<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 27641" data-quote="Chapas" data-source="post: 760327"
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In Denmark it is illegal to cold email as well. However, I think I found a way to do it without getting in trouble. I think I had around 50 % response rate in my niche. But it was an approach in order to get trial clients. I can make a longer write up later. Think you might be able to use some of it in Canada.
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I wouldn't mind hearing about your way. <img src="/community/imgs/emoticons/em-smile2.png" class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" data-shortname=":)" /><br />
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<blockquote data-attributes="member: 13831" data-quote="Lex DeVille" data-source="post: 760329"
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Have you considered just being honest with people about your level of skills and knowledge? Forget fake reviews and anything that will destroy you if clients find out later on. Don't do shady bull crap.<br />
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Based on the options you listed, going the free route would be the better choice. However, you don't have to go the free route. You could just let clients know you're just getting started and that's why you'll offer them a good deal.<br />
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Or you could tell them you're not an expert and that's exactly why they should work with you...because you're still open to new ideas and adaptable. As an novice you're not set in your ways or stuck in bad habits.<br />
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Forget positioning yourself until you have paying customers. If you try to fake it, you will come across as fake. Clients will see right through you. People are more alert to B.S. than at any previous point in time.
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<blockquote data-attributes="member: 23590" data-quote="Andy Black" data-source="post: 760341"
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a)
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<blockquote data-attributes="member: 27641" data-quote="Chapas" data-source="post: 760350"
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In Denmark it is illegal to cold email as well. However, I think I found a way to do it without getting in trouble. I think I had around 50 % response rate in my niche. But it was an approax<br />
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Totally agree with you Lex. The worst thing is to bullshit your clients. You want to create long-lasting relationships with them.<br />
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What I did to get started is I basically wrote an email to people in my niche that I have just finished my Masters Degree in International Marketing and have shifted my focus towards Digital Marketing and were willing to work for free for a couple of weeks in order to get some interesting Case Studies and then talk about future cooperation if we both liked working together.<br />
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I think I sent out maybe 20 emails and my response rate was around 50 %. I was suprised of how many were actually interested and I later learned that this was due to the fact that I was genuine and since in my email and did not talk myself up to be a hot-shot (probably also had something to do with the free work haha).<br />
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This is also how I landed my first paid client - after a trial. And she has just referred me to another interesting client, which I hope to land sometime next week.<br />
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Like Lex is writing - people smell B.S. from far away. Especially in these times where EVERYONE is a digital marketeer.<br />
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Working for free to begin with might be the slower option, but then again: while you work for free you actually learn a lot of stuff. Being sincere with your clients from the beginning is the key to have long-lasting relationships. Over promising and presenting your self as something you are not will get found out in the beginning. I rather start of slow and minimize my churn rate by having real long-lasting relationships with people than having stress with finding new clients constantly after 2-3 months when they realize the truth.<br />
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What goes around comes around. Work hard, deliver results, create a good service and it will all pay off in the end!
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a) is what I too believe to be more ethical. I agree that people are more alert to B.S. It was apparent when I was doing door to door for some awful businesses. I appreciate all of your wisdom.<br />
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<blockquote data-attributes="member: 59844" data-quote="Rabby" data-source="post: 760371"
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Just for perspective, here is an approximation of the thoughts that run through my head if three different freelancers approached me. I'm just using freelancers as an example, but the same applies to a storefront or any other business that makes some presentation of itself.<br />
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#1 - A seasoned pro who presents himself as a seasoned pro.<br />
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<li data-xf-list-type="ul">I wonder if the type of work I need done is suited to this guy.</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">I wonder if the type of work I need done can pay for itself at this guy's rates and level of quality.</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">Can I negotiate this person's services on a recurring basis? Is that better than doing several one-shot deals?<br />
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<li data-xf-list-type="ul">I wonder if this guy will be too busy to call me back.</li>
</ul>#2 - A newly minted professional who presents himself as "new and ready to do great work."<br />
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<li data-xf-list-type="ul">Thank God, how refreshing.</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">I'll think up a small project and test his skills.<br />
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<li data-xf-list-type="ul">Hey, maybe I can find recurring work for this guy, so I don't have to compete for his attention when he picks up more clients. Ah, focus, test project first.<br />
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<li data-xf-list-type="ul">I hope he's learned to show up on time and return calls and emails, but I guess I'll find out in the next few days.</li>
</ul>#3 - A newly minted person-who-wants-to-do-some-work who I don't consider a professional, because they claim experience or knowledge that I don't believe they have.<br />
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<li data-xf-list-type="ul">Uh oh, something's wrong here.</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">Why am I explaining {x} to someone who presents themselves as established and knowledgeable?</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">...Excuses for Quickly Exiting a Conversation, page 276, let's see... yes, this is a good one, now run away!</li>
</ul>The other day, I had lunch with two partners in an IT business. Their business is fairly new, but we hit it off right away. I bought their lunch, even. Why did it work out? We were all upfront and honest with each other. I had a few things I needed, they had a few things they needed, and we found some ways to make those things happen. One of the partners will speak at an event I'm organizing for a non-profit. We're developing a course together for a niche market, which we will both profit from. And it turns out they need software that we've already written inside my company, and was looking for a market for.<br />
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I think a lot of the "likeability" that people strive for in sales and business development comes from honesty. Being confident enough, and considerate enough, to just say things like they are, is really appreciated.<br />
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In some cases, revealing your own vulnerabilities (within reason, and not in a cringy way) strengthens the relationship with people. Look, this guy is human too! Sometimes, honestly revealing an advantage your competitor has, or expressing your respect for them (if it's genuine), can strengthen a business relationship. Not every customer fits with one particular business. We don't have to duel our competitors to the death, imagine that.<br />
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If you're marketing, you can be honest without portraying yourself as "green." You just don't say or write anything that's untrue. It's amazing how much of a relief this is when a customer interaction <i>doesn't </i>go well too. You know you never misled anyone... you have moral high ground.<br />
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This, above, is the approach I would recommend. Let's call it "c)." You can take work for lower rates if you think that helps you. I've done it just so I wouldn't stress about under-delivering when I was new at something. But approach it as a way to develop a relationship with someone. You're a human, and they're a human, and we're making promises to each other. You're going to keep your promises, and show people in your market -- probably just a few at first, but more and more as word gets out -- that you are a good friend and trusted ally to your customers.<br />
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Probably not the answer you expected, lol. Sorry for getting a little philosophical here. Anyway, do that, and testimonials/reviews will follow -- especially if you ask for them after delivering on your promises. But those testimonials won't really be the point. They're more like a side effect of what's going on between you and your customers. If they keep appearing, people who aren't yet customers will add them to their evidence for "this is a good business." But the reality has to be the same when they come in and start interacting with you. If it's not, they will feel betrayed. This is why I say the testimonials are a side effect... you only want them if they grow out of relationships of respect or gratitude. Those relationships are what will sustain your business. Focus on the interaction with your customer, and delivering on promises made. "c"
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I would associate c) with what I meant for a). It's ultimately the more honest/ethical approach. Option b) is anything that is done to marketeer and go after higher earnings.<br />
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<blockquote data-attributes="member: 63437" data-quote="James Klymus" data-source="post: 760387"
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I wouldn't do either of those.<br />
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Look a lot of people will tell you to work for free, and that's understandable for 1 or maybe 2 people, but at the end of the day you are in business to make a viable living and not running a charity.<br />
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Learn the basics of selling, cold call (if its legal, some people on the thread are saying its illegal in their country), Connect on linkedin, door knock, network, do what ever you need to do to get clients. And if you convey your value properly and show them exactly how this investment can bring them an ROI they will pay you if you can get them results.<br />
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Think of if you tried selling someone $100 bills for $20. Thats a no brainer offer, and they would be silly to not take it if they could afford it, and if they couldn't, then they would try to secure financing or do whatever it takes because the value and ROI is so apparent.<br />
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Also, <a href="https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/crushing-b2b-sales-with-linkedin.86125/" class="link link--internal">A good post on how to get clients on linkedin</a> (I'm using a similar method)
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I believe that I am able to cold call/email businesses in other countries where it isn't illegal to do so. But, I think messaging on LinkedIn or other social networking sites could be a 'workaround' without running into a fine. And I'll be sure to read that post. Thanks<br />
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Thanks for the replies so far everyone. This will now help me to now stay focused on my sales approach without excessive rumination. <img src="/community/imgs/emoticons/em-smile2.png" class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" data-shortname=":)" /></div>
