Articles

"Everything I've done to get clients hasn't worked," writes a frantic self-employed professional. "I have a web site, I've created a brochure, and I've placed ads. But I haven't found any work. What else can I do?" This defeated entrepreneur's mistake is common. It is not enough for a business owner just to create marketing materials or place ads. In order to produce clients, he needs to get involved.

Individuals may follow this incorrect path because they are emulating their much larger counterparts. However, if you are not internationally known, all of the expensive advertising, internet presence, trade show giveaways and fancy sounding corporate branding will not help-you. Indeed, it is much too common for a one or two person small business marketing coach firm to avoid disclosing even simple information like names, addresses, or phone numbers.

It has been found that people will usually invest in the services of an internet marketing coach (professional) to get clients from people they know and trust rather than from a strange unknown company. This is especially true if your service is more personal or expensive.

The following are five tried and true methods for professionals to attract clients: (a) Face to face meetings at an event or by appointment; (b) Cold-calling prospects; (c) Mailings and emails; (d) Personal follow-up after initial contact; (e) Attending meetings and conferences to speak to groups.

If you want people to become your clients, they need to get to know you, learn to like you, and believe they can trust you. And for that, they really do need to meet you. It's much more challenging to go out and meet strangers, or to call people on the phone and ask for their business. But the reality is that this is what it takes. The same is true for a brochure. Both are just two marketing tools. Just like a pair of pliers, they need a person holding them in order for them to work.

Clients generally want to know your personal details and how you actually are. They look at you or listen to you and to learn about you gradually. If you are not having confidence about talking to people personally, how is it possible that they will be ever eager to employ your services?

Your best marketing tool when meeting and serving prospective clients is your own voice. This is true whether you are talking to them in-person or over the phone. If your voice has confidence in it, your clients will hear it and have confidence in you. Never forget to directly and confidently ask your clients for their business. Practice putting your voice to work and you will quickly feel more confident and achieve greater success.