The Entrepreneur Forum | Financial Freedom | Starting a Business | Motivation | Money | Success

Welcome to the only entrepreneur forum dedicated to building life-changing wealth.

Build a Fastlane business. Earn real financial freedom. Join free.

Join over 80,000 entrepreneurs who have rejected the paradigm of mediocrity and said "NO!" to underpaid jobs, ascetic frugality, and suffocating savings rituals— learn how to build a Fastlane business that pays both freedom and lifestyle affluence.

Free registration at the forum removes this block.

Instagram Management: Cold Call my way to 100 clients

Social media marketing, advertising, and growth

Ziad

Bronze Contributor
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
245%
Dec 31, 2016
157
384
33
Canada
Hey everyone.

Most of you know me from my Instagram threads on this forum. I've finally set up a team of my own to be able to handle more clients.

I am going to be cold calling 30 businesses every single working day and ask them if they need an Instagram manager.

I will be charging $850, whereas I normally charge around $1,500 but since I am aiming for 100 clients $850 is the price I went for.

Me as an Instagram manager would include scheduling and managing your Instagram account, including an exclusive network of influencers to interact and engage with your posts in order to push your content viral on Instagram, weekly consultations to ensure your page is growing and so is your business with it, maintaining the quality of posts to ensure your page can attract maximum leads for your business etc.

30 calls a day. This thread will track my progress and I won't be counting the current clients. So I start this with 0 clients and I won't stop till I reach 100.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

BlueMoon

Bronze Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
287%
Jun 3, 2018
38
109
Earth
This sounds awesome. I'll be following your journey.

Just curious, how will you handle the fact that some businesses will be requiring product specific images (e.g. a furniture shop that sells special furniture of some sorts for example).
 

Ziad

Bronze Contributor
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
245%
Dec 31, 2016
157
384
33
Canada
This sounds awesome. I'll be following your journey.

Just curious, how will you handle the fact that some businesses will be requiring product specific images (e.g. a furniture shop that sells special furniture of some sorts for example).

The client will handle any product specific images. If they require specific content, they would have to provide it to me.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

ds_groundupbiz

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
124%
Oct 9, 2018
34
42
Houston, TX
You got this Ziad! I will also be following along on your journey and I wish you great success. Thank you for sharing this thread.
 

Ziad

Bronze Contributor
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
245%
Dec 31, 2016
157
384
33
Canada
I will be posting my daily results every day in detail but for last week here's a quick report:

Day 1:
30 Calls
2 leads

Day 2:
30 Calls
1 lead

Day 3
30 Calls
2 leads

Day 4
30 Calls
2 leads

Day 5
30 Calls
0 leads

Overall I was a typical beginner. Stuttered a bit here and there on the phone but managed to pull several leads in who asked me to email them details.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

DrunkFish

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
151%
Mar 25, 2015
182
275
29
Missouri
I will be posting my daily results every day in detail but for last week here's a quick report:

Day 1:
30 Calls
2 leads

Day 2:
30 Calls
1 lead

Day 3
30 Calls
2 leads

Day 4
30 Calls
2 leads

Day 5
30 Calls
0 leads

Overall I was a typical beginner. Stuttered a bit here and there on the phone but managed to pull several leads in who asked me to email them details.
So did you
 

Ziad

Bronze Contributor
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
245%
Dec 31, 2016
157
384
33
Canada
How are you selecting the businesses to call? Are you checking to see if they have an existing Instagram that's underperforming? Or are you going by industry or location?

Good luck on the cold calls - it can be tough but if you master this skill you'll be bulletproof.

Checking their Insta and if it's underperforming I will be calling them.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Lex DeVille

Sweeping Shadows From Dreams
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
597%
Jan 14, 2013
5,351
31,935
Utah
I will be charging $850, whereas I normally charge around $1,500 but since I am aiming for 100 clients $850 is the price I went for.

How do you normally get clients? If you normally charge $1,500 why not do more of that? I don't see any reason the price should decrease just because you're meeting people on calls. If anything it should increase because of the extra work and time you're putting in. I assume you're calling established businesses, so once you get your sales process down there's no reason they won't pay your normal rate or more.

I don't have much advice regarding cold calls. Maybe send an email first and follow up with a call later when you say you will. Then it's not a total cold call. You've at least primed them for the call. Maybe they won't read it, but those who do will have a heads up. Then you could just call to schedule an appointment to discuss your services later. But I don't do cold calls, so take it for what it is.
 

JG17

Bronze Contributor
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
223%
Oct 22, 2018
81
181
London, UK
Sounds like a great idea and I look forward to following your progress. Not only will you get your 100 clients at the end of it but you'll go from a sales novice to a cold-calling expert. Probably time to start thinking about your lead conversion.
 

Fox

Legendary Contributor
Staff member
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
Forum Sponsor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
690%
Aug 19, 2015
3,881
26,766
Europe
$850 a month or that is a one-off fee?

Could you use Instagram to warm up some leads and then call in.
Any way to use your IG knowledge to make that work?
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Private Witt

Gold Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
220%
Feb 20, 2018
984
2,168
Oklahoma
Just curious, how will you handle the fact that some businesses will be requiring product specific images (e.g. a furniture shop that sells special furniture of some sorts for example).

This is my hitch. I need local cannabis info and events, so I guess I can supply all the photos, but couldnt I just optimize myself a bit? I dont know though, I do really suck with my Instagram page but have put zero effort in strat as all my attention is elsewhere and could use some sort of help.
 

DrunkFish

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
151%
Mar 25, 2015
182
275
29
Missouri
This is my hitch. I need local cannabis info and events, so I guess I can supply all the photos, but couldnt I just optimize myself a bit? I dont know though, I do really suck with my Instagram page but have put zero effort in strat as all my attention is elsewhere and could use some sort of help.
I would set up a dropbox for them to submit their own pictures, or hire a photographer in the area to take pictures.
With the first option, I noticed some people are literally so out of touch with tech they cannot follow a video tutorial on uploading a picture to dropbox. So be weary when going with that option. They were unfuriated (despite me saying ahead of time that i was going to set them up a dropbox to upload pictures to, they didn't even hesitate, but when it came time to put it into play they were totally up in arms about it because "not every is as tech savvy as me")

Also note it was literally a slow, step by step, recorded iPhone video tutorial with written instructions. My grandma could easily do it. So yeah.
 

Ziad

Bronze Contributor
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
245%
Dec 31, 2016
157
384
33
Canada
Day 7

Calls: 30
Leads: 6

One of my best days. However, all of them still said "Our manager can help you out but he/she is busy. Let me give you her email" I'm not sure if email works just as well. I am sending out emails to all the leads I've received so far. Let's see
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Ziad

Bronze Contributor
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
245%
Dec 31, 2016
157
384
33
Canada
$850 a month or that is a one-off fee?

Could you use Instagram to warm up some leads and then call in.
Any way to use your IG knowledge to make that work?

Most of these people are already making money (surgeons, lawyers etc.) that they would be tough to convince through Instagram. Despite their Instagram being bad (I only go for poor Insta activity pages), they aren't concerned until I speak to them on call and convince them that they could generate even MORE money from social media.

Edit: it's $850 a month
 
Last edited:

Ziad

Bronze Contributor
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
245%
Dec 31, 2016
157
384
33
Canada
How do you normally get clients? If you normally charge $1,500 why not do more of that? I don't see any reason the price should decrease just because you're meeting people on calls. If anything it should increase because of the extra work and time you're putting in. I assume you're calling established businesses, so once you get your sales process down there's no reason they won't pay your normal rate or more.

I don't have much advice regarding cold calls. Maybe send an email first and follow up with a call later when you say you will. Then it's not a total cold call. You've at least primed them for the call. Maybe they won't read it, but those who do will have a heads up. Then you could just call to schedule an appointment to discuss your services later. But I don't do cold calls, so take it for what it is.

I've partnered up with an advertising agency and we agreed on the $850 price. Besides, I will be making almost the same amount of money as I was with $1,500 as our costs of management have reduced as well.
 

Private Witt

Gold Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
220%
Feb 20, 2018
984
2,168
Oklahoma
I would set up a dropbox for them to submit their own pictures, or hire a photographer in the area to take pictures.
With the first option, I noticed some people are literally so out of touch with tech they cannot follow a video tutorial on uploading a picture to dropbox. So be weary when going with that option. They were unfuriated (despite me saying ahead of time that i was going to set them up a dropbox to upload pictures to, they didn't even hesitate, but when it came time to put it into play they were totally up in arms about it because "not every is as tech savvy as me")

Also note it was literally a slow, step by step, recorded iPhone video tutorial with written instructions. My grandma could easily do it. So yeah.

Man, Im a total tech idiot and Dropbox is not that hard to figure out.

I think since Im in a niche where I have a pretty deep in real-world connection I need to keep my Instagram consultant in the local area. Im thinking of asking this 420 model who is crushing it to be my Instagram manager. Not only does she have knowledge of the local industry, but can create amazing content and connect with all her influencer friends.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Ziad

Bronze Contributor
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
245%
Dec 31, 2016
157
384
33
Canada
Day 8

Calls: 30
Leads: 4

Day 9

Calls: 30
Leads: 3

Day 10

Calls: 30
Leads: 4

I'm getting a hang of this now. A lot more confidence in my voice and no slurring or umms or hmms. Most of these people are giving me emails though. "Here's our manager's email. Send him/her an email and he/she will get back to you."
 

Ziad

Bronze Contributor
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
245%
Dec 31, 2016
157
384
33
Canada
Week 2:

Day 11

Calls: 30
Leads: 6

Way more confidence speaking now.

By the way, a few people have told me to simply buy lists from sites such as InfoUSA it's worth it 100x. Has anyone done this?
 

Ziad

Bronze Contributor
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
245%
Dec 31, 2016
157
384
33
Canada
Day 12

Calls : 30
Leads 9

Day 13

Calls : 30
Leads: 3

Day 14

Calls 30
Leads: 6

Day 15

Calls: 28
Leads: 8

I have also started to send cold email with audit reports of their Instagram page attached. It's working well so far but yet to close someone
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

RazorCut

Legendary Contributor
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
358%
May 3, 2014
2,032
7,269
Marbella, Spain
Well done, your interest rate is moving up nicely. It's a shame you haven't been able to close any yet.

Have you followed up any of the emails you sent out to the managers with a phone call? I'd be inclined to do that, and, if they say they are busy, tell them no problem, you're both busy people so let's book a specific time and date for a call. Then you can send them a call schedule confirmation via Google Calendar or whatever.

The follow-ups are where a CRM really comes into its own.
 

Fassina

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
114%
Nov 13, 2018
81
92
27
Brazil
Is your pitch making it sound like they will get much more value than it will cost them ?

That classical, if this gets you only X client per month, it already pays for itself. And if you take the lifetime value of a client it's basically infinite returns.

If that's not in your pitch try squeezing it there, specially in the email where you can add a graph and make it obvious. Also maybe add a line in the email asking them to forward your email before talking to the boss.

If you're dealing with people that aren't necessarily tech savvy or just plain average people, they don't want statistics or data. They want benefits, communicated in a simple and easy way, i.e simple language that a 6th grader can understand.

*edit don't forget to ask for the purchase, and make it easy to buy. Take away downside, money back guarantees, cancel at any time, 1 week free trial etc..
 

mws87

talk less, listen more.
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
198%
May 5, 2015
493
978
California
Week 2:

Day 11

Calls: 30
Leads: 6

Way more confidence speaking now.

By the way, a few people have told me to simply buy lists from sites such as InfoUSA it's worth it 100x. Has anyone done this?
Be careful with lists. I've heard a lot of conflicting things about it.

One thing I could recommend is checking out sites like buzzfile & manta to find businesses. Both sites give you an estimate of what the company's revenue is probably like. Doing this has saved me tons of time weeding out unqualified prospects.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Roli

Platinum Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
160%
Jun 3, 2015
2,061
3,301
"Our manager can help you out but he/she is busy. Let me give you her email"

Great, thanks! I'll mail her to let her know I'll be calling back.

... or words to that effect.

Send an email is an objection you have to overcome.
 

Post New Topic

Please SEARCH before posting.
Please select the BEST category.

Post new topic

Guest post submissions offered HERE.

Latest Posts

New Topics

Fastlane Insiders

View the forum AD FREE.
Private, unindexed content
Detailed process/execution threads
Ideas needing execution, more!

Join Fastlane Insiders.

Top