Small Business Directory

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I have a business that we market legal service membership which also includes a membership to a website that is full of resources for small business. Right now I'm using a free directory listing to get me into the door of the small business. I have tried cold calling over the phone with a short script and setting an appointment to go in for the free directory listing. This leads me into talking to them about our legal service membership while I'm there getting their information for the free directory listing. I have also tried walking in cold and asking for the owner or maybe I already have their name and I try to set an appointment to come back in for their directory listing or if they are free I can do it right then. Again this all leads me into talking to them about my service. What my hang up is, I'm not sure if cold calling over the phone is better than just walking in off the streets. How should I introduce myself and explain why I'm here so I don't sound like the typical run of the mill sales people?? If you have a business, why do you choose to talk to some sales people versus others? Do you prefer someone just walking in cold or would you like for them to call you and set an appointment? Please give me your feedback and any advice you have.

Best Answer

I would definetly encourage you not to come off the streets and try and sell your services. Immediately they will be closed minded and be waiting for a chance to speak so they can tell you they are not interested. As for cold calling, the best thing you can do is state who you are, who you work for, and is this a convenient time to speak at the very beginning. I think reading a script is a horrible way to go about selling your services over the phone because it is easy to tell that you are doing so. Make it more personal. Do a little research on the company before you call so you can tell them exactly how you can help them. A great sales technique is to ask questions, this will engage the customer more (people love to talk about themselves). Here is a great article about selling through asking questions, it is very helpful.

I am working for an internet company and am currently managing a product which is an online business directory. However it seems like it is already a dead product. How do i get it off the ground and actually get sales in through this product? We have two sales executives selling this product and although they get sales in, it is not increasing at all. We're based in a small country and although we have approximately 20 000 businesses in this country, we're still not getting sales as always. We currently are going through a political situation yet some industries are picking up again.

Best Answer

You have to do two things. 1. Update your listing 2. Reach the potential customers. You need to develop a mailing list of potential buyer's contact by researching through web and collect those data to contact them. Doing copy & paste manually may be very painful.. you may try web data extraction services like http://www.data2market.com

i need to ask questions of other small business owners? home-based businesses and small businesses?

Best Answer

Why not start one? Find the type of business on the link below that best describes what it is that YOU do (or want to do). Then see how to truly use the Net to make your specific business (or business idea) thrive. http://www.wotsnext.com

anybody know where i can purchase a small business directory website template that i can install myself on unix? i need a fully functional site where everything is set up - i'm not a programmer... :(

Best Answer

Well, there are several php/mysql based CMS (content management systems) that can be used to build a directory site. These are actually full programs. Since php by definition is an active code there has to be more than just a template (templates just affect the appearance of the site not how it works) Have a look at any of these they are all opensource items and made for linux. http://phpwebsite.appstate.edu http://phpnuke.org http://drupal.org http://www.mamboserver.com/ Many web hosts include these are part of an auto instal package (Mine does and yes I host sites).

I have an online local (small city) business directory and rather to ask business owners to add their list, I want to copy and add list from yellow pages to my business directory, is this legal or not? Shoul'd I advertising so that business owners add their list, will this be more legal? Any suggestions are welcome.

Best Answer

Yes you can do that as long as you don't sell the information to someone else.