There is nothing like the feeling of having a strong enough client base that you can quit your day job and pay your bills from your online business alone. Those first few hours can feel like like “I’ve made it!” Enthusiasm overwhelms your work, and you couldn’t be happier to finally be self-employed. Take the Self-Employment Test to see if it’s for you!
And then it happens.
That sneaky little voice of self-doubt or disbelief starts to make you second-guess your reality. The next thing you know, you’re not focused on growing your business, you’re not beaming with gladness for your new found freedom. You’re freaked the heck out that you could actually LOSE a client, and be sent back into the streets looking for a job instead of creating your own. You may also read, How Do You Handle A Business Relationship Gone Wrong?.
Anxiety, panic, and desperation start to seep in as your mind races. STOP.
Don’t sabotage yourself. Take a deep breath and watch this video. There are two key components to making sure you never, ever have to worry about losing clients – and I share them with you today.
After you watch the video, I’d love to know what you do to make sure you never have to worry about losing clients? Have you lost clients, even though you were implementing these two practices? What did you do about it?
Let’s hear it in the comments below.
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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Marlee,
Thanks for this! I agree with you 100% when you say “make sure you have the right customer” and “provide exceptional value”. I was extremely frustrated starting out in business because I was trying to please everyone. I learned the hard way that you can not be all things to all people. Once you start focusing on the ideal client you can provide more value to a customer that will appreciate it!
Justin
Marlee,
I can’t believe how good you are at providing high quaility content. This has to be illegal. You just keep giving all the good stuff away.
In my relationships, rather personal or business, I try to keep an open line of communication and be as transparent as possible. Sometimes that works other times it doesn’t.
I have gotten to a point where I don’t lose clients, clients lose me. lol! Unfortunatly, a lot of clients have been losing me recently. (I don’t have online clients)
Fraaaannnnk!
Can you hear me yelling that from a tunnel? I’ve been in social media hiding so it’s been a minute, but thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. We’ve got to work on not losing any clients. Even if you don’t a biz you can always do one of my free mini biz makeovers! HOLLA.
Okay, so I am a late subscriber here, but what is the trick to figuring out what you can offer to initially get clients. I mean, I like to help folks and I like to make money, so how can I cross those paths?
Hmmm… I am definitely interesting in having problems like these. You know, worrying about losing clients. Give me clients to worry about!
LOL! Welcome David.
You comment is an awesome one and you should totally sign up to do a free mini biz makeover, but to answer you here. I’d say ask your readers what they need help with. Then figure out if you can provide them with the help they are looking for. Once you do that you can being the process of testing your product/service to see if there is genuine interest. Your approach to those things will vary depending upon your offering, but the bottom line is people will only pay you for the following combonation. Some thing that THEY PERCEIVE as having value + They WANT it now + They are WILLING to pay you. Then you’ll have the kinds of problems we are talking about here.
Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Marlee, I think loosing clients is part of this game. If you deliver the value you don’t need to worry because there will be new clients coming your way.
I think the best way how to fight with the client outflow is being there for your client all the time, communicate as much as possible and asking for the feedback.
Thanks for useful sharing!
SO very TRUE. When you Put your very best into your work, They will Stay, cheer, rejoice, praise and yearn for your work. Gotta agree with Adam. Build it and they will stay. As long as you keep your material authentic.
Word.
Hey Adam!
Thanks for visiting. Yes, losing clients is part of the game. I think I’m more specifically addressing the second part of your comment, which is that you should worry about it because you are giving your best. Thanks for you insight here.
I always like the distinction between actual and perceived value.
The key is that value is always in the eye of the beholder.
It takes a lot to be outstanding in today’s world, and that’s another reason to play to your unique strengths and experience to flow the value in a way that’s true to you.
Totally agree, J.D. Thanks for articulating that.
Great content! People will treat you and your business the way that you do. If a person underestimates the value of what they’re offering, eventually so will the client or potential clients.
If business owners focus on getting the clients results (going above and beyond) the clients will be loyal and even become their best sales rep.
Sometimes clients will drop out of programs or services.. but doesn’t always mean make drastic changes within company (prices, structure, adding more services that you can’t handle, etc).
Again, great content. I’m going to ‘like’ your FB page from my biz page and stay connected that way. Thanks
Thanks for connecting on FB, Melvin. And you’re right, you don’t always have to make changes, but if you see a way you can serve your clients that you’re not currently offering you can extend their lifetime value by offering that service. If of course it fits within your long term goals. Thanks for sharing your great insights here.
You have give the people what they want. And make sure you have it hot and ready like some Egg Mc-Muffins. I think if you make a product that is undeniable to the masses, than the customer will be served. All you have to make sure is that your giving them what they NEED!
Great points Marlee,
It’s such a hassle working with nickle and dimers. I’ve spent my time with these types and it’s always a wonder of when will they leave, or when they’ll ask for some sort of break. Always!
And on the other hand, there are those customers that respect and value your work. Customers who refer your to others. Customers who treat you as part of the team.
For me, it’s always come down to how I got the client in the first place:
(A)Did I seem to be more than I really am in order to get the business? Because in those situations the client picked me for a reason, that might not have honestly been a good fit – shame on me.
(B)Or did I break too much on price, devaluing the worth of my services – making it seem as though I was positioning against competition and not charging based on my expertise… commoditizing my offerings – again, shame on me.
(C)But at times, there are just people who are hard to work with and who enjoy being difficult – shame on them…and shame on me for not breaking that relationship sooner!
Great stuff here Marlee – always high quality!
PEACE
Marlee, love your thoughts. Always insightful and honest. Thanks!
JK – I think your three “points” are spot on. Just needed to say that.
Wow, JK! Your three point here sum it up very well. This is what amazing comments are made of! Thank you for adding that.
The only constant is change.
Hello Ms. Fashionista Chic,
Nice to see you here. Cute fashion blog!
Your statement is beyond true. I’ve lived that. I’m not implying that you’r clients will never leave. As your statement insinuates, things will change. But having a fear that clients are going to leave you is unhealthy for your progress and well being as a business owner and service provider. Instead, by focusing on the things you can control to some degree, you eliminate the need to worry about that which you can’t.