In this episode, marketing mentor Laura Robinson explains the concept of 'First Date Offers'. These are short, chargeable, bite-sized experiences designed to attract potential clients and give them a taster of your high-priced services. Laura recommends creating a First Date Offer that's fun and comfortable for you to deliver, ensuring you avoid too broad a scope, follow up promptly, and limit its availability to create an urgent need. She also notes these offers are a low-risk way to differentiate your business in your industry and help you attract customers. Laura illustrates her concept with examples from multiple industries, including architecture.

Today's Guest...

Laura Robinson is a marketing mentor for expertise-based businesses. She has been working in marketing and copywriting for more than 14 years. In that time, she has helped hundreds of business owners create and sell online offers, and to make their online marketing more effective. She’s delivered masterclasses for Enterprise Nation, Membership Academy, and Andrew & Pete’s Atomic Community. She has also shared her expertise as a speaker at Erin Wong’s Momentum Day, and Atomicon, one of Europe’s largest business conferences.

Episode Highlights...

00:00 Introduction to the Episode

00:31 About the Host and the Show

00:54 Introducing the Guest: Laura Robinson

01:58 Laura's Unique Experience as a Marine Mammal Medic

03:37 Introduction to First Date Offers

03:49 The Concept and Creation of First Date Offers

05:17 Explaining Voxer and its Benefits

06:53 The Impact of First Date Offers on Business

08:28 Laura's Experience with Home Renovation and Architects

11:54 Brainstorming First Date Offers for Architecture Practices

20:22 Pricing and Pitfalls of First Date Offers

27:28 Summarising the Concept of First Date Offers

30:25 Laura's Favorite Place and Conclusion

Key Takeaways...

👉 First Date Offers are small, chargeable, one-to-one experiences that you can offer potential clients. It has to be enjoyable for you, quick to deliver, provide value to your customers, and can lead to selling higher-priced services.

👉 First Date Offers act as a sample of what it is like to work with you and can lead to hiring you for more extensive services. It is recommended that the delivery method of this offer should mirror your standard mode of communication with clients.

👉 Pricing for your First Date Offers should be determined in such a way that there is no resentment from your side for delivering the service. Think creatively about how you make it easy for people to say yes to work with you. 

👉 First Date Offers can help you filter the types of clients you'd like to work with more.

👉 For your First Date Offers to be successful, it's crucial to stay within a narrow scope. Trying to offer too much within this set time can leave all parties feeling dissatisfied.

👉 Follow up after the First Date Offer is essential because it helps you to stay in touch with the client who might become a higher-paying customer in the future.

👉 In terms of availability, these offers should be limited in order to generate some sense of urgency in the customers.

👉 The First Date Offer shouldn't be about buying a certain amount of time but about getting a particular problem solved or a question answered. It's not reliant on the time taken but about delivering value to the client.

👉 Ensure the First Date Offer is something that appeals to the type of client you want to attract. This can help you shape your business to only work with clients who you feel you would enjoy working with.

Links Mentioned In The Episode...

If you're running a business that needs to fit around your other life challenges, priorities, and adventures...sign up for Laura’s free Comfy Business Newsletter at http://worditude.co.uk/newsletter

Laura’s Website > http://worditude.co.uk/

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In The Next Episode...

Next time Jon chats with Architect and Architectural Technologist, Ann Vanner, about her experience of returning to practice.