Let's acknowledge...
As sexperts, one of the biggest challenges many face is getting clients. This can be a difficult task from a business perspective, as you will need to market your services and instil trust in potential clients that you are the right person for the job.
There are a few things you can do to help attract clients and in this guide we will highlight some of the most important parts of making sure that potential clients find you and that you're aware of the needed steps to convert them into paying clients.
Responsible
As a responsible professional, the first thing you need to do before you begin promoting yourself and working with clients is set up your legal documents and contracts. This will ensure that you and your clients are protected in the event of any disputes or problems. Having well-drafted arrangements will also give you peace of mind, knowing that you have everything in order.
Writing good sales copy
When potential clients find your site, they are looking for your services and help, not for you personally. Keep this in mind when writing your copy, and focus on how your services can benefit the client and help them resolve the issues they face. Write in a way that will address the client's needs and concerns, and you will be more likely to win their trust and thus them approaching you for help.
Promoting yourself - advertising
It is essential to promote yourself where potential clients are already or likely going to look for help. By doing so, you will be able to reach out to them more effectively and thus increase your chances of getting hired.
There are a number of ways to promote yourself, however, many sexperts go down the route of social media, which is probably the worst way to try to find clients. And the majority of sexperts neglect offline methods such as print advertising. The Sexperts Business Community recommends using a mix of print advertising and online advertising. Money needs to be spent if you want to get the attention of people. Print advertising may involve having an advert in local papers, magazines and notice boards. Online advertising may involve doing sophisticated and usually expensive adverts or advertising on platforms such as findmysexpert.com that promote your services to people who are actively searching for a sexuality professional.
Don't rely on only your website for leads
It is not enough to simply have a website these days. In order to attract potential clients and customers, you need to actively promote your website and make sure it is easily found by those who are looking for what you have to offer. There are a number of ways to do this, including search engine optimization, social media marketing, and paying for online advertising.
Don't wait for potential clients to stumble upon your website by chance. Take an active role in promoting your website and making it easy for your target audience to find. By doing so, you'll be much more likely to attract the attention of potential customers and grow your business.
Promote your services and support with regular Calls to Action everywhere you show up
Frictionless
If you want potential clients to be able to easily book discovery calls with you via your website, there are a few things you can do.
First, make sure that your website is easy to navigate and includes a clear call to action (CTA) telling visitors what they need to do to book a call with you.
Second, promote your discovery call service on your website and in your other marketing materials. Make it clear that you offer this service and why it’s valuable.
Third, make the booking process as easy as possible. Ideally use a calendar booking system such as the one that may already be available on your site or alternatively as Calendly or Acuity, so that people can book a call without having to go through endless email exchanges before a good time is secured. Failing the use of an online calendar tool - create a simple online form that potential clients can fill out in order to request a call.
Both of these options must include the request of all the necessary information you need to book the call, such as the client's contact information and the date and time they would like to schedule the call.
Finally, make sure to include a confirmation message or page on your website that appears after the form is submitted, letting the client know that their request has been received and that they will be contacted soon to either schedule or confirm the call.
By taking these steps, you’ll make it easy for potential clients to book discovery calls with you, and you’ll be more likely to convert them into paying clients.
When you meet for a discovery call
In order to be fully present for the needs of your potential client during a discovery call, it is important to get into the right mindset beforehand. This means being aware of your own thoughts and emotions, and being present in the moment. It also means being open to the needs of the other person, and being willing to listen and understand them. By getting into the right mindset, you show them that you are capable and trustworthy, able to show up for the needs of your potential client.
There have been too many times when sexperts have spoken about how they show up in discovery sessions and what their process is and it's been very evident and easy to spot why their method doesn't convert potential clients into paying clients.
It is important to be aware of your own body language and tone of voice, as these can influence the way the conversation unfolds. By being fully present and attentive, you can create a rapport with the potential client that will be beneficial for both parties.
Build rapport like your business depends on it (because it does)
As a sexpert, your clients will be sharing the darkest, deepest concerns and problems they have. They may be ashamed of these problems, but you must build a good rapport with them if you want them as a client. You will need to be understanding and compassionate, while also maintaining a professional distance. It is important to remember that your clients are entrusting you with their most personal issues, so you must be respectful and confidential at all times.
If your potential client doesn't feel seen, validated, assured, and comfortable with you - it's likely because you're doing things wrong. You may be vibing judgement, lack of structure, or insecurity - whatever it is, your potential client will sense it and will likely run for the hills.
If you're not good at it... seek help!
If you are not good at converting discovery calls, it's time to hire a coach and work on it. Because if you cannot convert your potential clients into paying customers, your business will not be successful. A coach can help you learn how to effectively communicate with potential clients and close sales.
Onboarding like a Pro
Once you sign a client, it's essential to have an efficient onboarding process in place. This will help ensure that the client is comfortable with your services and that they understand what to expect.
A good onboarding process should include a welcome call or email, a review of your services, and signing your T&Cs and contracts.
If you use any systems and/or platforms, it's also a good idea to provide training or orientation so that the client knows how to use your systems and tools. By taking care of these things up front, you'll be able to provide a better experience for your clients and avoid any potential issues down the road.
Make sure you have a good process
Failing to have a good process may put off potential clients. They may feel that you are not organized or that you do not have your act together. This can be a major turn-off, and it may cause them to take their needs elsewhere.
In order to avoid this, it is crucial that you have a well-organized process that potential clients can easily follow. This will show them that you are competent and that you are able to handle their business in a professional manner.
If you don't have a good process in place for handling discovery calls and getting from A to Z of onboarding and getting payments from clients, seek out a business coach to help you. A good business coach can help you streamline your process and make it more efficient, helping you to close more deals and make more money.
Communication
As a professional, it is your responsibility to set the tone and expectations for communication with your client. This includes setting clear boundaries and expectations for how often you will be in contact, what methods of communication you will use, and what kind of information you will share. By doing this at the start of your professional relationship, you will ensure a successful and positive experience for both you and your client.
Missed steps = missed clients
There are countless steps that go into running a successful business, from marketing and sales to accounting and customer service. Failing at any of those steps can lead to big trouble down the line.
For example, if your marketing efforts aren't generating enough leads, you'll have a hard time making sales. Even something as seemingly small as being difficult to schedule a discovery call with can come back to bite you, as potential clients are more likely to take their needs elsewhere if they cannot at least attempt to create a connection with you before making a serious emotional and financial investment in working with you.
The bottom line is that you need to be vigilant at every stage of the game if you want to keep your business on track. One misstep can easily lead to another, and before you know it you could be in serious trouble. So always be on your toes, and don't let anything slip through the cracks.
Last, but not least...
In conclusion, running a business is not easy and you have to be building the right skill set to do so well. Stay involved and learning with the SBC and let us know about needs that you may have so we can help you grow your business. Our goal is to help you be successful and we want to see you grow!
Send us your ideas, and inform us of your needs at: info@sbc-int.com