You cannot sell more by being alone in a field. You need to grow your network and your reputation if you want to grow your business. In the last few years a lot of attention has been put on "Social Selling" and focusing efforts on building the online brand. But almost everyone I talk to who reaches the highest levels of success does it through getting face-to-face with clients, prospects, and referral sources.
Your network the key to getting more business. Small business growth expert Mark LeBlanc recently gave me a copy of his book "Growing Your Business". On page 65 he talks about the greatest marketing strategy in the world, which is to create an advocate system. Create a list of people who are already in your life, and then make sure you are constantly in touch with them. You have to ensure that these people understand your business and are able to help spread the word about why you are so good at what you do.
The problem we all face is that out of sight is out of mind. If you want to get more business you have to be working your relationships. It is too easy to get lost in "busy" and never follow up. Posting on LinkedIn or Facebook does not mean that anyone who matters actually viewed what you said. Social media is a "best effort" communication tool, which means you made your best effort, but there is no guarantee the message was received and had any impact.
My own efforts to grow my business this year have been sluggish, but I have a new commitment to figuring out how to raise my visibility with the people who can hire me. This is a key conversation in the "Cool Things Project" group coaching program that I administer. All who I know who are seeking more and who feel stuck are often caught in a loop.
I am hiring a coach to help me do this and my plan is to do everything he says for the next 6 months. I am putting "excuses" on hold and I am just going to take the steps I need to take to boost my bottom line.
If you want more market share, what are you doing to change up your routine so that you are not just doing the same things that got you onto the plateau where you currently stand?
People are the key. If you need more people who can guide you, hire a coach or start a mastermind group. If you need more clients, get yourself out into your "community" and make fresh connections. Last night I went to a business happy hour sponsored by my local Business Journal and walked out with two real leads that could become clients in the next year. I usually make the comment that "my business is not local" as an excuse to skip these wine and cheese events, but the first person I talked to was in charge of a large association conference with the need of "The Conference Catalyst". Ummm, maybe I need to do more networking!
Have A Great Day
thom singer
