Re: FN-FORUM: Portfolio

date posted 6th January 2006 18:28

With something like the Penrhyn Bay site I'd suggest you start by
phoning local businesses to offer them a free listing (as well as
doing obvious search engine promotion).

Nobody's going to pay to be listed on a site with 5 other people, so
it's a good way to build up the database and gain people's trust.

I used to do telesales (for my sins) so I'd structure the call a bit
like this:

- Introduce yourself
- Tell them you're phoning about an new, and very exciting, web
directory that covers their area.
- Ask them if now is a convenient time to take - if not ask them when
you can call back
- Explain to them a little bit about the site and what it will offer
- but be brief - a couple of paragraphs max
- Remind them how much it costs to advertise in yellow pages
- Tell them the advantage of a website is that it can reach 2 billion
people, not just a few thousand
- Tell them as an introductory offer you're offering a free listing
on the directory for 2 months - are they interested?
- If yes ask them for details, and ask them to put a link to the
directory on their site if possible
- Also ask them if it's OK to call them in a month to find out if
they're happy with the level of service.

Then, once you've put them on the site, send them a letter thanking
them for joining the directory and letting them know about your other
services (web design etc).

When you call them again in a month you can ask them about web
design, offer a further listing beyond the 1 month period etc.

The important thing is that when you phone up in a month you're not a
stranger cold-calling them to offer them web design - you're someone
they've already spoken to and done business with.

PS - If you're not a natural salesman either get someone else to do
it or get hold of a copy of Selling for Dummies - bit cheesy but good
tips



On 6 Jan 2006, at 18:27, richard wrote:

> Ive got a number of sites, that I want to promote one is
> www.penrhynbayonline.com, which is an online directory for where I
> live,
> there's isn't one online currently, so I thought I could sell it/
> promtoe it
> to business and people who may want to have a personal website to
> showcase
> their skills and talents etc etc.