What I'm saying

Welcome to Week 27 of my adventure of following the Start Up Version of the Grow Your Business Marketing Plan + Calendar.  In my posts, I talk about my voyage down the road of self-employment as a virtual marketing assistant, my achievements and roadblocks along the way, and I include a weekly recap at the end.

Here are the basics of what I’m saying when I make “intro calls” -- maybe it will help you.  It’s gotten more conversational over the past few weeks, but the more comfortable I feel with it the better:

Hi (Insert name of Super-Interested yet currently unknowing Prospect here),

My name is Deidre Rienzo.  I write content for websites.  I’d like to introduce myself -- do you have a second? 

(super-interested prospect says yes, absolutely!)

I’m not sure if you ever need to refer your clients to a copywriter, but if you do, I can either work as a member of your team and you would mark up my prices, or I pay a referral fee to you for each page of copy that I write.  Is this something you might need? 

Usually they start talking, and I’ve been able to find out more about their needs and their company.

That’s it.  It’s really that simple.  There’s no need to stress yourself or come up with complicated explanations.

It might make you a little jittery in the beginning.  In my first few attempts, I was really, really nervous.  After that, it’s been so much better.  I can see already how this is going to make a big difference.   

If you’re hesitating, you can do it!  And if you’re calling, great job, you’ve got guts!  Please do post and let me know how it’s going for you.

PS.  A reader wanted to hear more about how I’m selecting targets to call.  Well, so far I’ve been finding them on Google and Yahoo searches for “NJ web designer” and other related search terms.  You can usually find the name of the “principal” or “owner” on the website.  When I can’t find a name, I sometimes just call anyway.  I’m sure there are more sophisticated ways to find prospects, but this way is working so far.

Week 27 Recap:  I’m quite busy this week with work, but I'm following up with all the people I've cold called so far. Tomorrow, I’m going to start creating a new website for copy writing.  I want to get that up and running before embarking on my other to-do, getting my newsletter started.

Comments

[Jackson]

Deidre,

Really enjoy your articles-especially these that deal with cold calling. I’ve also found that the more I work the phones, the better I do, and the more confidence it creates. I believe that it may be more about the level of confidence in ourselves; if we truly believe that what we offer has tremendous value, then that should come across in our communication with potential clients. Not always easy, but learned over time.

If I could also make one suggestion: you might want to reconsider the name of your business. Virtual Marketing Assistant may be too generic, and although it does say what you do, it may not be as effective and memorable as possible. It may not be doing justice to the excellent marketing and communication services that you provide to your clients.The name and identity of your business can reap great rewards towards your image and bottom line in the marketplace.

Keep up the great articles!

Best regards,

Jackson Foster
The ID Entity
design and identity strategists

[Deidre]

Thanks, Jackson! I absolutely agree with you that it's about confidence. And thanks for the comments of my business name... it was one of those things that I kept putting off (putting up a website)and I went with that name based on keywords. In the past few months my goals have definitely changed -- so now I'm working on a new website for website copy writing... which is going to need a name as well. Maybe I can brainstorm and put it up for a vote. Thanks!

[TurtleBlueBird]

I also love reading about your practical and very real efforts. Thank you so much for sharing how you word your calls, and also how you're getting more comfortable. Makes it seem less lonely making a similar effort, knowing that people like you are feeling the same way, making the calls anyway and getting more confident (as you get on your way to on getting more business too!) Good luck!

[Deidre]

TurtleBlueBird, Thanks! It makes me feel good to know that you're doing it too.