After spending the past week traveling to see our New Jersey clients, I am inspired to write abut the easiest, quickest and most enjoyable way to grow your business; through word of mouth (WOM). It is the golden ticket to having a dream business. I know it sounds obvious, but I’m always amazed how tough it is for our clients to build their businesses this way. It generally eludes people so much so that we have designed a program specifically to help others do this.
Picture this, clients of ours host a party to invite their friends over to meet us. We are the guests of honor. At the party we eat, drink and converse. There were several other clients of ours there who all knew each other (benefits of WOM). We take a moment to present a little award to recognize one client who reached a tremendous milestone. The rest of the time we spend listening to our clients tell stories of their own successes due to their coaching experience with us. At the end of the party the newcomers feel as though they know us well and are inspired by the stories and ask if they can talk further about how we may be able to help them. It’s a beautiful process – and totally organic.
This is exactly how we grow our social circles, yet we rarely use the same principles in business. We are usually so focused on going out to the masses to get more that we forget to pay attention to our current and best clients. Then when we hit a dead end from our endless mass marketing techniques, we head back to our clients (whom we have generally ignored up until now), get down on our knees and plead for a referral or two. This leaves is feeling like we are taking all we can get from those who have already given us so much – our livelihood.
Here is a general guide on how to begin the new process of building your business:
First, develop personal relationships with your best and most enjoyable clients. Notice, I didn’t say who pays you the most. If someone makes you want to stick a letter opener in your eye – take them off your list. Instead, focus on those who you would want to replicate in your business.
Second, let them know that you are designing your business around your best relationships and that you consider them to be one of your best relationships (because you do) and tell them why they are.
Third, invite these specific ‘Potential Champions’ to an event they will enjoy such as golf, go-kart racing, wine gala or whatever. Eventually, ask them to bring a friend along, someone they feel you would enjoy meeting. Remember, this is about expanding your world with people you enjoy – there will be plenty of business to follow.
Finally, when you genuinely have a solid relationship with your Potential Champions, ask them, ‘if you were me, how would you go about meeting more people like you?’ (This is the general gist. There is more to this conversation, but I am limited in space here).
The key to this is to BE GENUINE! The general principle behind this program is the same social principle you used to develop your friendships. It is highly unlikely that you went door to door in your neighborhood asking anyone who would listen to be your friend. More likely, you met your friends through your other friends. Do this with your business and you will have a thriving AND fulfilling business.
If you would like more information about this program to help you develop a successful and fulfilling business, contact us at: 800-506-8452 or info@gettingresutlsinc.com.
