The majority of entrepreneurs simply don’t follow-up on leads and interest in their business.  Their lack of diligence is costing them BIG time and they’re leaving serious money on the table.  But that doesn’t have to be the case with you! Listen in this week as I share my proven seven step system for effective follow-up and start creating more success in your business…TODAY!

 

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Getting anything “good” in the mail these days is a challenge.  Your mailbox is probably filled with bills, direct mail pieces (i.e. junk mail) and things you’d really rather not look at.  Think about the last time you actually received a greeting card or personal handwritten note in the mail.  When was that?  …Perhaps a long time ago.

The truth is, the times you receive a handwritten personalized note are likely few and far between.  That’s why when someone does receive one, it stands out.   This leaves a great impression on the receiver of that personalized note.

Sending a handwritten note to a potential client after a meeting is a great marketing strategy to implement.  One, you have the chance to quickly thank your potential client for the meeting.  Two, it keeps you on top of their mind as they are “thinking” about working with you.  Three, it makes you stand out from the crowd.  If they are “shopping” for service providers, they will be more likely to choose you for your great service, because they are impressed by your gracious follow-up.

But sending a handwritten note doesn’t stop with new potential clients.  This practice should be carried out throughout the life of your relationship with your client.  This means thank you notes when the project is completed, a card acknowledging the anniversary of their business, congratulating them on a BIG win, etc.  It doesn’t take as long as you think!  Taking 5 minutes to write a note will help you to maintain a great relationship with your client, will go a long way towards creating a satisfied customer and will generate referrals.

And, who doesn’t love referrals?

Happy clients will tell their friends, family and anyone who will listen about the great service you provide and the WAY you served them.  The next time your client hears about someone in need of the type of services you provide, guess who they will recommend?  YOU!  Why? Because they had a great experience in working with you and you are on the top of their minds because you stay in touch with them.

The type of card you send should be a mixture of personal style and polished professionalism.  First of all, send the nicest card you can afford.  If you are going to have monogrammed or personalized note cards designed with your business logo, take the time to hire a graphic designer to create a stylish piece.  Be sure they are printed on good quality card stock.  (You don’t want someone who is paying hundreds or thousands of dollars for your services to feel like they got a “cheap” card from a discount store.) Depending on your profession, you will probably want to avoid using the cartoon and caricature type of cards.  These may not support your brand or your business and could detract from your professionalism.

I’m excited to see how this strategy works for you and would love to hear the feedback you get from clients.  Please share your success stories with me by posting a comment on the blog!

One of the best strategies you can implement to have a successful business is attending live events, both to further your professional development and to connect with ideal prospects.  Doing so will allow you to stay abreast of current trends in your industry, to connect with like minded professionals and to interact with individuals who are actively seeking the solutions you offer.  With a bit of advanced planning, you can turn these events into powerful opportunities to attract new clients and/or joint venture partnerships.

As a solo business owner, you need to take the initiative to research the events that are best suited for your business.  Be sure to stay connected with the organizations that support your industry and your ideal clients.  Take the time to review their event outlines, speakers and guest list to determine if you should attend upcoming events.  Remember, the key to finding new ideal clients is to “hang out” where they are.  So if your ideal client will be at the next big industry event – you should be there too.

You’ll want to allocate funds for your continuing education on a monthly or annual basis.  This should absolutely be part of your business budget!  Attending events can cost $1,000, $1,500 or even $2,000 or more when you add in travel, food, lodging, and of course the cost of the event.  While you will have some upfront costs to attend, if you choose the right events the return on investment will more than pay for the expenses involved.   If you have the option to purchase a VIP ticket or host a book, that can increase your visibility and give you access to connect with the speakers and event coordinators.

For example, if your ideal prospect has paid the same $1,000+ to attend the event like you did, it shows that they are willing and able to invest in their business or their personal development.  This is a major pre-qualifier!  So if you provide a solution to a specific problem they’re facing and you showcase that value, it’s not unreasonable to assume that they would be willing and able to pay for your services as well.

Plus, when attending a live event, you get to meet your target audience in a more relaxed setting.  There is a spirit of eagerness and excitement, so the foundation of your new relationship is built on this shared experience.  That is very powerful — and makes it an easy “sell” when you talk about the services you provide and the problems you can solve for them because you already have that connection.

So, consider attending such events part of your overall marketing costs and a fun opportunity to get out of the office and work ON your business for a few days! Take the time now to research events, conferences and seminars for the fall or early winter.  This will give you a head start on finding out where your target audience will be and give you time to budget the costs involved to attend.  It will be more than worth your while to attend; you’ll learn something new and get to network with your target audience.

Have you attended any events this year?  What type of opportunities developed as a result? Post your experiences on the blog and let me know how this has worked for you!

For most solo service professionals, in-person networking is a significant piece of their ongoing marketing strategy. Getting out and meeting the right people is often the quickest way to enroll new clients into your practice and generate additional revenue.

Though networking can open the door to numerous opportunities, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s one of your favorite activities. I know a fair number of entrepreneurs who dread networking and consider it to be a necessary “evil” of running a business.

Whether you LOVE networking or do it out of sheer necessity, I’m confident you want to enjoy the best possible results at every opportunity. Following are some of my proven, Smart, Simple Tips on how to use this strategy effectively to connect with your ideal clients and create opportunities to grow your business:     MORE