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Wiezel

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Not sure if this is the right part of the forum for this post, please move when needed.

During my time here on the Fastlane forum I've developed my mindset a lot and stopped focussing on money. It's about providing value and find solutions for needs.

Last week and a half I've been sending emails, messages on Facebook, LinkedIn and looked in groups on Facebook but the response rate is very very low. I've tried multiple messages and adjusted it after some advice from people on this forum.

I'm not mentioning anything that could give them the idea that I want to sell them anything. I'm not pushing anyone, I'm not spamming them but still I'm not getting feedback.

It's kinda demotivating after a week and a half and I'm still at the same point as then. What else can I do or improve on to get more people to talk to me, tell me about their pain points or needs? How to get that interaction so I can get started and not waiting and hoping for people to reply on me?
 
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MTEE1985

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"Spend your money on diesel and coffee"

99% of salespeople or entrepreneurs are trying to connect through those same channels. Business owners are inundated and have their defenses up.

What they don’t have happening is somebody calling and saying “Hi, my name is Wiezel, I’m an aspiring business owner and was wondering if I could buy you coffee/breakfast/lunch and ask you about your business?

Twofold benefit: people love to talk about themselves and who doesn’t like free food?
 

Wiezel

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"Spend your money on diesel and coffee"

99% of salespeople or entrepreneurs are trying to connect through those same channels. Business owners are inundated and have their defenses up.

What they don’t have happening is somebody calling and saying “Hi, my name is Wiezel, I’m an aspiring business owner and was wondering if I could buy you coffee/breakfast/lunch and ask you about your business?

Twofold benefit: people love to talk about themselves and who doesn’t like free food?

Which makes it hard for me since I want to focus on the US market and I’m from Europe.

Reason why; outsourcing later on, English is a way more spoken language than Dutch and don’t want to trap myself in my own country.
 

MTEE1985

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Which makes it hard for me since I want to focus on the US market and I’m from Europe.

Reason why; outsourcing later on, English is a way more spoken language than Dutch and don’t want to trap myself in my own country.

Can you clairfy what you’re hoping to get out of them?

What else can I do or improve on to get more people to talk to me, tell me about their pain points or needs?

When I read the above, it implies you are looking for a niche/product/service you can offer. In which case you could probably do research locally and it would apply to businesses worldwide. You could also then open your emails with “Is xxxx a problem for you as it is for many other business owners?” As you’ll have the pain point they may be looking for a solution for.

When I read that you want to focus on the US market, it implies you have your product or service and are trying to sell it.
 
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Andy Black

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Not sure if this is the right part of the forum for this post, please move when needed.

During my time here on the Fastlane forum I've developed my mindset a lot and stopped focussing on money. It's about providing value and find solutions for needs.

Last week and a half I've been sending emails, messages on Facebook, LinkedIn and looked in groups on Facebook but the response rate is very very low. I've tried multiple messages and adjusted it after some advice from people on this forum.

I'm not mentioning anything that could give them the idea that I want to sell them anything. I'm not pushing anyone, I'm not spamming them but still I'm not getting feedback.

It's kinda demotivating after a week and a half and I'm still at the same point as then. What else can I do or improve on to get more people to talk to me, tell me about their pain points or needs? How to get that interaction so I can get started and not waiting and hoping for people to reply on me?
Pick a Facebook group you’re in, follow these rules, and let us know what happens:

You cannot:
  1. Start a messenger conversation with anyone.
  2. Reply with “PM me” in any threads.
  3. Send a friend request to anyone.
  4. Create any new threads.

You can:
  1. “Like” or “Love” other people’s threads and comments - if you liked or loved them.
  2. Reply to other people’s helpful posts with a thank you note explaining *why* it’s helped you and what you’ll do differently going forward.
  3. Reply to other people’s questions if you can add value.
  4. Get into a conversation if they message you first.

Be natural and have fun when you do it. Don’t have a goal to make connections. Have a goal to join in with the community and lift other people up.
 

Wiezel

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Can you clairfy what you’re hoping to get out of them?

When I read the above, it implies you are looking for a niche/product/service you can offer. In which case you could probably do research locally and it would apply to businesses worldwide. You could also then open your emails with “Is xxxx a problem for you as it is for many other business owners?” As you’ll have the pain point they may be looking for a solution for.

When I read that you want to focus on the US market, it implies you have your product or service and are trying to sell it.

1. That they will speak freely with me at what their pain points or challenges are.
2. I'm searching in a certain niche, yes correct. I do not have a product or service, I was thinking about digital marketing in all forms (strategies, advertising, getting leads, branding etc.) but I didn't mention it to any of the business owners.
 

Wiezel

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Pick a Facebook group you’re in, follow these rules, and let us know what happens:

You cannot:
  1. Start a messenger conversation with anyone.
  2. Reply with “PM me” in any threads.
  3. Send a friend request to anyone.
  4. Create any new threads.

You can:
  1. “Like” or “Love” other people’s threads and comments - if you liked or loved them.
  2. Reply to other people’s helpful posts with a thank you note explaining *why* it’s helped you and what you’ll do differently going forward.
  3. Reply to other people’s questions if you can add value.
  4. Get into a conversation if they message you first.

Be natural and have fun when you do it. Don’t have a goal to make connections. Have a goal to join in with the community and lift other people up.

I'll give that a shot. Not sure how that would work out.. interacting with random people who might not even own a business? Isn't that a waste of time.
 
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MTEE1985

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I'll give that a shot. Not sure how that would work out.. interacting with random people who might not even own a business? Isn't that a waste of time.

Aside from the obvious negative mindset, when you get advice from somebody who is successfully doing what you’re trying to do....don’t question it. Just do it.

You’d be suprised what can happen behind the scenes and what relationships and opportunities can follow. Happens all the time on this forum even if it isn’t posted publicly.
 

Andy Black

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I'll give that a shot. Not sure how that would work out.. interacting with random people who might not even own a business? Isn't that a waste of time.
Pick a group where you can become part of the community and where you can get known as “The XYZ Guy” because you help people with XYZ.

Maybe you’re a web designer who loves restoring motorbikes. Find a motorbike restoration group and get stuck in. If someone asks for website help then help them. But don’t say “PM me” or send them a private message. Do it so others can see you doing it. Don’t just help people, be seen to help people.

By following those rules you’re forced to add value - because the only way you’ll get connected or into conversation is because they reach out to you.


Business is simple: Add value, get paid.

Do the first thing first. The second part will follow.

Also... check out the Inbound Braindump in my signature if you haven’t, and the thread I created called “How to use forums (and Facebook groups)”.


You’re leads won’t come from the people you help, or even the people who see you helping others. It will come from those people seeing you as “The XYZ Guy” and referring you on when they see someone who has a problem with XYZ.
 

Wiezel

Bronze Contributor
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Oct 15, 2018
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Pick a group where you can become part of the community and where you can get known as “The XYZ Guy” because you help people with XYZ.

Maybe you’re a web designer who loves restoring motorbikes. Find a motorbike restoration group and get stuck in. If someone asks for website help then help them. But don’t say “PM me” or send them a private message. Do it so others can see you doing it. Don’t just help people, be seen to help people.

By following those rules you’re forced to add value - because the only way you’ll get connected or into conversation is because they reach out to you.


Business is simple: Add value, get paid.

Do the first thing first. The second part will follow.

Also... check out the Inbound Braindump in my signature if you haven’t, and the thread I created called “How to use forums (and Facebook groups)”.


You’re leads won’t come from the people you help, or even the people who see you helping others. It will come from those people seeing you as “The XYZ Guy” and referring you on when they see someone who has a problem with XYZ.

Thanks Andy, very insightful.
The odd thing is... I’m nothing. I don’t own any skills or a specific skillset that can fix other people’s problems. Which makes it hard to pick a niche or focus on a certain target group who I can help.
 
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Andy Black

Help people. Get paid. Help more people.
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Thanks Andy, very insightful.
The odd thing is... I’m nothing. I don’t own any skills or a specific skillset that can fix other people’s problems. Which makes it hard to pick a niche or focus on a certain target group who I can help.
Even if you think your skills aren't that valuable (yet), you have something that all business owners value:

TIME


What about this scenario?

[Andy] Thanks for reaching out Wiezel. I'm glad you found that comment helpful. I used that graphic design package back in college so knew about that setting. You mention you had an eCommerce site selling those motorbike parts? How's that going?

[Wiezel] <Response>

[Andy] Oh wow. That sounds like a lot of work!

[Wiezel] <Response>

[Andy] Haha. I've no idea what that is, but I could roll up my sleeves and help with that if you want?


Here's a phrase you could think about: "The person who'll run with the ball is the person who catches it."

I'm not the only business owner who prefers someone who's eager over someone who's got the skills but isn't interested.

Mindset trumps skillset.
 

Wiezel

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@Andy Black Thank you again!

I'm wondering though... I get your message.
Let's say someone comes up with a question and I know a little bit about it (let's say SEO).

Of course I want to help him/her but I'm not good enough or I do not know enough to REALLY help them.
The best for them is to outsource it so they get results, but this will cost them money.

How do I deal with that? Because I don't know that much about certain things nor do I own a skill?

Is time enough? Just offer them your time while you don't know anything further?
And do you have suggestions on what kind of groups to join?
 
Last edited:

astr0

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Just focus on solving their problem.

In your example, yes, outsource. But finding a good outsourcing partner, communicating with him and supervising him requires TIME too.

You can help with that.
 
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