How to find customers

[8bit]

Hi everyone,
I was just wondering whether anyone here has ever approached a business to ask them if they would like a website designed or their current website redesigned? Instead of waiting for the customer to come to you, take yourself to the customer. There are soo many businesses around my area with absolutely terrible websites and logos and I would love an opportunity for me to redo them! How would I go about this?
Regards
ABurchell

[rpermana]

call them up ?

[myfayt]

Hi everyone,
I was just wondering whether anyone here has ever approached a business to ask them if they would like a website designed or their current website redesigned? Instead of waiting for the customer to come to you, take yourself to the customer. There are soo many businesses around my area with absolutely terrible websites and logos and I would love an opportunity for me to redo them! How would I go about this?
Regards
ABurchell

Can you believe I tried the same exact thing last year? What I did was made a quick demo site, just really the layout and went to talk to them. However most places have no soliciting. So you can't walk in and try to sell it to them.

I made this demo website for an art store.
Studio Art-Craft House

Looks great doesn't it? However I couldn't even get the guy to even look at it, it was an instant no. He said he likes his website, and let me show you what his looks like.
STUDIO ART CRAFT HOUSE

Is that not the most awful thing you have ever seen? I like to think mine is better. But anyways you can write up a flyer and mail it to local businesses, include a business card. Costs you what 39 cents to mail it, send out 10 and if you get a single job back, it was well worth it.

[inle]

Hi 8bit..

Let me share something with you..
I help businesses to reach, retain & regenerate customers..
I help them to get more customers, more revenues & more profits..
Yes, all are based on measurable, result-based strategies..

And I realised that some of them told me that they are not looking at these concerns..
Then I realised that most business owners are close-minded, fearful & will rather have their business die than admit that they need help or seek help..

I watched 2 businesses die this year & I am currently watching another one dying..

Now, how SERIOUS are you in making your business work for you?

[my_misyel]

Hi everyone,
I was just wondering whether anyone here has ever approached a business to ask them if they would like a website designed or their current website redesigned? Instead of waiting for the customer to come to you, take yourself to the customer. There are soo many businesses around my area with absolutely terrible websites and logos and I would love an opportunity for me to redo them! How would I go about this?
Regards
ABurchell

Brilliant Idea. Maybe you can offer a free review to some websites that needs improvement.

[Iamnotsatisfied]

If you have the time designing a quick layout for the site before approaching them might seal the deal. You have to decide whether it's worth it though.

A quick demo page might take around 4 hours or so.... but if you get the customer you might get £x.xxx in return... but you'll probably will have to design a couple of demo's before pulling a customer...whether it's worth it...is up to you.

[8bit]

Thanks everyone for the feedback!
I am quite serious about getting this to work, I love designing and feel I am good enough to sell my ideas, so Im just trying to think up unique ways of offering these services.
MyFayt - Woah.. his current website is a very sad attempt I have to say, Its a shame he wouldn't even give you the time of day to have a chat. I think sending out flyers is a good idea, I just don't want it to look like junk mail
Inle - I am serious about taking this path, faaar too many companies are failing at the moment!
my_misyel - Thanks a lot! Thats a great idea
Iamnotsatisfied - thats the problem I was trying to overcome, I was thinking of showing them a redesign of their logo, or just a quick layout mockup in photoshop of their potential homepage

[inle]

Hi 8bit..
Sínce you are serious about getting customers & serious about your business, are you looking at scratch-the-surface, fire fighting short term quick fixes..
Or..
Some deeper, long-term foundation that gives you a base to clear your business concerns..

To be honest with you, we can suggest hundreds of ideas, like internet marketing, flyers, ads..
At the same time, we do not have a basis of recommendation for these ideas..

Those are merely surface tools and the core issue of attracting customers is not looked into..
They might work for some business but will they work for yours & how do you justify that?

Let me know if you are serious enough to look at your core business concern first, and then branch out to the tools..
There are reasons why successful companies use a set of marketing tools to attract their set of customers..
We do not have the time and resources to waste to try & pray for the best..

[PhilHogan]

Thanks everyone for the feedback!
I am quite serious about getting this to work, I love designing and feel I am good enough to sell my ideas, so Im just trying to think up unique ways of offering these services.
MyFayt - Woah.. his current website is a very sad attempt I have to say, Its a shame he wouldn't even give you the time of day to have a chat. I think sending out flyers is a good idea, I just don't want it to look like junk mail
Inle - I am serious about taking this path, faaar too many companies are failing at the moment!
my_misyel - Thanks a lot! Thats a great idea
Iamnotsatisfied - thats the problem I was trying to overcome, I was thinking of showing them a redesign of their logo, or just a quick layout mockup in photoshop of their potential homepage

I may have some work for a talented designer. Can you send me your portfolio?

Phil

[byrneof]

The hardest part is getting the first customer. Once you get this, you should work to create word of mouth. You need to try different methods and test and measure. Target a key reference clients who have social influence at first. I wish you luck

[8bit]

I agree I think once the ball is rolling others will fall in place. I have a lot of interest in my work but a lot of people at the moment either dont want to or cannot afford to change anything on their sites right now. Each tattoo design I do takes around 2-3 hours and I charge a $30 per hour design fee for hand drawn high quality shaded sketches and $15 per hour simple linework. Although it brings in money, my interests lie more in web based ventures

[SophieM]

I think that businesses have to be approached for things like web design, they just don't seem to notice otherwise.

Make a few calls, but remember for every 100 calls you make, about 20 will respond positively to you and of that 20, 5 will actually convert into money. Being persistent and not giving up is key.

[inle]

8bit..

No one cares about how good you are until they know what you can do for their concerns..

So instead of telling yourself that you are good and produce good designs, how about asking what your designs can do for them in addressing their concerns?
Do you even know what are their concerns?

[digger06]

First - make sure they have a budget to hire you. With the way this economy is - extra expenses is out the door. Make a demo - nothing flashy, but enough to spark interest & then just walk in. If thrown out - move to the next one. It's a number game.