[Richard Petrie]

As Jim Carey would say “all righty then”. Ignore your wife and marketing coach and hark unto me! Do you want to be referred clients? Yes, good, then send your newsletter out each month, ignore any other distraction despite however good meaning. Will my newsletter become junk? Yes, if it is irrelevant and boring. You must have heard of the story I often tell about a previous client of mine who wrapped his newsletter around a chocolate bar – his newsletter was anticipated and they even complained when it was late, people were requesting to be on his subscriber list. Jumping from no contact to contact. Get over yourself – get started, this is business and forming networks with people you can help and with people who can help you. Newsletter is only one way to connect. These people are flying first class on Umberto Airlines. Big companies will re contact people and form networks and so should you.

You could say ‘I was with a large company and we did not stay connected with people – I decided when I went out that I wanted a more personal approach, so thats why I am reconnecting with people, maybe I can help you, maybe you can help me, either way lets reconnect and let each other know what our goals are – who knows what benefits might come forward?’

Another point – if someone says ‘you are only getting in touch because you are starting a new business’ you can say “admittedly yes’. No big deal. You can advertise or newsletter or hold events or meet for coffee. The world of business is about connecting with people who can help you and who you can help. Think of your dirty 30 as your inner circle, and how it needs to be win/win.

Your other question was I don’t have 30 yet – don’t worry start now, ask the people you meet in your D30 who else should be on your love list. Hope all that helps. Finally this advice of connecting with people who you can help and who can help you is excellent advice. Take massive action and don’t be distracted by fear of ‘what will people think?’. If you don’t get in touch here’s what they are going to think…. NOTHING. (better to have half the world love you and half hate you than have 2% love you 2% hate you and 94% not even care. PS I am 100% right on this 🙂 actually make that 110%. You job is to be TOP of mind for 30 people who could be referring people to you.

This ends the sermon!

[Richard Petrie]

Craig, know any good batters against spin? I guess not. 🙂

[Richard Petrie]

as an alternative Bill from chicago does a ‘walk in wednesday’ with a sandwich board outside his office. He says the leads can be unqualified but they have generated good projects from walk ins and well worth it

 

[Richard Petrie]

Bruce is right, as always.

 

[Richard Petrie]

Site visits are $250 and all advice is verbal.

[Richard Petrie]

well done. And many more

[Richard Petrie]

agree with Andrew, no need, or benefit, to credit towards design. Provide a useful service and charge for it. Be bold, value your service and get paid. The cheap wont like it but the proper clients wont mind.

[Richard Petrie]

small projects are always going to be difficult, I would target bigger more profitable projects for people with money and a desire for great design. Yes they do exist. Start selecting your fish better and start by putting out better bait. Specific bait. Talk to the other suppliers in that specific sector and make yourself useful. As a new person in the area you have a good excuse to go and meet the key influencers. Good luck. Be bold,

[Richard Petrie]

from my coaching sessions – the feedback I get is contractors are #1 by a loooong shot, they are out there on the coal face having conversations with clients who are asking questions. The question is how can you make them think of you first? How can you make them owe you the referal? what can you do for the contractor to inspire reciprocation?

[Richard Petrie]

great work everyone – this is one of the easiest strategies to implement – yet also one of the most profitable

 

[Richard Petrie]

Niches can be defined by geography, demographics, or psychological states of mind like outcome desired or problem centric. These last two are great eg people who want to build with a low carbon footprint or people who have a challenge getting a permit for their project and need a cunning architect.

[Richard Petrie]

does nt that feel sooooo much better, you deserve to be paid for your knowledge

[Richard Petrie]

Many professions require payment in advance particularly for small jobs, if that is your policy then stick to your guns – see what happens. The more rules you have in place early the more they will respect you because the assumption is you must be good. A brain surgeon tells you what to do because he knows more about the topic than you do. Same with you – you are the expert and the leader when it comes to the process. They are the boss when it comes to ‘go’ or ‘no go’

[Richard Petrie]

you can define a target market any number of ways – some of the most common are 1) geographical 2) demographics 3) by the problem e.g. stuck by regulations 4) by the mindset (eg desire for eco-friendly 5) spend level 6) type of project 7) type of client

[Richard Petrie]

good comment – I am creating a new training on how to reverse engineer your message so you come from the clients perspective for the New York Conference. If you have trouble making the translation get yourself a ticket and I promise people will understand instantly how they will benefit from working with you. I haven’t given this process a name yet but it might the acronym is PIQPS. Thats not really catchy enough yet.

 

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