Blog

If you've been in business for any length of time, you've probably had this happen to you at least once: You were talking to a client who sounded like a great fit, and you both realized that this person needed your product. You directed them to your sales page, invited them to book a call, or otherwise encouraged them to take the next step... only for them to respond with the words some businesspeople have come to dread: "I'll think about it." If you've heard this more than a couple times, it probably makes your heart sink, because... Read More

Sometimes when I watch other business owners describe their product or service, the descriptionleaves me thinking, "Wow... not only does that NOT make me want your product, but it actually makes me feel LESS inclined to explore your offer." Other times, I can see how it might be useful, or why the product is of high quality, but I'm not really convinced that I need it. Why? Often, it's because their marketing failed a simple yet powerful litmus test that determines whether they're speaking about the right things to get their potential... Read More

How many hours have you spent attending networking events, giving elevator speeches, and following up with people, only to get few or no clients as a result? And how many clients have you referred to other business owners, only to get no payment or reciprocal referrals in return - or, even worse, to lose the client entirely? The old ways of networking just aren't as effective anymore. If you want to get more referrals, and get paid for the referrals you make when the rules of your industry allow, you need to use a different strategy. In... Read More

I was planning to write this on Tuesday, but I decided to share it a bit early, becauseI'm celebrating a new accomplishment: I just published a class on SkillShare, called Low-Cost Marketing for Small Businesses and Freelancers ... and for a limited time, you can get it for FREE. In this 68-minute class, you'll discover how small businesses and freelancers can attract leads while spending little or no money on advertising, and convert them into clients without feeling guilty, pushy or salesy. You can access this class, and thousands of... Read More

If your clients are primarily businesspeople, you might have trouble getting satisfied customers to send you referrals, because they don't want their competitors to have the same success you helped them create. This is an understandable concern on their part, but it can be frustrating when it hampers your ability to get clients! The good news is, it IS possible to persuade people to send you referrals, if you can help them understand why it benefits them as well. Here are 3 ways giving you referrals can benefit your clients: ... Read More

Today's blog post is bySamantha Brannon. Unfortunately, no one in online business can be perfect at all times. We make mistakes, and get negative customer reviews in return. For online businesses, they are quite a challenge because they can convince prospective customers to buy from competitors instead of us. For example, here are some of the key stats that demonstrate the importance of online reviews for making or breaking your business (source: Local Consumer Review Survey 2017 ): - 85 percent of online shoppers trust... Read More

When clients make a purchase, they like to feel a connection with the person or company they're working with. This is especially true for service-based professions, where your personality and expertise are key factors in the quality of your work, and even more so in fields like coaching, where your interactions arevery personal and sometimes vulnerable for the client. The conversations you have with your prospects, clients, and referral network members will make or break your connection with them, so today I'd like to share a few tips... Read More

When you go to networking events, there are three essential components you need to have in place in order to get results. In a recent FacebookLive, I shared three reasons why people often don't get referrals from their networking efforts, and three strategies you can use to create consistent streams of referrals. I also answered a question about what to do if you get a negative review that could hinder your attempts to get clients and referrals. Click the player below to watch the replay. For those who prefer to read... Read More

If you use networking events as a way to meet potential clients and referral sources, you've probably found that you spend a lot of time talking to people who don't follow up, sending follow-up calls and emails that go unanswered, and giving out business cards that vanish intoother people's shoeboxes, never to be seen again. The unfortunate truth is, most people go to networking events to try to promote their own business, not to hire or send clients to other businesses. On top of that, even if they have the intention to send you clients,... Read More

When you're having a conversation that you hope will lead to a sale, and it's time to ask for money, what kind of feelings come up? Do you feel confident, happy, and ready to give great value and be paid what you're worth in return? Or do you feel guilty, nervous, and uncomfortable with the idea of asking someone to part with their hard-earned money? For many people, asking for money is a challenge. The media, our peers, the internet, and sometimes our parents tell us that rich people are greedy and bad, and to ask someone for money is... Read More