look at a more commercial source. USPS and Staples are HIGHLY over priced.

Check out Uline *that link goes directly to mailing tubes.*

Holy crap, a tube for $3.50 at Staples.ca is .77c on ULINE?

No wonder these "big box" stores are able to dominate so much in branding and marketing lol

[raskal]

Originally Posted by Dexx

Holy crap, a tube for $3.50 at Staples.ca is .77c on ULINE?

No wonder these "big box" stores are able to dominate so much in branding and marketing lol

Only potential downside is quantity. I believe their minimum is 50 tubes, but if your planning a mass mailing that shouldn't be a problem and as you noted the cost savings are substantial!

They are also a wonderful resource for lots of niche products. They cater to large shipping warehouses but if you need any sort of office supplies they are very competitive.

[Dexx]

Ya minimum of 50 tubes...chances are I'll prob by 1 - 3 tubes for now from Staples, since I can reuse the tubes until client buys.

But good to know there's a better competitive pricing as business scales up

[eflo]

Ok to Dexx and AP - here's a question for both of you. Would you be willing to take on a student? I have 3 potential clients - all with offline businesses that could use a good kickstart, marketing help, and internet help.

I would love to hand over the clients to you for a very small referral fee, and watch over your shoulder as you reorganize their business. I get a little dough, and the chance to watch a master in action. You guys get another paying client.

Is that something that could be of use to either of you? I'm an excellent hunter/salesman. I can bring clients - it's just that my follow through is horrendous and my skillsets need sharpening. I understand my strengths and my weakness and am willing to work it to make it equally beneficial for both of us.

[Dexx]

I've got enough on my plate as is I'm afraid, AP might tho, if not I believe Maria Gudelis does JVs and she's also got a casestudy going on right now where you can watch as she works with a client from start to finish

[Curleyjohn]

Originally Posted by Dexx

Ya minimum of 50 tubes...chances are I'll prob by 1 - 3 tubes for now from Staples, since I can reuse the tubes until client buys.

But good to know there's a better competitive pricing as business scales up

Think they would notice if I just use a left over tube from Christmas wrapping paper?:rolleyes:

Although if you went ahead and bought the 50 tubes you could use it as motivation to fill each one with a different client mind map. Hmmm...50 clients at $1500 a month avg. I wonder how much work that would really be????

[Dexx]

heh, I'm actually aiming for 10 - 20 max "VIP" clients (i.e. $1,500 - $2,000+ /mo each) to be honest, at least for right now...that will still give me the free time/relaxation ability that I want with a great income.

Hit the 50 mark and that's a lot more management, follow-up, etc. and that not the "end goal" lifestyle I want.

Rememeber to decide the lifestyle you want, and then find a way to generate the income to achieve it...not the other way around (letting income dictate your lifestyle)

~Dexx

[Dexx]

Question for AP:

On the 2nd meeting, after you present the mindmap etc.

Do you already have the agreements and documents ready for them to sign right then and there, or do you leave and let them know you'll be sending them the invoice and agreements for payment terms etc?

I've been doing the latter myself, just so it didn't seem like I was rushing to collect payment right then and there...plus it gives the client time to read over the documents without feeling I'm like pressuring them to sign...

Thoughts? What do you prefer to do?

~Dexx

[Curleyjohn]

I just got a email from Vista Print and they have a special on post cards. 100 free post cards. So I thought since money is tight and I still need to go after business I would take them up on the offer.

I know that 100 cards isn't squat, but I'm going to do some serious prospect qualifying and send the cards as a way to create some visibility. I will follow up with some Dunning style mailings after that.

This is what I'm putting on the cards and if there are suggestions to improve it, please PM me instead of putting comments here. For those of you that are using this for ideas, I'll post if there were any serious problems and how I fixed them.

I hope this helps others.

Regular size Post card.

Front Side:

Graphic w/Construction tools like level, nails, tape measure sitting on blue prints.

Piece of wood looking graphic that has headline:

Build 25% in profits for your business in 90 days or less guaranteed.
My company name under it. (not sure if I should put company name on the front or if I should use it for a sub headline.)

Back Side, All Text in black:

URL in medium font

Discover the tools you have, and are not using, that will save thousands in advertising while creating life changing profits for your business from the inside out.

Stop wasting money on target less and ineffective advertising and use a proven marketing blue print that will change the structure of the way you do business, forever!

Main URL in large font

Free down loadable report details the five profit killing mistakes your making in your business (Small font)

[leonardpayne]

Originally Posted by Curleyjohn

Think they would notice if I just use a left over tube from Christmas wrapping paper?:rolleyes:

Although if you went ahead and bought the 50 tubes you could use it as motivation to fill each one with a different client mind map. Hmmm...50 clients at $1500 a month avg. I wonder how much work that would really be????

What would be really neat is to fill the tubes with the 'wrong' map,
i.e. send their competitors to each other. That would scare the living daylights out of them and get their cheque books out pronto!

["cheque" = UK for "check" --- fancy eh!)


Leonard

[SpyGuy]

Originally Posted by Dexx

This will include keyword research, competition analysis, etc.

Regarding Competition Analysis...

What do you guys offer for this?

101 Things come to mind on this topic and it would be nice to know what information is included in your analysis, what works, what doesnt work, what has the most impact, how detailed... etc.

... And we can discuss how we can use this to leverage the client in different ways?

(All great things are achieved 1 step at a time. I think this is a step worth brainstorming a little)



Anyone Care to Share?

--- Anyone Willing to Let us See One of your Comp Reports?

[seasonedentrepreneur]

Wow, Vagabond that was great. Your study with your avatar should be even more interesting now based on whether we like you better as a smart hot chick, or just a smart dude. lol

Thanks for all your insights...awesome!

Originally Posted by Vagabond 007

I started using that avatar because I was curious about something. And my suspicions were confirmed.

I may end up putting up my real pic sometime. I hope you guys will still like my posts. :confused: :p


I agree with what Tim said.

It's all about mindset. If they don't see the value in what you have to offer, ASSUMING you explained it very clearly, then why would you spend another minute of your life trying to convince them otherwise?

Move on. There is always another bus right behind them.

Trying to convince them otherwise is like the typical nice guy taking a pretty girl out to dinner and showering her with gifts. He keeps thinking that "If I keep doing all of these nice things for her, one day she'll realize how great I am and start liking me."

NO! The more you put on a mask and keep buying her things, the more she will take advantage of you. She loses respect for you each time you try to validate yourself. She sees that you don't respect your own self. If you did you wouldn't do the things you are doing.

Same goes with business owners. The more you allow them to push you around the more they are going to push you around. And the less respect they'll have for you since you are allowing them to do so.

If you had any self respect you'd stand up for yourself and not allow anyone to mistreat you and waste your time. People that waste my time piss me off. It's the ultimate form of disrespect. They are wasting the ONE AND ONLY thing I will never get back. But since most people don't put a dollar amount on THEIR time, they don't see the big deal in wasting YOUR time.

The more I learned about sales the less I actually tried to sell. And ironically, the more I sold.

People can pick up on what you're about. If you view them as your next car payment, they will sense it ad get turned off. If they sense that you can really help them BUT it's no big deal to you if you don't get the deal because there are others out there who you can help as well, they will sense that too.

Remember, people want what they can't have. The more you act like you don't want something from them, the more they try to give it to you. We are hardwired to act like this! We can't help it.




Well, you got step 1 down. And that is awareness. You are aware of what you're doing wrong.

You said it yourself, you sometimes forget. And that is exactly the problem. It's all in your head. If you THINK they will not take you serious if they actually see you, then THEY will think you can't be taken seriously.

It's your perception of things that's rubbing off on them.

You said it yourself, on the phone you did great. Because you knew they couldn't see how young you were. You see how important YOUR PERCEPTION is.

They Can't See You - Your sales are incredible
They Can See You - Your sales suffer

The only difference in those 2 things is how YOU view the situation. You have this limiting belief that they won't take you seriously because you look young. And young people don't know anything. That's just some story you come up with in your head. It's not reality. But it's YOUR reality.

And perception is reality.

"Change the way you look at things and the things you look at will change."



I don't know why everyone is so caught up on this credibility thing. :confused:

If you've been reading my mindset posts then you know what's coming...it's all in YOUR head!

Now before I tell you why credibility is NOT the most important thing, I want to state that I am not saying that credibility is not important at all. It is. But there is something more important than credibility. So if you are new to this and don't have any credibility then listen up...

BELIEVABILITY is the most important thing. Far more important than credibility.

And don't take this the wrong way, cause I'm not saying to lie or hype things up, but if you are believable than your credibility doesn't matter. They won't even ask about your credibility.

Here is part of a report I wrote, in the section about credibility/believability. Copy and pasted...

You see why they were never asked about their credentials?

They used proper marketing to POSITION themselves in a way that no one would ever ask about their credentials. They were so believable that it didn't even occur to people to ask about their background and why they should take financial advice from them.

I personally have a similar story. Few years ago I was selling mortgages. I had no clue about marketing. I just got "warm" leads and was told to dial and smile. Pounded the phone for weeks with nothing to show for it. Then I set out to learn marketing. Came across Dan Kennedy.

Spent hours and hours a day learning everything I could. I started marketing with tearsheets, FSI's, postcards, free recorded messages, website, etc. People went through my marketing funnel before they could even get me on the phone.

Before I did the marketing, people were hanging up on me telling me they weren't interested. Beating me up on fees. It was a nightmare.

Once I started marketing properly, by the time I would talk to them on the phone they were happy as could be and thanking me for calling them back. Hah, just doing my job.

I would then have them come into my office so I could show them exactly what I was going to do to ease their pain. 99% of other loan officers either did everything by phone or went to their house. I made them come to me.

And I charged much higher fees than before and higher than everyone else in the office.

I still remember it like it was yesterday...my first client after I started marketing properly, his exact words after I explained everything I could do and had him sign the papers. He let out a huge sigh of relief, thanked me and said "a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders."

Talk about satisfying. I was just doing my job. But since I did things a little differently, this guy thought I was a hero.

Not to mention I was 23 at the time and even looked younger than that. I could still pass for a 22 year old. But I don't care. And since I don't care, neither does anyone else.

Everyone in the office was far more knowledgeable than I was ABOUT MORTGAGES. But, I was far more knowledgeable about marketing. They were in the business of selling mortgages. I was in the business of marketing that I sell mortgages.

And THAT is what makes all the difference.

[rrakausk]

Originally Posted by leonardpayne

What would be really neat is to fill the tubes with the 'wrong' map,
i.e. send their competitors to each other. That would scare the living daylights out of them and get their cheque books out pronto!

["cheque" = UK for "check" --- fancy eh!)


Leonard

I fell about laughing Leonard - might be worth a test. Except it might show you up as being slightly slack with your own processes and controls.

Originally Posted by Spyguy

Regarding Competition Analysis...

What do you guys offer for this?

101 Things come to mind on this topic and it would be nice to know what information is included in your analysis, what works, what doesnt work, what has the most impact, how detailed... etc.

... And we can discuss how we can use this to leverage the client in different ways?

(All great things are achieved 1 step at a time. I think this is a step worth brainstorming a little)

Interesting you mention this. Rich Schefren in his latest blog post today covers this in some detail "a foolproof easy method ..." Internet Marketing Blog

[Curleyjohn]

Originally Posted by SpyGuy

Regarding Competition Analysis...

What do you guys offer for this?

101 Things come to mind on this topic and it would be nice to know what information is included in your analysis, what works, what doesnt work, what has the most impact, how detailed... etc.

... And we can discuss how we can use this to leverage the client in different ways?

(All great things are achieved 1 step at a time. I think this is a step worth brainstorming a little)



Anyone Care to Share?

--- Anyone Willing to Let us See One of your Comp Reports?

I am planning on using KW competition analysis from Market Samauri for 5 to 10 top KW phrases.

Pricing comparisons for competitors.

Yellow pages ads

Back links and On page SEO

Sales funnel information i.e. opt in and what is being used as enticement

Current media advertisements, usp and branding info

I'm trying to answer the who, what, when, where, how, and why for their top competitors.

[ijohnson]

Does anyone use a business model whereby you rent out a domain in a certain niche, like [Your city] carpet cleaners.com? :confused:

I'm thinking about the value of taking a domain in a niche and getting it ranked on the first page in the SERPs, SEO'd properly, with lots of good pillar content, etc., then leasing it out or selling the leads that I capture to the highest bidder or my client in that niche. I look at it like the cyber-version of the billboards located in prime locations.

Another twist on this business model could be eventually selling the domain for a nice sum on down the road.

I would like to get your feedback on this approach in the offline marketing sector. What are the pros and cons???? Has anyone done this successfully?

Iris

[AP]

Originally Posted by Dexx

heh, I'm actually aiming for 10 - 20 max "VIP" clients (i.e. $1,500 - $2,000+ /mo each) to be honest, at least for right now...that will still give me the free time/relaxation ability that I want with a great income.

Hit the 50 mark and that's a lot more management, follow-up, etc. and that not the "end goal" lifestyle I want.

Remember to decide the lifestyle you want, and then find a way to generate the income to achieve it...not the other way around (letting income dictate your lifestyle)

~Dexx

That's a very important statement Dexx.

For those that are learning this concept it's called "Reverse Engineering your Income."

Let's say you want to make $10,000 month or $120,000 year.

Simply reverse engineer how many clients you will need at your pricing structure to determine the amount of clients you will need to sustain that income.

If you charge $1,000 per month, you'll need 10 clients.

$500 per month, you'll need 20 clients.

I can tell you from experience the FEWER clients you have the better.

Better to charge Higher fees if you can get it.

Most businesses just say "I want to make as much money as I can." No system in place, no marketing strategy, just Spray & Pray marketing.

The first thing anyone here should do is decide what Lifestyle you want, then how much Income you will need to support it.

It doesn't make any difference if you want to make 30k, 50k, 100k, or 500k, do the Math.

~AP

Originally Posted by Dexx

Hrmmm, I am gonna revamp my sales funnel now using this approach.

Sorry.

Before my goal was to get $997 for the mindmap etc. and then charge an additional fee for setup etc. when they decide to proceed...this way I got paid for my knowledge either way.

I get paid one way or the other, look at the Macro picture. I don't want to lose a good prospect simply because he doesn't know the real "AP" and what I can do for his business. I ain't Jumping over Dollars ($30,000) every year to get to pennies ($997) one time.

So, maybe 1 out of 10 times I work for Free, no big deal in the Macro picture.

However that was a 3-step process: 1st meeting (initial questions), 2nd meeting (interview method), then 3rd meeting solution mindmap

Mine is usually 3 steps also over a 2 week period.
1. Initial meeting to introduce myself and complete Questionnaire in full. I know 100% if that client is going to cut me a check next week or not. If they ask a lot of questions, seem intense, enlightened, etc... I know I'm getting a check. It's just a matter of "when."

2. Mindmap presentation on Large paper. Go thru "Conceptually" what I am offering, most of the details in concept, what type of changes they can expect and then I pack it up. All Mindmaps go with me. Sometimes I sign the client at this meeting, but my Intent is to show him what his business could look like. Not how smart I am at marketing, but what his business may look like if we make these changes.

3. Proposal/Agreement signing. This discloses in somewhat detail (too much too list) what services I am offering Upfront and Ongoing. Walk the client thru each one (have the Mindmaps with you to answer questions) and answer any questions.

Then swallow your breath, tighten your sphincter, look your client right in the eye and say "I need my upfront money of $10,000 and the 1st months premium of $1,997 to get started working on your project.

or

$1,000 upfront and $197 month to get started working on your project.

Whatever your price is, state your price...

Then "SHUT UP." First one who talks Loses.

My longest pause was about 20 minutes, felt like 2 days. The client looked at me 10x, looked up at the ceiling 10x, then looked me in the eye and said "Ok AP, follow me to my secretary and I'll have her cut you the check."

Then charge them a larger setup fee should when decide to proceed with my solution...

Without having access to my documentation etc. I guess there really isn't much fear of giving them "too much" information and having them run off an implement it...especially if I overload them enough to get them excited + brain spinning with the possibilities...

Don't overload too much, this can cause a prospect not to make a decision. But, in all my years of doing this I have found most people don't have the time to learn this (like we all have) nor the time to implement this and manage this. They are so busy with working "In" the business they don't have time to work "On" the business. That's where YOU come in.

Definitely excited to try out this new approach, thanks as always AP!

~Dexx

PS - The tip on printing out the MindMap on a 3' x 2' roll (or whatever the measurements were) is golden!

I won't go to a meeting without it.

I have been printing out the mindmap just on regular size paper which is pretty hard to see without a microscope (when fully expanded), I can only imagine the perceived "WOW" effect alone of unrolling a GIANT MAP of the marketing solution itself...

I might even take it one step further and literally make it a "blueprint" my making the mindmap a white font color printed on a blue background!

I used to do that at my local architects office but they NO longer use blue. Too much ammonia in the process.

Should be interesting!

[Leanne King]

I have a question about referral commissions.

Usually, you would hand out a business card and say if they refer someone they'll get $X. How can an affiliate payment system be set up when it involves a business card rather than a link on a site, other than redeeming it and doing a manual payment. Is there a way to automate this process?

Any bright ideas would be welcome

[Curleyjohn]

Originally Posted by rrakausk

Interesting you mention this. Rich Schefren in his latest blog post today covers this in some detail "a foolproof easy method ..." Internet Marketing Blog

That blog post with his VCx2P=$$$ are really good. Could be used to help define a USP too.

[DogScout]

Then "SHUT UP." First one who talks Loses.

That is such an important and basic truism in all sales, yet thousands of times I have seen people blow it through impatience.

The longest I had to wait to 'win' was selling a Toyota truck. The customer had me sitting there 45 minutes! he hummed, looked out the window. finally he asked a question. The second thing he said was OK I'll buy the truck. Lol.

[Curleyjohn]

My longest pause was about 20 minutes, felt like 2 days. The client looked at me 10x, looked up at the ceiling 10x, then looked me in the eye and said "Ok AP, follow me to my secretary and I'll have her cut you the check."

Just spit Sprite Zero all over my desk. Waiting that long with out saying anything takes an incredible amount of fortitude.

[Curleyjohn]

Originally Posted by Leanne King

I have a question about referral commissions.

Usually, you would hand out a business card and say if they refer someone they'll get . How can an affiliate payment system be set up when it involves a business card rather than a link on a site, other than redeeming it and doing a manual payment. Is there a way to automate this process?

Any bright ideas would be welcome

I get what your saying but if they never signed up through an affiliate program that you had through an on line software or service, I don't see how it could.

[vitto]

Originally Posted by Leanne King

I have a question about referral commissions.

Usually, you would hand out a business card and say if they refer someone they'll get . How can an affiliate payment system be set up when it involves a business card rather than a link on a site, other than redeeming it and doing a manual payment. Is there a way to automate this process?

Any bright ideas would be welcome

In my experience those leads tend to be dead ends because the person is trying to get a quick Buck and thinks that everyone is ur customer, therefore waste your time with BS. Best leads come from clients and word of mouth w/o strings attached. That's just my experience though.

[Vikuna2009+]

Originally Posted by Curleyjohn

Think they would notice if I just use a left over tube from Christmas wrapping paper?:rolleyes:

Although if you went ahead and bought the 50 tubes you could use it as motivation to fill each one with a different client mind map. Hmmm...50 clients at $1500 a month avg. I wonder how much work that would really be????

Hi you all,

you can not imagine how hard it has been not to chime in and clutter the thread up with my limited knowledge and too many questions. I've been reading this like an offline bible and now I can't resist anymore, lol.

Forget the christmas wrapping paper tube, I got one up one you. l

Fabric stores, they keep all their fabric rolled up on heavy duty rolls, and I mean heavy duty. Most of them are happy to get rid of the tubes for FREE (reduces their trash cost).

Call around, be gentle, ask if you may get a couple of tubes and they be glad to give it to you. My last dumpster dump, looking for free boxes for a client that needed to move, I went in the back of the store, ravaged their dumpster and came away with tons of boxes (and of course, I called for permission first).

Most tubes are 54" long, use a fine tooth saw to cut them in half. Go to your local art store, buy a bottle of transparant spray glue, get some thin brown craft paper, either paid for or free (like the little bag that they put that whatever 40 oz mega potent malt beer in ).

Measure the circumferance of the tube, add another 2" all around (or similar), put a dinnerplate on the paper, draw a circle, cut. Spray the glue, smooth down each end of the tube and voila, a FREE tube (except for your time, lol.

That is for delivering your material but I also thought about that instead of sending direct mail (costly) and if you are cash poor, stick your marketing message in there, cut the tube in 4 parts (13 1/2# each), assemble as you watch your favorite TV show (what) and then make a commitment to deliver X amounts of tubes per day.

Going to your J.O.B., if you can only drop 5 in the morning and 5 at night, that is 10 free hits a day. Beside including your regular marketing message, include a quarter of a page with a "tube" special.

As a teaser (yeah, I know, AP is the KING but just wanted to throw something different in there for us "little" guys.

Honestly, I do not think ANY business owner has received a "marketing tube". Include in the tube saying " I betcha I got your attention, guess what, i got MORE to come. And if you are seriously interested in learning more about my innovative marketing ideas that will increase your profits by at least 20%, please do not hesitate to call.

P.s. I will NEVER call you, if you are seriously interested in increasing your revenue substantially, I am only a phone call away".

BTW, here is a list (?) of your competitors that I am making the same offer, have a nice day.

Gosh, did I go over the top here or what are your thoughts,

[DogScout]

Originally Posted by Leanne King

I have a question about referral commissions.

Usually, you would hand out a business card and say if they refer someone they'll get . How can an affiliate payment system be set up when it involves a business card rather than a link on a site, other than redeeming it and doing a manual payment. Is there a way to automate this process?

Any bright ideas would be welcome

Illegal in some states (like Virginia). Doesn't mean it isn't done though. Check your state for legalities before making anything but verbal promises of payments to unlicensed referrers. It is called 'birddogging' in VA. Many times it is gotten around by an exchange of extra services or products. If it is illegal in your state, automating it (if possible) would make your prosecutor very happy.

[T.R. McCarroll]

Originally Posted by ijohnson

Does anyone use a business model whereby you rent out a domain in a certain niche, like [Your city] carpet cleaners.com? :confused:

I'm thinking about the value of taking a domain in a niche and getting it ranked on the first page in the SERPs, SEO'd properly, with lots of good pillar content, etc., then leasing it out or selling the leads that I capture to the highest bidder or my client in that niche. I look at it like the cyber-version of the billboards located in prime locations.

Another twist on this business model could be eventually selling the domain for a nice sum on down the road.

I would like to get your feedback on this approach in the offline marketing sector. What are the pros and cons???? Has anyone done this successfully?

Iris

You need to lookup GoGetta on the forum...he does that biz model and can teach you as well

[AlJ]

Originally Posted by ijohnson

Does anyone use a business model whereby you rent out a domain in a certain niche, like [Your city] carpet cleaners.com? :confused:

I'm thinking about the value of taking a domain in a niche and getting it ranked on the first page in the SERPs, SEO'd properly, with lots of good pillar content, etc., then leasing it out or selling the leads that I capture to the highest bidder or my client in that niche. I look at it like the cyber-version of the billboards located in prime locations.

Another twist on this business model could be eventually selling the domain for a nice sum on down the road.

I would like to get your feedback on this approach in the offline marketing sector. What are the pros and cons???? Has anyone done this successfully?

Iris

I started a local real estate site in October and promoted it up to #3 & 4 on Google for a buying keyphrase.

The aim was to rent it out so in December I mailed out 10 letters to prominent local real estate agents.

I received 1 "no thanks" reply and an email telling me my site was being investigated by the Real Estate Council. Apparently some of the agents didn't like my site.

After adding extra disclaimers that I REALLY wasn't selling any houses, the investigator said it was okay.

At that point I was a little bummed out. Lots of work and stress without much to show for it.

Fast forward to the end of January. One of the top agents in the area found my site and contacted me. I sold him the site and we're now discussing what looks like an endless supply of work for him both here and internationally.

One word of advice, pick your keywords carefully. I did two other sites last year in larger markets and they aren't close to page one yet.

AlJ

[cma01]

Wow, I read this thread when it first started and hadn't been back for awhile. What great information!

I'm not all the way through the thread, but somewhere along the line, I saw a couple of questions about billing.

If you're with Hostgator, they include a free license for WHMCS with their reseller hosting packages.

You will need to get a static IP (I think one is included now with Hostgator's reseller packages) and an SSL certificate ($20 at Godaddy,) but it is an awesome program. My installation is set up to bill through my own merchant account and payment gateway (Authorizenet,) but it also works with Paypal and manual payments.

I do all my billing through WHMCS and I don't have to worry about sending out invoices at all, it is all automatically generated. If clients are on a monthly service, I have them set up to to autobill on a credit card. You can also set up monthly Paypal subscriptions.

The program was initially designed for managing a hosting business and has grown from there. The only catch I've run into so far is that there isn't an option for an "end" billing date. So if you have a service with a setup fee and X amount per month, it will do that, but if it is only for say 6 months, you have to manually go in and cancel the service after the last billing date.

[TheMagicShow]

Here is a trick, to see what the competition is doing: look at the ValPacks/MoneyMailers and checkout what these businesses types are doing.

Look at the dentist coupons, slogans and specials. Look at the restaurant coupons, specials and tricks to get people to come and buy from them (urgency factors).

If you look through these mailers, I am 100% positive that you can come up with ideas on... how you can help your potential clients/businesses

Another Tip: try to collect these mailers for a few months, take a look and see if you see the same businesses doing the mailers. By doing this you get a good idea, that these people should be getting some roi (not always, but its a pretty positive indication).

These mailers are not cheap at all, you are going to pay from $600 to a few thousands and these businesses would not use Valpack/MoneyMailers if they were that bad.

Love to hear your comments on this.

[reilly3000]

Hey folks - Another round of thanks to all.

I'm taking action.

I wrote a 3 page sales letter last night and am sending to 25 insurance agency brokers in my local market that gross over $1M in sales.

I got my list via ReferenceUSA- a totally free database available through my local library website. You could also buy SalesGenie for $90/month for the same data. They scrub their data pretty well. Any other good databases people can recommend? I've used Hoovers and BBB.org in the past.

I'm going to get the letters out soon- want some feedback if I can get it quick: I am offering to take on ONE of the agencies and telling everybody in the letter that it is going to them and 24 of their local competitors.

I would like to work this little "farm" with a series of mailings, but if I send another letter to the list, it will pretty much indicate that I haven't got a response from anybody on my first offering.

Any ideas on how I can work this list without breaking the integrity of my? I can have my assistant leave some VM's after hours per AP's comment WAAAAY back. I personally feel my letter is pretty smokin' hot, so hopefully that will do the trick on its own.

Thanks for tips and wish me luck!

[mktmkr]

Originally Posted by slvrsrfr

I use Aweber for email and list management and just good ol' Excel for my own CRM, but then I only have several clients not hundreds.

Originally Posted by sb

I'm currently looking at: On-Demand CRM Software-as-a-Service(SaaS),Free CRM,Customer Relationship Management - Zoho CRM Haven't started using them yet but you may want to check it out for yourself. Please let us know if you find something you like.

I just signed up for Zoho CRM and definitely like it so far. Their free version allows up to 3 users (enough for me, my biz partner, and VA) and is packed with very good features.

[reilly3000]

Originally Posted by mktmkr

I just signed up for Zoho CRM and definitely like it so far. Their free version allows up to 3 users (enough for me, my biz partner, and VA) and is packed with very good features.

ZohoCRM is a really solid system for internal use, it is close to par with an out of the box install of Salesforce.com IMHO. I have not had luck introducing it to non-techies. Its got a lot going on in the interface.

Here are some lightweight, easy to implement CRM systems to consider:
PipelineDeals
Javelin CRM
HeapCRM
BatchBook
FatFreeCRM - open source, try hostedffcrm.com
Highrise
I mentioned business catalyst earlier. It offers CRM plus everything else under the sun. When you're a reseller you get a free fully upgraded account.

There are really TONS of options out there, but all of the above I have had hands on contact with and are easy to use from day 1.

[AP]

Originally Posted by Leanne King

I have a question about referral commissions.

Usually, you would hand out a business card and say if they refer someone they'll get . How can an affiliate payment system be set up when it involves a business card rather than a link on a site, other than redeeming it and doing a manual payment. Is there a way to automate this process?

Any bright ideas would be welcome

I don't do referral commissions. I may take the person out for a nice lunch, but more importantly, I would rather refer business back to them.

~AP

Originally Posted by Curleyjohn

My longest pause was about 20 minutes, felt like 2 days. The client looked at me 10x, looked up at the ceiling 10x, then looked me in the eye and said "Ok AP, follow me to my secretary and I'll have her cut you the check."

Just spit Sprite Zero all over my desk. Waiting that long with out saying anything takes an incredible amount of fortitude.

That's why I practiced this with another person many years ago. Try it, it ain't easy.

~AP

Originally Posted by Magic Mel

Here is a trick, to see what the competition is doing: look at the ValPacks/MoneyMailers and checkout what these businesses types are doing.

Look at the dentist coupons, slogans and specials. Look at the restaurant coupons, specials and tricks to get people to come and buy from them (urgency factors).

If you look through these mailers, I am 100% positive that you can come up with ideas on... how you can help your potential clients/businesses

Another Tip: try to collect these mailers for a few months, take a look and see if you see the same businesses doing the mailers. By doing this you get a good idea, that these people should be getting some roi (not always, but its a pretty positive indication).

These mailers are not cheap at all, you are going to pay from $600 to a few thousands and these businesses would not use Valpack/MoneyMailers if they were that bad.

Love to hear your comments on this.

I found one business spending $5,000 per month with ValPak.

~AP

Originally Posted by reilly3000

Hey folks - Another round of thanks to all.

I'm taking action.

I wrote a 3 page sales letter last night and am sending to 25 insurance agency brokers in my local market that gross over $1M in sales.

I got my list via ReferenceUSA- a totally free database available through my local library website. You could also buy SalesGenie for $90/month for the same data. They scrub their data pretty well. Any other good databases people can recommend? I've used Hoovers and BBB.org in the past.

I'm going to get the letters out soon- want some feedback if I can get it quick: I am offering to take on ONE of the agencies and telling everybody in the letter that it is going to them and 24 of their local competitors.

I would like to work this little "farm" with a series of mailings, but if I send another letter to the list, it will pretty much indicate that I haven't got a response from anybody on my first offering.

Any ideas on how I can work this list without breaking the integrity of my? I can have my assistant leave some VM's after hours per AP's comment WAAAAY back. I personally feel my letter is pretty smokin' hot, so hopefully that will do the trick on its own.

Thanks for tips and wish me luck!

Insurance agencies work very, very well for offline marketing.

ReferenceUSA is one of the best resources there is, and it's FREE!

If you like, I'll review your letter. Send it to apcopywriter@gmail.com

~AP

[phil.wheatley]

Hi AP

I know you're posting your latest Document today (or soon), which I'm hugely looking forward to. Can I be incredibly cheeky and ask if it would be possible for us to have a copy/sample of the mindmap you use for your customers, or an outline to get us started?

If not then I fully understand as you've already given us soooo much. This week, I think I may have landed my first Client so I'm very excited...and nervous ;-)

p.s You're welcome in the UK to come and visit any time, my Mrs could make you a MEAN SHEPPARD'S PIE!!....and she's Chinese...work that one out he he

Cheers Phil

[SteelDanno]

This thread is making my head spin (in a great way) and I'm trying to keep up but daaaamn!

Last page there was much mention of mindmaps ... I'd hate to think I missed another gem of a doc by AP ... did you/he post your/his mindmap template?

New to mindmapping myself and it looks pretty amazing I must say.

Cheers.

[AP]

As promised for Tuesday delivery.

This is Post Sale. Hopefully some of you are taking action and will soon need this.

This "Online Directories Application" is available for all. You will need to modify the Footer to input your proper information.

Including this release, you should now have (4) Word Docs (see below if you have not downloaded).

I hand this to the client once I have a signed agreement (see attached) and check in hand. In the clients eyes this document says you are Professional and are ready to take action immediately.

This puts the Ball in the clients court to get the ball rolling. This gives you a few days breathing room for the check to clear.

This information is CRITICAL for getting your clients listed properly in the online vertical directories and Google Maps.

When you create a Google Map, Google sends out "bots" to look for "Citations." Citations are basically 3rd Party Top Online Directories, such as Superpages, Yelp, Insider Pages, City Search, etc...

Citations are one of THE most important elements of Maps, similar to Backlinks.

When those "bots' go looking you better make sure ALL the information on the Clients Homepage (NOT Contact Us Page) match what the Online Directories say. Google is trying to verify if "you are who you say you are."

If 3rd party sites say it's you then Google will move you up the SERPs and give you a better Maps ranking.

If your clients website says the address is 1234 Main Street, then use the full name of 'Street" not "St." Also, for Google Maps avoid using Cell phone numbers and Toll Free numbers for your listing. They call it Google LOCAL maps for a reason. Toll Free and Mobile/Cell numbers do NOT have neighborhoods. You just got a big Tip for Maps.

I also create a Google Gmail account immediately and every time I send my clients an email to their business account, I forward one to the Google Gmail I created. A record of every email and transaction.

After the client sends the "Online Directories Application" back to you, REVIEW yourself to make sure ALL the data is correct. This is BIG.
No room for error on this.

Have client send all Pictures and Videos they have to their New Gmail account.

Enjoy.

~AP

Edit: This info was gathered from the Directories themselves, Google Local Maps, Yahoo! Local, etc... I merged the info to make it as easy as possible for the client, myself, and my VA's not to screw up. 99% of the information you need for any directory should be on these forms.

[Leanne King]

Originally Posted by vitto

In my experience those leads tend to be dead ends because the person is trying to get a quick Buck and thinks that everyone is ur customer, therefore waste your time with BS. Best leads come from clients and word of mouth w/o strings attached. That's just my experience though.

I think you are right That's how I used to get most of my work in my previous career.

Originally Posted by Curleyjohn

I get what your saying but if they never signed up through an affiliate program that you had through an on line software or service, I don't see how it could.

That's the bit that had me confused as well. I read something the other day that sparked the question ie pay referral fees but I just could not figure out how to impliment that, without doing it manually

Originally Posted by DogScout

Illegal in some states (like Virginia). Doesn't mean it isn't done though. Check your state for legalities before making anything but verbal promises of payments to unlicensed referrers. It is called 'birddogging' in VA. Many times it is gotten around by an exchange of extra services or products. If it is illegal in your state, automating it (if possible) would make your prosecutor very happy.

refererral selling is illegal in Australia if the buyer purchases on the basis that they can recover the money paid out by receiving commissions/rebtates for introductions to other customers. What the ACCC don't like is the fact that the buyer has to buy first. Spotters fees however are not illegal here - although that is subject to industry specific legislation. In my previous career spotters fees were out as per our industry legislation but lunch was ok

Originally Posted by AP

I don't do referral commissions. I may take the person out for a nice lunch, but more importantly, I would rather refer business back to them.

~AP

I think you are right AP better to build the relationship and spread the love. Also, lunch is nice

[Hail-To-The-Redskins]

Originally Posted by AP

As promised for Tuesday delivery.

This is Post Sale. Hopefully some of you are taking action and will soon need this.

This "Online Directories Application" is available for all. You will need to modify the Footer to input your proper information.

Including this release, you should now have (4) Word Docs (see below if you have not downloaded).

I hand this to the client once I have a signed agreement (see attached) and check in hand. In the clients eyes this document says you are Professional and are ready to take action immediately.

This puts the Ball in the clients court to get the ball rolling. This gives you a few days breathing room for the check to clear.

This information is CRITICAL for getting your clients listed properly in the online vertical directories and Google Maps.

When you create a Google Map, Google sends out "bots" to look for "Citations." Citations are basically 3rd Party Top Online Directories, such as Superpages, Yelp, Insider Pages, City Search, etc...

Citations are one of THE most important elements of Maps, similar to Backlinks.

When those "bots' go looking you better make sure ALL the information on the Clients Homepage (NOT Contact Us Page) match what the Online Directories say. Google is trying to verify if "you are who you say you are."

If 3rd party sites say it's you then Google will move you up the SERPs and give you a better Maps ranking.

If your clients website says the address is 1234 Main Street, then use the full name of 'Street" not "St." Also, for Google Maps avoid using Cell phone numbers and Toll Free numbers for your listing. They call it Google LOCAL maps for a reason. Toll Free and Mobile/Cell numbers do NOT have neighborhoods. You just got a big Tip for Maps.

I also create a Google Gmail account immediately and every time I send my clients an email to their business account, I forward one to the Google Gmail I created. A record of every email and transaction.

After the client sends the "Online Directories Application" back to you, REVIEW yourself to make sure ALL the data is correct. This is BIG.
No room for error on this.

Have client send all Pictures and Videos they have to their New Gmail account.

Enjoy.

~AP

Once again AP - quality information and advice without any fluff whatsoever You're clearly quite good at this

Seriously though, everything you've produced for us to download are things that can be used TODAY - I just hope there are plenty on this forum that will actually use this stuff and TAKE ACTION.

I'd like to second Phil's request regarding the mindmap - but I think if you decline then we're already had our 'money's worth' from your invaluable input so far.

I dropped on this thread quite by chance some 4 weeks ago I think it was ... and am so glad that I did. Someone about 200 posts back said "This thread could change people's lives" and they'd be right.

But nothing happens without ACTION ... have I mentioned that before

Thanks again AP - we're all indebted

Simon

[bbenson19]

Wow, this is great, here in our country I charge around $600 as initial fee, paid in half as deposit and the other half after 2 months. Then I charge $200 per month as maintenance fee. I think it is still cheap compared to what you guys are offering. I'm thinking of raising prices?What do you think? I do fairly SEO work without web changes. This is really a nice thread.