Pssst…Your Clients Are Wanting Something From You

Here’s what they want: THEY WANT YOU TO TALK TO THEM.

I’m teaching a free webinar on easy systems to follow-up with clients and customers (and turn them into raving fans) and I think you’re going to love it —

Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/449436145

NOTE: We’re going to try and record it, but I know there’s been some issues with the system lately, so it’s best if you can be there live…

This webinar is for you if:

1) You’re not sure how to even get customers…(it’s OK to admit it…)

2) You have customers, but you’re not very good about following up with them….after all, you don’t want to be a bother…

3) You’re ready to turn your customers into RAVING FANS who happily refer to you all of their friends…

BTW, did you know that a person who has been recommended by a friend is 70% more likely to purchase from you? That’s the kind of statistic that could really make a difference in your bank account, yes?

You MUST create a fun, easy-to-use system for following up with clients and potential customers – that is the lifeblood of any good business, and Brian and I are here to show you exactly how to do it.

And there will be none of that annoying “we’ll tell you what and why but you have to buy some expensive training to learn how…” b.s. – we will actually tell you HOW.

We’re not selling anything on this webinar – this is pure content.

Space is limited.

Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/449436145

Learn the 3 keys to consistently following up with your leads, prospects, and clients. In this webinar, we’ll discuss the stages of a typical buying process, and how to ensure that a single lead/client/advocate never falls through the cracks.

Title: 3 Keys to Consistent Follow Up… Getting MORE out of LESS
Date: Thursday, August 4, 2011
Time: 9:45 AM – 11:00 AM PDT

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

You may also listen in via phone.

System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server
Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer

I want to hear your questions, comments and thoughts on this – so show up and let’s have some FUN!

PS There are a lot of webinars out there, I know. I think I can pretty much guarantee that this one will be well worth your time. Check it out and let me know! Claim your FREE seat here: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/449436145

This is the practical, how-to-do-it advice you’ve been looking for.

Be there.
– SSB.

Take Compliments Seriously

Take Compliments Seriously

People are saying nice things to you all the time.

But I’m guessing you let most of them slide right past you. And some of you even deflect them (“Oh, no, it’s not that great…”) or immediately turn them around (“No, no, YOU are the genius…”)

I’d like you to consider the possibility that you’re being a little rude whenever you refuse a compliment.

First of all, the person is stating a truth. It may not be true for you, but it’s true for them. If they think your story is the best one they’ve ever read or that your church solo moved them or that you look nice in that sweater, that’s their business, and they get to be right.

So acknowledge that they are right. And don’t go around inflicting your opinion on them.

Just because you know you were a bit flat on the last chorus or that this sweater isn’t quite what it used to be doesn’t mean you need to tell them all about it.

Retain your empathy: remember the last time someone did that to you? You tried to say something nice and the person just wafted it away? Felt kind of icky, huh?

Here’s the other reason to take compliments seriously: they offer you valuable market research.

If someone says they find you fun or thought-provoking or nice or smart as a whip or inspiring, then use that language in your next brochure/email/elevator speech.

Imagine you’re at a holiday punch bowl standing next to someone you’d really like to impress and they ask you the oft-dreaded question, “So, what do you do?”

You may answer, “How kind of you to ask.

I’m a singer. I sing at weddings and other church events, and I also sing with a group that visits retirement communities. Someone recently said my work was ‘uplifting’ – which made me feel great, because that’s really what I want to do – lift people’s spirits.”

Nice, huh? You not only described your work but also conveyed the flavor and tone of your work and some of the truth about who you are.

It’s not bragging if it’s true.

P.S. This same strategy applies to criticism. If someone says your work is overwrought or shallow or kinda pitchy, dawg, then thank them for sharing their thoughts with you and DO NOT argue with them. Yes, your ego will flare up a bit. So go punch a pillow. But then remember to incorporate the information into your spiel.

So your next email might say something like, “I’m teaching a new class that teaches sign language to 9-18 month-old children. Some people might find this work superfluous or overly precious, but research shows that offering young children additional means of communication increases SAT scores by over 30%.”

(I completely made up that last part, by the way.)

See how acknowledging the truth clarifies your message?

Keep a running list of all the compliments you get and see what the trends are. Use those words to communicate the truth of you.

Here’s a compliment to start your list: you are good and brave.

photo credit: DG Jones via photopin cc

Your Useful Qualities

Quick: list five of your qualities that can really help you out today.  Notice that they don’t have to be “good” qualities.

I’m going to guess that you possess at least some of the following:

  • Stubbornness
  • Great Good Humor
  • Tenacity
  • Curious and Questioning Mind
  • Good Taste
  • Vision (Can See What’s Not There Yet)
  • Truth-Seeking
  • Strong Intuition
  • Unusual Strength of Spirit
  • Compassionate and Tender-Hearted

You may have been criticized for these qualities as a young person.

But you know they are truly your friends.

Name three more of your unique and useful qualities and make sure you tap into those today.

Heck, why not use them in a Facebook posting?  Just a thought…