Spring is officially here. Even though in some parts of the country it still looks like winter, there’s no denying the calendar. Soon enough the temperatures will rise and the birds will be singing again. As much as we appreciate the warmth and freshness of spring, it is also a time of hard work preparing the ground for new growth. The same is true for you business.
Let me ask you a question:
Mary, Mary quite contrary, how does your business garden grow?
With massive sales and you paid well?
And your pipeline completely full?
Hmmm, not quite there yet? Many entrepreneurs are frustrated by the lack of consistent clients coming through their door, yet they are not putting in the kind of effort it really takes to see their business flourish. Sure, they are marketing. If you ask them, they’ll say “Of course, I have a website and yes I have a Facebook page,” but they just aren’t getting any response. More than likely they are not consistently reaching out and engaging with their audience.
You can’t just toss your marketing seeds on the ground and expect new clients to sprout up. You have to get in there and work the soil. You’ve got to get your hands dirty!
Here are tips to help you spring into action:
1. Get out from behind your computer. You have to put yourself in situations where you are interacting with real human beings. You need to become a social creature. Go out. Go to networking events. Show an interest in those around you. Here’s a challenge, for the next month bump up your personal interaction one degree with each encounter. If you normally email someone, call them instead. If you normally call, meet them in person. If you do, soon your phone will be ringing more often.
2. Be obnoxiously present. Ok, don’t be a jerk, but do get in front of people, way more than you may think is appropriate. Most women never even come close to crossing the line of being in other people’s faces too much. We are taught from a very early age to wait our turn, be polite, don’t offend etc. Remember, you don’t get paid to sing in the shower, so get your voice out there.
3. Nurture your leads. When you plant a little seedling, you don’t water it once and walk away. No, you water it regularly, especially in the beginning. You check on it, you pull the weeds around it, you might put a structure near it to lean on. Why wouldn’t you do the same for a fledgling client? If you want a thriving business, you need to keep the hose running!
4. Ask for the business. Yes, you have to ask. If you are uncomfortable about feeling salesy, think of it instead as an invitation. You are inviting someone you really like to your party, where they are going to get all kinds of juicy goodies. Who wouldn’t want that? If you don’t ask, they aren’t going to come.
5. Expect the business. Developing an attitude of positive expectation is a very powerful tool when attracting clients. Positive expectation makes you feel more confident and relaxed which makes your audience feel relaxed and cared for as well. When you position yourself as someone who is used to hearing “yes,” you up your cool factor. And cool and confident definitely sells!
Go ahead and enjoy the sunshine, but just remember, if you want your garden to grow, you have to lay the ground work first. If you do, soon you will enjoy a beautiful bouquet of lovely clients.
I love to hear your voice!
What do you do to nurture the growth of your client base?
Post your answers below in the comments or find me on Facebook.
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Heather Poduska is a Reach certified personal brand strategist, image consultant and business coach who helps women entrepreneurs create client attractive brands, polished brand images and brand communication strategies to increase their visibility and impact in the marketplace and grow their businesses.
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