First Client Meeting Sales Call- Role Play w/ Melinda Livsey Ep7
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- Опубліковано 3 сер 2017
- How to talk to a potential client during the first sales call or new business inquiry. How can you improve your client on-boarding process? What do you do when a client calls and asks "How Much?". How should you respond to new business inquiries?
Another in-depth conversation with designer and business owner Melinda Livsey exploring how to build client trust and rapport.
Melinda Livsey
Marks and Maker
www.marksandmaker.com
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01:50 I'm getting more business inquiries, though I'm fumbling on the initial call.
05:15 Role Play: client first call / consultation
19:30 Critique Yourself: Seeing yourself in the third person and reading the situation of the room are valuable skills
23:10 Client call breakdown: positively influence the mood/tone of the call
27:00 Learn how to respond to objections, and detach from your expectations and the outcome
30:46 Role Play Reversal: first client call/consultation
33:25 Entrepreneurs often have the desire or need to do better in sales.
38:53 Roleplay Reversal breakdown (Chris):
- Took Control of Conversation
- Explained What's included for what the client pays for
- Had confidence in his own abilities
- Upfront with any area he was lacking experience in
- Offered Alternatives
- Honest with what could be offered
39:40 I'm trying to win your trust, and help you achieve your goals.
40:20 Show interest and be specific about the project.
41:13 Embrace the client and the job
41:58 Say things with a smile, the tone of your voice will change
43:31 Be grateful: Don't take opportunities for granted. Acknowledge that you care and share similar values.
44:22 Change your mentality & perspective. Apply what you learn.
46:14 Why did you not focus on the scope of work in the client call?
47:40 How do I tie in defining the scope of work, proposal and branding questionnaire all together?
49:00 If you are able to help a client solve a problem through talking, you should charge for it.
50:07 The first call is about:
- Building Rapport
- Earning Trust
- Communicating the Budget
- Demonstrating enthusiasm and passion
50:50 Bell Curve: Lower level clients have more objections, but higher level clients have harder questions.
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Melinda represents us. Melinda is one of us... one of us.... one of us...
haha yeah
yeah, Melinda is the YT Commentators' Avatar lol
Well, she manages to get thousands for a design while my first comission only brings me a hundred. I don't want to undersell myself but I also have little experience to sell designs for a higher price. :/ I wish I could get out there as fast as possible.
David, it took me years to charge thousands. I didn't come right out of the gate (like Chris) charging a ton. Over the years I slowly raised, and sometimes doubled, my rates. Each time I did, I gained more confidence. You can do it!
I'm honored to be the tribute.
This series is probably the most valuable asset I've come across as a designer.
Really?!
I know Right!? Is there any channel like this for videomakers?
Why do you have to call it an asset?
I'm not a designer but even as a digital marketer I found this video series more valuable than 3 years of bachelor's in business degree.
Deep in Quarantine20..."Agreed!"
After binge watch like 8 hours of "The Futur" I'm confident to say that Chris is my new favorite youtube channel! Thanks so much for the information you put out! I LOVE the content and I'm not even in the design market
thanks Ryu. what do you do?
me too! I follow Chris everywhere online lol!
Tasneem Abrahams ty.
I'm a gamer, I create League Of Legends content in this channel, and I'm almost done finishing a product to sell to my audience and your business tips is helping me so much! Love you man
RyuBR7 Agreed!
I'm a simple man. I see a Futur video uploaded Friday night I hit the like button.
again lol
:D
This one in particular was REALLY raw - uncomfortable at times. Learning a lot about Melinda, and my own process. Melinda is tough, and helping us all!
Matt C Reynolds why was it uncomfortable? Curious. Which part? Is uncomfortable bad?
If it were super smooth and easy would you think we scripted it? This is all unscripted and shoot from the hip.
To be more clear, this is a great episode where you get deep into it. It's a great catalyst for reassessing my own process.
i see.
Uncomfortable... Yes. Yes, it was.
Maybe that was what Matt was referring too, lol. Nothing about the content being uncomfortable, but you could feel the pressure from how Melinda was feeling when she got nervous and wasn't sure what to say. Which is really hard to do on the spot. So no big deal, most people get nervous on camera, especially during an interview or improv situation. I get nervous being the interviewer, haha.
Haha, Chris mentioned my comment. In a previous video, I commented that he could sell ice cubes to an Eskimo. But it's true. He's a great designer yes, but, he's achieved his level of success because he's a great businessman. Part of being a great businessman is being a great salesman. I hope the younglings appreciate all this knowledge you are dropping. It is pure gold.
i read all the comments. and try to respond or share when we are recording.
Cool. And thanks. I wish I had these videos when I was starting out. I love how you teach designers to value themselves and their work. To see Melinda doubt herself and have to validate why she charges what she charges, not that we don't have to be accountable, but to believe that we are worth it, that our work is valuable, is empowering.
You're so right!
This indeginous ethnic population is called Inuit. Since the 70s. Just saying.
17:01 and 19:00 the joyous smirk of someone who's dropping a huge hint
That Scooby Dooby background music though... lol!
This channel is hands down the most valuable content I've seen on UA-cam thus far, including my own. Much respect!
thanks Kendra! big compliment.
:D
Great interactive video. Lots of lesson learnt.
The secondary logo which u mentioned, the right term is " Responsive logo" . The primary logo might be a combination mark but the responsive one can be just an icon or a wordmark which can be used on a smaller places effectively.
Never heard the term "Responsive logo". Thanks for the info!
in Melinda's defense, doing sales role playing scenarios is hard even for seasoned salespeople. it's not the same. your focus isnt the same, and you feel out of place. that said, everyone in the creative world could really benefit from grinding out some sales experience... i mean cold calling to win business, and through that learning about yourself, like your own struggles with objections and why.. listening to your calls, getting better, learning to close business. assume theyre going to do business with you. your goal is to simply show them how youre going to make their business more money, and their life easier. if they object, thats alright. on to the next! so many people out there that need your help badly but dont know who you are and the value you can bring them.
Thanks, Tyler. My salesman husband also tells me how different (and difficult) sales role play is vs actually selling. It's very difficult for me to learn and participate in fake scenarios. I think actually trying it in real life, evaluating, and trying again to learn will be most helpful for me.
Wow it's awesome to see how Melinda's demeanor has evolved during each episode. In previous epsiodes she was kind of timid and shy and now she is looking in the camera and telling us what 's up.
it just takes some practice and then you're off to the races.
It takes me a bit to get comfortable.
You are doing a great job :-)
This lessons helped me grow so much, i went from unemployed and broke to above average pay, paying all my debts, living confortably. I'm currently practicing design + front end in a startup company and its been 1 year and a few months. I started following the channel when used to be called school? skhool? scholl? sumthin like dat, and i keep coming back for the great knowledge and insight, because as i designer my learning process will never stop :)
it was called the Skool
Great job!!!
side note: chris's sense of style is amazing
thanks. appreciate it! need to get a fashion sponsor for the show right?
You know...
Omg I was sleeping but my push notifications woke me up to see this. It worth it.
Catalin Comiza sorry to wake you.
haha
This channel is pure gold. Can't believe I can watch this for free...
THANK YOU
One of the best episodes in this series. Got me taking notes and improving my craft as a beginner so I can level up.
take the notes today. reread once a week. then you will never forget them.
That's great!
Great content here Chris and the Futur. I love the full in depth call you do here and the fact you're not stressing that "it's easy" "anyone can charge this" but focusing more on learning how to handle a call period.
Why am I rewatching this again?
Melinda is awesome. She always puts herself out there and she's really grown a lot! so cool!
I lost a potentiality big branding opportunity because when the client asked about my process I didn't know what to say. I lost my cool and just started rambling on, I knew it was over then and the client would not return my calls. I still don't know what I would say. I thought I had to memorize the entire process but Chris just taught me I really don't as long as I give them the main points and let them know that the rest will come from the discovery phase.
Felipe, you should have a clearly defined process that you articulate on your site. How do you do what you do? Remove the mystery. You'll onboard bigger clients more consistently. It shouldn't be a black box.
Awareness is the first step.
The Futur channel is the best UA-cam channel for me. Thank you for being so generous. Just gold contents!
I really like these kinds of videos that you had done with Melinda! We can learn many good and useful things by watching your role-play! Thank you, guys!🙂
I adore this channel, I just can't get enough. :) Great video... I will join you guys. Whatever it takes.
Richárd Zoltán Tóth see you in the futur.
:)
This is what I need! Thank you for continuing this AWESOME series!
you bet
Yeah!
This video - and series - is fantastic. And while learning and absorbing career-changing information I get bonus laughs at 18:55. So: all around a win. Thanks Chris, Melinda, and the Futur team!
Love it. Like any other episode and video on this channel, i will probably watch this at least 3 times. Keep'em coming!
aerozg we won't mind if you do.
Me too
this was such a valuable exercise... i'm in the architectural design & construction space, but this translates PERFECTLY. Thank you!
i think anyone in the creative space can use this process.
Yes! Glad you can learn and adapt to your industry.
awesome advice. thank you so much for this series!
Wow! That break on Chris' face at 18:48? LOL. Too good! Got em'!
you have to do this video again with someone not smooth and kind like Melinda , she is very sweet to be a client :D
Melinda is great..I love her personality
Love Melinda so down to earth, helping so much with my business.
We'll have a new episode with both Melinda and Rebecca coming out soon!
This was so wonderful, to actually put out Melinda's vulnerability, which will only make her better in her next step. Thank You Chris for creating this video. Keep doing what you do. A delightful, educational one this was.
You're so welcome!
Chris and Melinda, you've been such a huge help to me. I'm a lil' industrial designer working for an agency in Cape Town. I had to take a big international inquiry this morning that has HUGE potential (our director is away on a business trip - he'd usually handle this kind of thing)... I went into Chris Do autopilot and asked the guy (CEO) about his BUSINESS GOALS, etc ...They were just so excited that a designer had asked that! After an awesome conversation now they're very keen to meet and are treating me like a design Yoda.
Thank you!
David Robertson congrats. Doesn't it feel great?!
That's awesome! Great job David.
55 minutes well spent! Thanks Chris (and Team).
there's more of Melinda. we created a whole playlist just for her videos.
I love how Chris keeps thinking he is being a jerk, but I work in the Midwest, and every client is short, to the point, harsh, and always about the money. These "clients" help me because the training offered really hits home. Thank you for these!
You are very welcome!
I love that you are talking about Process, that is what I am totally about! Great work, I will review some episodes soon!
super! glad you like them.
Love Chris' Melinda voice at the beginning of the phone call! xD
: )
haha
Honestly, the methodologies, techniques, everything you've been teaching and sharing to us is all super helpful! Some of my recent successful deals are because of what I learned from you, Chris! I'm not even in design, I'm in sales and marketing (affiliation and partnership, to be specific).
Awesome!! Thank you Roland.
@@thefutur THANK YOU! Please keep teaching. Stay safe!
48:51 Chris isn't just making a suggestion here, I'm still in testing mode while I finalise my branding but the process he's talking about is a game changer, especially for most of us who are makers. I tested it on one person who I've known very closely for 20 years, we talk regularly about business, but once I took him through discovery it was like a light was shining from heaven on how he can grow his business. And for me as an architect, I started to really understand how I could help him that had nothing to do with my personal wants, needs or ego.
Scott, you must be running CORE now right?
I'm stuffing about trying to get branding out (website, videos, content etc) next week I'll start pushing it out to my network we'll go from there. We're a little behind schedule.
I love hearing your experience, Scott.
i like when she's on because she's genuinely making mistakes that a lot of us make\would make while he takes the time to correct the handling of the ROLE PLAY.
I’ve learned so much from you Chris. I’m ready to have my first sales meet with a client.🎉
By the way I love Melinda, and seeing her process. I can totally relate. And I love how honest she is with herself. You Go Girl! :)
Aaron Hamilton me too.
Thank you Aaron! Glad you can relate. :)
OH GODDDD, THIS IS MY PROBLEMMMMM. The question "why is it so expensive? What exactly do i get ?" And basically i look at my client shamefully and say: " a logo"
Thanh Hien Nguyen do you have better response now?
I haven't' even dug into the video 5mins and already know that I know what I need to know! I've been enjoying these videos, impressively more than I thought I was going to. After 18yrs of running a custom print/design business, losing the passion and landing in ALL THE PITFALLS, these videos are becoming restructuring guides and lost passion pills for me. I respect what you've done here!, Sirs. Good work/content/production. Reminds me of being "back in the Circus", but the Act goes deeper here, he says, $40k later! Wahhh...
Marcelo- you offer a brand new custom font??
lol Thanh. I hear ya.
That video quality tho... I instinctively hit the like button.
Role playing is just such a valuable practice for any field. Having an intake process would be a huge help and benefit Melinda. If I could suggest anything is not to give a specific price but give a range and intertwined into that my process and expected outcome. Like "my clients typically get $200 return for every $1 spent with me and my process is this, this and this....." Its easy to critique from this side... still you are going some good work. Good luck to Melinda
if you can make that work, that is the better option. small steps.
Thank you, Sergey.
I just found you guys earlier this week, and I'm hooked. Problem is, now I want to re-do everything on my website.
that's not a problem. it means you are now aware.
Yep! The Futur helps bring awareness.
This is the best of your videos
Thank you The Futur. May God Bless you for helping millions around the world and that basically for free. If groups like you did not exist, many people would still be struggling.
in LOVE with these two. I'm binging youtube videos - this is a first for me.
Yay! Thank you!
This series is so important. =) Learning so much. We are Melinda. Kudos to Melinda for all the role plays...hahaha I can't even imagine how I'd do it in front of Chris.
This is reallyy cool ! Learn a lot in this video.
Those prison pants tho xD
This is my favourite episode of the series by far!
Exactly what I needed to hear.
Puneet Verma someone requested that I wear my orange pants. So there it is.
lol
I L.O.V.E this series! Never seen anything like this. Well done, The Futur!
thanks!
Thanks!
Loved this, more of the series please
Have you seen the rest?
@@thefutur oops just saw the playlist I'm on it :)
I run a performance marketing agency but my passion is in design. I noticed this after scrolling hours and hours on Behance (I actually always knew it deep down I guess). Came across Futur in the pst week, been devouring content, transcribing and I’m now I’m excited to packaging the design side of the business into my current solutions to increase pricing and give me more flexibility to serve clients on what they need if it’s not lead generation or funnels. I’ve hired mentors for 5k,10k and I resonate more with Chris through his style of teaching and introspection. This content is life changing. Thanks guys.
Welcome to the Futur Drew
"There's a $20,000 space in my pocket for your money" LMAO
Very awesome episode guys, thank you so much.
You're very welcome.
You're welcome
Melinda is such a warrior
she's a wonder woman.
Thank you, Felipe.
This channel is too good.
Brilliant as always. Am taking so much away from this. Push back more next time Melinda! Thank you both for this.
you want to try and push back w/ me? jump on the zoom call.
The Futur hell yes yes! Lemme know when.
Yeah I need to ramp up my energy to push back. I get agreeable when I'm tired or mentally fatigued. :P Get on a zoom call! Follow the Futur FB page to see when the next one is.
That jacket is sooo cool ! (the pants too, but I'm not brave enough for orange)
thank you so much chris, melinda and team. i've been able to apply them in actual negotiation with clients and it does work on some. i've been declining hagglers/lowballers using chris' approach to that situation, and surprisingly, some are open to listen to what i have to say... maybe because i've worked on some of their projects in the past and they seemed satisfied with the work, i guess. they could've looked away and find other capable freelancers that fit within their budget, but others stayed. i have also set my rate a bit higher compared to the time when i've just started.
it does feel good to accomplish something even just a tiny bit. however, i'm still iffy if i can pull this off if time comes i'd need to speak to them via video chat or phone call. i'm an introvert by nature, and speaking is not my strongest point. i'm legit scared. i'm fine doing negotiations thru online messaging/chat or email...
but video call, NOPE! maybe not yet. i'm not ready.
been using my nationality (non-US resident here) as an excuse to avoid anything that requires me to speak, and it works so far. i definitely know i'd mess it up if i take even just a single phone call because my mouth can't seem to catch up with my thoughts.
You'll get there! It's a process.
"my mouth can't seem to catch up with my thoughts"... I can completely relate!
I love the role playing, theory is great but real life examples are just as important. People skills and communication ability count just as much as the designing.
True
Great role play session. Learned a lot.
there's a bunch more on our channel.
Just pause for a bit. . . . and take moment to realize that these valuable insights, these information, these ideas are given for free by The Futur, how awsome is that. I can charge using these ideas to people and charging them. But because im so generous i just send them the link, but they are to lazy to watch it anyways even its for free.
We don't rise to the occasion, we fall to our highest level of preparation -Chris Voss
This is gold.
Break it down Chris! Thx Melinda!
like bobby brown
You're welcome!
Melinda is always so delighted when you say the word "roleplay" 😂
I always love a Role Play with thefutur :D
Great job on this video and thank you for sharing your experiences and knowledge, I feel more confident after watching and this one in particular is exactly what I needed!
-suzie
yay!
Love your vids. You two are so adorable.
Chris is there anything you don,t know? love every bit of the video :-) Thank you for sharing your knowledge...
plenty. the more I know, the more I know I don't know
I love this series with Melinda ! Thanks for doing it. Can you tell us what happens if the client don't agree with rate on proposal do you negotiate or how do you convince them? Thanks Chris and Melinda.
you refer them to someone else. move on.
Awesome.
Looking sharp Chris! Love the outfit
(And great content as usual)
thanks! some contrasty color to mix things up
Chris is such a ninja. I'm officially a raving fan
Hi.
Great job as always Chris & Melinda, keep it up! Chris, what are those kicks?
Thanks!
huge shoutout to Melinda for doing these roleplays! I would just freeze 😬
I really want to get to Chris level, I am trying it out. Step by step, and one day I will be sucessful because of your lesson.
This again was very helpful. I am starting my own business in a couple of weeks, so these video's come at the right time. That first call summary is pretty handy. Oh and Chris, you look like a Shaolin Monk in that orange pants :) Thanks Sifu Do and Melinda!
thanks ruben. shaolin monk, drunken fist, eagle claw it is.
You're welcome!
This was an awesome episode! I need that bottom of the barrel episode STAT lol.
Aaron Hamilton :)
2mins in - bring on the roleplay section! I need this
haha
Im inn!
I still don't watch the video, but I like it already
i didn't read your comment and i liked it too. :)
haha
Take up singing karaoke or improv acting if you want to practice seeing yourself in the third person. Being able to gauge the audience's reactions, while performing, can typically be achieved through these types of activities. :)
Melinda should have her own show at the futur, which I think that's where it is going!
VIDD THE DESIGNER that would be great.
Can't thank you enough for this. Much needed. Thanks a lot Chris and Melinda.
You're welcome!
I love these videos!
Random question for Melinda: what sort of pen/pencil are you using to write things down in this video?
Hi! It's a Pentel GraphGear 500 drafting pencil. I couldn't find my pen. :P
Looks beautiful. I might have to get it. :P Thank you for sharing! :D
Thanks for this Chris.
One of the things that helps one increase his rate is also increasing
some of the things one offers a client. So for instance, for the branding
of a company there is stationery, brand manual etc. Which are some of the things that come with the package.
How does one address a client who wants some of this removed so as to reduce
the price of what you are charging?
don't break apart deliverables w/ individual price. but you should also be cognizant of what deliverables are best suited for the client vs what you want to do.
That makes so much sense. Thank you Chris
You should do an episode in her workspace. It would be interesting to see if that brings out different sides of her personality and business perspectives.
working on it.
... Or it would just show how boring I am, lol.
Away with that selfhate Melinda. You don't deserve that at all.
Wow, Chris is a great negotiator! A website priced at 1000 U.S. dollars given that 90 dollars per hour is average for a Developer that would imply that the project will be done in 11 hours. That would be very difficult to incorporate the clients feedback knowing that the client will not be available within that eleven hour time window. I guess if the client wants to make changes after project is completed, any extra work time would be subjected to billing at 90 per hour.
This was the first video I've watched from you guys and it was amazing. I'm pretty introverted and have always found 'the call' aspect of freelancing pretty difficult. I think preparation is key and knowing the kinds of things I'll be asked will help out a ton in the long run. I guess I need to create some basic scripts and learn them, that way I'll be better prepared for calls and not be a nervous wreck every time.
Oh and the 'cheap wankers' phrase was hilarious. I thought only us brits said that haha!
Marcus did I use it correctly?
Yep, said just like a native!
Marcus, have you watched the other videos from the series? Lots of help for us introverts. :)
Some people are not built for sales. Take my advice, enrol in a sales training course (a good one, and also read MANY sales books) and expose yourself because doing so will help grow your confidence, plus, and more importantly, you will learn the sales process - there is a certain way of doing things that can and will only help you. Just as there are procedures to any skilled person across all industries, the sales industry is no different. Afterwards, go away for the weekend and do something life threatening, such as, sky diving, swimming in a shark cage near great whites, bungee jumping, whitewater rafting etc. You will hit the following Monday with so much passion and drive that picking up the phone, going into a business making a cold call, or walking into a client meeting, will give you such much drive, motivation, enthusiasm and, most importantly, confidence. After those seven days, you will never look back... only to laugh at your inabilities to move forward. Oh, and one more very obvious thing, product knowledge is extremely important because fluffing your words generally means you have no idea what you’re talking about and thus it will be rare that you will gain clients. Good luck 🥳 Melinda’s product knowledge during the beginning of the role play was awful, but it was great to see her vulnerabilities because it is a good lesson to others in how not to do it (cameras rolling or not)
Wow so helpful thanks Chris, Melinda and the whole TEAM. I am wondering how (if at all) the first client call/meeting would go when discussing motion and video work?
it depends if it's an agency vs. client direct. 2 very different calls. which one are you dealing with?
The Futur , hey, it would be a direct to client call...maybe it's time I join the pro group 😀
i think so.
Amazing insights! The bullet slides are gold. What's the link you were supposed to add?
Lenny Ramirez time code please.
49:50 brother
Great Video! I laughed with you. Go #TeamMelinda! haha
:P
LOL CHRIS FACE IN 18:56 I DIE
Once again, great show !
Maybe you should record your Intro at the end of your session, this way you already know what the video will talk about.
Hello_Im_Flo yes. We do that sometimes.
Hello_Im_Flo I thought it would be fun to show you guys the enthusiasm of not knowing.