I never thought I would hear myself say ”I wish I knew then what I know now.” After twenty-plus years in business I have heard myself say this a lot. The truth is no matter how many books and audios you absorb or seminars you attend, there is no better teacher than experience.
All your coaches, seminars and studying can teach you a lot, however, you have to test everything for yourself. That said, I still feel compelled to share with you a few keys to success that definitely eluded me in the early years of running my own business.
1. Client Care is King
What you do and how well you do it is super important. However, what is more important is how well you take care of the people you are doing it for. Be sure to thank them often and treat them like the VIPs they are. They are why you are in business—never forget it.
2. Events Rock
Three years ago I started doing a lot of my own events. My purpose was to serve clients, meet new potential clients and reconnect with clients I had not seen in awhile. Guess what happened—revenue soared. Why? Because like-minded people like to meet other people like them—they love to connect and support each other. Even though virtual and online events are a great way to include more people from all over, live and in person is way better. The reason is relationships can be built better and faster when you are live and in person.
3. Groups Massively Monetize
You can serve people one-on-one for as long as you like, however as quickly as you can start to add group services. This allows you to leverage your time and serve more people. In-person or virtual groups provide your clients an added benefit: community.
4. Community Keeps Clients Around
This is the big thing no one told me, the biggest thing I wish I knew years ago. I want you to hear me loud and clear: building a community gives your clients so much more value and supports them so much more than what you alone can do. It is the secret-special-sauce for your success that will keep your clients coming back time after time. Be sure to include it in your business mix.
5. Your Business Always Needs Something New and Exciting
The same thing you have been doing may still work very well, but it is not new and exciting. Always have something fresh, innovative and exciting to share and talk about. Your latest book, your new program, being on the cover of a magazine, your upcoming special event all qualify as new and exciting. Part of the value of this strategy is that it gives potential clients new ways to connect with you and it confirms for your current clients that they are smart to be working with you. What is your strategy for the next new and exciting thing?
6. Planning is Underrated
When I was first in business, I was definitely making it up as I went along and that worked fine in the beginning. What I discovered is figuring it out as you go is very stressful. It is also less effective than pre-planning way in advance and then re-planning and documenting everything you do so that you can improve it and upgrade it for the next time. Plan today for tomorrow, plan this week for next week, plan this month for next month, Plan this quarter for next quarter and of course, plan this year for next year. Also, you have probably heard me say get a wall calendar. This is a calendar that allows you to see the whole year and next year at a glace. This really helps with planning and scheduling.
7. Do it All Your Way Not Somebody Else’s
I have spent a ton of money on coaches and consultants. This was all money well spent—it did accelerate my business and teach me a lot. However, even when someone who is more successful than you is telling you to do something, do not take it as the right way or the only way until you have tested it for yourself. You have to test everything for yourself and do what works for you based on your values, your business, your goals and the lifestyle you want. What works for others may not be the right fit for you. Test everything for yourself.
Apply the above business success guiding principle and you will absolutely accelerate your success and take years off your learning curve.
Caterina Rando shows women entrepreneurs how to be loud and proud about the value they bring. She shares ways to build a thriving business through building your influence and being strategic in your actions. She is a master certified coach, business strategist, creator of Business Breakthrough Summit. Download your free e-book on the Top Ten Secrets to Create a Business Breakthrough at http://www.bizbreakthrough.com Caterina can be reached via email at cat@caterinarando.com or at 415-668-4535.