One of the mind-games that I play as a business owner is that I am not good enough. That in many ways I have failed each and every client at some point in time. So, asking for a testimonial is only asking for trouble. It comes from that innate need to be perfect, rather than do OUR best. Not a world-record best, not an unachievable best, but our best.
This week, I held a ‘Lunch and Learn’. My brilliant business advisor, Kim Jones of HGKC, had suggested this as a way to promote our Event Bridge service. Not only did Kim suggest it, but she was willing to host! So I sent out the invitations and monitored the bookings on Eventbrite (of course I was using Event Bridge to do this!) Some of the attendees were my existing clients. Some of the attendees were contacts of contacts and some of them were new people who had heard about what we were doing through advertising.
There were several lessons from this:
- There are clients who are not only willing to attend my events, but are also willing to promote me to prospects. They love me and my work (and I love them.)
- I really like my clients and having them all in the same (virtual) room was really enjoyable. It was like having a class or a family reunion.
- Yes, we know that word of mouth is the best marketing… but there is nothing to beat that sense of pride when someone you have done work for is willing to put their reputation on the line to promote you to someone else.
So, thank you all!
So, what I have I gained from this?
Well, firstly, I have some great collateral to help explain what I do — both a slide deck and a video.
I have discovered something about why my clients like me.
I have some hot new prospects.
I have renewed enthusiasm to develop the company. After all, if I can create something that gives people joy, promotes the work of charities and, perhaps, changes the world to be a better place… who wouldn’t want that?
My message to business owners is — get out of your own way and bring your clients together. It is easier than ever with virtual meetings. It gives you a chance to educate them about you and your services.
My message to myself is — this was enjoyable. Perhaps I should run more educational sessions. I enjoy it and, to use an over-used phrase, ‘all ships rise on the tide’.
