Building a foundation with your potential client is the key to a successful long-term business relationship which will increase sales. This can be done with the following three methods that can be incorporated into your business easily.

  1. Listen – In sales often the person selling is not listening to what the client wants.  I observe this often.  Someone will make a post about struggling with their weight and immediately people will start commenting with product after product, or opinion after opinion about what the person posting should purchase or do.  This happens in place of completely understanding what the underlying goal of the customer is.  Ask your customer what “BENEFIT” them in their business in the area of expertise would that you provide or in the area of the product you sell.  Stop assuming and start listening and if you don’t understand ask questions until you do.  When you listen, you will understand what the client is looking for vs what you think they are looking for.
  2. Ask before making an offer – Once you listen and are clear on what in your area of expertise will benefit the client, ask if they are interested in having you make them an offer.  There are many benefits to asking.  First, the door has been opened and this shows interest on their part to learn more about what you can offer them.  Second, you have listened and have the opportunity to offer something that would be of interest to purchase.
  3. Stay Connected – If your potential client is not interested in working with you today, that does not mean you might not work with the client in the future.  Ask how you can support them, offer connections and stay connected through social media by showing up and supporting their mission. Time and time again this method has brought me clients I spoke to years ago that work with me.

Never underestimate the value of building relationships to maximize profits.  It is a proven formula that works and can be implemented into your business strategies immediately.