Why you must be masterful at marketing and sales no matter your profession
Back in 2005 when I began coach training at Terri Levine’s The Coach Institute, we were taught right away that training and practice would make us extraordinary coaches, but that wasn’t enough.
What’s a coaching business without clients?
We needed to put as much emphasis on becoming masterful at marketing and sales (or more) as we were on becoming great coaches.
This is true whatever your profession or craft.
Yet, I encounter time and again entrepreneurs who love what they do (their skill or craft or professional) but dislike (even hate!) marketing and selling.
Today’s LA Times article “Finding clients: Even great work doesn’t sell itself” illustrated this common sentiment expressed by Chad Takenaka.
Chad — who owns Design Models of California — considers himself “a craftsman, not a salesman,” and avoids marketing because “he views (it) as bothering people and (he) feels unprepared to do well. ”
Can you relate?
How long do you think a person can remain in business if they continue to believe they are bothering people when they market their products or services?
We entrepreneurs really have two professions:
1. Our craft or skill or profession, usually summed up by our title: Financial Planner, Personal Banker, Real Estate Agent, Business Coach, etc.
2. Ou roles as Marketer and Salesperson
How can we release the belief that marketing is annoying to our prospects and potential customers?
Chad Takenaka’s consultant suggests considering calling potential clients as “a chance to solve a problem or to be a resource.”
Isn’t that great advice?
When you think of marketing your services as a way to serve others, it becomes more attractive, easier, and even fun.
If you were to regularly and proactively seek ways to solve your (potential) clients’ challenges and serve as a valuable resource to them, it would be highly unlikely they’d be annoyed with you!
Adds the consultant:
“(Chad) Takenaka says he is happy chatting about projects with clients, communicating constantly while on a job. If he can think of potential clients in the same light, he might find it easier to talk to them.”
So, what about you?
What is the very next thing you will do to market your products or services to prospects and potential clients who need what you have to offer?
