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Trying to get started freelancing - Google Ads / Web Design

mavdm22

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Oh, and another benefit is you're dealing with business owners, who believe in spending money to make money. No need to pay to learn from business owners, get paid to get kicked into shaped by them.
True and i don't mind that at all :)
 
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mavdm22

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Sorry, feck cold emailing and cold calling.

"Who already has your clients?"
(Jay Abraham)

I get sooo much of my work from businesss who want to offer Google Ads services to their clients.

All you need is one business that has multiple clients who you can build a win-win-win with.

Before that happens you need ONE client and to get some skin in the game. Have you asked everyone in your network if they know anyone who wants help with Google Ads?
I know your position in regards to cold outreach. I have read many posts where you say. "i dont do outreach, i build relationships"
I think i mentioned this in one of my posts. That was the only way so far that i have managed to speak to other business owners. I have only offered my help properly for the last week.

The one business you mentioned earlier, yes, agreed. That was me reaching out to the web dev and the chat yesterday. Reached out to another today but no response. Chat went really well and it could well be a possibility. Waiting on more information from him.

My network Andy is non existent. i have no one unfortunately in that respect. I have asked everyone i know. Do you know. No, Do you know anyone who might know? No.

Nothing.
 

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Good. You've tried your network. No bites, that's OK.

Who have you met locally?

Have you gone for coffee with anyone to chat about business?

Are you bouncing around in forums and Facebook groups?

Have you ended up connecting with anyone and then jumping on Zoom to shoot the breeze?

I ask because a lot of my first clients came from me going on local workshops for business owners.

I literally attended to learn "LinkedIn for Business" or whatever the workshop was. I was not there to get clients.

Instructor: "Before we begin can everyone introduce themselves and their business."

Google Ads newbie: "Hi. My name's Andy. I do them little ads on Google."

Cue one or two people speaking to me at the coffee break.

No business card.

No experience.

No portfolio.

No website.

No USP.

I just happened to be in the same room as them and said I did Google Ads.
 

mavdm22

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Get on Facebook if you’re not already and get in the local uk paving contractor groups

There’s a guy who I met in a pressure washing group and he done me a website and my ads and he’s been in there for months and has found multiple clients
Hi Joe,
Hope you are well

Excellent comment!

Yes, i have started to do that, (previous comment mentioned this when Andy said in one of his posts) and only in the last week but i started on reddit, this is how i have managed the few conversations i have had.

Facebook i think i mentioned it in one of my posts here was the next place i was going to go to.

Joe can i ask. How did that situation evolve? What i mean is how did it go from you not having a website and ads running to you having someone do those for you? Did you ask for help in the group? Was that how it happened?

And if i can push my luck, as you are a business owner. Imagine if you didn't have a website (its the easiest example). How would one approach you to do a free website for you? I appreciate that everyone is different. This question was the same question that got me talking to the web dev. I basically contacted him and asked if i wanted a partnership with a web dev. What would be the best way to approach web devs.

I'm in this position and i'm just curious.

Either way, i appreciate your comment and yes agreed. That's next on the list.

Thank you
 
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mavdm22

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Good. You've tried your network. No bites, that's OK.

Who have you met locally?

Have you gone for coffee with anyone to chat about business?

Are you bouncing around in forums and Facebook groups?

Have you ended up connecting with anyone and then jumping on Zoom to shoot the breeze?

I ask because a lot of my first clients came from me going on local workshops for business owners.

I literally attended to learn "LinkedIn for Business" or whatever the workshop was. I was not there to get clients.

Instructor: "Before we begin can everyone introduce themselves and their business."

Google Ads newbie: "Hi. My name's Andy. I do them little ads on Google."

Cue one or two people speaking to me at the coffee break.

No business card.

No experience.

No portfolio.

No website.

No USP.

I just happened to be in the same room as them and said I did Google Ads.
No bits from personal network.
To be honest Andy, i am not in my targeted country. Basically long story short and i think i may have mentioned this. I'm Portuguese but after my parents split up i moved to England (North West) with my dad when i was 7. Came back to Portugal to do my military service which was compulsory and no longer. Met my now ex wife (together 16 yrs) and have two children. I don't want to leave my children. I have a 15 yr son and a 4 yr old daughter. I'm basically stuck here if i want to see my children. Which i obviously do. I'm sure you understand as you too mentioned that you too are a father. (This is my explaining the lack of contacts)

You may say, Why don't you do this in Portugal. Because even though i am Portuguese. My mother tongue is English. I prefer English and to be honest i don't think i can do the ads or landing page in Portuguese. I lived in Lisbon after military service and worked In an... hold... wait for it... English company! :)

I'm in a rural part of central Portugal. In regards to meeting people. I know that there a few older couples here from England, came to live their retirement, possibly Ireland. Not sure exactly, i know they are from the UK. I thought about asking them if they have any connections in England or UK. Which after your post above. That's what i am going to do.

Side note, i am also part of an English group on facebook (my county) where they ask questions about living in Portugal. People who already live here. I am going to see if i can speak to them also.

No not jumped on any zoom calls or attended any business meetings.

"i do them little ads on google " hahaha

So again, thank you. I appreciate the time you have taken to post.
 
G

GuestUser4aMPs1

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Or setup a site, pay for ads and then forward them to clients.?
Correct. Demonstrate that your system works, and ask for a referral fee.

After you've developed a reputation of delivering results, only then can you go for a monthly contract.

At this point nobody wants to listen to you because nobody knows or trusts you.

Fix that. Prove yourself first.
 

mavdm22

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Correct. Demonstrate that your system works, and ask for a referral fee.

After you've developed a reputation of delivering results, only then can you go for a monthly contract.

At this point nobody wants to listen to you because nobody knows or trusts you.

Fix that. Prove yourself first.
Hi Mike,

I thought about that when i wanted to offer SEO services. The conclusion that i reached was that SEO took time. I still believe that seo is great for small businesses. Ideally a business should be doing google ads and seo. Google ads for results now and seo as the long term strategy. Obviously we also have reputation management for getting reviews. I see fb as more of a brand marketing strategy. I could be wrong, people may have a different opinions and i respect that.

In light of your comment, to which i completely agree with by the way. Would you say that at this stage offering the setup, landing page and campaign build and client investing the ad spend is too much too soon? Based on the fact that nobody knows me or trusts me? This was the primary reason why i jumped so much from seo, to reputation management and Google Business Profiles because that was exactly my thought and therefore i wanted to reduce what someone would consider a risk. Think a simple foot in the door offer. Can't remember where i saw this but instead of asking for marriage i am only asking for a quick coffee.

This is also the reason why i am offering to build the site. I know once the site is built, the relationship can grow from there.

what do you think?

thanks again.
 
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GuestUser4aMPs1

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what do you think?

I think you should bet a little bit of money and test it for yourself.

Right now you're overthinking EVERYTHING.

Build a page, buy out ad space / google traffic and get some leads to fill in their info.

(If you're generating landscaping leads for example, have fields for type of job / budget / etc.)

Then, contact a company who performs those services.

Say "Hey, I have a few leads who want to hire you. Here's their details. Give me 10% of the sale."

Then you're in. Shouldn't take more than a week or two to test the concept.

That's exactly what you're trying to do. Performing the smallest experiment to see if it'll work or not.

Do that and report back here; At least you will have taken action and stopped spinning your tires.
 

mavdm22

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I think you should bet a little bit of money and test it for yourself.

Right now you're overthinking EVERYTHING.

Build a page, buy out ad space / google traffic and get some leads to fill in their info.

(If you're generating landscaping leads for example, have fields for type of job / budget / etc.)

Then, contact a company who performs those services.

Say "Hey, I have a few leads who want to hire you. Here's their details. Give me 10% of the sale."

Then you're in. Shouldn't take more than a week or two to test the concept.

That's exactly what you're trying to do. Performing the smallest experiment to see if it'll work or not.

Do that and report back here; At least you will have taken action and stopped spinning your tires.
Hi Mike,

Great comment. Thanks I appreciate it.

Unfortunately at this moment in time i cannot do that.

However I do have a few other ideas.

I also cannot read the link you sent. I think I need to be an INSIDERS.

But dont get me wrong. I'm taking it all in. I'm still reaching out to potentials cold outreach. In vain? Maybe. Prospecting is like looking for gold. So sifting still.
I'm still in talks with a few people as we speak.
I'm looking to help others on platforms
And I'm trying to read Andy's info.

Once things pickup will I do what you mentioned. Absolutely!
Based on what you said maybe there is also an entry through another door. Same principles but different strategy.

Mike, thank you
 

Andy Black

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No bits from personal network.
To be honest Andy, i am not in my targeted country. Basically long story short and i think i may have mentioned this. I'm Portuguese but after my parents split up i moved to England (North West) with my dad when i was 7. Came back to Portugal to do my military service which was compulsory and no longer. Met my now ex wife (together 16 yrs) and have two children. I don't want to leave my children. I have a 15 yr son and a 4 yr old daughter. I'm basically stuck here if i want to see my children. Which i obviously do. I'm sure you understand as you too mentioned that you too are a father. (This is my explaining the lack of contacts)

You may say, Why don't you do this in Portugal. Because even though i am Portuguese. My mother tongue is English. I prefer English and to be honest i don't think i can do the ads or landing page in Portuguese. I lived in Lisbon after military service and worked In an... hold... wait for it... English company! :)

I'm in a rural part of central Portugal. In regards to meeting people. I know that there a few older couples here from England, came to live their retirement, possibly Ireland. Not sure exactly, i know they are from the UK. I thought about asking them if they have any connections in England or UK. Which after your post above. That's what i am going to do.

Side note, i am also part of an English group on facebook (my county) where they ask questions about living in Portugal. People who already live here. I am going to see if i can speak to them also.

No not jumped on any zoom calls or attended any business meetings.

"i do them little ads on google " hahaha

So again, thank you. I appreciate the time you have taken to post.
Cool. If there's not much happening locally then hop into Facebook groups and forums where you're a peer and start making friends/connections. Exactly like you're doing in this forum.

What I mean by peers is, don't join groups of tradesmen when you're not a tradesman. Maybe join groups of budding SEOs, web developers, or people who use xyz tool you also use.

Focus on being a helpful, supportive, and engaged member. Tell people what you're trying to do and get and give advice. (So exactly as you're doing in the forum.)

Answer questions on any topic.

Also answer questions related to the type of work you want to do. If someone has a question about Google Ads then research it and reply.

People will notice that you are or want to be a Google Ads guy.

End up in PMs helping people, naturally.

End up on Zoom calls helping people, naturally.

You're NOT trying to turn them into clients.

You're just trying to help people with Google Ads, and ideally be *seen* helping people with Google Ads.

People will start referring you to other people, and referring people to you.

I'll emphasise again that your mindset is to be helpful, not to look for clients.

You can of course pop into groups of business owners and offer to setup Google Ads campaigns for them. And that can work. But what if you were invited into a group by the owner and they introduced you as a Google Ads guy who will do a free workshop or answer questions? I've been invited into loads of groups because I'm seen as helpful, supportive, engaged, and a subject matter expert who can bring value to a group.

Obviously there's other ways to get started, and maybe faster. The beauty of helping people first in groups where you're a peer is you don't have to try selling to anyone. Referrals will come to you and you can figure out sales as you go along, all while making friends, building relationships, and creating win-wins.

I believe that chat with Sonny is about this.

PS: You're already doing it in this forum.

Also check out "Who have you helped?" in my signature.
 

mavdm22

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No problem, wishing you the best on your adventure.

Let us know how it goes, and never give up!
Hi Mike,

Yes will do. Got a meeting booked with a web dev. On the client side nothing as yet. Working on it

Thanks again
 

mavdm22

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Cool. If there's not much happening locally then hop into Facebook groups and forums where you're a peer and start making friends/connections. Exactly like you're doing in this forum.

What I mean by peers is, don't join groups of tradesmen when you're not a tradesman. Maybe join groups of budding SEOs, web developers, or people who use xyz tool you also use.

Focus on being a helpful, supportive, and engaged member. Tell people what you're trying to do and get and give advice. (So exactly as you're doing in the forum.)

Answer questions on any topic.

Also answer questions related to the type of work you want to do. If someone has a question about Google Ads then research it and reply.

People will notice that you are or want to be a Google Ads guy.

End up in PMs helping people, naturally.

End up on Zoom calls helping people, naturally.

You're NOT trying to turn them into clients.

You're just trying to help people with Google Ads, and ideally be *seen* helping people with Google Ads.

People will start referring you to other people, and referring people to you.

I'll emphasise again that your mindset is to be helpful, not to look for clients.

You can of course pop into groups of business owners and offer to setup Google Ads campaigns for them. And that can work. But what if you were invited into a group by the owner and they introduced you as a Google Ads guy who will do a free workshop or answer questions? I've been invited into loads of groups because I'm seen as helpful, supportive, engaged, and a subject matter expert who can bring value to a group.

Obviously there's other ways to get started, and maybe faster. The beauty of helping people first in groups where you're a peer is you don't have to try selling to anyone. Referrals will come to you and you can figure out sales as you go along, all while making friends, building relationships, and creating win-wins.

I believe that chat with Sonny is about this.

PS: You're already doing it in this forum.

Also check out "Who have you helped?" in my signature.
Hi Andy

Hope your well today.

Thank you for your reply. I read what you said and taken it onboard. I will be reading yours and everyone elses comments and going over the threads you mentioned over the weekend.

Had a meeting with one. When Google ads came up I was honest and let's just say that it didn't go too well. Basically with no proof he said that he wasn't in a position to lose money and didn't want to be a test dummy. It's really no surprise to me. In hindsight i should have seen it coming. Even though i am confident and proved to myself in the past i can understand completely his position. It's one thing me stating and another thing me showing. Show dont tell. He is willing to pay me for any leads I generate.

Also got to the point of arranging a time to speak to the web dev but I cancelled it based on the previous conversation. I didn't see the point in going ahead as the root problem of no proof still exists.

I've reached the conclusion that 80% of my knowledge is theory and technically worthless to clients and understandably so. I am aware that most will say that I am stating the obvious a few may even say that I should have known better to which they're right.

So, I've decided that I am not approaching anyone until I can prove what I am talking about with hard figures and evidence which means I'm back to the drawing board.

In regards to Google ads. Once things pickup I'm going to do as Mike suggested and spend the money and with those results I will then search for clients. There is no other way and that's the way it should be.

So I really appreciate your help Andy and all the members who replied to my thread.

Thanks guys
 
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Andy Black

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There is no other way and that's the way it should be.
Good luck. Hope it works out.

Just be careful of limiting beliefs. There are other ways.
 

mavdm22

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Good luck. Just be careful of limiting bekiefs. There are other ways.
Remember the first call I mentioned. We got talking because his calls stopped when he started doing ads by himself . The reason I spent time working with him 1 and 1. Landing page (literally drew up a landing page for him) , keywords and ad group and ads, tracking. You know.
Funny point he didn't want me to do it for him but used everything I gave him.

Just received a message from him stating that he got two calls today. So at least he is happy which was the original intention anyway.

Andy I know your busy but would you mind explaining the other ways? I cant afford the ads at the moment so I am here wondering how to pivot to generate money to run the ads?

Also I would like to mention. Regarding limiting beliefs. Yes absolutely agree with you, however I really cannot see any business owner thinking yes this is the guy I want to run my ads for me. I can't. I've nothing that proves I know what I'm talking about. It may sound negative (and I am not trying to be) I'm not throwing some sort of pity party I'm genuinely trying to be as realistic as possible. I thought to myself hey people who cant prove what they are talking about are technically liars.

I want to be in a position where I am at the stage where I'm approaching a potential client and basically say. This is what I can, here is the proof that I have done it before and these are my results. Would you like to have a chat about whether or not this is something that would benefit you. This is not the position I'm in at the moment.

Whether you go into more detail or not I'm grateful already for all the information and time you've taken to reply to me.

Thanks Andy
 

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people who cant prove what they are talking about are technically liars.
Hmm. Can't prove what? I'm figuring out TikTok at the moment. I've only uploaded 4 videos. If I told you I'd warched some workshop recordings that told me videos should be 12-15s unless it's a tutorial then would I be a liar because I can't prove it?

Seems like you lack confidence. What can give you the confidence? If it's working for free helping someone for a while then do that. If it's taking courses and getting certified then do that. If it's running ads with your own money and landing pages then do that.

Personally, I'm confident in my ability to figure stuff out, and not lie if I don't know.

I really cannot see any business owner thinking yes this is the guy I want to run my ads for me.
I can't either, but that's not a skillset or experience thing. People want to hire problem solvers. Do you believe you can solve a problem you encounter? Will you roll up your sleeves, get stuck in, and figure it out?

Just received a message from him stating that he got two calls today. So at least he is happy which was the original intention anyway.
Sounds like you helped someone?
 
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mavdm22

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Hmm. Can't prove what? I'm figuring out TikTok at the moment. I've only uploaded 4 videos. If I told you I'd warched some workshop recordings that told me videos should be 12-15s unless it's a tutorial then would I be a liar because I can't prove it?

Seems like you lack confidence. What can give you the confidence? If it's working for free helping someone for a while then do that. If it's taking courses and getting certified then do that. If it's running ads with your own money and landing pages then do that.

Personally, I'm confident in my ability to figure stuff out, and not lie if I don't know.


I can't either, but that's not a skillset or experience thing. People want to hire problem solvers. Do you believe you can solve a problem you encounter? Will you roll up your sleeves, get stuck in, and figure it out?


Sounds like you helped someone?
Hi Andy

Thanks for your reply.

Liars

I said I thought to myself. I should have continued with I'm technically a liar instead of people. Also you have those 4 videos. Stats will show. Using your example I currently have no videos Andy. Do you see what I mean?

Confidence

No not at all. I'm confident in my ability to run ads for myself and others. I've done it for myself, I know the results I can generate. I've completed many course and will continue to take courses that I feel will benefit me but that's just out of curiosity to see if I learn anything new. This isn't my problem.

You cant either

Ok here you left me wondering what you meant and also thinking in regards to skillset or experience and what people want. At the end of the day I know people want results, positive return on their investment.

Will I roll up my sleeves and get stuck in and figure it out. Of course. I have no problems with this at all. I prefer when it goes as planned but if something happens, troubleshoot and resolve.

Helped someone

Indeed, he keeps sending updates. I did ask him to. Was curious to what would happen. So far 4 calls 2 booked and 1 potential. I would prefer to look at the account but that's just me. Am I pleased, absolutely, am I surprised, not really as this was the intention.

I'm at a crossroads. I understand what you said, I agree with what you said. I just cant shake this feeling that if it happens again on another call in regards to someone asking for proof that I cant produce it.

I also saw somewhere and it stuck with me that if you can explain how you are going to help them, what exactly you are going to do and what the outcome is then the request for proof may never even come up.
 

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Hi Andy

Thanks for your reply.

Liars

I said I thought to myself. I should have continued with I'm technically a liar instead of people. Also you have those 4 videos. Stats will show. Using your example I currently have no videos Andy. Do you see what I mean?

Confidence

No not at all. I'm confident in my ability to run ads for myself and others. I've done it for myself, I know the results I can generate. I've completed many course and will continue to take courses that I feel will benefit me but that's just out of curiosity to see if I learn anything new. This isn't my problem.

You cant either

Ok here you left me wondering what you meant and also thinking in regards to skillset or experience and what people want. At the end of the day I know people want results, positive return on their investment.

Will I roll up my sleeves and get stuck in and figure it out. Of course. I have no problems with this at all. I prefer when it goes as planned but if something happens, troubleshoot and resolve.

Helped someone

Indeed, he keeps sending updates. I did ask him to. Was curious to what would happen. So far 4 calls 2 booked and 1 potential. I would prefer to look at the account but that's just me. Am I pleased, absolutely, am I surprised, not really as this was the intention.

I'm at a crossroads. I understand what you said, I agree with what you said. I just cant shake this feeling that if it happens again on another call in regards to someone asking for proof that I cant produce it.

I also saw somewhere and it stuck with me that if you can explain how you are going to help them, what exactly you are going to do and what the outcome is then the request for proof may never even come up.
I've never been asked for proof in the 13 years I've been doing this.
 

mavdm22

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The benefit of offering Google Ads as a service is that clients already pay for Google Ads on a regular basis. It makes sense (if not preferable) for them to pay a monthly fee to a freelancer or agency to manage their marketing.

Another advantage of Google Ads is that when dialled in, they can be quite consistent (notice the two highlighted words... you can't always dial it in, and you can't always make it constant).

So, as a freelancer, you can build up campaigns that pay you $500 per month and continue for years with no effort on your side other than updating advertisements when Google provides new capabilities and/or creating/pause campaigns at the request of clients.
Hi Riley,

Yep completely agree with you. Started to get responses to my outreach and had my first sales call this week.

Possibly went a bit too far with the management fee and it was considerably lower than the one you mentioned above.

He said he would come back to me but I think we all know what that means.

Live and learn as they say.

At the end of the day going from not getting any replies to first sales call, I would say that I am more or less on the right track!

Thanks for the comment. I appreciate it.
 

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For starters, ask that guy you helped for a testimonial!

He can, of course, refuse, but it's the least he can do after you gave him your time for free and "literally drew up a landing page" for him. Odds are he'll have no problem doing that if he really ran with all your advice. Stack a few more of these testimonials up to use in your proposals, show as "proof," and paste on your website and suddenly you've got at least a little bit of cred to lean on.

Not enough to put you in the big leagues but enough to help you get some other "starter clients."

That's good you're starting to get some sales calls even if you're getting turned down. You'll get better as you do more of them, gain confidence and feel more comfortable. So keep "practicing" those calls and get better at them. Sooner or later something will give.

I would advise against pitching prices too low, though...

1) Low rates can inadvertently make you look bad (cheap) and make your lack of experience stand out if you're charging less than all the other guys. I'm not saying charge top dollar, but charging a somewhat professional rate will make you look more like a professional.

2) Getting real rates when you DO land some clients will make up for all the ones who said no and make all the failures worthwhile. The great thing about prospecting when you offer ongoing services (at reasonably substantial rates) is that it only takes closing 2 or 3 deals and suddenly you're talking about a full-time income that can replace a day-job, give you some ground to stand on, and remove the desperation that inevitably shines through when you're prospecting from a broke state of mind. On the other hand, if you land a couple clients at bottom dollar rates, you're still stuck in a position where you feel like you haven't quite made it and are throwing anything at the wall to hope another five or so say "yes" just to bring in a little more cash.
 
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mavdm22

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For starters, ask that guy you helped for a testimonial!

He can, of course, refuse, but it's the least he can do after you gave him your time for free and "literally drew up a landing page" for him. Odds are he'll have no problem doing that if he really ran with all your advice. Stack a few more of these testimonials up to use in your proposals, show as "proof," and paste on your website and suddenly you've got at least a little bit of cred to lean on.

Not enough to put you in the big leagues but enough to help you get some other "starter clients."

That's good you're starting to get some sales calls even if you're getting turned down. You'll get better as you do more of them, gain confidence and feel more comfortable. So keep "practicing" those calls and get better at them. Sooner or later something will give.

I would advise against pitching prices too low, though...

1) Low rates can inadvertently make you look bad (cheap) and make your lack of experience stand out if you're charging less than all the other guys. I'm not saying charge top dollar, but charging a somewhat professional rate will make you look more like a professional.

2) Getting real rates when you DO land some clients will make up for all the ones who said no and make all the failures worthwhile. The great thing about prospecting when you offer ongoing services (at reasonably substantial rates) is that it only takes closing 2 or 3 deals and suddenly you're talking about a full-time income that can replace a day-job, give you some ground to stand on, and remove the desperation that inevitably shines through when you're prospecting from a broke state of mind. On the other hand, if you land a couple clients at bottom dollar rates, you're still stuck in a position where you feel like you haven't quite made it and are throwing anything at the wall to hope another five or so say "yes" just to bring in a little more cash.
Hi Dru-man

Hope you are well.

That's really good advice.

Testimonial

Hadn't thought of that. Reason being that it was him who carried out the changes even though under direction. I will have a chat with him, I'm also curious to see how things are going.

Sales call and prices

Even though i agree, my reasoning behind this was because we had a talk about his income and where he wanted to take the business. Due to the market he is in i decided to go lower. Apparently not low enough. This is all speculation as i really don't know what the problem is / was. The important thing was that i have managed to starting getting replies and booked the call. This is was the main objective. As i work on my outreach i will be working on my sales and pricing.

Everything you said makes perfect sense. Its finding the balance at the moment.

Thanks and any other suggestions are welcome
 
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dru-man

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Hadn't thought of that. Reason being that it was him who carried out the changes even though under direction. I will have a chat with him, I'm also curious to see how things are going.
Even if he did the hands-on work himself, it was essentially a free consulting call (which is certainly part of the work you'll be doing in this space). Once you are established, you can even charge for advice like that.

You gave him information, outlined what he needed to do, and he got results when he ran with it. You're not asking him to be dishonest -- just politely ask if he would mind writing a quick testimonial about the time and help you gave him and the results he got after your call.

How enthusiastic he wants to get with that feedback is up to him, but it never hurts to ask.
 

WillHurtDontCare

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I don't know if someone else already said this, but you could probably get some clients by just offering to improve their page load speed.

Having a good product and good copy won't matter if your customer leaves your site before the content loads.

You could use Google's page speed index API to get the page speeds for hundreds / thousands of websites, then reach out to them saying that you can increase their conversions by improving their slow page speed.


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Andy Black

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Even if he did the hands-on work himself, it was essentially a free consulting call (which is certainly part of the work you'll be doing in this space). Once you are established, you can even charge for advice like that.

You gave him information, outlined what he needed to do, and he got results when he ran with it. You're not asking him to be dishonest -- just politely ask if he would mind writing a quick testimonial about the time and help you gave him and the results he got after your call.

How enthusiastic he wants to get with that feedback is up to him, but it never hurts to ask.
I don't ask for testimonials enough. When I do though I ask for a LinkedIn testimonial. It feels less awkward for them, and it's also more obvious to them how a little note on their part will help me.
 
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dru-man

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I don't ask for testimonials enough. When I do though I ask for a LinkedIn testimonial. It feels less awkward for them, and it's also more obvious to them how a little note on their part will help me.

Fair points.

I'm a copywriter, so most of my clients know the value of a good testimonial as a sales tool and are happy to provide. If they're impressed with the work, they're always more than happy to oblige.

That said, I've gone the LI route too. What I do when it's on a platform like that is also take a screenshot of it (to add to it's credibility as a testimonial on my sales page and other marketing assets).

Definitely a good approach, especially if your clients aren't exactly in direct-response or have other reasons to not understand the necessity for a feedback history as a freelancer.
 

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Any updates?
 

Andy Black

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Hi Andy. Hope you are doing well.

No. Nothing. Going to give it till the end of march and if still nothing, I will need to look into something else.
What are you stuck at?
 

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