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NEW FACEBOOK & YOUTUBE SPECIAL OFFER — GET YOUR WEBSITE PROMOTED!

I wanted to pass along an offer I am presenting to my customers. Some of you might also be interested in this offer for your customers. If so, please let me know and we can discuss details for your client.

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Business Credit Card Resources

Here is an interesting list of business credit card resources. I have found that some business credit cards give a decent amount of discounts on items from ink for my printer to hotel and car rental. I use American Express for my business credit card, but I tend to find out that not all places take this card, especially small shops and restaurants. I would also look at rewards these cards offer, some will offer mileage rewards for flights and some will offer cash back.

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5 Appointment Setting Tips for Designers

The thought of getting on the phone to land an appointment with a corporate decision maker can make you sick to your stomach. The beauty of design work is that you can tuck yourself away for hours in your corner of the world, behind your computer and with limited interaction with people. But think of all the work you’re missing out on if you don’t pick up the phone and get proactive about appointment setting. Your competitors are doing it, and it’s what you need to get higher paying gigs. Here are some tips to help you overcome your fears and land more appointments:

Tip #1 – Do It Every Day

Try to make at least two calls every day. The routine will help you hone your skills and chip away at any fears you have about talking on the phone. The truth is, you’ll need to do a lot more calling to increase your chances of getting past the gatekeepers, following up after you leave voicemails and getting through to someone who has the authority to hire you. When you incorporate it into your daily schedule, you’ll get more comfortable and make more calls.

Tip #2 – Use a Calling Script

Write a short script that you’ll use for every call. This includes a script for leaving voicemail. The script should include:

• A one-line hook:  “I can increase your web traffic by 500 unique visitors immediately.’
• One question to get them thinking: “Are you losing customers just because the website is hard to navigate?”
• Ask for an appointment: “I’d like to schedule an appointment with you to show you exactly how I can help you.”

You can share the script with employees or anyone you hire to set appointments for you.

Tip #3 – Research Leads Beforehand

The last thing you want to do is try to research contact information and prospective corporate managers to call while you sit down to make your calls. It’s too distracting and you waste more time that way. Set aside time beforehand to input all of your contact information in an Excel spread sheet or customer relationship management software.

Tip #4 – Keep Detailed Notes

Take brief notes when you hang up the phone on your conversations. Include the date, whether you left a voicemail or spoke with someone, who you spoke with and the outcome. You’d be amazed at how valuable those notes will become when you go to do a follow up call. Your memory will fail you in the middle of a conversation or when you go to call a lead again. Rely on your notes instead.

Tip #5 – Follow Up

Few people get sold the first time on anything, and you’ll find the same thing to be true when it comes to appointment setting. You should follow up with everyone at least four times until you get an appointment. This includes calling them, leaving messages and sending emails. Calling and sending follow-up emails counts as one time. There’s no getting around it, making phone calls and speaking to people is crucial to setting appointments.

The purpose of the call is to get a decision maker in the corporation to say yes to an appointment. It’s not to sell them on your services. At the same time, you may get one shot on the phone to do so. For instance, if you get a vice president on the phone who insists that you make a pitch, go for it.

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Charitable Works as Promotion

Cash flow is necessary to building a successful business. You should always offer your products and services in exchange for pay, but there are exceptions to that rule which will benefit you in the long run. One exception is doing work for a visible and well recognized channel with donors who are likely to patronize you to show appreciation. That’s as long as the organization attracts the clientele who can afford to pay for your products or services. Getting money for your business doesn’t have to be your motivation for doing all charity work. But if you can combine your love for an organization and maximize the opportunity to attract clients, it’s a win-win for all. Not to mention, it’s common practice.

How It Works

Charities often need volunteers for events, direct mail campaigns, fundraising and to recruit other volunteers. They partner with businesses to provide goods and services for free or at discount prices. Some businesses sponsor organizations as part of their marketing and promotions strategies. The cost to buy an ad in a booklet or to include your logo on a charity’s promotion items might be cost prohibitive, but doing work “for free” may not be. In exchange for designing a website, creating flyers or doing other design tasks, charities are often willing to recognize you publicly for your contribution. This may include a link to your business on their website, free advertising or publicly thanking you for your work during events and media interviews.

What Services to Offer

If the purpose of doing charitable work is to raise your business profile, then offer services that demonstrate your skills and expertise. This is crucial if the charity is the first company you’ve done work for. Remember, you’ll be displaying your work in your portfolio to share with other clients. It’s your calling card. If you do work that’s unrelated, it won’t make sense to future clients. Typical design services that charities need are:

• Web Design
• Brochures
• Publication Layout
• Logo Design
• Copywriting (link this word to www.elitesmokesignals.com)

Knowing that many charities will need these services will help you as you approach them to offer assistance. They may not know what they need if it’s a new or startup non-profit. If you play the role of a consultant and offer to do it for them, they may accept your offer.

Payment Down the Road

The free advertising, media exposure and getting your name in front of donors should pay dividends. Some charities may grow to the point where they can afford to contract for your goods and services. They will look to you first, if you’ve done a good job. That’s why it’s important to do a good job no matter what. Work as hard as you would for any paying client. Your reputation is on the line.

Research online and local charities to see who to work for. You can assist some remotely, but some charities prefer someone who is local and can walk into their office or attend the event.

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