| |
| |
|
Marketing Information |
|
|
|
How to Avoid Giving Away Free Consulting
After spending 30 minutes in a coffee shop with a potential client, I realized that the sheet of paper they were writing on was almost full; full of ideas that I had just given away for free. If you consult, coach, or are in the advice-giving field, you may have had a similar experience. Here are some valuable techniques to practice that will prevent you from giving away free consulting. In most cases, arrange to meet with your potential clients for about 30 minutes, to see if you are a match; that is, can you offer a service to them and do they need it? Try to give something free to each potential client so they get a sample of your services. Giving one or two pieces of information away for free is okay, however, 30 minutes worth is not. Client Interviews (Get-To-Know Session) When meeting with a potential client, your goal is to uncover a need they may have that matches a service you provide. How can you do this? Ask open-ended questions, that is, ask questions that will evoke a conversation. For example, an open-ended question may start with the words: "Tell me," or "What is?" or "When do," etc. Open-ended questions will enable the client to give you more than just a yes or no answer, thus giving you more details about what they need. After hearing a series of problems that you can solve through your services, it is important to state that you have solutions to their problems. Do not offer the solution here, but suggest that there are solutions and that by working with you, they can resolve these problems. Make it clear to the client during the conversation that this is your work and you charge a fee for such a consultation. This area seems to be most sensitive with your friends and family. Keep your boundaries clear--you charge for your services. Make a policy about consulting to your friends/family. To summarize: It is your responsibility to avoid giving away free service. Probe the potential client through questioning to find out about their needs and problems. Once you have heard their needs and problems, mention that you have solutions for them. Be clear throughout the conversation that this is your career and you would be happy to work with them. Have a policy in place for friends and family in the event they want your services for free. Once you have mastered this skill, you will increase your confidence in asking the right questions during the process of earning new clients. Michael Losier, a Law of Attraction Trainer and author, supports people in understanding and practicing the Art of Deliberate Attraction, so they can have more of what they want and less of what they don't. Michael has been applying the principles of Law of Attraction for many years and enjoys a wonderful and rewarding life in the city of Victoria, BC, Canada. He facilitates a number of in-person Law of Attraction seminars as well as Teleseminars to a worldwide audience. For more articles by Michael Losier, Teleclass information or to purchase the book, Law of Attraction, The Science of Attracting More of What You Want and Less of What You Don't, visit http://www.LawOfAttractionBook.com.
MORE RESOURCES:
Marketing - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Writing To Overpower Your Competition "We don't have any competition. We're a truly a one-of-a-kind company. How to Use Your Newsletter to Research Your Market A few decades ago, in the early days of automatic banking terminals, the management at Citibank made a somewhat reluctant decision to introduce automatic tellers. They were anxious to cut costs, but they assumed that customers would rather deal with human tellers, had they the choice. How To Go From Under Dog to Top Dog by Unleashing The Power Of a Postcard The Tale of Two Dentists.. Marketing Tips 101 - Where Can I Get Clients From? The following tips have come from a wide variety of sources; some from other successful businesses we know, some from our Home-Based and Small Business Support Group meetings and some we've developed by trial and error. Some of the ways to get clients are: contact previous employers; mailing lists; cold call your target market; attend group meetings and seminars for your target market (conventions for doctors, lawyers; computer seminars); attend local Chamber of Commerce meetings; join groups related to your target market; if your target market uses a specific system, for example accountants use the SafeGuard system, contact them and tell them that you are available to teach them how to use the system or you can do it for them. Effective Marketing For any business to be successful whether on or offline it has to be marketing effectively. You are going to need more than a great looking site with fabulous products or services to obtain success. Will Googles Gmail spell trouble for Email Marketing. We wait with baited breath for the anticipated launch of Google's Gmail - a fre*e email account, capable of storing50,000 short, text only messages. That was not a misprint. Explode Your Sales With Free & Exclusive Content Offering free and exclusive content to ezine publishers and webmasters is one of the best ways you can increase exposure for your products and services. There are several effective methods you can use to employ this marketing tactic and subsequently boost your sales. When, Why, and How to Use Mailing Lists Mailing lists may be the cause of more heartbreaks than anyother single factor in mail order. A poorly chosen list, a weakmailing and the high cost of mailing to a list can tax theoptimism of a new dealer very, very quickly. Direct Mail Leads - Brand Identity Guru Direct mail can be one of the most effective tactics to reach your target audience. Developing a strategy for direct mail is critical to obtaining the best ROI. Getting Your Marketing Message Across with CD Business Cards CD Business cards allows any type of business that dynamic look. Hand out your business card on disc and see the expression on your clients faces. The Greatest Business Tips are FREE The best way for someone to hang on to a tip is on a business card.Do you remember seeing the TV commercials of OSH Hardware stores, the ones where they give out time saving tips on things like squeaky floors and a host of other common household problems? The tips are well received and they are getting their name associated with "the answers are out there". People Pleasing Postcards Why are more businesses turning to full-color postcards as a key form of promotion? The biggest reason is the simplest: You don't have to open a postcard. It won't get lumped in with all the direct mail envelopes that people toss without opening. Business to Business Direct Mail Sales Letters Need an Offer (and Heres Why) In direct mail, the offer is the incentive or reward that you dangle in front of your prospects to motivate them to respond to your mailing. In business-to-consumer direct mail, for example, a magazine publisher will offer a yearly subscription to its magazine at 60% off the newsstand price. 10 Ways to Get Your Flyers Noticed An inexpensive way to promote your services is to createvarious flyers and distribute them wherever you go -- pinthem to the bulletin boards at the library, bookstore,handout out at networking events, or playing tennis. Hereare 10 tips on how to get your flyer noticed and remembered. Effective Marketing for Small Businesses Effective marketing for the small business begins with market researchIf you don't know who your customers are, how on earth are you going to reach them? The most effective small business marketing strategies are the most highly targeted ones: the ones which are based on a clear understanding of who their target audience is. What's your target age group and income bracket? What publications do they read? What do they do for fun? For it to be truly successful, your marketing should try to address an issue your target market deal with, fulfil a need or answer a problem. How To Get Celebrities To Endorse YOUR Product How would you like celebrities to endorse your product?Perhaps that sounds crazy. Well, here's the info. The Future of Marketing Part 1 It used to be if you were a small business, you were at a distinct disadvantage with your marketing compared to the bigger companies.No more. Advertising Your Private Practice: Beware of the Problems-Part 1 One of the biggest mistakes coaches, counselors and other healing professionals make is to assume that they must advertise their private practice in order to get clients. These professionals often tell me they have spent a lot of money on advertising with minimal, if any, results. Medias Dirty Little Secret I'm constantly amazed by all of the media reps from all of the different media outlets that can help your advertising to "reach the right people."Why am I amazed?Because they all reach the same people. Take My Commitment (to Your Biz) Quiz! Starting and managing a successful small business takes time, energy, money and a HUGE commitment. But the payoff can also be HUGE, in terms of personal accomplishment, satisfaction, happiness, and M0NEY! So just how committed are you?Here's 10 questions to help you find out:(1) Have you taken the time to create a business plan?A business plan ensures you have a well-thought-out plan for your business.
|
| Good Credit Loans | home | site map | School Bus Clothing | Florida Pool Heating |
| © 2006 |
