This is the last in a series of posts about what it means to Get R.E.A.L, which will help your perfect client find you. You can read about being realistic (the “R”) here, being engaging (the “E”) here, and being authentic (the “A”) here
While meeting with a client recently, he shares with me that he’s been up since 4 a.m. rowing with the local crew club.”Wow, ” I say. “How did you get involved in that?”
“My son (a high school student) does it,” he replies.
“Oh, that’s nice,” I say. “You and your son can share your love of rowing together. How long have you been doing it?”
“A year,” he replies. “My wife and I took it up because our son loves it. We wanted to experience it from his point of view.”
Then he proceeds to tell me that the process of rowing crew is not like taking a leisurely kayak ride down the canal. It takes hard work, both physically and mentally.
“The oar has to go in the water at exactly the right angle,” he says, “otherwise it will end up under the boat.”
Yikes.
“And,” he continues, “every member of the team has to be exactly in sync or else they’ll knock into each other. ”
In sync. Every member of the team has to be in sync so that their boat can go the fastest. If one crew member is rowing faster than the others, it will not work.
It’s the same thing between business owners and clients. You have to be in sync in order to develop a long lasting relationship with them.
Here are my top tips for getting there:
Be a Thought Leader
It’s not enough to promote yourself as an “expert”. You have to back it up. When you have a dynamic website, blog or podcast series packed with great content and innovative ideas, it brands you as a thought leader who is smart, understands the market and would be a valuable person to do business with.
Have a Servant Attitude
When you come from a place of service rather than selling, people will see that you have integrity and will trust you.
Give with No Strings Attached
Be willing to give away information for free that you’d feel comfortable charging a few hundred dollars for. Why? Because you will gain credibility and loyalty with your buyers who will happily tell their friends who will tell their friends, etc.
You have something special to offer. I guarantee that if you Get R.E.A.L, you will get noticed and you will be found by your ideal client.
Thank you for sharing this space with me.
Robin Taney, (aka the “Get R.E.A.L Girl”) is the owner and founder of Studio 4 PR . She works with creative, independent, and “kitchen table” entrepreneurs who are highly motivated to be found by their perfect client. You can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest, and sign up for her newsletter, Get R.E.A.L. You are welcome to use this post on your blog, provided you do not alter it in any way and include a link to this blog.