Sunday, August 07, 2011

How to Build Business Relationships in 1 minute - Siimon Reynolds

I had lunch yesterday with a highly successful TV commercial producer.

He told me of an incredibly quick, yet powerful way that he deepens relationships with clients and potential clients.

I thought I’d share it with you today.

It’s this simple: Whenever he emails somebody, he writes just one or two lines about their or his life outside of the business world.

Maybe he asks how their family is going. Sometimes he tells them what he’s been up to in his spare time. Often he follows up about some aspect of their personal life they mentioned previously.

It’s not much, just a line or two.

But he believes it has transformed his business.

As he put it, “As clients slowly open up about their personal lives, they begin to view you not just as a supplier, but as a friend. And people prefer to buy from friends.”

He thinks this one small technique has transformed the profits of his business. I think he’s right.

So instead of just asking clients to buy stuff from you, invest a little time to find out about them. Their lives, hopes, aspirations and even troubles.

Over time, sharing these little personal things with clients will make a big difference to your bottom line.

It will also enrich your life immeasurably.

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