Mistakes – What is driving your clients away? And What You Can Do About It
Many businesses experience a slow down during the end of the year and start the new year. Everyone is focusing on the holidays and end of the year chores, and often business takes a back seat. It can happen every year. However, if you’ve been feeling that slow-down for the past several months, perhaps it is time to take some action and figure out what is going wrong. What might you be doing or not doing that is driving your clients and potential clients away? Before it is too late you need to take a minute to reflect and then make some positive changes. These should help.
Top Ways to Keep Your Clients Coming Back Time and Time Again:
How are you doing with your clients and potential clients? Are you still making your current clients feel special? Even though you’ve been working with them for years, it’s important to still make them feel like they are your #1. Think about it. Are the newer or potential clients getting all your energy? This happens. But it’s important to note and make the appropriate changes.
What can truly happen in your business is you get too overwhelmed. The demands of speaking or coaching and running a business can be too much. We know that it’s hard as not only do you need to do great work for current clients, but also part of being successful is to grow your business and secure new clients. You WANT to continue doing this, just not at the expense of your current clients. It might be the time to sit down with your virtual assistant or team and go over more tasks they can handle for you so you can give that quality care to all clients. The biggest mistake most make is thinking they need to do it all alone. You don’t. So take action now.
Also, take a look at your promotions or your offerings. Are you offering all the good stuff to the clients you are hoping to attract? Giving specials is great, but consider what you can be doing for your regular clients too. You know the ones that pay each and every month. It doesn’t have to be money either. It can be things such as sending out extra tweets or setting up a call with them to go over a problem they might be having. Just be sure to show them you truly value them and give back.
Are you ignoring feedback? – What are you clients telling you? Are you listening so you can take appropriate action? Look for signs that things are going well. For example, are they not sending you as much work? Are the responses back not as warm and fussy as before? Be mindful of the signs and work to make it better. Also encourage feedback, by asking for it. When I send my invoices and my work, I ask if they have any recommendations for how I can do better and I truly want to hear what they say. But not only do I hear their recommendations, I make sure to act on them as well. Client feedback is crucial to your success, so listen and take action when needed.
Not connecting enough – Are you not engaging enough with your clients and potential clients. When was the last time you sent out a newsletter or updated your blog? Be honest. When was the last time you spoke with your clients personally. Now often work goes along just fine without those calls, but it is good to connect. Just sometimes reach out and say hi!
Okay, take it a step further, when was the last time you actually did some marketing for your business? Take just a few minutes and write down what marketing you’ve done in the past two months. Now review that. Is it enough? What have you done right, and what can you improve upon? Many, especially this time of year, stop their marketing efforts altogether. This is a huge mistake. Yes, many are busy, but also many are gearing up for 2013. You want to be on their minds when they start the year out big time.
Now you know what you can do to make positive changes, be sure to include a plan to do that. Write down a specific to do list to make these changes and follow-up on them. Your current clients are the best asset you can have in your business. Make every effort to keep them always saying how happy they are to have you a part of their team!
Diana Ennen, President of Virtual Word Publishing, www.virtualwordpublishing.com has been in business for over 27 years and is eager to help coach you to better success or help with your marketing. As the author of the highly successful, Virtual Assistant the Series: Become a Highly Sought After VA, she can guide to in all you need to do to be successful. Email for her free informational package diana@virtualwordpublishing.com. Article is free to be reprinted as long as bio remains. (So please do add it to your blog, newsletter, etc.)
