Your Next Client Isn't Online So Stop Looking There for Her
Episode 320: Show Notes
So we have been propagating some pretty scandalous ideas lately and they have got some of you thinking and moving! Today we are dropping the full knowledge bomb on all of you about the myth of online businesses. A lot of you seem to still be convinced that your next client or even all of your clients will be found online and to be honest this is just not true. If you run a service based business you need to rethink your model! Just to be clear this does not mean that your clients do not use the internet or are not on Facebook and Instagram, it just means that people find services and make connections in real life and through referrals, people! We need levels of trust and real life relationships will always trump online advertising and presence.
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This is the know, like, and trust principle. So think about human connection, your personality and those tactics that can work in these arenas. It's like as a community we have become confused. A lot of us have started small businesses trying to mimic huge online businesses rather than think about what will get us going in our own stream. This line should have been drawn more clearly a long time ago! These are growth strategies for people with already established client bases, not tactics to find new clients when you are starting out. If you follow this popular online strategy and social media presence rulebook, you will end up with no clients! This is true all over the world, so get your head straight and let's find you some clients!
The Ubiquity of this Feeling
We have had this conversation a few times, in our masterminds and in coaching scenarios and the same things seem to keep coming up. Ask yourself how you found your last five clients, or your first clients or your favorite clients, whatever suits you. The answer is almost always through word of mouth referrals. So then why spend money on Facebook ads? It's so simple there is no need to complicate it. When we first started out we also made these mistakes and we can also see it as a natural way of mimicking what we see and aspire to. A big problem we have seen is that hopeful business owners start to value the wrong things, forget about being a certified expert, your online presence and visibility. You can be amazingly successful without anyone really knowing who you are! If you are busy working with a few great clients and making money why would you bother with being known further than that?
Long Game Strategies and Employing Better Tactics
It is now quite popular to start working on long game strategies for you biz. These include writing books, starting podcasts and blogging. These are not bad ideas in themselves but are the wrong way to go about finding clients, especially in the beginning. You need to find customers and get that income stream rolling! A lot of this comes down to a fear of rejection and wanting to be accepted. Think of when you might have had a lemonade stand as a kid, how did you find customers then? The same rules apply here, introductions and proximity always work. You really do not have to do things the hard way or add stuff to your plate that does not affect your ROI. It is entirely possible to get more validation and online engagement and be making fewer sales and this is not what you want!
The Myth and Allure of Passive Income
Some of you may be thinking that these long term strategies will serve you when you do not want to have clients anymore and that you want to build passive income streams. Well let us tell you something about passive income! It can be a magical thing under the right circumstances but it is very difficult and most of the time a highly unlikely possibility. Ask yourself how much more time you would have if you focused on everything besides the online world. It can be helpful to figure out your why and the why behind it so you can gauge your goals. There are levels to our reasons, they can be selfish and selfless at the same time and in the end simplifying your biz model will serve both of these motivations. You do not need to be better at what you do, rather focus on networking and improving the way you deal with people who can connect you. This often comes down to just being a good person and being nice!
Talking To Your Inner Circle and Your Mindset
Remember to take advantage of possibilities right in front of you, talk to those close to you! Your mindset is the most important thing here. You need to stay focused on mimicking the right models. Your goals as of today are to stop wasting time on things that make no money, get your head in order and follow the right leaders. If you can get yourself out of the anxiety churn and be more fun to be around you will see the benefits and this will reflect in new clients and business. Desperate and stressed out energy does not breed money, rather go into meetings relaxed and confident that if it is a good fit it will work out and if not there will be more business down the road. You have to know your worth and keep steady on the abundance mentality. We are trying to take you back to a simpler time and a simpler idea of business that will improve your clients' experience and get rid of the excess, everyone will be happier about it, we promise!
Quote This
Why do we try to make business harder than it actually is.
Highlights
The Ubiquity of this Feeling. [0:06:04.3]
Long Game Strategies and Employing Better Tactics. [0:11:42.6]
The Myth and Allure of Passive Income. [0:21:53.3]
Talking To Your Inner Circle and Your Mindset. [0:29:38.7]
Get Your Head Right and Simplify Everything. [0:35:28.8]
ON TODAY’S SHOW
Abagail & Emylee
The Strategy Hour Podcast
We help overwhelmed and creative entrepreneurs break down their Oprah-sized dreams to create a functioning command center to tame the chaos of their business. Basically, we think you’re totally bomb diggity, we’re about to uplevel the shiz out of your business.
KEY TOPICS
Online Strategies, Customers, Client Base, Building a Business, Return on Investment
