Are you referable? We all believe we are as we continue to hone our skills in our craft and business daily. I will often ask this question in my workshops and coaching sessions and it is one that I continually work on as I expand and reinvent my business with new opportunities.
During the 'lazy hazy days of summer'– ( I know they don't exist anymore), take some time to look through the following five point list and see how you would respond. Create a mind map and let your responses be a running log so that you continue to work on this. It will never be done if you are like me and continuing to add new material and see what you have already accomplished.
- Effectively articulate what you do. Clearly state your value proposition and know if for different audiences so that the 'headline' rolls off your lips. Keep experimenting so that you tell the benefit you provide and begin the dialogue.
- Describe your ideal client—be as specific as possible. Who do your currently serve and who would you like to be your ideal client and why? How can you help them?
- Refer people to others as you build advocacy and ambassadorship. Always look for ways to connect people to each other which is the heart and soul of great networking. When you refer, you also generate good will and business will come over time.
- Always acknowledge the ‘referrer’—or what I call ‘keeping them in the loop’. Stay on their radar screen by always doing this—in their preferred method of communication. Once you know what they prefer, email, phone, text, LinkedIn…. put it into your Information bank and vow to let them know all the time what is happening. Not only can they often help out and step in, by staying on their radar, they may think of you as another opportunity comes across their path.
- Consistently execute. Always offer value and create an experience that goes beyond your clients/prospects expectations. Under promise and always over deliver.
One of my favorite quotes is below and it is so true after you have earned the other person's utmost respect.
"Get someone else to blow your horn and the sound will carry twice as far" Will Rogers