People are not the same in the way they approach pursuit of set goals and objectives. You may be willing to be focused and committed. But your new client may not.
That’s why even when they have money, some people may not be good for you as clients. And if you take them on, things could end badly for you. You therefore need a reliable system to evaluate prospects, so as to choose clients who are a good fit for you.
This issue of my speaking IDEAS newsletter discusses 3 checks you can use to protect yourself.
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Is this email not displaying correctly? Publication: Tayo Solagbade’s Weekly Public Speaking IDEAS Page (PSIP) Newsletter Date: Monday 3rd June 2013 No:92 Title: Caution – A Prospect With Money May Be Bad For YOU! (3 Tips) Author & Publisher: Tayo K. Solagbade [234-803-302-1263] Blog URL: http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com/blog Archive (For E-mail only version started 14th May 2012): Click here to view Archive (For Blog version started 24th September 2011): Click here Hi, Please find below the latest issue of my Speaking IDEAS newsletter.
No. 92: Caution – A Prospect With Money May Be Bad For YOU! (3 Tips)**** ********** NB: If you ever find yourself wondering what else I’ve written, some days after you’ve read THIS Speaking Ideas newsletter I send out on a Monday, here’s what you can do to find out: Point your browser to www.spontaneousdevelopment.com/sdnuggets to read at least ONE new post added to my SD Nuggets blog on a different category from Tuesday till Saturday (sometimes even Sundays) in line with this publishing schedule ********** People are not the same in the way they approach pursuit of set goals and objectives. You may be willing to be focused and committed. But your prospect may not. That’s why even when they have money, some people may not be good for you as clients. And if you take them on, things could end badly for you. You therefore need a reliable system to evaluate prospects, so as to choose clients who are a good fit for you. This issue of my speaking IDEAS newsletter discusses 3 checks you can use to protect yourself. Human Beings Are UnpredictableIf you’ve been reading my speaking IDEAS newsletter, you know I advocate using public speaking as a business marketing strategy. So, in addition to pocketing a fee for speaking, it can get you hired to do what you do as an expert. Delivering a speech requires you to be in control of yourself. That’s relatively easy. However, working with people to achieve a preferred outcome can be more challenging. And that’s because it involves the unpredictable human variable – outside of yourself. Three (3) Checks You Can Use to Avoid Taking On a Wrong ClientFirst, I assume you’ve already established that the client has the means, and is willing, to pay you. What follows are 3 useful checks you would be wise to do before saying yes to such a client – even if s/he offers loads of money. If you want long term success, and would like to build on your successes, adopt them for use with clients. 1. Willingness to Commit Required Time & Effort?You need the commitment of a client as the decision maker in her company, to get your work done. If she’s a solo entrepreneur, you’ll need her to be available to supply agreed data, finish tasks, review progress or take other decisions. Get formal agreement on this. Else you may end up being accused of failing to deliver to the deadline, when in fact you lost time chasing her around to keep appointments with you. This happened to me more than once. I’ve learned my lesson well! 2. Clearly Defined (and Realistic) Expectations?What is the final outcome to look like? Does she know what she wants? If yes, is it something you can deliver? If no, let her know. Propose viable alternatives. You’re the expert. Show that you know your stuff. Don’t let the lure of money being offered trick you into saying YES, when you should say NO! I use an MS Excel based Functional Requirements Specification (FRS). The client fills in the fields. We review the list together. In certain cases I point out something I do not think can be delivered (or measured) as specified. Or one not covered by the original scope of work. Eventually we sign off the FRS. The client later uses it to check that I’ve delivered what s/he paid for. If you cannot get a prospect to complete this process with you, it would be unwise to start work. Indeed, this process can guide you to quote a better fee for your remuneration – and get her to accept! 3. Readiness to Take Ownership?What about when you finish the job and hand it over? Will she put your solution to use or implement the agreed actions as prescribed? Let’s say you’re a physical fitness/weight loss expert for instance. And you’ve spent 12 weeks with an obese client – providing lessons on proper nutrition, and conducting physical fitness training sessions. How can you be sure this client will CONTINUE to apply what s/he has learnt from you? You could say it’s not your business. I however argue that if you indiscriminately take on clients who don’t follow through, you’ll end up shooting yourself in the foot. Question: How? Answer: They are likely to make you look like what you offer does not work. You’ll consequently have fewer success stories to tell future prospects. Consider also, the real possibility that such people may choose to deny they’re at fault, by claiming your methods did not work for them! Final Words: Always Check to Be Sure You Can Help a Prospect Succeed Before You Say YESTake Burt Dubin for instance. He has helped many wannabes become highly paid international speakers over the past 25 years. But to achieve this feat, he does not take on all comers. People actually have to apply for consideration! Here’s what Burt said while speaking with Clarissa Burt on her show:
It is this precaution he takes, that enables Burt guarantee success in the speaking business to clients. He KNOWS those he picks will diligently invest needed time and effort, to get results that will earn them MORE than they pay him! I believe all service providers should emulate Mr. Dubin. So, next time somebody comes waving money in your face for your services, don’t get so carried away. Take your time to check that the person will be a good fit for YOU, as a client. Your success depends on this. In the long run, you’ll be glad you did, because like Burt, you’re likely to have tonnes of testimonials and success stories for use in winning over more “good fit” clients. Need More Details of How to Make The Above Ideas Work for YOU?If you need more specific details of how to make use of the ideas I’ve shared in this newsletter, send me a message using this request form (with “Re: Caution – A Prospect With Money May Be Bad For YOU! (3 Tips)” in the subject line).
Have a lovely week!
Tayo K. Solagbade* Self-Development/Performance Improvement Specialist *Sole Agent For Burt Dubin’s Speaker Mentoring Service In Africa Mobile: 234-803-302-1263 http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com Self-Development/Performance Enhancement Specialist – Tayo Solagbade – works as a multipreneurial freelance writer providing zero risk article and report writing support for website owners, while travelling slowly across West Africa as a Location Independent Entrepreneur. He’s presently based in Benin Republic, where he’s preparing an English-French Language Guide, City Travel Guides, and a Commercial Rabbit Farming Guide. In a previous life, before leaving to become self-employed, Tayo served for seven years as a high performing manager in Guinness Nigeria. He rose from Shift Brewer, to Training & Technical Development Manager, then later acted in senior management roles as Production Manager and Technical Manager. When he’s not amazing clients with his superhuman skills (wink), Tayo works as the creative force behind his Self-Development Nuggets™ blog, and Public Speaking IDEAS newsletter (which he publishes to promote Burt Dubin’s Public Speaking Mentoring service to experts working across the African continent). Connect with him on Twitter @tksola.com and Facebook. ================== Have you been undecided about whether or not to become a paid speaker? Or have you been trying to get your speaking career off the ground with little success?Here’s a tip: Burt Dubin works with people who want to be speakers, and with speakers who want to be masters. Click here to visit his website NOW and submit a contact form message telling him what challenges you’re facing, and how you’d like him to help you. Tell him I sent you, and you’ll get a pleasant surprise offer from him. Comments?What do you think of the above message? Do you have any personal experience to share on this subject? Are there some other points you feel can be added, to help persons looking for answers? Please share your thoughts! Share this issue!Do you know anyone who might benefit from reading this newsletter issue? Why not hit the forward button now, and send it to him/her with a short recommendation. You can also use share it via your social media channels. Thanks in advance.
What fears or doubts are keeping you from (a) taking up Burt Dubin’s monthly speaker mentoring, or (b) buying his products?You can choose to purchase Burt’s mentoring at any of the three (3) levels listed below:1. Top Shelf [Click here] | 2. Mid Range [Click here] | 3. Budget Delight [Click here]Burt’s three mentoring packages can be likened to the seating options offered by airlines: Budget Delight (Economy); Mid Range (Business); and Top Shelf (First Class). At least that’s how I like to think of them! All three will get you to your desired destination of “speaking success-ville” – so long as you meet the requirements/play your part well (your fare, abide by the set guidelines etc). During the “flight”, the seat you have will determine how much personal service attention and preference the provider will accord you. It’s that simple So, make your choice:1. Top Shelf [Click here] | 2. Mid Range [Click here] | 3. Budget Delight [Click here] Send me an e-mail with your questions via tayo at tksola dot com. In the meantime, why not get started by subscribing here to get his 7-Part Course (How To Succeed And Get Paid As A Professional Speaker) . . . and receive his monthly newsletter (Speaking Biz Strategies Letter) at no cost.
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