Question

Topic: Strategy

Marketing And Sales Ideas For Back Office Services

Posted by Anonymous on 10/12/2008 at 10:02 PM ET 125 Points
Gurus,

I have decided to make a foray into providing data entry, web research and administrative support services. I would appreciate if anybody could help with ideas on MARKETING and SALES. I tried hanging out and submitting bids at elance, odesk etc. but some of the folks there do not award the project to anybody after the bidding is closed, seems like a waste of time. How does one try to get the foot inside the door?

Thanks for your time.

AA
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Inbox_Interactive on 10/12/2008 at 10:28 PM Accepted
    Who are the people who need you? What industries, positions, etc.?

    What benefit do you provide to them? What's in it for them if they hire you?

    Make a prospect list. Get on the phone.

    This is no time to wait for business to come to you. You have to go out and make it happen.

  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 10/13/2008 at 8:32 AM Accepted
    You start by building connections to your community (both local and online). What organizations are you an active part of? Start asking for referrals and business (where appropriate). Start small - build your team and work out any problems early, before you attempt to ramp up.
  • Posted by CarolBlaha on 10/13/2008 at 11:24 AM Accepted
    You are being too passive and waiting for opportunity to come to you-- you should be going after the opportunities- and creating them yourself. Start networking, make some sales calls. Even the local newspaper and business journal will have some leads for you. Start getting into a marketing frame of mind.
  • Posted on 10/14/2008 at 10:00 AM Author
    Yes, I agree that I am being a bit passive. I am scourging for information about potential clients from yellow pages, internet directories etc. Any ideas where else I can look for potential clients.

    Thanks to all who have posted.
  • Posted by CarolBlaha on 10/14/2008 at 10:06 AM Member
    Again, the Business Journal or biz section of your daily newspaper. You can mine them for current info and leads. Then call the company with current and relevant info and strong opening statement and can start a cold call "warm".
  • Posted by Inbox_Interactive on 10/14/2008 at 10:08 AM Accepted
    This is one of the biggest problems that a one- or two-person business has...you're probably very good at what you do, but you're probably not very good at prospecting, marketing, and -- most importantly -- selling. You're great at *doing* the work, but *getting* it is another issue.

    You are far from alone!

    Again, I'll ask...who are the people who need you? What industries, positions, etc.?

    What benefit do you provide to them? What's in it for them if they hire you?

    Is there any chance that you can specialize in something, whether it's a service, or an industry, or something along those lines? I think a little specialization can go a long way here.
  • Posted by CarolBlaha on 10/14/2008 at 10:15 AM Member
    Inbox is right-- the tighter your niche the more lazar sharp you can be in your marketing. And you can have more than one niche. Retail is one of mine, and when I call I tell them I'm the retail specialist. Medical is also a niche, and for them, I am that specialist.

    Didi you do a biz plan prior to your plan to go into business? You would have found some of these answers will just bubble up and become very clear.
  • Posted on 10/15/2008 at 9:56 PM Author
    Hello CarolBlaha and Inbox_Interactive,

    Thanks for your suggestions, I did create a business plan and to be very frank I think the marketing and sales section was one of my weaker points. I feel I don't have a particular niche but I will also start working on creating one.

    Biz section is a good idea, thanks Carol.

    Regards
  • Posted on 10/23/2008 at 11:36 PM Author
    Thanks to everyone who posted.
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