We must never forget that at the end of the day, our businesses are about people. Connecting with, helping, engaging, sharing and collaborating. People, not companies. People, not computers. If you are hiding behind your keyboard, you are missing out on many great opportunities to engage your target market, build buzz for you and your business and nurture lifelong relationships.
Here are six ideas you can implement immediately to build your buzz and attract more clients offline:
1. Invite five clients to lunch – Create “Raving Fans.” Pick five past or current clients who you feel would be your best referral sources and take each of them to lunch or dinner individually. Ask them what you can do to help them in their business and let them know that you want them on YOUR research and development team. Let them know that you would like to survey them occasionally to find out what their greatest needs are. Ask them individually the following three questions – in order:
- What is it that you like about doing business with me?
- How can I improve upon my service to you?
- You are one of my ideal clients. My goal this year is to work with more people exactly like you. Do you know of any people like you that you could make an introduction for me?
2. Create a signature talk – Public speaking is an excellent way to communicate your brand message to multiple members of your target market. The words you choose, your facial expressions, the tone of your voice and the way you dress all give you the opportunity to communicate your passion, expertise and personality.
Develop a simple “Speaker’s Kit” (your bio, photo, one sheeters of signature talks, testimonials) and send it to at least five program chairs, event planners and association heads each month.
3. Be willing to WOW and SURPRISE the members of your cheering squad. Don’t underestimate the power of a small gift such as a great new business book, a box of chocolates, a gift certificate for a massage or a delicious lunch delivered right to their office. Develop a referral acquisition strategy. Be willing to ASK and the REWARD those who send referrals your way. Constantly nurture those who become a part of your cheering squad.
4. Refer business to your clients. I guarantee that your clients are looking for ways to build their business too.
5. Join a group – networking, philanthropic, cultural etc. Find one that resonates with you and attend meetings and events. Offer to serve on boards, get involved in your community and be visible.
6. Stay positive – Now is not the time to crawl under a rock and commiserate with the other naysayers. Be confident, be visible and be a beacon of light wherever you go. If you are at a cocktail party and the conversation takes a nosedive south, have a handful of positive stories up your sleeve to veer the topic in a different direction. If that doesn’t work, move on. Life is way too short to hang out with the doom n’gloomers. Remember, like attracts like – we become the five people we spend the most time with. Ask yourself, “How, and with whom, am I spending my precious time?”
©Liz Dennery Sanders 2010
This article is such a great reminder that in the end, REAL face time is key for almost any business. It’s also crucial for personal and professional satisfaction, since forming good relationships of all kinds – in person – is really the purpose of life in my opinion!