Video Notes:

 Some tips on contacting clients during the portfolio stage:

1) Keep it personal.

Don't try to (or feel like you have to) communicate like an established web design business. Its fine at this stage, and an advantage, to present yourself as just an individual. People are in general more open to talking to a "person" rather than business, so you will find it's much easier to get people to respond that way for now. Use a personal approach, keep it casual but still professional, and don't oversell yourself (trying to look too big/important too early). 

2) Don't make it "sales-y." 

By that I mean don't overcompensate for being in the portfolio stage by trying to use lots of big sales and technical jargon. Speak like a person, communicate as you would with a friend, and use everyday language. A lot of people try too hard to sell at this stage and it comes off weird: "let's optimize your sales system to ensure maximum lifetime ROI". I recommend keeping your language simple and everyday. On this course, I use certain words to help teach you, but when talking to a potential client, I use the language they are the most familiar with. That means no tech talk. A good rule of thumb when talking to clients is to use words that anyone would understand. 

3) Stack Value.

This means making it super easy for them to see how this helps them. Show what the website will do, how you think it will help, and what value that should have for their business. Make it seem (and it should be) a killer deal for them that is easy to say yes to. 

4) Give a "because."

People are suspicious of free stuff. So explain why you are doing this. If you don't, they might think its a trap or a scam. Balance your value with a good reason why you would give all of this away. Explain that this is for your web design business and you'll be using these results in the future to sell to potential clients. 

5) Give a reason "Why them."

Same as the point above, you want them to feel like this is for real and that you will do what you say. Give some reason why you contacted them. Maybe you like the niche, maybe it's in your area, maybe it appeals to you for X reason. Give a good reason why you picked them, and they will be a lot more likely to listen to what you got to say. 

6) Keep it simple.

Don't confuse them with some crazy elaborate plan! Keep it nice, simple and easy to follow. Make it very easy for them to see what you want to do and how it will help them. Simplicity is the best approach at this stage. 

7) Be human.

Again, talk and communicate like a normal human. You aren't selling yet - you're just looking to help people by partnering on a project together. So don't get nervous or pretend to be something you are not. You got this!