Archive for the ‘Relationships’ Category
Ideal Client Experiment
I want to start this article with a quote from my favorite Law of Attraction teacher, Esther Hicks:
“You could sit for 15 minutes and conjure an image of yourself (with your ideal clients, in your ideal business). And if you could imagine it to the point that you bring yourself to some level of enthusiasm, you will have accomplished more in that 15 minutes of visualization than you could in 10 years of action.”
- How does it feel when this ideal client calls you?
- What is your experience when you walk into their home?
- What is it like when their project is completed?
Are you game? Leave your thoughts and your notes below:
3 Ways to Reactivate Past Clients
Statistics show that it costs SIX to SEVEN times more to acquire a new customer than to get business from a past one. So why are we spending more time chasing the strangers?
People buy from people who they know, like, and trust. Your past customers already know you, like you, and trust you. So you don’t have to spend time selling yourself. They are already sold on you! You just have to remind them you are around.
Here are my favorite ways to “remind” past clients about me. I always see results:
- Custom Holiday Gift
Thanksgiving is coming up, so what a great time of year to thank your clients and remind them about what you offer. Can you send a small token gift that coordinates with the design project you completed? How about a throw pillow made from their fabric scraps, or a small accessory that matches their room? I recently heard an amazing idea for this time of year: a Christmas tree skirt sewn from matching fabric. How excited your client will be to have that match their sofa or window treatments! - Call Me!
I like to make it a point to call one past client each week. I call to say hello, to ask if they’ve seen a new store, to get permission to use them on my referral list… never to sell. But I often hear, “Oh, I’m so glad you called. I’ve been thinking about starting my living room…” And I set up an appointment. - Email Newsletter
This is my favorite way to keep in constant contact with my clients. I get a lot of repeat business and warm referrals because of the loyalty that is built from consistent communication.
Loyal, happy, repeat customers make your business not only successful, but a joy! And what could be better than a joyful business?
To your joyful success!
Business Lessons Learned from Nordstrom
Has this ever happened to you?
You purchase an item of clothing, bring it home – excited to wear it the next day, take it out of the bag, and then discover that the salesperson forgot to take off the security tag. Ugh!
I’ve had this happen a few times, and I feel so frustrated and angry. It’s a simple oversight, but it means having to take another trip out to the store to have them remove it. Whether the store is local or not, it is certainly a big inconvenience, and a huge waste of time. (Plus, I now have to plan a whole new outfit for the next day!)
Well, a few nights ago, my dad brought a shirt back to Nordstrom because they had left the security tag on. And the salesperson said, “Oh, you didn’t have to bring that back here. It was our fault. We would have come to your house to take it off.”
Can you imagine? What service! What convenience! What a way to go beyond what is expected!
I was going to write a few lessons learned from this experience, but since I know my readers are creative and innovative, I’d love to hear what you take from this story. How does this inspire you to:
- create memorable service,
- go beyond what is expected,
- over-deliver,
- stand out from the competition?
or
Leave your thoughts and comments. And read what others have to say. You never know where your next outrageously innovative business idea may come from!
Getting more clients in today’s market (a tease…)
We had a delightful princess tea party for Ellie’s birthday last weekend. Nine of her little girlfriends came over in pretty dresses (Ellie is Snow White), and we played games, did crafts, and ate scrumptious cupcakes. (If you live near NYC, you have to go grab one (or ten) of Buttercup Bakery’s mouth-watering, sweet treats. This bakery was made famous on the series Sex & The City, and their cupcakes are to-die-for!)
This week, I started my one-on-one coaching calls with the incredible, forward-thinking gals of the Extreme Designer Makeover program. They have all begun to add new streams of income and implement new ways to get more clients in the current marketplace. I am really inspired by their passion to help others and deliver great value. Next month, I will start highlighting their successes so you can be motivated and inspired by them, too!
Some of you have been away for summer vacations, so if you are surprised by the new look of the ezine… welcome to our new design! The new name, To Your Success, reflects the direction I’ve been going in wanting to inspire you to greater success in all areas of your life and business. You can also check out the new website, which is still growing and changing. In September, you will be invited to the official launch of our new brand – which will even include a boutique shop carrying inspiring products and accessories that will keep you motivated to live and profit from your passion.
Want more design clients now?
I know you do! When I put out a survey a few months ago, I asked the question, “What is the biggest challenge you are facing in your business right now?” The overwhelming #1 response was: “Getting more clients.” So check back for tomorrow’s article, which gives you specific ideas on how to do that – now. Notes from the Interior Design Summit:Greater Client Attraction by Allowing Your Prospects to KNOW You
