Kicktastic Blog

What do you do with those clients who can't make up their mind about how to proceed? They know that they need what you have, and may even be convinced that you're the right person for the job. A minimum engagement can keep new client relationships from stalling out.

We've all been there. You meet to talk about one thing, and halfway through the conversation you realize that they need rebranding AND a new website AND search engine optimization AND a marketing plan. They can't decide where to start. Or their budget cannot accommodate all of those projects at once, and this shortfall has caused inertia. Or someone else whose opinion matters couldn't be at the meeting: "Let's wait until the marketing director gets back from vacation. She'll know where to start."

"Let's wait until…" has been the death of many a promising project (and potentially lucrative client relationship).

How do you politely yet firmly navigate such conversations into the safe harbor of a closed sale?

For creative professionals, talking about a sales funnel is like farting in polite company. How gauche, right?

So let's not talk about sales funnels. Let's talk about making sure that you have a Trust Magnet: an entry-level product or service that poses minimal financial risk to clients. Notice that I didn't use the word "cheap." We're talking about creating a low, or inexpensive, barrier for entry and giving people a taste of what it's like to work with you.

Trust is the true currency of business. Even if a faithful client referred your new prospect, you still need to build trust by empathizing with his or her problems and improvising a solution.

Let me share one scenario with you. I have a friend who is a financial planner. If his firm manages your assets, they take a 1% commission each year. If you want them to architect a financial plan for you and find management elsewhere, they charge $250/hour. Both of these figures represent a significant investment from the outset, and thus a very high barrier for entry.