Back to Bartering

I was recently having a conversation with a friend about how so many people struggle with getting clients and building a following, and how even when they know what they should do they still don’t do it!

So why is this? Is it because they are fearful of success for some reason? ..they say they want success, they even tell themselves that they want it ..but still they don’t step up and take the action.

One of the easiest ways to increase your followers is to help other people.

A) Help your clients to find the answers to their problems

B) Help your peers

The first one is well publicized ..find out what your customers want and give it to them ..easy peasy (well most of the time!)

It takes some work to research what your customers want, but with the online information readily available then the world is just waiting to share with you.

So; get an idea, check out your potential customers (just because you think it is a great idea doesn’t mean it is) research it well, who are your customers, who are your competition?

then away you go ..but you need a strategy (I am happy to recommend a few people who can help you ..just drop me a line)

Which brings me to my second point ..help your peers … to some people this can be a little more tricky to understand.

..So what do I mean ..well, whatever your niche or business that you are in, there will be complimentary businesses that run beside it ..so for instance ..a website designer could have contacts who are copywriters ..or a manufacturer of paint could team up with a paint brush maker

You see they just seem to fit together..so once you have established who/what compliments your business ..go ask them ..here are few tips:

Be friendly

People buy from people ..be friendly, build the relationship

Ask how you can help them (not the other way around!)

If you ask someone for a favour ..they may say Yes ..but they are more likely to say Yes if it is a win:win situation ..which is where bartering comes into play…

So if I have a copy writing service and you have an online business ….I may ask you if you would like me to write x amount of copy for you and in exchange perhaps you could promote my services to your customers

..see get the idea …think outside the box ..how else could you help them

If you are offering to pay them as an affiliate is this something that will interest them ? Is it appropriate? Just keep asking …how can I help them

..my mum always said ..what goes around comes around ..be nice to people, help people and you will be rewarded

As a little side note ..I have a great marketing ebook that I am giving away

..if you would like a copy please go to :

http://www.seminarboost.co.uk/hopkins.html

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Is your customer service killing your business?

Customer service

..to me ..is one of the key things that is important to me

Don’t you hate it when you buy something and then get really bad customer service when you need some help ?
Or even …when you are LOOKING TO BUY ..and the service is either rude and unhelpful or just totally ignores you
..hey ..forget it ..I am out of there ..sale lost!

I remember a story from years ago about a really scruffy looking guy who turned up at a BMW garage in a beat up escort, got out of the car and was meet with the look of disdain by the sales man …he got back into his car ..drove to the next town that also had a BMW dealership and got a warm, chatty reception from the guy there, really friendly but respectful. The sales guy let the man go for a test drive and try all the whistles and gadgets to his hearts content.
,,,the result ..the guy ordered 5 top of the range BMW’s for his executive staff and the friendly salesman made a nice big bonus! ..the guy also told the salesman about the other dealership who he had been to first ..result ..the salesman phoned the first dealership and thanked them for their lack of insight!!

Or ladies, do you remember the scene in Pretty Woman when she has to go shopping for a new outfit and the snobby shop assistants take one look at her and assume who & what she is…big mistake!
(one of my favourite films…had to mention it!)

There is so much competition out there these days ..people do not have to buy from you but they will buy from someone.
Yes, first impressions count ..but they can also be deceiving ..treat everyone as royalty!

What makes me buy ?
I would much rather buy from someone that:
I trust
I like
Who has been recommended to me
Who has guarantees
Who makes me feel special
Who isn’t all hype and no action
Who walks the walk

Now I know when a business is new it can be difficult, but
it takes just one or two references /testimonials from happy customers,
it takes a happy helpful person to be the sales person, who excepts that you are having a bad hair day and just come from the gym or you borrowed your friends car
It just takes a well thought out campaign to confirm what guarantees you have in place

A great tip that I had given to me ..was test your customer services out yourself …be a mystery customer of your own.
My friend was outsourcing his customer services queries for his business, he phoned up and was shocked at the response (dull and un-inviting) he then asked a slightly awkward question and he was again disappointed at the response …how many customers and potential customers had his outsourcing cost him? He now has a new company helping him and regularly checks what they are up to !

Don’t get complacent ..check that your customers are happy with the service, ask for feedback, ask for referrals, ask for testimonials, check yourself

Your customers happiness is paramount to your business and as the world becomes more and more connected and social media is becoming the key referral point ..then you need to enure your utmost to give the best customer service you can.

Who are your customers?

Whether you sell physical products, coaching, internet based products, giving information seminars or you invest in properties;
you need to know who your customers are and what they want.

It isn’t even enough to know what they need –because you know yourself that the fact that you need something that will do you good doesn’t always mean that you choose that product!..for example: I know I need to exercise more, I know I should ..does it mean that I will …probably not..will I buy a gym membership or a pair of shoes …well ladies we all know the answer to that one!

Anyway ..what I am getting at is, if you know who your customers and what they want, what floats their boat, then it will be a ton easier to supply them with the exact service or product that you have.

You can gear your sales pitch to include their interests
You can solve the problems that they are having
You can be the answer
You can become a trusted friend …remember people by from people!

So get to know your customer – have some fun, be sincere and get to know them…..
As you know I love facebook – because I live in France I don’t get to mix with like minded people as much as I would like to, but through facebook, I have found some great new friends who share the same interests and who have become customers as well as friends.

Which very neatly brings me to a favour that I have to ask….so that I can get to know you and find out what you want or what I can help you with ..would you mind completing the attached survey for me..I promise it will only take 2 minutes. As a thank you I have a gift for you ..just click here to find out more