Make Your Clients Love You...

That might seem a bit over the top, but if your clients love you, they'll keep coming back. They'll give you repeat business and refer their friends and acquaintances to you. They'll give you wonderful testimonials that you can use to boost your business. Working with them will feel more like "fun" than "work".

And it works the other way first… !

Have you ever heard of people talking about a doctor's "bedside manner"? A doctor with a great "bedside manner" is never short of patients! In fact, a doctor with a great "bedside manner" attracts more patients. This doctor, if he wants, can charge whatever price he chooses and he will never be short of clients!

Coaches are in a similar boat. If you're a sourpuss, or too serious and have no sense of humor, how do you think you'll compete with a loving, caring, warm, approachable Coach who has a great sense of humor and brings warmth into their client's lives?

Don't make the mistake of thinking you only have to hold the most qualifications to attract more or better clients and keep them. It doesn't work that way. People like feeling good. We might run our businesses with our heads, but it is our hearts that make us tick. We are creatures of emotion and even the most cold-hearted among us responds positively to kindness, warmth and compassion.

There is only one secret to attracting and keeping perfect clients… they have to like you. I've known people who are willing to pay MORE to a particular Coach for that very reason. You don't HAVE to be the smartest, most qualified Coach on the planet, and you don't HAVE to offer the cheapest fees – but you must be likable.

Being likable is a true business asset. You shouldn't believe that provided you do great coaching, that's all that matters and personalities don't come into it – it doesn't work that way. When you consider referrals (which can boost or kill your business) – what type of referrals do you want? Do you want your clients bad-mouthing you and telling people how terrible you are? No, of course not… this is why you must be likable!

Most coaches don't have this problem. We're trained to be "people" oriented, to build them up and make them feel good about themselves. However, as with any profession, there are some Coaches and Consultants whose "bedside manner", to borrow the expression, is cold and detached. Detaching yourself from outcomes is good, but just be careful about how you express this in your relationship with your clients. You don't want to form any barriers between yourself and your client. Remember, they are not buying a loaf of bread from you, they are paying you to help them have a great life… their coaching experience should be part of that experience.
A great marketing tip, and one that serves Coaches and consultants well, is remembering your clients birthdays and special events. You should have this information in your client records so you can send birthday cards, and for special clients, you can send small gifts. Remember them at special holiday times too.

If they have children who participate in special activities like sport or dancing, etc. You can inquire about them. You will impress your clients by (a) remembering and (b) that you cared enough to ask.

Being a "likable" Coach doesn't just stop with your clients. Word of mouth referrals also come by way of every business associate with whom you deal. If you're unpleasant to deal with, you will miss valuable joint venture opportunities and the referrals from other coaching and business associates. Some coaches forget this. Some have short tempers and sharp tongues in their dealings with those who are NOT their clients. It pays to remember that you are "selling yourself" every time you open your mouth or write an e-mail. How do you want others to talk about you? That is the question!

So, if you can be a great coach AND a likable coach, you will also be a popular coach and never be short of your ideal client!

My Goal Is YOUR Success!
Terri Levine, The Guru of Coaching sm
PresidentComprehensive Coaching U, Inc.
(877-401-6165) http://www.CoachInstitute.com

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