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May 19, 2014 at 12:00 AM
100. Don’t say yes to all prospects.
Sometimes turning down clients can be good for business. There are a number of companies selling immediate annuities and many people looking to buy them. Not every client is a match for your company and vice versa. Be real with your prospects, and don’t be afraid to be upfront. If you don’t think you are a good match for each other, say so. Sometimes people need to see that you aren’t trying to push them in a direction they don’t want to go. They will appreciate your honesty, and it may relieve some doubt and clear the way for a solid decision. They may come back and decide you are a right fit for them, but if not, you don’t want to commit to a business deal where neither of you are happy just for the sake of reeling in another client. That’s bad business.
— Kaitlyn Fusco
99. Create a marketing video that’s actually entertaining.
Entertainers always win. And entertainers who educate (like Oprah, Suze Orman, Dave Ramsey, Jim Cramer, etc.) make a killing and create very loyal followers. Say what you want about some of the aforementioned celebrities, but they are most likely having more fun than you, while making more money. And frankly, they could care less what you think of them. Why would you not start having some fun, rolling your sleeves up a bit, entertaining your ideal prospects (with some class of course), and start winning people over by being real and someone who they can relate to? I can assure you that you will be happier, and more money will come your way if you try it versus some cookie cutter, boring video where you read directly from the teleprompter.
— Joe Simonds
98. Be a hero.
Offer over-the-top, wow customer service. If a client has a problem, empathize, then suggest a plan to solve that problem. Once the solution is accepted, deliver on it as quickly as you can. Exceed expectations every chance you get — even if the cause of the problem is not your fault — and you will experience a new level of client loyalty.
— Shep Hyken
97. Define your personal brand.
Social networks are made up of people connecting to people: friends and family on Facebook, clients and peers on LinkedIn, and people you just find interesting on Twitter. Effective personal branding works in social networks because of the social part: people do business with people they know, like and trust. Ultimately, some part of every decision to do business with you has a personal component. The key to developing a personal brand in social networks is to know who you are and to embody it authentically online. Nilofer Merchant calls it your “onlyness” – that unique combination of strengths, weaknesses and insights that makes you so you.
— Jay Palter
96. Mirror your prospects.
If you want to gain rapport more quickly, mirror every nuance of your prospect’s posture. Watch how they stand, if they cross their legs when sitting, if they lean forward — then do the same. People tend to trust others when rapport exists. They avoid those they distrust.
— Kerry Johnson
