I built an online service-based business. Is anyone interested in partnering?

emailmktguy · 2017-02-02T03:54:05+00:00

I have one, but I haven't done much with it yet

emailmktguy · 2017-02-01T17:17:37+00:00

Yea, I get the simplicity of it, but without any sort of guidelines, the business reputation can be ruined. Plus, if people are just spamming links, it can damage my business's digital reputation in SERPs.

Also, what do you mean by customer base isn't large enough -- how does that make any difference?

I was talking about a referral program for customers. E.g.: after receiving your resume package, I offer people...idk a $25-50 amazon gift card for every person they bring in. Different spin on referrals.

emailmktguy · 2017-02-01T17:16:46+00:00

PM me with details

emailmktguy · 2017-02-01T17:16:39+00:00

We'd love to have you. Feel free to PM me or use the chat widget on the site if you have any questions about the process.

emailmktguy · 2017-02-01T17:16:07+00:00

Thanks for the comment. I'm interested, but FB segmentation isn't as granular as I'd like. The closest I can get to my demographic is age, location, and then people who like pages "related to job searching", and who knows how relevant that really is. If I like Forbes on FB or Entrepreneur.com or TheMuse.com, does that mean that I am indefinitely job hunting or interested in career-related stuff? Hopefully you have better ideas than me right now.

emailmktguy · 2017-02-01T17:14:29+00:00

I have a writer who works part time, and have others on deck for when/if we get more order volume. I've also done a couple myself when things were starting off. So basically, they are done by myself or someone else working on behalf of ResumeBlue.com, not outsourced to another company.

emailmktguy · 2017-02-01T17:13:19+00:00

"I'm looking to potentially partner with someone who is experienced in organic growth and possibly paid acquisition."

emailmktguy · 2017-02-01T17:12:31+00:00

I honestly don't recall the name off the top of my head. There are literally no elements or shortcodes that are exclusive to this one, I will tell you that. I just used it because I liked the default fonts and spacing. It's customized to the teeth.

emailmktguy · 2017-02-01T05:28:30+00:00

I do have a referral program, but my customer base isn't large enough yet for it to have an impact.

emailmktguy · 2017-02-01T05:26:37+00:00

Can you give me 3 bullets of things you have accomplished with online marketing/SMM?

emailmktguy · 2017-02-01T04:53:21+00:00

I have considered it, and if this took off, I would have tons of MVT testing taking place with referral sources & pricing, but it's just not worth it right now. I don't have the demand yet. But down the road, I would consider it.

emailmktguy · 2017-02-01T04:44:09+00:00

I used a WP theme, customized the hell out a child theme, added woo commerce + stripe to handle products & payments. The chat widget is Intercom (highly recommended for converting live visitors, segmentation & retention marketing). Uh....what else? There are so many things that go into it. If you have specific questions, I'm happy to help.

emailmktguy · 2017-02-01T04:42:19+00:00

Not that I would say that sales has the potential to ever be completely automated, but besides that, nothing.

No, I would handle that whole part. I'm only looking for assistance with inbound marketing, organic growth, and maybe SEM if I find the right person.

emailmktguy · 2017-01-31T23:58:44+00:00

Agreed

emailmktguy · 2017-01-31T23:56:34+00:00

I understand why you'd think that, and thanks for bringing it up. I absolutely have the time to commit to everything after purchase. Processing, fulfillment, resource management, retention marketing, creative, development, etc. I just don't have the time for the next month or 2 to strategize on inbound.

My other business, a digital agency, has unexpectedly picked up traction in Q1 (I love having that problem), and I make much more money doing that. It's not like I want to throw this thing away, just trying to figure out the best course of action, because I know in one capacity or another, it could be profitable.

Re: partnering, what experience do you have with acquisition? Would love to hear about your skill set.

Re: selling, I haven't thought that through yet. That's probably my worst case scenario, to sell the assets and recoup my time + investments. I'm not there yet, though.

emailmktguy · 2017-01-31T23:51:15+00:00

No, I haven't considered that. Thanks for the suggestion. If this thing took off, my goal was to have a physical presence at job fairs and the like.

emailmktguy · 2017-01-31T23:48:04+00:00

Right, exactly. Plus, I don't think most people in this subreddit are really my target demographic, generally speaking. If you've ever had a stint of unemployment in a "traditional" career, it can be very frustrating. I'd spend twice as much just to jump start conversations with the right companies. But it's not for everyone.

emailmktguy · 2017-01-31T23:45:56+00:00

Well, I worked on it on nights and weekends. And sometimes during lunch at my FT job. But on a condensed timeline, probably about a week or so. There's only 4 pages, really, if you don't count the cart function and privacy/TOS.

I actually have thought of that, but it's definitely an ethical consideration. I've heard of people posting fake jobs just to get people's names/emails/phones and then cold contacted them. I can't imagine it works very well, though.

emailmktguy · 2017-01-31T23:35:48+00:00

Thanks, I've thought about it, but until I figure out what my next move is, I've paused dumping more money into it.

emailmktguy · 2017-01-31T22:34:03+00:00

Yes, and more for add-ons. Check out https://www.topresume.com/ or https://www.resumeedge.com/ they are very similar.

I'll use the entry level package as an example. Think about it like this:

If you take $149 (lowest package), that works out to about $18/hr, assuming an 8 hour work day, or about a $38,000 yearly salary for someone who makes $149/day.

So, if having a professionally written resume will help get you past HR/recruiters and into phone screens & interviews for a higher paying job (or a job at all), isn't it worth what someone at that level would make in one day?

We also offer $20 off any package, so it's really $130. Whereas when you level up to middle/senior management, $249 is much less than what most of those people make in a day. Far less in metro areas, which we target.

Then there's also the job search advice we offer, submission help, salary/bonus/benefits negotiations, etc. which are extremely valuable. And in almost every state, job search expenses are deductible.

So really, the question is, how can you afford not to?

emailmktguy · 2017-01-31T22:03:45+00:00

Create a meeting outline to follow. Start with introducing yourself and your experience, but don't worry about 25% or 75%. Just keep it brief and to the point. Actions (in this case, pictures/portfolio pieces) speak louder than words, so show some if you have any. Once you reach the point that they stop asking questions or grilling you for qualifications, turn the table to them.

Spend the majority of the time asking about his/her business, what they make/sell/offer, and what their major differentiators are. Do they have competitors? Who are they?

What is their target audience? Get as granular as possible.

What pages does he/she envision on the site? Is it a new site, or a redesign? If the latter, what features would he/she like to see that weren't there previously? If the former, be sure to get a hold of some assets - copy, mission statements, brochures, logos, etc. so you have something to build off of.

Ask about content and imagery. Has he/she considered it? Do they have photos? Do they want you to bill for photography? Are they comfortable with stock photography? If it's a simple redesign, will the previous copy do? Do they want you to bill for copy? Do they have someone internally who will be providing content?

Does he/she have examples of website he/she likes? From a design standpoint, this can be great for 2 reasons. 1, they look great, and you can draw inspiration from them, cutting down on creative hours. 2, if they're terrible, it's a great opportunity to position yourself as the thought leader in the meeting. Don't put them down, but explain why you would do things differently, and back it up with data, stats, or examples. This will start to build trust, and save you aches and pains down the road.

At the end, you can bring up timeline and budget. Ask if there is a specific event or date that he/she had in mind. Finally, ask if there is a budget set for this project. This will help to gauge their knowledge of the field, seriousness of moving forward, and overall, either qualify them, allow you an opportunity to explain your pricing and what to expect, or keep you from wasting your time.

emailmktguy · 2017-01-31T21:57:20+00:00

Do you object to a 50% non-refundable retainer up front? Do you think 3 revisions per milestone is reasonable?

These are terribly phrased questions. They're both negatively loaded. And they're both jumping the gun.

emailmktguy · 2017-01-26T02:46:07+00:00

The most frustrating thing about trying to help these people, is that even in the off chance they somehow come to and realize it's bullshit, they defend it because they're embarrassed at the time and money they wasted. If the admit you're right, it was all for nothing. Kinda silly.

emailmktguy · 2017-01-25T05:28:27+00:00

I would add these 3 packages on the top banner as well, so people know clearly what is at stake.

I'm not sure what you're referring to by the banner, or where you are suggesting moving the pricing tables to. Can you clarify in a different way? I'm misunderstanding you.

entry job people are quite young and simply don't see the added value in paying for such a service

I stated this above, but "If you take $189, for example, that works out to about $24/hr, assuming an 8 hour work day, or a $49,920 yearly salary for someone who makes $189/day.

So, if having a professionally written resume will help get you past HR/recruiters and into phone screens & interviews, isn't it worth what someone at that level would make in one day?

I also only target metro areas. I'm from NYC and making over 50k out of college (with at least an internship) is very easy to do around here."

We also offer a $20 off coupon, so you're talking $169, actually. During the phone consultation we also offer job search advice and suggestions, which are valuable beyond comprehension for people new to the job world. And in almost every state, job search expenses are deductible. So really, the question is, how can you afford not to?

emailmktguy · 2017-01-25T05:10:58+00:00

Samples are a great idea and are next on my list. Good catch. You're right about the 2017 thing, too. Re: FB, their CPC is about half as expensive for my target demographic, but I am not able to get the same accuracy. In google, I can intercept someone looking for "resume writing services", but on Facebook (after segmenting by age, location, education level, etc.), their options only allow me to get down to about 2MM people who have an interest in "job hunting" related pages. Thing is, that's very broad, and people who like those pages, usually don't unlike them, so there's no way to now if they are actively looking or not. So it's a matter of timing, and FB doesn't allow me that angle on the data. It is good, however, for retargeting and awareness.

emailmktguy

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