Question

Topic: Strategy

How To Get Customers To Trust A New Company

Posted by phillipbuyondo on 2/19/2014 at 2:15 AM ET 50 Points
I launched an online marketing company for East Africa this year (believe it or not) businesses here are just getting warmed up to the whole online marketing thing. I am about to start meeting up with prospects and i'd like to know, how would you sell yourself without a fat "portfolio" to back you? I have only one client so far for web design but I'm pitching social media..how do i convince my prospects without having to give away my skills and work for free?
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Moriarty on 2/19/2014 at 3:29 AM Member
    Tell the truth - all of it. Don't worry about giving away your skills - I do it all the time, and people come back to me and say "how the hell did you do that so quickly? I took three weeks ... ".

    We all have our specialisms - and your best customers will be those who understand what you do perfectly, but would prefer to get on with their own job and leave you to yours. That way they know what you're doing and know you'll do it well and you have the advantage of knowing that they'll help you out if there's a problem.
  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 2/19/2014 at 8:31 AM Member
    If you're selling social media, then you need to be able to show you know what you're talking about. Develop a case study to prove your "angle".
  • Posted by Peter (henna gaijin) on 2/19/2014 at 12:35 PM Member
    Getting them to trust you takes some time, and takes you treating current customers well so they will be references/case studies/provide referrals.

    Until you are trusted (and sometimes even after), you may have to do some discounting or free work to get in the door.
  • Posted by mgoodman on 2/19/2014 at 12:54 PM Accepted
    The best way to get people to trust you is to consistently deliver what you promise. No short-cuts. No lapses.

    P.S. Free samples are a great way to get people to try your services and to demonstrate the value you can bring to their businesses..
  • Posted by phillipbuyondo on 2/20/2014 at 12:08 AM Author
    Wow, thanks guys, looks I'll have to do the "free sample" thing afterall
  • Posted by telemoxie on 2/20/2014 at 6:39 PM Member
    I highly recommend you watch this video:
    https://new.ted.com/talks/ernesto_sirolli_want_to_help_someone_shut_up_and_...
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