How is it Going for You?

  

So how will your holidays be different this year?  Have you been able to visit with your family and friends?  Have you lost family and friends because of COVID?

It's been a different kind of year.  We've all had our challenges to deal with, some more than others.  I've seen many take it in stride and make the best of it and others are still wallowing in 'Oh ain't it awful and it's not going to get better until.......'  

As the holidays approach, are you making plans differently than you have in the past or will you celebrate as you usually do?

For those with a business, how is it going for you?  I've seen some thrive while others have closed their doors.  And yet others have used this opportunity to start new businesses.  

I believe our outcome is in large part to how we deal with things on an ongoing basis.  When life throws us a curve ball do we dwell on getting punched in the stomach or do we suck it up and move on?  Is the glass half full or half empty?  What difference does it make?  You can fill the glass to the brim and solve that question.

So, do you look for opportunity?  Do you look for the silver lining?  Do you believe that everything happens for a reason?  Things to think about.

One of the aspects of my business that I promote is keeping in touch with clients and prospects.  You never know when they might need your products or service or have the opportunity to refer you.  It's important to stay Top of Mind.  I've been fortunate in that my business has thrived during this time.  Which brings me to one of the reasons I am writing this newsletter....to share an opportunity.

SendOutCards recently announced there will be a new program coming in January which will offer six streams of income.  They are giving the opportunity to sign up for the pre-launch for free until 11/16 with the capability of adding others.  I've been with SOC since 2006.  They are a solid company with a great product that almost everyone can use.  If you're reading this, perhaps this is your opportunity knocking.  Sign up for free, see what the program is in January.  If you decide it's not for you, then no harm, no foul.  For a little preview, watch this two minute video.

Here are some additional resources for Working Virtually:

Seven Tips for Working At Home

Networking Online

5 Tips for What to Wear for Video Conferencing

The Gratitude Effect

Relationship Marketing 

To Your Success,

Annette

Painted Lady Enterprises

'Helping You and Your Business Look Good'

A Time To Make Lists

I’m a list maker.  I have to write things down.  It seems that during the holidays, my lists multiply.  In addition to the normal to-do list, there’s the shopping list, the honey do list, the greeting card list, etc.  And then my lists have lists.

In business lists are very important, especially customer and prospect lists.   Past clients and prospects represent potential income.  It is extremely important for every business to keep contact records of past clients and prospects and keep in touch on a regular and consistent basis.  The reason a business should keep in touch with past clients and prospects is, you never know when they will 1) need your product/service again or 2) have an opportunity to refer you to someone who needs your product/service.   

How to build a list –

• As you meet potential clients, ask for their contact information.  Even if they don’t purchase at the time, you want to stay in touch.
• Offer something of value – information.  Start a newsletter with industry information that you publish on a periodic basis, like once a month.  As you meet people, ask if you may add them to your distribution lists.
• Have an ‘opt in’ feature on your website and/or blog to ‘Join your newsletter distribution list.’  You can also add this feature – ‘Join My List’ - to your Facebook business page.
• When you do trade shows and expos, give away a door prize by collecting contact information and having a drawing.
•  When doing speaking engagements, have a sign-up sheet for your newsletter.
•  When someone makes a purchase, be sure and get their contact information.  Send them a thank you and add them to your distribution list.

-      Also, keep track of where the names on your list come from.  I find it interesting to go back and see the source of the referral/sale.

So now that you have a list, how are some ways to use it? 

How to work a list –

• When you acquire a new client, you want to send them a thank you note.  You can send an email, but a good old fashion Thank You card sent through snail mail is even better, provided you have their snail mail address.

o   You can also use greeting cards to send them a birthday card, an anniversary card, and about any other type of holiday card.  I recommend sending a totally unexpected card for some unknown holiday at least once a year.  It gets their attention amongst all the junk mail and makes you and your business memorable.

• I mentioned above creating and sending a newsletter on a regular and consistent basis.  Make your newsletters informative about whatever industry you represent.  People love to be informed.
•  Use your social media channels.  When you publish your newsletter, post a link to it on all your social media platforms.  Do the same thing when you publish a new blog.  
•  Use your lists to inform your clients and prospects of sales and specials, however don’t constantly bombard them with only sales and specials or they will unsubscribe because they don’t perceive the value.  Think Givers Gain.  Give them information that is helpful to gain their trust.  They will value that and remember you when they get ready to purchase or have the opportunity to refer you.

If you're not building a list and keeping in touch, someone else is. I hope you found this information of value.  If you need help with newsletters or social media, please contact us.  This is our specialty.

Happy List Making!

Annette

Painted Lady Enterprises

‘Helping You and Your Business Look Good’

Do You Offer Complimentary Consultations?

Most businesses offer a complimentary consultation to talk with a potential client about whether or    
not their products and/or services would be of help to them and their business.  And as long as the business owner and the client have the same expectations, everything is cool. 

In today’s world of ‘transparency’ not everything is as it seems.  Often times though a business owner will disguise their motive for a meeting in many different ways.  My advice, as a business owner, is to ensure you clearly explain the purpose and agenda for the meeting ahead of time so that your potential client feels comfortable meeting with you.

I offer my clients a complimentary consultation more so to explain what and how I do things and to gain their confidence and trust.  Because as a business owner, I only want to do business with those I know, like, and trust. 

So here are my list of ‘Do and Don’ts’ for setting up Complimentary Consultations -  

• Do set a time limit for the consultation – this is for your benefit as well as the client.  If the time runs over, it’s your call as the business owner to end the meeting.

• Do provide an outline of what will be discussed.

• Do bring your sales material with you and discuss it with the client Only IF they want to move forward.  If they are not ready to move forward, leave it with them for future reference.  Not every person you meet with is ready or wants to use your product or service.  If you are gracious about it, they will remember you when they are ready or want to refer you.

• Do turn off your phone and put it away.   Focus and put your full attention on your client.

• Don’t high pressure sell.  More than likely you will lose their trust and confidence and any potential at all of doing business with that person in the future.

• Do send a Thank You note after each meeting thanking the potential client for their time.  This is another way to gain their confidence and trust.

• Don’t bash a potential client to another person and/or on social media even if you don’t mention names.  People can figure it out.  Who wants to do business with someone who talks about others behind their back.  Find some other way to vent your frustrations.

• Do keep your pipeline full.  Even when you think you have all the business you can handle.  Things happen.   

• Do keep ‘dripping’ on those potential clients.  You’ll be pleasantly surprised when the one you thought you would never hear from gives you a call and is now ready to do business.

What other advice would you give on this topic?  Your comments and feedback are welcomed and appreciated.

Happy networking,
Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises
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