The Savvy Entrepreneur

A few weeks ago my step-dad told me he wants to start a business selling log homes in Canada as an authorized dealer for a US company. The coach, entrepreneur and Devil’s Advocate in me perked up and started asking tough questions about how he plans to execute his marketing plan — is there even [...]

Do you find out what your client needs before you start servicing him? For example, if you were contracted for your letter writing services, would you get to work right away? Or would you conduct a preliminary interview with your client to find out: What style and voice does he want you to use? Who [...]

Do you offer a free consultation, complimentary evaluation or other type of no-charge offering (where you’re actually performing a service to a potential client)? Like many coaches, I offer a one-time sample coaching session. When I first started coaching, I even coached a select few for 6 months, at no charge, in exchange for meaningful [...]

Do you want to get out there and market yourself in more public ways, like leading teleclasses or accepting speaking invitations? Do you have a bunch of topics you’d someday like to develop, but aren’t sure which one to pick first? If so, Alicia Forest’s Client Abundance blog article, Pick a Topic, Pick a Date, [...]

I’m back from vacation and I’m feeling rested and ready to rock!! The very first thing I want to share is an ad I saw in Rhode Island, while driving back home. It wasn’t your run-of-the-mill billboard; It was a beautifully crafted wood sign, painted in plain white, strategically placed on a busy corner on [...]

Don’t feel like reading this post? Listen to it here. Today’s marketing tip is all about gaining customer confidence. What is THE most important element in marketing your service-based business? Your customers, of course! Think about it: How can you have a business without customers? Why, though, should you spend precious marketing hours gaining the [...]

Ryan posted a comment/question regarding my recent blog post What clients REALLY want that I wish to answer separately. The question is: As a salesman I have a hard time with what questions I should ask. I know that it is important to ask questions. But what if they want to know more about what [...]

I hate when walking in a store, the first thing the salesperson does is try to sell me something I don’t want or need. It comes off as unprofessional and desperate, and I always wonder, “What’s in it for them?” Another situation that irks me is when a salesperson talks too much — or worse [...]

Danny Meyer is called “America’s Most Innovative Restaurateur” and he just came out with a new book entitled Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business. What can we learn from him? How can we use his insights to grow our business? In this landmark book, Danny shares the lessons he’s learned while [...]

How often have you been stumped when asked, “What do you do?” Do you start rattling off the services you offer from A-Z, a complete list of those you’ve serviced, your industry credentials, and your education? Chances are you’ve lost them when you started listing your services. In my case, I lose my audience even [...]

I am often asked this questions during a coaching session. Do you make one (or all) of these common mistakes when determining your fee: Not knowing how much you’re worth, you charge what your competition charges. You charge below what you’re worth. You are embarrassed or hesitant when discussing your fees with potential clients. The [...]

It seems that all I do lately is research (I’m working on a series of coaching programs and accompanying workbooks). My latest research is on my forthcoming program, Clearly Defining Your Services, which reminded me of a coaching session with a client a while back. I asked her “What do you do?” She rattled off [...]