Who Says Local BIZ OWNERS Are Not Clued Up Online?

Ok, who says local business owners aren’t clued up to this internet marketing thingy?

I thought I would post about this short TRUE story that happened only this week. Ok, so I was sat in my office on Wednesday this week and I had just finished with a few SEO jobs so thought rather than sit and relax, I will prospect the afternoon out over the phone.

Well, I have mentioned before, if you are put off by cold calling, it’s natural, I sometimes don’t feel like doing it, but it needs to be done to gain new clients quickly.

So, back to the story, Wednesday afternoon, I was sat down searching for leads and I thought why not try a new niche, Driving Schools and Instructors. Now this is a very good niche as they do make quite a bit of money and their target market is 16-20 year olds predominantly. (INTERNET USERS TO SAY THE LEAST)

Its a huge niche, I already knew this from back in my old sales job days. They always have mobile/cell numbers on their sites so you get right to the owner. The only issue is they are usually teaching, so it can be very tough to nail one down. This is why I don’t focus on this area all too often.

Anyway, I stumbled across this driving schools site by accident, I was searching for someone else. The first thing I noticed was that it was a well set out and organized site. It was in Google Maps but as far as Organic Rankings was struggling a little. This is a dream prospect for me, I can help this company I thought!

Anyway, while navigating the pages of the site I noticed an IM button, one of those “CLICK HERE TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE LIVE NOW!” I thought “You gotta be kidding, I bet no ones there!” So I clicked it!

Low and behold, 2 mins later a name popped up and a “How can I help you?”

SO I said: “I am actually looking to get in contact with the web marketing person!”

He said “Thats Me”

Voila I thought, so I proceeded to talk to them about who I am and what I do. He was throwing objections at me through INSTANT MESSENGER. lol

Like:

“I already have my SEO in check, I do it myself Thanks”

I thought, no way, so I pointed out some obviosu flaws and how I could fix them. I also said, I will prove my worth. Within 1 hour I will send over a full proposal and plan of action telling you all about what I do and who I am in more detail!

So, I went away and typed something up and emailed it!

I came in Thursday (yesterday) morning and the reply in my inbox was one of:

“When can I call you, this is something I want to speak to you about in much more detail!”

BAM, Case closed! I have actually yet to speak to him as I should be today or early next week about the possibility of working together on his website.

So, there you have it, the first appointment made through an instant messenger. : ) I actually think the fact there was no pressure on this converssation because we were both hid behind our screens helped this business owner to actually open up and listen to me seriously! I gurantee I am the only person to have prospected him through his IM before! ; )

I think the small moral to this story is:

GUARANTEED!

Now Go Get Em Peeps!

GoGetta