When we get busy, it can be tempting to stop doing the things we did to get our clients in the first place. You might be feeling overwhelmed and think you don’t have time for all those things, but the truth is, life happens, and sometimes clients drop off for various reasons. If you haven’t been cultivating new relationships it could mean a drop-off in business down the road.
Here are some tips to help keep you in the game even when you’re busy:
Networking: Quality Over Quantity: Your schedule might be full today, but you don’t want to skip out on networking completely. Look for events with other professionals who are interested in getting to know others and not just selling their services or products.
Maybe now’s the time to lean a little more on virtual networking rather than in-person events that require travel time. You can also limit yourself to once-a-month in-person events or those special-themed events.
The trick? Quality connections over quantity. It’s not just about finding clients; it’s about building relationships. Those random conversations you have over coffee or lunch could be the start of a beautiful partnership.
Marketing: Keep It Subtle, Keep It Real: You’ve got clients, so now’s the time to share the success stories on your social network channels. Let your clients shine as the heroes, showing off how your product or service changed their lives. It’s a great way to let people know how you can help them and their business.
Don’t sleep on newsletters. You might think they’re old-school, but guess what? They work. Keep your clients in the loop with your latest adventures, tips, and tricks. It’s a friendly nudge that says, “Hey, we’re still here, doing cool things.”
One-on-Ones: The Personal Touch Matters: Your inbox may be overloaded, and your phone hasn’t stopped ringing for a while, but don’t forget the power of the personal touch. Schedule those one-on-ones, whether it’s a virtual coffee chat, a quick catch-up call, or a cup of coffee at your favorite local café. Your clients are more than just numbers; they’re people who chose you because they like and trust you.
These little chats will remind them how much you care about them and their business. Ask about their day, share a funny story, and make them feel valued. It’s not just business; it’s about building relationships that last a lifetime.
Delegate Some of Your Everyday Tasks: Now might be the right time to outsource some of the everyday tasks that eat up your valuable time. Find someone who can partner with you and show you how to automate some processes or take some of the smaller tasks off your plate. There are lots of options available for outsourcing just the tasks you don’t have time for, or just don’t want to do.
To Wrap It Up: Networking, marketing, and one-on-ones are what brought you clients and that’s what will keep them coming.
Keep putting yourself out there, keep connecting, and most importantly, keep having fun. Success is a great feeling and when you keep yourself visible the clients will keep finding you.
Ask for help with those things that you don’t know how to do, or don’t want to do, so you can get back to what you do best!
How do you keep yourself connected when business is booming?