Anyone want to join me in an MSN mutual ass kicking mission? Help me work!

[Thandeka]

Nargh I have a million and three things to do- both workwise (am freelancer) and houseworkwise.

I have always found having an MSN asskicker really helps. Ie. both of you say right- I am going to do XYZ by ABC and then you both check back at the appointed time. It really works except my usual MSN asskicker is never online anymore. So of course I get distracted into the lure of mumsnet (ahem but my excuse right now is I am posting for asskicking help!).

So anyone want some mutual asskicking today?

What are you trying to sell nome? Speaking, speech writing or copywriting?

If you want to do more speaking have you thought of offering to speak for free at social meets for people that may need your services in their day job? In UK it would be rotary club, round table, business link, chamber of commerce etc great networking opportunities...or speaking at an expo or even running your own event at a hotel for a breakfast meeting to do a presentation if you could get 20 or so hot leads to attend? I'm not sure who your target market are so it's tricky to know what to suggest...

Thanks, Beachy. I do do all that networking/free stuff. I teach corporate communications. I meant more how do you follow up the email when you are pitching direct to a client. Do you send a follow-up email or phone if you don't hear back?

Oh I see, well I would email then phone the following day and in the call, if they don't buy make sure you get them to agree for you to send them your weekly emailer with a "comms tip of the week" or whatever you want to call it, this way you have licence to send them a weekly email and keep front of mind. You could also ask them to give you names of any other contacts in the org who might be relevant contacts for you.

In addition to the weekly emailer, i would probably repeat the "sales email/follow up call" routine every 4-8 weeks depending on how interested they sounded.

hope that helps

Beachy That is a great idea!!! I will definitely do that. Thank you!

you can put a "sign up for my weekly emailer" button on your website too and create a list of contacts to send to. make your send-day the same each week so it is always 7 days between mailers.
good luck!

Thanks nomedoit - it's complicated. You see I have a dream job that I quit work to pursue. It brings in £0 and is likely to for the forseeable future if ever. I need to bring in some money in the meantime and am not sure whether to temp through agencies or market my skills directly to clients. I come from a very niche sector and would not expect to gain any work from a website but through networking. But website would be useful for my dream job once I get a bit more established. Hmm. Something to think about...

Sorry to be obscure.

Good morning all - Monday again! I'm on a course until 3pm today then some housework and stuff - need to start packing as we're moving house in a fortnight!

I also have another emailer to write by noon tomorrow so I will prob draft that up this evening. Hope you all have a good start to the week.

Hi Everyone.

Tond I think a website is probably most useful for showing a portfolio of work rather than getting clients direct. It's so hard to get anywhere near the top of a search engine for a professional service. You have to be very targeted for that and unfortunately I am not a 'self-store unit in North Luton.'

I think people expect a website for credibility. It is the same with a FB page (though i know loads of people who haven't got any actual work through those).

Could you start with an agency and see what contacts you make through that?

How's It Going?

Feel a bit stuck. Waiting for the changes for my website to be made - then I can send some emails pitching for business.

Just doing a few proofing things today - the kids break up for half term today so won't be fitting much work in next week I doubt...if anything comes up I will have to burn the midnight oil!! Have a good week

Happy Monday.

I have done 4 hours of my 'dream' (unpaid) work - and very productive it was too . Now for bits and bobs and fishing.

Ugh. Feeling very stuck. Made some cold calls, waiting for the feedback.

Hi people - moved house last week so not been on for a while, how is it going? I'm going to a "speed networking" event on weds night (like speed dating for small local businesses). I'm hoping to nab a couple of new clients as i've pretty much finished the current project for my main client. I need to print out some cards with my details and what I can do so am hoping to work them up tonight. Also need to do an invoice for October for one client - i'm a bit behind due to the move!

Hope everyone is working hard!!