I have a confession ... I used to chase clients.
I thought that's how it HAD to be done.
Having a real estate background, it was pretty much hard-wired into me, since that business is all about hunting for clients.
Chase, chase, chase!
Last year, I had enough of chasing people. If they weren't going to take the next step to grow, I wasn't going to try to convince them that they should.
I thought: "I'm going to
do things differently ... no more chasing!"
The irony? My business exploded WITHOUT chasing potential clients!
Why?
Well, part of it is my business is older and more established now, my name is more well-known, and I'm getting more referrals ...
BUT I believe there's more to it.
I didn't feel good chasing. It drained me, and I'm sure it was awkward for the other person, who often had to come up with an excuse as to why they
weren't ready to hire me without hurting my feelings.
Even if I was able to use Jedi-mind tricks to get the client on board, what would the results be like if the person had to be convinced to work with a coach?
(Spoiler alert: not as good as if he/she took the initiative and hired me instead of being pressured)
It was a mindset shift for me.
Growing a business is a lot like dating - if you're desperate, the other person can sense it (and no one wants to be with a desperate person!)
It's like my friends Rich Litvin
and Steve Chandler say: "Needy is creepy"
So not to get all woo woo on you here (you know I'm not a woo woo guy), but there was an energy shift in me.
Now I don't NEED people to work with me. I'll survive just fine without that person hiring me, as I'll attract others who are ready.
It feels good.
Next week I have my next group coaching program starting. Two of the clients are in California, two are in the UK and one is in Canada. With me thrown into the mix, that's 4 time zones (PST, GMT, EST and AST) ...
To find a time that works for all 6 of us is a challenge, but the 2 people who are in California agreed to get up reaaaaally early and do the calls at 6 am PS for the 12 weeks!
Now those are the types
of clients that I want to work with! People who are awake and ready to roll with a coaching call at 6 am. Beautiful!
I don't have to question their motivation or desire - if they're doing business at that hour, they're serious. They're my ideal
clients.
Have a look at how you've been approaching prospects and the people you've been working with.
Try the mindset shifts that I mentioned here, and see what kinds of results you get!
Marc
PS: My next group coaching program starts later this month, and I have a few people who have already committed to it. If you'd like one of the last seats, shoot me a message (you won't have to get up at 6 AM for this one). You can learn more here -> www.NaturalBornCoaches.com/AFCgroup