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Who is Talking About Your Business ... and How to Keep Them Talking

Guest post by: Zita Gustin

Article Overview: In our busy hectic lives, we often forget that our advocates need to know that we appreciate their efforts in supporting our business through high praise and referrals that they have sent our way. Just as it is easier to retain a client than to find a new one, it is easier to maintain a relationship with an advocate than it is to start a new one. Read on for ways to make the most of your connections and those who are spreading the word far and wide for you. They are celebrating you and now is the time for you to honor them and celebrate them!

Who is Talking About Your Business ... and How to Keep Them Talking

It’s not who you know or what you know … it is who knows you and is willing to share that knowledge.

Back in 2007, The Bucket List inspired many to take a look at the things that they wanted to achieve in their lives before they die. The Business Bucket List that I want to introduce you to today looks at WHO is in your Business Bucket List.

Each one of us has at least 10 key people who have made an impact on our business in the last 12 months. They are the lifeline of your business. I call these people your High 10. So who is in your Business Bucket List - who are your High 10?

Have you made time in your schedule to be aware of who those top 10 people are? If you do not have that list handy or have never made such a list, I hope that I can inspire you to make time very soon (today - perhaps) to think about who is on your list and how you can continue to flourish from their good graces toward you and your business.

Your Business Bucket List would include any combination of: The folks who have helped you with your business growth and it could be your life partner (husband, wife, soul mate), your mentor, your best friend. It could be someone who has supplied you with resources, or referrals. It could be a mastermind partner or an accountability partner. It might be someone you have collaborated with. It surely is your best client. It may be your cousin or an aunt. And, it could be that client that has consistently sent you more new clients.

These people are taking care of you .... what are YOU doing to take care of them or to let them know that you are aware of their contribution to your success?

Too often, we take people like this for granted. We forget the huge contribution that they are making to us, our families, our businesses, and by association to our clients.

The reason that I say these 10 key people are taking care of you is that they are your advocates. They are the ones who have your back. They easily and enthusiastically tell others about you. They rave about you. They know, like, and trust you and are willing to speak highly of you at every opportunity. They are also the people who listen to you and really hear you and then offer appropriate suggestions, help, or resources. They are your network. Additionally, they are your cheering squad who are eager to cheer you to success and to help you get back up if you stumble and fall. Ultimately, they are the walking, talking billboards for your business and they contribute mightily to your success and the growth of your business.

Your social capital with them is the fuel that keeps the marketing engine of their favorable remarks glowing and growing for you.

Appreciation is the easiest way to keep the social capital loop running smoothly in your favor and it is so very important to building lasting relationships that are mutually beneficial over time.

Would you pause for a moment while reading this and grab a piece of paper to jot down the 10 most influential people on your life over the past 12 months? I promise you it is not that hard to do. Relax into it and think about the people I have described above. Who easily comes to mind for you? Please write those names down. They do not need to be in any particular order. The important thing is to write them down.

Now that you have that list, let’s take a look at the next part of this: The appreciation loop.

The appreciation loop would include a schedule on your calendar of "thank you" touches to let them know how much you appreciate them.

Before you begin that, however, it would be good to look back over your list and decide which people need a monthly touch, and which need a quarterly touch. There should also be at least 1 that deserves a weekly touch or a bi-weekly touch from you. And, of course, there is the daily touch for the people who live or work with you every day.

Now, what would those touches look, sound, or feel like?

Obvious touches are a phone call, a handwritten note, a gift basket, or a lunch or dinner together. You could take them to a sporting event, a theatrical event, or some other social event. You could tap into what you already know about them and provide them with a gift that has significance to them. You could donate money (in their name) to a charity that is near and dear to their heart.

Less obvious touches are to shine the spotlight on them in return. Visit their blog and leave a well thought out comment. Visit their website and then drop them an email with a positive comment about something you noticed on their site. Leave them a recommendation on LinkedIn or on Biznik. Retweet their tweets. Mention them on your blog. Forward an article that you think they would find interesting to them. If they have written an article on the internet, find it and comment on it then provide a link to that article in your blog or ezine. You could feature them on your website. Or interview them on your blog or on a teleseminar. You could spend part of your time networking actually looking for leads for them and then making the connections in a proactive and thoughtful way. You could host an event just for them and invite people that would be beneficial for them to know.

Yes, all of this takes time. Valuable time. They have invested this kind of time in you and if you want to continue to enjoy the gifts from people who have been "giving" to you ... please consider becoming a giver to your givers.

You’ve likely heard the saying that it is easier to keep a client than it is to find a new client. I want you to know the same is true for advocates. It is far easier to keep an advocate than it is to create the relationships that lead to a new advocate. Keep your advocates advocating for you by being generous in your appreciation.

Create a follow up plan for your High 10 and kick it into gear today.

So ... who ARE your top 10? If you didn't know the answer to this before, I hope you'll make some time today to become aware of who those folks are and make sure that you send them some yummy attention very soon.

And, last but not least, I would love to hear how you show your appreciation to your advocates and how you keep them willing and able to advocate for you. Share your comments so that we can all benefit from advocating for our advocates!

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Article Tags: advocates, appreciation, attracting clients, building business relationships, building relationships, Networking connections, word of mouth marketing



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