4 Tips for Keeping Your Client Pool Full

How Full Is Your Pipeline? How to Get More

Keeping your pipeline full is one of the best ways to build and maintain a thriving business. The problem is that people are often clueless about how to stuff their pipeline and keep it that way.

Quite often, they alternate between heavy periods of marketing followed by having tons of work to do during which time, they stop marketing. Then when the client work is all done and they can breathe again, they gasp because there's no one waiting in the wings ready to do business.

Sound familiar?

There are a variety of activities that can raise visibility, awareness and credibility for you and what you offer. We'll cover a four key suggestions today.


 

1. Attend networking events
 

 Be selective because you could literally spend all day, everyday driving from one event to the next. Ask for recommendations from people whose opinion you trust. But decide for yourself if the group is a good fit for you. The key is to attend events filled with people in your target market but resist the urge to try to sell them on the spot. Build relationships and over time, your sales will grow. Also, join groups where you're in the minority. If you sell primarily to people over 50, think of hobbies they might enjoy and join those groups.

2. Get more active online

Start a blog. It doesn't have to be perfect. That's the beauty of blogs. They're informal rantings about issues you consider important. You'll attract other people who think those issues are important too. Make sure you visit other people's blogs and get involved in the discussions at their sites.
 

3. Volunteer with one or two key business groups

This is a great way to build credibility and make invaluable connections. You can gain so much by attending a networking event. Your benefit magnifies dramatically when you take on a leadership role. People will see your skills in action in ways they wouldn't notice if you are just hob-nobbing and passing out cards like everyone else.

 

4. Get your name in print

 

One of my clients is very active in the community. The company made a big donation to a local nonprofit but they missed out on an opportunity for media attention for their good deed. It's great to be civic minded. But it's just as ok to leverage your generosity to bring attention to yourself and your favorite cause.

 

By Loretta Love Huff
Photography by Franz Pfluegl

Loretta Love Huff, the Dream Leader for Business™, is an award-winning business and executive coach. She helps entrepreneurs leverage their ideas and dreams into profitable & fulfilling businesses. Visit http://www.IWantMoreClientsNow.com to grab your two free audio series titled "The 5 Biggest Mistakes Service Professionals Make in their Marketing" and "The 7 Secrets for Sales Success". (c) 2010 Emerald Fiji Management

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