Finally Meeting with an offline Client Tomorrow!

by Ehanson

Posted: 14 years ago 8 replies

OFFLINE MARKETING

I'm finally going to have a face to face meeting with an offline client who owns a jewelry store here in Manhattan after a week or so of posting ads on Craigslist offering my service, for now I've been communicating with people via email and on the phone but haven't heard back from the 3 I've spoken with so far.

Hopefully, I'll be able to close a deal with her as I got word that I'm being laid off from my part time job and Friday will be my last day.

I need to walk out of there with a check or at least a deal. What are some offliners tips for a face to face meeting with clients and how to close effectively during that meeting?

#client #finally #meeting #offline #tomorrow

matthewb1978 14 years ago

Keep it simple. Business owners usually have no idea what you are talking about when it comes to internet terminology. Find out what a customer means to them $$$ wise and give them some idea of what you can provide for them. Chances are really good if you can show them you will get them more customers and more $$$ then they will hire you. I am guessing this is a website that you are building for a customer?
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- Ehanson 14 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by matthewb1978
  
  I am guessing this is a website that you are building for a customer?
  
  An ecommerce website, which I'll need to outsource. She also said she has "other projects" she want's me to do for her after I gave her quotes for my various services.
  
  She's located in the diamond district and faces stiff competition as there's literally store after store (and on top of each other) of jeweler's in a block. So if you're not online- you're invisible.
  
  Thanks
  
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rafterman 14 years ago

I'd say just concentrate on what you can do for them
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jsnfou 14 years ago

Don't try and sell a product - sell a solution.
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moneycometh 14 years ago

If you go there with the mindset that "you need this check" it WON'T happen. But if you go there with the thought "how may I best serve this clients needs? Put the clients needs ahead of your own, then you'll be successful, because you will be using the Law of Reciprocity.

You'll be like a magnet attracting to yourself the exact thing that you need, if you put the other person's needs ahead of your own.
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- Ehanson 14 years ago
  
  Well, I met with them today and I have some mixed emotions about them.
  
  He was an old school hasidic guy who barely knew anything about websites or the internet. It was like explaining how the net works to a 90 year old- pretty frustrating. All he knew is he needed a website and didn't know the value of a customer and couldn't answer other pre-qualifying questions I asked (and didn't really think they were important either.)
  
  His "office" and wholesale jewelry business was very dingy and made me wonder about a lot of things It also made me think "Uh oh, what did I get myself into?" I almost felt like getting up and walking out when I was waiting for him.
  
  He also said he needed long term projects done like marketing, updating the site etc.. I don't really want to become his do everything person. I was just meeting with him to discuss creating a website.
  
  I quoted him at $600 and he seemed fine with that but I'm really on the fence with this. I'm really underpricing this job because it's building an ecommerce site listing thousands of items his business offers.
  
  I'm really on the fence with this. Thoughts?
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  Shawn johnson 14 years ago
  
  Well if you are not sure and have mixed emotions, DO NOT TAKE The PROJECT.
  WHY? Because you may not give it your best effort and short change your client or your work.
  
  Refer the business to someone else who may have the time and patience to
  work with that customer and keep it moving.
  
  Want more get value, just give more give value and the universe will tilt its hand to you :0)
  
  Thanks
  
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Nick Desai 14 years ago

Wow ... $600 for an ecommerce site is too little ... don't waste your time with clients that don't recognize the value of websites and online marketing... trust me .. i have been doing web design for over 8 years and i know exactly what type of client this is :

"The one who expects you to deliver the world to him for pennies and peanuts"

just my 2 cents of advice
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