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How To Sell High-Priced Services To Complete Strangers

Published by Ben Settle on January 10, 2008 04:05 am under Freelance Copywriting, Copywriting And Marketing

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If you sell a service (especially a “pricey” service), and want to generate all the leads you can stand, then I have a little gift for you.

Here’s what it’s about:

Every now and then I’ll get an email or phone call that goes something like this…

“Ben, I just started a new (some kind of service) business, but can’t write my way out of a paper bag, and have no idea how to create a decent promotion. Can you help me create an ad?”

Unfortunately, I almost always have to turn these requests down.

Which sucks — because I hate leaving people “stranded.”

So I decided to create a simple template anyone can use with minimal hassle or brain-racking.

I won’t say it’s the “sexiest” ad template in the world.

But you should be able to adapt it for almost any service you can imagine.

Anyway, without further ado…



Free (Your Service) Lesson

If you’d like to (Your Most Compelling Claim), then this letter will show you how.

My name is (Your Name).

I am a (Your Profession) who has helped dozens of (Your Target Market) here in town to (Most Compelling Benefit).

A few of my recent clients include Mayor Wilson, Sheriff Farley and (Some Other Local Celebrity).

In fact, Mayor Wilson was so thrilled with the job I did on his (Target Market Problem) he told the (Town Newspaper) about me and they even wrote a full page article about (Your Services) — which I have enclosed with this letter.

Anyway, the reason I am writing you is because I would like to give you a free — no strings attached — lesson on how you can (Big Benefit).

There is no charge for this lesson.

And there is nothing you have to buy.

I know that might sound strange. And I’ll tell you why I’m doing this in a second.

But first, here are some of the little-known secrets about (Solving The Target Market’s Problem) I’ll teach you during your 100% free lesson:

  • Blind Bullet #1
  • Blind Bullet #2
  • Blind Bullet #3
  • Blind Bullet #4
  • Blind Bullet #5
  • And much, much more.

    Anyway, why am I giving away all this extremely valuable information… and why am I giving it to you free?

    The answer is simple:

    I have a real passion for (Your Industry) and this is the best way I know how to sell myself.

    But don’t worry.

    There is no obligation and there will be no “sales pitch” from me.

    If after your free lesson you’d like my help (Solving Your Target Market’s Problem), then great.

    If not, no big deal.

    You will have gotten some valuable information from our talk, and lost nothing.

    And I will (hopefully) have a quality referral in you.

    But here’s the thing:

    To get your free lesson you MUST respond to this letter before (Fast Approaching Deadline).

    Otherwise, I reserve the right to give your free lesson to someone else.

    Why not pick up the phone and schedule your free lesson now?

    The number is (Your Number).

    (Your Name)

    P.S. Below are some comments I’ve gotten from other (The Market) in town:

    (Testimonials)

    Remember, this lesson is 100% free.

    But time is short and you must hurry.

    Simply call my office at (Your Number) and claim your free lesson today — before it slips your mind… and before it’s too late.


    And there you have it.

    It’s definitely a bit “rough around the edges.”

    But it’ll get the job done in a pinch.

    And not only can you adapt it however you like (i.e. switch “lesson” with “consultation” or “seminar”, change the “celebrity” testimonials to whoever you want, etc), but if you send it to a list of qualified prospects, you should be able to generate dozens of leads who you can then demonstrate your knowledge to during one-on-one phone calls.

    Do it right and you can position yourself as the only logical choice for your customers, and dominate your market fast.

    By the way:

    I HIGHLY recommend recording these consultations (make sure you get their permission).

    That way, you can use the recordings to automate your marketing by giving away a free CD or MP3 of your best consults to do all the “heavy lifting” for you.

    To learn more about using audio like this, check out the interview I did with Michael “The Audio Marketing King” Senoff below:


    Part #1 (41:10):

    • Download The MP3 Audio
    • Read The Transcript
    • Listen In Streaming Audio (Below)

      Get Flash to see this player.


    Part #2 (40:54):

    • Download The MP3 Audio
    • Read The Transcript
    • Listen In Streaming Audio (Below)

      Get Flash to see this player.

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    8 Comments so far

    1. David Dutton on January 10th, 2008

      Awesome post Ben!

      I hope people take this and use it. I would love to
      see what happens.

      I just emailed your post to my computer guy who needs
      more business. He will take action on it.

      Thanks

      Dave

    2. Ben Settle on January 10th, 2008

      Thanks Dave, and by the way — I just signed up for your newsletter. Definitely looking forward to reading it.

      Ben

    3. Connie Ragen Green on January 10th, 2008

      Ben,
      Excellent and helpful post. Your material is amazing. I would love to interview you sometime for my ebook writing students.

    4. Ryan Healy on January 10th, 2008

      Great template, Ben. I can’t believe you’re giving this away for free! But then again, you always go out of your way to deliver quality content. :-)

    5. Ben Settle on January 11th, 2008

      Connie: I’m really glad you enjoyed it, and would be happy to be interviewed for your eBook students.

      Ryan: Thanks, dude. As I suspect is also the case with you, I always receive back everything I give at LEAST ten fold one way or another. So giving away value is a no-brainer for me. By the way, your new blog rocks!

    6. Daniel Mcgonagle on January 15th, 2008

      Thanks for the heads up! Really great post. That’s a must-read I must
      say. :)

    7. Eric Standlee on March 16th, 2008

      Loved this simple idea to add to my marketing mix.

      Thanks.

    8. Ben Settle on March 16th, 2008

      You’re welcome, Eric, I’m glad you enjoyed it.

      Ben

    Posting your comment.



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