Book Yourself Solid Key Number 2: Choose Your Idea

Book Yourself Solid Key Number 2: Choose Your Ideal Clients

by: Michael Port

The Book Yourself Solid article series continues with

Key Number 2: Choose Your Ideal Clients

Your clients are an expression and an extension of you. When I first started out on my own, I would work with anyone who had a heartbeat and a credit card. Now I live by the red velvet rope policy of ideal clients. By defining my ideal clients increased my productivity… happiness… and I got more perfect clients by referral than I ever thought possible.

I was able to eliminate the painful negative energy and time spent worrying about challenging client relationships. I went through an intense period of exhaustion and I wasn’t able to accomplish the highest good for my clients. You can’t possibly be productive, effective or successful if you’re working with clients that are not ideal.

MENTAL EXERCISE: For maximum joy, prosperity and abundance think about the human you are when you are performing optimally at your peak…when you are with all the people who inspire and energize you.

Wouldn’t it be great to spend every day working with supercool people that are both friends and clients? It is completely possible once you identify who you want to work with…and with absolute certainty determine that you will settle for nothing less.

I know this can seem really scary early on, but hang with me. Embrace the concept and trust that as we move through the seven keys, your fears and concerns will all be answered. Rest assured, once you define your ideal clients, you get to dumb your duds. I hereby, give you permission to release any dead wood in your calendar. You will then Book Yourself Solid and work with inspiring ideal clients with whom you do your best work.

WRITTEN EXERCISE Start by identifying specific characteristics that your ideal clients possess. Keep in mind your favorite clients – the ones you love so much you’d practically work for free. Here are my top five to get you in the mood.

Bright (fun, lively and expressive humans)

Courageous (dream big and aren’t afraid to take risks)

Resilient (come back for more even in the face of failure)

Think big (they have high aspirations and their projects benefit lots of people)

Naturally collaborative (they see the benefit of working with others to accomplish their goals)

Now, come up with your own.

1. _____________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________

4. _____________________________________________

5. _____________________________________________

6. _____________________________________________

7. _____________________________________________

8. _____________________________________________

9. _____________________________________________

10. ____________________________________________

Benefits of working with Ideal Clients:

You do your best work

You don’t feel drained or tired

You feel invigorated and inspired

You connect with clients on a deeper level

You feel successful and confident

You know your work matters and is changing lives

Current clients consistently refer new clients to you

The magic of you sparkles and comes to life!

Congratulations! You just created a filtration system for potential clients. I’m sure you’ve heard the expression A. B. C. Always Be Closing. Instead, I say…A. B. C. – Always Be Communicating! Let everybody and anybody know how you help people (your investable opportunities) and who your ideal clients are. Cool? Got it? Good.

Stayed tuned for Key #3: Cash In On The Brilliant, Creative And Quirky You!

Copyright 2005 Michael Port & Associates LLC

About The Author

Michael Port is the President of Michael Port & Associates LLC and is known as the guy to call when you’re tired of thinking small. To spend some more time with Michael and to think bigger about who you are and what you offer the world go to http://www.MichaelPort.com.

This article was posted on April 20

by Michael Port

Joint Venture Your Way to Extraordinary Sales!

Joint Venture Your Way to Extraordinary Sales!

by: Kimberly Stevens

You know what makes me really happy? Drinking a Starbucks latte while doing my grocery shopping at Safeway. Getting my Godiva fix at Barnes & Noble. Cheap thrills, I know!

Ever wonder why McDonald’s is inside many WalMart stores? Or why you can buy the board game, Cranium, inside most Starbucks locations?

These are not just lucky coincidences. They are very wellplanned, structured, and negotiated marketing strategies. They are implemented by companies that get creative with their marketing by focusing it around who their ideal customer is, where they spend their time, and what they do.

These kinds of joint ventures, or distribution agreements, deliver convenience to the customer while generating profits for both the company that manufacturers the product as well as the one that distributes it. It is a winwinwin.

Joint ventures are likely one of the most profitable ways for you to invest your marketing time. If you can identify ways to team with someone who already has the attention and respect of your target market, you will multiply the results you get from your marketing campaigns.

Think about it what could be better than someone who already has the respect of your ideal clients telling them all about you and what great work you do?

That is all a joint venture really is, afterall. One person or company putting their seal of approval on another. In simple terms, they are saying ขThis guy is okay. You can trust him. I have seen his stuff, and he knows what he is talking about.ข

Smart business owners take the time to identify who else has contact with their target market and approach those people to ask if they would recommend them to their clients.

Some arrangements might involve a referral fee. Others might just be reciprocal agreements – you send me people, I will send you people.

That is why your printer might be able to recommend a good graphic designer, your pediatrician can recommend a nutritionist that specializes in working with kids, and your web hosting company can recommend a web designer or two. They have developed relationships with other professionals with a natural crossover with the service they provide.

Perhaps they met at a networking function, stumbled across each other during the regular course of work, or took a more proactive role to seek out joint ventures. It does not matter how it gets done – just that it does get done.

So, how can you get started? It is easy. Just sit down and really take some time to think about your ideal clients. What are they like? What kind of business are they in? What kind of life do they lead? Where do they live? What do they read? What organizations do they belong to? What do they do during work hours and offhours? Where do they spend their time?

Once you have a clear understanding of them, ask yourself – based on what I know about my clients, who might already have a trusted relationship with a group of them?

Some common online examples are ezine editors who have a subscriber base of your ideal clients, other companies who have a client base of your ideal clients, or discussion group owners who have a member list made up of your ideal clients.

In the offline world, you might approach associations whose members are your ideal clients, other businesses who sell complimentary products/service to their client base which consists of your ideal clients, or print publications whose subscribers are your ideal clients.

Once you have identified some potential joint venture partners, just contact them with an offer. Decide ahead of time if you are going to offer a financial incentive or simply reciprocity.

The referral mechanism for reciprocity could be as simple as displaying one another’s business cards, adding the other organization’s logo to your materials, or sending out an endorsement of them to your clients and having them do the same.

The opportunities are endless once you begin to think in the right terms. So, take some time this week to really understand your ideal clients. Who are they, what do they want, and how can you best deliver it to them in a way that is convenient for them and makes money for you as well as your joint venture partner?

About The Author

Kimberly Stevens is the author of the ebook series, *The Profitable Business Owner: A StepbyStep System for Starting & Running a Successful Service Business*. Download Sample Chapters & get her free MiniCourse, *The 10 Most Common Mistakes Business Owners Make & How To Avoid Them* at: http://www.askthebizcoach.com/ebooks.htm

[email protected]

This article was posted on February 07, 2003

by Kimberly Stevens

Cell Phone Helping You Choose

Cell Phone Helping You Choose

by: Declan Tobin

When the first cell phone arrived onto the market it was very basic but in those days it was classed as the best invention since electricity. Would we dispute that now? The cell phone manufacturers today are in constant battle to win over your dollars with the latest cellular phones science has to offer. You are as the consumer need to aware of what is best for you. Many people receive their first cell phone after they sign up to a cell phone carrier for the first time. The phone may not exactly be what you want but it’s a starting point saving you money.

Whatกs the difference anyway?

There are so many differences when it comes to choosing cell phones. Price is one thing but functionality is most important. Cell phones such as, camera phones, PDA and GPS are all the rage on today’s market but you need to look at your own needs before choosing.

Camera Cell Phones:

Camera cell phones are as their name suggests a cell phone that can capture photographs. They are very popular with all ages but mostly with teens to those in their early twenties. All the major cell phone manufacturers such as Nokia, Samsung, Siemens, and Motorola etc have seen their profits sore since their introduction onto the market. The idea of sending photos to friends and family via MMS appeals to most especially for those who have family living far away. The phone itself can also be attached to your home or office PC and the photo’s then uploaded to the PC and emailed globally if you wish. The camera cellular phones range in price depending on the quality of the camera, most now have built in zoom in / out options and offer a limited movie take generally 30 seconds to 1 minute. All in all the camera phone is good quality fun phone to have.

GPS Phones:

Firstly GPS stands for Global Positioning Satellite. GPS cell phones are at the higher end of the scale and once again all the major cell phone manufacturers are making them. They are ideal for a number of different people. For those of us who love outdoor adventure such as mountainous walks, climbing or skiing the GPS phone could be a life safer. GPS allows you to be pin pointed to an area at all times, so if in the unfortunate case of you being lost or hurt you will be tracked down and brought to safety. On the other end of the scale employers are purchasing the GPS cell phones for employees in order to keep track of their whereabouts (not a great idea for the employee who plays golf). The GPS phone is generally more expensive.

PDA Phones:

PDA stands for Personal Digital Assistant. PDA cell phones are more like your home PC, they are ideal for those who work in an office environment and need to travel to clients or simply work from home. Like your home computer they have a processor, memory and a good quality TFT display. You will even have a smaller version of windows to navigate around the different programs. As you might imagine the PDA phone is the most expensive on the market with all the functionality available to it.

What one is for me?

Well that a question for you but have a think about it, cell phones are not overly cheap so choosing wisely is a must. The camera cell phone is ideal if you are going to maximise it’s use for photo’s, be aware that sending photo’s via text or MMS as it is called is much more expensive than sending standard texts. GPS is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts or employers who need to keep track of staff. PDA cell phones are great as mini computer and ideal for office workers or even students. If you wish to travel internationally with your cell phone you need to check two things: Firstly ask your cell phone carrier about the coverage and roaming rates in the country you intend travelling too, roaming rates can be very high depending on what carrier you are with. Secondly your cell phone may need tri or quad band functionality so check the specifications of the cellular phone before purchasing.

About The Author

Declan Tobin is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of Prepaid Phone Plans which includes Cell prepaid plans, Carriers, and more! His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information for all of your phone interests and needs. http://www.no1incellphones.com.

This article was posted on April 08

by Declan Tobin