Karen's Musing of the Month - Reflecting

Are You Living on Low Hanging Fruit?

Most Businesses make the mistake of picking the low hanging fruit.  These are the clients who are ready to buy from you right now.  It's great to have hose clients - heck it pays the phone bill BUT statistically those represent only about 3% of your target market.

That means that, of your target market, you are missing 97% of all the potential business - UNLESS you have a follow up system.

Now, I am not going to get into a discussion of card scanners, follow up calls, coffee meetings or things you do to get a meeting where you can "close a sale."

I stand firm in the belief that, if your client isn't running up to you begging to do business with you, you aren't doing it right.

So how do you do that?

Educational marketing.

I once heard a great definition of the difference between sales and marketing - and I believe there is alot of truth to this statement:

Sales is where you try to convince people they need your stuff. Marketing is teaching people why they need what you have and  inspiring them to fall all over themselves to work with you.

If you follow some of the greatest of today's teachers like David Neagle or Jim Edwards you'll see that they are true master of this - AND as a result have more clients than they will ever need.

So how do you do this? 

I promise, it's not hard, you just have to spend a little time planning it out and it can work for you.  Here's how:

1)  Figure Out the Real Problem

This trips up many a business owner and that's why I spend a whole bunch of time talking about this.  This isn't the most important point of this article, so I'll be brief.

The services or product you sell is almost never the real problem that you solve from your clients' point of view. 

If you're a chiropractor you don't solve the problem of misaligned backs.  Yes, that's a problem, but underlying that for your client is being able to live their life without pain - maybe get out of a wheelchair for the first time in years.

If you're a financial planner, the problem you solve isn't making sure their investments are stable and secure - it's really making sure your clients can retire in the lifestyle they desire.

So, that being said, your goal is to educate your client with regard to the special problem you solve.  The chiropractor might offer tips on proper lifting techniques.  The financial planner might show parents the best way to help their young children learn to manage money.

2)  Be Strategic When Networking

This is SO important. Remember the 97 percent of your target market who isn't ready to buy from you yet?  Have something that will be of value to your target market, like a newsletter filled with educational tips, a special report or an e-book to give away.  Not only does this set you up as an expert (which you are by the way) it also creates a relationship where the first thing you are doing is giving - rather than asking for something.

So does this give you permission to try to give stuff away to everyone you meet at a networking event - NO. The rules remain the same.

You still want to introduce yourself by indicating the problem you solve and for whom you solve that problem. (instead of your name and job title - never do that) 

So the conversation goes like this: (for a chiropractor)  "I teach new mothers what to do so they don't throw out their backs.  Do you  know anyone who is in a the (location) Mother's club?" 

Now depending upon the answer there are many ways the conversation could go.  If the person the chiropractor is speaking with knows someone with a back problem, he could offer a class, book or a newsletter.  If that person does know a mother's club member that same class, book or newsletter can be the opening for an introduction to the club.

What is beautiful about this is it naturally allows the Chiropractor to start from a place of service - rather that seeming like he is trying to sell his services. PLUS if someone is ready to do business with him now (the 3%) obviously this person is positioned as an expert and can help that person.

Does that make sense?

Traditional sales training might tell you to set up a date to close the sale and/or that you need a certain number of "no's" to get the "yes." 

Here's the deal: of the remaining 97% (your "no's") 30% will never do business with you - period.  OK those are your real "no's"  BUT that leaves a whopping 57%!

Of that 57% - 27% is aware that the problem exists and just isn't ready to solve it - yet.

30% of your target market isn't even aware that the problem exists!

But the problem you solve is very real, and in some cases urgent, they are just not aware of it yet!!!

Do you see how the mindset of traditional sales training really makes no sense?

OK so now that you have someone who wants more information, what do you do?


3) Systemitize Your Follow Up

Nope - not follow up calls, not coffee dates, not sales meetings.  (ooh edgy!) Have something you do regularly that provides valuable information.

a.  You might have a regular educational event for your clients.  The Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce (which IS a business BTW) offers a new member orientation (taught my moi) to teach people how to get the most out of their networking. It's a value added service to help clients make more money by taking full advantage of the Chambers' services and helps with member loyalty.

b. Do something extra.  I was most impressed when recently I purchased a $27 e course and I received a phone call from the company welcoming me as a new client.  This company has thousands of subscribers and has developed a system wherein an automatic phone call is placed by the owner of the company thanking and welcoming them.  Wow. Was I impressed!

You could also do Send Out Cards, which automates sending greeting cards (hey-you can even include gift cards in the card - very cool!)

or you could simply make phone calls to your best clients in appreciation of their busienss to build loyalty
Creating a marketing plan that's integrated with an email newsletter takes more space than I have (or you would probably care to read) in this newsletter.

And this is just the "tip of the iceburg." When you're ready for more information, please join me for my next workshop:

Marketing 101 - How to get your perfect clients to "show up" for your business services and workshops

In this class you will learn:

• Exactly how to create and publish an email newsletter that gets rave reviews
• How to get people on your email newsletter list
• How to find strategic partners and who to look for
• A system for creating amazing marketing copy for any occasion

When you're done you'll be ready to implement a marketing campaign that gets results!  Please join me on:

When:  Monday, February  9th, 2009 - 12:30 - 3:00pm
           OR
           Saturday, February 21st - 10:00 - 1:30pm
Where: The Networking Lounge
            1934 Contra Costa Blvd., Pleasant Hill, CA
Cost:    $47

Please use the link below to register and pay for the workshop. When you register, you will receive and email to confirm your date and give you logistics.

For Women Only

I'll just straight up apologize to the men here, although, my guess is they will be SO GLAD you're reading this.

OK ladies, we're talking about name tag placement.

At most networking events you will be issued a name tag.  Sometimes just so people will know your name, and sometimes to identify you as someone who belongs at the event (as opposed to a party crasher).

Most people know that the name tag is supposed to be worn on the right side of the body. This is because as you shake hands, your eyes naturally drift to the name tag making seeing the name effortless. 

Often you'll be given a lanyard to hold your name tag. It's much easier to take on and off and you won't risk wrecking your favorite blouse BUT it's darned near impossible for people to read.  Attached to your right side is much better than a lanyard.

Sometimes people mistakenly place the name tag on the left, and you'll notice it is a bit awkward to read the name, shake their hand and then focus back on their face for the conversation.

Here's where most women go horribly wrong:
Ladies, the tag goes on the right shoulder.
It should go an inch below where the shoulder bone is - a bit higher than "feels correct."

For some bizarre reason, women have a tendency to put that tag on the thing that is sticking out the farthest.  When you do that - guess where people look?  Yep, that's right. Madonna would be proud.

The worst case I saw was a tag pinned to the very tip, dangling off like a tassel. (see why I said this was for women only?)

It was one of those things I just couldn't help but notice as I was trying to read the name that was dancing along on the tag that wouldn't lie flat.

So remember, to avoid "name tag no no's," the name tag goes on the right shoulder.