Get More Clients Blog

In last weeks’ blog, I announced that I’m writing a new book. (Gulp!) One of the working titles is The Ultimate Value Proposition. While this may not end up being the final title of the book, it certainly will be the main thrust.

Being different or unique can help you grab the attention of some prospects. But “what makes you different” is NOT what makes you compelling – moving a prospect to take action. Being unique or different is NOT what will win you a new client.

Expanding on what I started last week, below are the 5 elements of a value proposition designed to win new business. This is by no means an exhaustive list, I think you’ll see that these elements are all interrelated and important.

Marketing experts are always talking about how we must have a Unique Value Proposition, or Unique Selling Proposition, look different in the marketplace, or accentuate what makes us distinct.

Indeed… sometimes we need to define and accentuate our differentiation to catch the attention of our prospects and others who are important to our business.

But differentiation, distinction or uniqueness isn’t the end game.

The end game is moving someone to take action… to respond to our email or voice mail… to grant us an appointment (phone or in person)… to do business with us… and to follow our recommendations.

Every part of your value proposition should be built for two purposes – that continually work together…

Have you ever done some that generated multiple benefits at once? Maybe not just for yourself but other people as well?

Here’s how one small business owner created a positive situation out of a negative review on social media, all while helping his business and his community at the same time.

I’ve read a few articles recently about the Do’s and Don’ts of how to write an email to get your message well received. To save you time, I’ve distilled most of these into 2 main “Rules.”

Okay… I can hear you now, “Who do you think you are telling me what rules to break or follow? I’ve done quite well for myself breaking the rules!“

I get it. I break the rules myself sometimes. With that said…

WARNING: Breaking these two rules could be harmful to the health of your relationships with prospects, clients, colleagues, and friends.

I just discovered the easiest, most comfortable, and most effective way to ask for referrals. Fasten your seatbelt… this could be a game changer for you! You’ve heard me talk about sharing your Why with…

The 4 most prevalent mistakes I see in asking for referrals are:

1. Thinking you’re more referable than you really are.

2. Merely promoting referrals – not really asking for specific introductions to specific people or brainstorming various categories.

3. Not creating an environment of “brainstorming” or “exploration” – no pressure and no right or wrong suggestions.

4. Not coming prepared to suggest specific people or categories.

Check out the situation presented to me by one of our readers. Check out my answer. Then tell me what you would do. (Seriously – I’d love your comments.)

Sending reasonable priced gifts to your clients – at least your ‘A’ clients – and your referral sources creates great “engagement.” And it’s “engaged” clients who give referrals.

So what’s your plan for this year?

One of the best gifts I ever sent to our clients is when my daughter was selling Girl Scout cookies. I sent out 144 boxes of Thin Mints. My clients loved it and my daughter led her troop in cookie sales that year.

By the way – if it has your logo on it – it’s probably not a gift… its promotion! There are exceptions to that rule, however.

Tell me if you’ve ever experienced this…

You’ve connected with your new prospect. You believe you can bring real value to -them. They seem to agree. But then… crickets. They keep putting you off. Or worse, they stop returning your emails or phone calls without a word of explanation. You don’t want to be a pest, but “What the heck?”

What went wrong? Why didn’t your prospect follow your recommendations?

Could it be that your prospect didn’t have a sense of urgency to act? And you didn’t help them?

INBOUND fuels the passion that drives the most innovative and successful business leaders of our time. From November 8-11, 2016 thousands of marketing and sales professionals from almost every industry imaginable and from all corners of the globe will attend INBOUND in the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.

Tis the season for many social events, where you’ll be spending time with friends, close family, distant relatives, neighbors, and – yes – total strangers.

Many of these people might make great clients for you. Many others may never become clients, but might have the ability to refer and introduce you to others.

Let’s say you’re at a holiday party or other social event and someone asks, “What do you do?” How do you respond? Do you whip out your best elevator speech? Do you pretend you don’t want to talk about the great value you bring to your clients?

Are you blowing an opportunity?