[Michelle Slinger]

Why are you doing so many? I stand to be corrected but I believe that your news letters should be for your dirty 30, or some small number of persons who will genuinely promote your work.

[Michelle Slinger]

at the end of the first part of the LCC exercise , i received the retainer Cheque for the entire project. I can say, it was gratifying, because I focused on their needs, guided them and worked with them firs to set the sizes for the spaces they wanted, then compared that with current rates…it was a shocker…i think the wife was about to have an asthma attack. ut they were resilient and asked me to leave it up to them to reign themselves in. two dayd after they sent me back mre realistic sizes inline with their affordability.

[Michelle Slinger]

I have a question about presenting the needs and options review and about initial meetings. Sounds like a few people on the forum have advocated _not_ doing a site visit for the initial meeting, opting to meet at the office or at a neutral location like a cafe. That makes perfect sense to me. We’ve met potential clients at a cafe before and also have done an initial meeting by phone and that has worked to sell the NOR.

However, I just got contacted by a neighbor considering a home renovation, asking whether I could drop by. I agree that these initial visits without an NOR start to blur the line between free advice and paid consult, but we work virtually and don’t have an official office, and they are so close to where I live that it might seem silly to propose meeting at a nearby cafe or a phone meeting (it would be nice to meet them in person) instead of at their house.

I could suggest a smaller paid $250 or $350 initial site visit (no NOR report), but I think they would wonder what they are getting out of that paid visit that they couldn’t get from another architect for free.

Would you agree to that initial meeting just to have a chance to meet in person?

[Michelle Slinger]

You are most welcomed John. I wish you all success.

[Michelle Slinger]

….to continue…..yesterday i viewed a PBS interview with IMF Managing Director Christine leGarde. She mentioned the need to improve national policy toward working family members who are also care givers, particularly careing for the aging relatives at home. Who are these people?…..working middle aged people with teenage kids….where can you find them? at PTA’s. So since you are the Pro, may be you can ask for a hearing with the Local school PTA’s. Talk with their members on what they might need to do to prepare their homes to take care of the aging….or even the local AARP chapter. according to Richard….soon you will be know as the expert guy.

[Michelle Slinger]

Finding potential clients for me even in my small community has always been a bit perplexing for me. How do I know which potential client is ready for my service?

That might be a problem for you too…so may be you can broaden your target not just potential clients, but to people who serve your potential clients.

I am focusing on the single family new build and renovation residential market. for me that meant trying to get good with a couple real estate agents, sharing with them in casual conversations my passion for what I do. I have also started a slow out reach to the lending departments of financial institutions. My aim there is to cultivate them into seeing my vision….It is a slow process but I am starting to see some returns. Take some time to write a 5 point value statement that you believe each of your target area must be measures by, use those as your talking points. Keep in mind, if you can’t get directly to the centre, nibble around the edges…..

[Michelle Slinger]

Well Done. Sometimes casting your bread on the water does pay off.

[Michelle Slinger]

Do not assume that it will be a freebie unless he asks for it. My response may be something like this…

” Oh that is wonderful you want to work with me. I really treasure Clients who respect my creative abilities and are willing to honor the value of my time and effort. I would be more than delighted to work with you based on that respect.

Here is what I normally charge, but of course you as a business person you recognize that every scenario is different so we will have to determine what my service for this project will cost……

I am sure that if you do engage me to do this design for you, that you would be rather pleased with the results and it certainly will add more prestige to your property.’

Clah!

In a welcoming tone you would have told your land lord, that you have value and you expect it to be paid for, while not running him off. The ball would be then in his court to take it or leave it.

[Michelle Slinger]

excellent attention getting strategy.

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