How To Get Client-savvy, Quickly

Each year, we all get the chance to start fresh and try something different. Whether it sticks or not, we can take comfort in the "newness" of the year to give us permission to do so.

What if we chose to "lead" a new way to something different and decide that it was going to "stick"? Maybe we become a little more defiant about the way "it's always been done". Maybe we pay attention to what's happening in our market and to our clients and are proactive about it, instead of reacting to it.

You see this New Year does in fact give you an opportunity to "lead" the charge. To be revolutionary in doing something new, something different in service to your client, your market and your business. And in the process, setting a trend, creating a buzz, increasing your celebrity (and of course clients and income)!

Let's get down to an example to give this some "legs". For many years, service professionals, consultants, coaches, speakers and other solopreneurs have used various lead generation strategies to increase the visibility of their businesses. These include, websites, newsletters, special reports, and articles, etc.

And then social media trickled in with Yahoo forums, networks like RYZE, EAcademy, LinkedIn and then there was the explosion of MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

The revolutionaries jumped on these new lead generation strategies, while others relied on proven, time tested methods. And you know how that story ends. (in case you don't and hellip;they were playing catch up)

There is a "new" requirement emerging. One that requires a "new" way of doing business. That is, the prospects, leads and clients are in the drivers seat. No longer is it the latest, hottest program, product or delivery of service that leads. It's what the prospect or client wants that does. A good analogy to understand this is to think about the shift in the real estate market from a "sellers" to a "buyers" market.

This is why you're seeing a shift in how offers are being designed, priced and delivered. To be "client-savvy" in 2011, you must go where they are and play in THEIR sandbox. Your clients are demanding you play in Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. if you want to work with them. So if you're still operating under the misconception that it social media is just for fun, it's time to get over it! Use these vehicles to communicate in a way that gets their attention and interaction. You can then, invite them to play in YOUR sandbox without being "salesy."

It may take you "ramp up" time to get here, so use the three phases of growth to "Think Big and hellip;Play Bigger" and get "client savvy" for 2011.

If you are in the:

"Explore" phase - Identify some key players and some not so key players in your market. Learn what they are doing and saying to your prospects and clients by getting on their email lists or reading their blogs.

"Build" phase - Look closely at what the major players are doing and offering in your market. How is this different from what you're doing and what can you, immediately, leverage for your business?

"Thrive" phase - Compare what the major and not so major players are doing. What do you attribute the differences or the similarities to? Is there a gap and how can you fill it?

No matter which stage you're in, tap into where you can to benefit from each level and "Think Big and hellip;Play Bigger" in your business today.