October 21st, 2007
Every noticed how some coaches and consultants naturally have a full client roster, while other stumble around trying to find their first client? It happens all the time, and it has very little to do with luck. Here are five steps to becoming a client magnet and starting that wait list of your own.
1) Create a Strong Platform- This is the very first step to becoming a client magnet, and it involves creating a strong platform for yourself. There are thousands of coaches and consultants out there-what makes you different? Creating a strong platform is about finding what makes you different from everyone else and then conveying that with enthusiasm to the world. The stronger your platform, the stronger your "magnetic" attraction power.
2) Be a Connector- If you can serve as a connector for others, you (and your services!) will be valued. Know someone who needs an accountant? Know a good accountant looking for new business? Connect them! The best marketers are also the best connectors. They are the "go-to" people for information and resources. If you can establish yourself as a connector, you can build a very credible reputation through word of mouth.
3) Hone your Listening Skills- If you are always talking about your business, when do you have time to listen to other people’s needs? Take the time to listen to other people’s stories when you meet them. This will allow you to quickly discover if there is an area in which you can help them. Not only will they appreciate your listening skills, they will be more open to your "customized" advice.
4) Ask for Referrals- Never feel shy when asking for referrals from your current clients-especially if your work together created impressive results for them. Don’t assume your clients will go around bragging about what an excellent job you did. So, just let them know that you are open to taking on more clients and would appreciate their referrals. Most people are happy to spread the word. Just don’t forget to thank them wholeheartedly when they do!
5) Partner with Others- Find other coaches and consultants whose services compliment yours and start a joint venture with them. It doesn’t have to be a long term partnership, but you can partner together to host a seminar or write an E-book. This will give you both increased exposure.
Bonus Step- Be PERSISTENT. The coaches and consultants that do well for themselves and turn their practices into client magnets are the ones that work at it. They try different angles, invest in their business, provide value, and be persistent.
Posted in Marketing Tools for Your Service Business, Marketing Your Business | 2 Comments »
October 19th, 2007
Dear Shama,
I was an administrative assistant for over 15 years, and now I am ready to start my own business-at least I think I am. I want to start a virtual assistant business but I am not sure exactly how to go about doing so. What do I really need to start such a business and how do I market myself?
-Lost Virtual Assistant in Plano, Texas
Dear Lost Virtual Assistant,
I don’t think you are lost at all! I think you have chosen a great way to take your experiences and turn them into something more profitable. Just the other day someone asked me-What is Secretarial Services? A virtual assistant business would be a great example of such a service. Let’s break your question down into parts.
First part-How do you start? Well, you already seem to have set an intention to do so which is really the first step. Now, you have to focus on who you want to work with? There is a great need for Virtual Assistants in many fields, and you can choose whether you want to be a generalist of specialist. A generalist virtual assistant can work on a variety of projects, just like most administrative assistants. As a specialist, you can choose to work with only lawyers (doing legal research), or with medical professionals (medical transcription, etc), or with any specific group that requires a special skill set. There is a need for both types of virtual assistants, and you can go with what feels most comfortable to you.
Second part-What do you need? Characteristics wise, most clients ask for virtual assistants who are sharp, can take initiative, and who will help further the client’s business. If this sounds like you, you may find your business booming before you know it. You also need a good working computer, an internet, fax, and phone connection, and lots of folders to keep you organized. Remember to back up your files often. Careless errors in your first years in business can cost you.
Third part-How do you market yourself? Leverage the internet! Set up a great website that lists your services and your credentials. Now, tell everyone you know. This includes your friends, acquaintances, and even your kid’s teachers. Contact old employers and tell them what you are up to. Many businesses are now looking to hire virtual assistants to decrease in-house costs. Create a short movie on the benefits of hiring a virtual assistant and load it on YouTube. Don’t forget to list your website address at the bottom! Once you get those initial clients, remember to wow them with your service. Best of Luck and Work Smart!
-Shama
Posted in Dear Shama Letters, Marketing Tools for Your Service Business, Marketing Your Business | 4 Comments »
October 16th, 2007
Recently I made a big purchase on eBay, only to receive fake goods. I contacted the seller, and the seller has offered a full refund but continues to protest that his products are real. A couple of observations here- 1) His auction page states a no return policy. If the goods are indeed "real" then why bother offering me a refund? 2) I found many people complaining about the same seller on various discussion boards. There are two dilemmas in this situation. One is mine as a consumer-Do I accept the refund and say nothing more? or Do I go through the appropriate channels and report this seller so others can be forewarned? He also has a dilemma-Does he keep selling the products that he now KNOWS to be fake? (I had them appraised by an expert) or Does he continue to leverage his power seller status to fool people?
My intention with this post is not to solve either of these dilemmas, but simply to focus on the process of solving ethical dilemmas in business.
1) Figure Out your Intention- This is really the first step in solving any conflict (internal or external). What do you hope to achieve from your conflict? Do you wish to clear your own conscience? Do you just want the other side to concede defeat? Your intention will depend on your own personal dilemma. For example, my intention with the eBay dilemma is to warn others of this seller without receiving negative feedback as retaliation from him.
2) Map out Your Actions- It may seem silly to write out your actions but our mind processes thoughts in a more logical fashion when we write them down. Just jot down a few action steps you could take and what the consequences would be for each action. In my case, I can a) Contact eBay directly b) Leave messages warning about this seller on forums c) Leave negative feedback. There is also a consequence for each of my actions. If I contact eBay directly, they may ask me to sort it out with the seller. If I leave messages warning about this seller on forums, it will take up valuable time and may not reach as many people. If I leave negative feedback, he may retaliate and leave negative feedback for me.
3) Cost versus Benefit- In the end you have to analyze the cost versus the benefit of each action. I don’t mean just financial costs-any negative consequence can be viewed as a cost. For example, the seller knows that their products are not real. They can choose to continue selling them as authentic but the cost of that would be guilty feelings, a potentially ruined reputation, and just plain old bad karma. (I am a big believer is what goes around, comes around). You have to pick the action with minimal cost.
Now, I realize that ethical dilemmas can be very complex at times and this structure is meant to simply guide your process. In the end, it often boils down to the wisest words ever uttered: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Posted in Leaders with Intuition, Managing Your Business, Web Entrepreneur Community | 4 Comments »
“Shama really helped pump me up about my website and all the possibilities. She not only offered loads of great advice on how to help grow and monetize my Online Guitar Community in the long run, she also offered a lot of practical short-term advice that was easy to implement right away. Definitely recommend her!”
“When I first met Shama I called her a fireball of enthusiasm and energy! She has so much passion for what she does and always gives her heart and soul to every project. She is gifted in her abilities to tune into what you need and get the job done fast. There is great excitement when she gets on a creative roll and the ideas start pouring out. Shama is master of action and results when it comes to business, she knows just what area is out of balance and where to target the attention. She is focused, driven, and dedicated. If you are looking for sure-fire ways to boost the success of your business, Shama can take you there. She’s got what it takes to bring a company to the top of its game.”