are you a terrible client?
Published: Fri, 05/01/15
a colleague who is a wickedly
talented image consultant.
She keeps trying to put me in
soft dresses with heels and
matching handbags. It's a knock out
look, but I'm sticking to my black
slacks, solid tanks, and colorful
jackets. It's my signature!
(I will listen to her advice
for my dating look.)
I explained to her that while
I used to change my purse to match
my shoes, I gave that up because
I inevitably forgot business cards,
or my lipstick (guys bear with
me here). I go with black because
it's no brainer and I need my brain
for bigger business than my handbag!
It has been a fun exchange though
I feel like I'm torturing her a bit.
Every suggestion she makes is met
by my "story" and my rational.
Does it make me a terrible client?
You might say yes, and on a level
I agree. Resisting expert guidance
when you've hired them is foolish.
BUT, and it's a BIG BUT, for me,
I like to know my client's preferences,
their history, their experiences.
It helps me to know what to suggest
that will appeal to them immediately
and what they'll be open to.
For example, if a client has spent
hours, weeks, and months spinning
their wheels in social media, I am
likely to pull them off it for a while.
I could force the issue and suggest
a new strategy in social media;
I find that if I give them a break
and suggest an alternative,
they are open.
This shifts their energy, refocuses
them, and they will take action
without the baggage of their history
getting in the way.
That reminds me, one of the key
pieces I'm covering in Saturday's
free training is YOU ARE DOING
TOO MUCH MARKETING! (AND IT ISN'T
WORKING and I'll show you what will.)
Join me here: http://melissagalt.com/double-your-income
I might suggest selected live
networking to give them a chance
to stop hiding behind the computer
and interact face to face.
Or, I might suggest creating
a series of tip videos for their
community, or a couple of strategic
slide shares to attract ideal clients.
I base my recommendations and
direction on what I know a client
likes and is good at.
Often we have a bad habit of doing
what everyone else is doing and
forgetting where we shine.
When it comes to wardrobe, I want
easy, stylish, and comfortable.
I don't want to be focused on my
outfit when I'm delivering a
presentation or at a networking event.
I wear slacks because I get cold
easily, got in the habit as
a designer because I was always
hefting and toting things, and
truth, I don't love my legs
(there I said it out loud.) And,
I've witnessed too many women
on stage in chairs with dresses
revealing too much.
Fortunately, I am not my
colleague's client, I am a friend
or she might have fired me for
staying in my slacks and jackets.
I'm betting if I nudge her a bit
more she'll find a way to meet me
in the middle! Improving my look
from where I am instead of
requiring a complete change that
I'm unwilling to make.
Let's meet in the middle
of your business. Find a formula
TAILOR MADE for you, come join
the free training!
http://melissagalt.com/double-your-income
See you tomorrow.
Hugs,
Melissa
PS. If you aren't sure about
attending or have a conflict,
register anyway. If I don't do
a replay, I may do an ENCORE
and you'd have first dibs!
http://melissagalt.com/double-your-income
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