Last week I gave away 30-minutes of business breakthru coaching free to anyone who wanted it. Here are the top 3 common issues among entrepreneurs and solo-professionals.

1. Follow-up

One coach who specializes in working in training young athletes stated that once they fielded a phone call from a student asking for advice. While the coach was willing to speak with the child, she was unsure how she could turn this child into a paying client.

My suggestion was to assure the young athlete their conversation would remain private, however; since he was a minor, she needs to have contact info for his parents. (This particular situation, the coach didn’t already know the parents) Most kids understand and aren’t concerned with giving up their parents contact info. This allows the coach to follow-up with his parents and create the “know, like and trust” factor to develop into – a paying client!

2. Money

How do I talk about my fees? This one is really easy for me… I simple state, “Ok, Mr. Client, we agree to work together… now, lets talk about money” (just put it out there and be confident!) “My fee is $$$ to ______, I accept payment, in full, up front, via Paypal – which email address can I send the invoice to?” “Once I receive payment, we can get started!” You must keep clear and firm boundaries!

If I get any bartering, bickering or so forth, I simply state, “I’ve gotta put groceries in my fridge, and I cannot accept anything less than $$$.” I find that when you bring up groceries, that paints an image of you and your family cooking or shopping at the grocery store… no one wants to take food out of anybody’s mouth, right? That statement works every time and usually stops hagglers dead in their tracks.

PS. don’t take haggling as an insult, some people just like to see if they can get a discount… it’s in their DNA!

3. How do I get more clients?

You must be visible. In your community, and online. I can recommend three extraordinary books to help you get into the mind-set of creating a system to get more clients:

1. “Get Clients NOW!“, by CJ Hayden
2. “Endless Referrals”, by Bob Burg
3. “The Go-Giver”, by Bob Burg and John David Mann, for your mindset.

Final thoughts…

Accountability is key. You must be in ACTION and you must be accountable to your peers. I highly suggest you plug yourself in to a mastermind or accountability group. You are welcome to join one of mine for a very modest price of $17.97 a month. Check out The Web Coach INSIDER here.

What are YOUR thoughts?

Do you have questions based on what I covered?

How can I help you better understand?

Please ask questions, leave comments or suggestions below.

Yesterday, I met with some of my attendee’s of a recent Get Clients NOW! program. Even though the class officially ended two weeks ago, we still meet on Monday to check in, support each other and keep ourselves accountable to our goals.

I can’t tell you how much fun and support we’ve created for ourselves.  I’m so INSPIRED!

So, here’s my question for YOU – are you plugging in with an accountability partner once a week?  You are 65 percent more likely to accomplish your goals if you have someone watching over your shoulder.

So get with it! No excuses! There’s no time like the present… right here, right now. You CAN do it.

Have Faith in yourself. I do.

Today I had the pleasure of stumbling upon Bob Burg’s blog thru a retweet on twitter.  (RT @BobBurg Bob Burg » Do Go-Givers Really Sell More? http://bit.ly/nqJUY)

His post today was about meeting two new friends at Dunkin’ Donuts who are in sales and met each other through their local BNI (Business Network International) organization.

Bob continues,

Both are obviously true Go-Givers and have built their businesses through a focus on providing value without concern for, or attachment to, reciprocity.”

In other words, they prefer to serve, rather than take credit.  You can read the entire post plus commentary from readers here (be prepared to be inspired! <grin>)

Meanwhile, I also checked out Bob’s book “The Go-Giver” – LOVE IT!

He takes a spin off from a “Go Getter,” the ambitious person trying to get ahead, and the “Giver”, a person who lives to serve others.

I highly suggest you take a peak at a free download from his site “The Five Laws of Stratospheric  Success from The Go-Giver“ and tape, glue, staple or cement them somewhere near by!

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Bob Burg is a highly sought-after speaker at corporate, financial services and direct sales conventions. Combining humor and entertainment with easily applied, proven systems for personal marketing, audiences come away ready to immediately profit from Bob’s instruction and coaching.  You can follow Bob on Twitter @BobBurg

Seriously?

Have you asked them?  Or, do you just assume what your clients/customers want?   That can be a terrible mistake… one that COULD put you right out of business before you even get started.

Perish that thought.(!)

This October will the 5 year anniversary of The Web Coach.  And only YESTERDAY I conducted my first official Survey with all of my subscribers.

I don’t always practice what I preach (oops!)

I signed up with Constant Contact a month ago and finally took full advantage of the free survey feature.

Boy, am I glad I did! I’ve learned a few GOOD things, confirmed other thoughts, and got some constructive feedback.  (we can all use a little of that from time to time)

This is what I found:

1. People are busy.  They want brief, fact-based, information. Fast.
2. People aren’t always sure of what you offer.  And they need to be reminded, regularly.
3. Survey’s allow your readers to TELL you what they want more of.
4. You find out what you’re doing RIGHT!   Affirmation is gooooood.
   
5. You’ll find out what needs to be revised, ditched or done away with.
6. Receiving feedback opens the door to two-way communication and improved products/services.
7. You can use your participants as beta testers for new product/service offerings.
8. You also find holes in your marketing cycle.
9. You’ll find opportunities to make more money! Woohoo!
10. Because knowing what your market needs is everything!

This information is so valuable to me.  Creating this survey was so easy to do, I’m going to schedule this into my quarterly business review.  Yeah!

So, my friend, do you *really* know what your customers want?

Lately, I’ve had many conversations about SEO n’such with people who are looking for the quick fix to get high Google rankings.  These kinds of people HIGHLY annoy me, because I have always preached content and article writing is really the only organic way.

So as I preach from my SEO pulpit, I know now that FriendFeed and twitter are both darlings of Google.  So get out there are start sharing what’s in your noggin people!

Go forth… Twitter, Facebook and Friendfeed! 

And, now Hutch’s post =======================

Three Reasons You Need to Be on FriendFeed *Now*

by Hutch Carpenter

FriendFeed has got to be one of the most innovative companies around these days. It seems every week, it’s hatched something new with its service. That alone makes it worth being there.

Then there’s the interactions. When those are rocking and rolling, it’s a lot of fun. Even a few Likes and comments are worth the experience. Of course, not everyone is engaged enough on the service to fully benefit from that. Which is something I completely understand, by the way.

I’ve got three reasons you should be on FriendFeed now. Not for the conversations. Not for the real-time experience. But three reasons that will be valuable to you personally.

The FriendFeed triple play.

#1: Google Juice

You likely know the background of much of the FriendFeed team – Google. Yeah, these guys know search. Even more importantly, they know something about how Google manages search.

So it comes as no surprise that FriendFeed can rank pretty highly in Google search results. Here’s a favorite example of mine.

Alex Scoble (yes, Robert’s brother) is planning his wedding reception. One candidate location for the reception was the Hillsboro Cultural Arts Center. But the managers of that location were not very flexible in working Alex and his fiance. On FriendFeed, Alex posted about the Hillsboro Cultural Arts Center, with some comments explaining why he was not going to use them. It’s not a flattering portrayal of the Center.

Well, check out what a search on the Center’s name returns: Alex’s FriendFeed entry is the #6 result.

Not something that Center wants in their search results, but a great way for Alex to let others know about his experience with the Center.

Read the rest of Hutch’s post here

I DVR’d Oprah’s show today.

Her series is programmed to be recorded if it’s new – so I didn’t go out of my way to record this particular show. (You can see excerpts at http://oprah.com)

What I didn’t realize is how united, inspired and hopeful the nation feels about Obama being elected.  Especially on this day, Martin Luther King’s observed birthday.

You see, I’m a die hard Republican. I voted for McCain.

Born in an all white community.  Raised in a 99% white community, and daughter of a  KKK supporter from the south, who claimed to be a Democrat.

Fast forward to today.

Never have I heard a nation so ready to serve, until now.  People from every walk of life are setting aside their hang-ups and aggressions to move forward, make life better, and serve one another.

Serve one another.

How beautiful.  Anyone who can move a nation like this, is all right by me!

((((WOW))))

I’ve reached “nerd-vanna!” Absolutely fascinating.  Take 5 minutes to watch this video.

Friday night, my daughters and I were shopping at target when Jenni asked,

“Why do you have 1800+ friends? You can’t possibly know that many people”

And, then yesterday, a friend asked this question:

Holy Moly! You have 1,834 Facebook “Friends”? How many of those *haven’t* you exchanged at least one message/comment with in the last year? Maybe it’s time to “Clean House”. I know. I know. It’s not nice to “de-friend”

To answer both questions, my hope is that stating, “it’s not about me, it’s about them” opens the door to a different perspective.

Let me try to explain.

While I can say that I haven’t personally shaken hands with all my FB friends, that doesn’t mean we aren’t connected in some way.  (I really wish I could!)

Connected by our path, our hearts, values, ideas and opinions, Facebook is a tool to bring us together.

I’ve friended people from my past and present like:

• Jagran Boise Thomas, a commercial actor and stand up comedian who recently tattooed “be love” on the inside of his fore arm.
• Bruce Ammons, a minister from Houston, Texas who liberates families from their debts.

People I’ve never met:

• Rae Dawn Chong, daughter of Tommy Chong of “Cheech and Chong.”  She posts notes to her FB profile that are extraordinary.  Although I don’t always agree, she challenges me to reach.  To expand my perspectives.  To grow.
• Denise Ashbaugh, a woman whose teenage son was experiencing a medical mystery.  I have walked that same path and was able to share openly and give her comfort.  She is so thankful for her Facebook friends as we are a reliable source of strength and courage for her.

As a work from home web development coach, isolation, -clearly- is not my/our friend.  Yes, I have local partners (Kym and Joe) who both live within 2 miles, but connecting with others just like me all around the world – well, that’s just cool.  Yes, happiness loves company.  My hope is that my happiness is contagious.

Unfortunately, there are those who see Facebook as a contest. To see who can get the most friends.  Kind of like “whoever dies with the most friends, wins!”  Or, as others might call them “Facebook whores” who don’t know a thing about the people they friend.

Then there are the contributors. Individuals who give freely in service to others.  That’s me.  I’m on Facebook not to promote what I do or my services – but to genuinely lend support to others.  Occasionally, I may post a promotion because there’s real value.

Which leaves us with, the “fly-on-the-wall.” Folks who have friended people who they think might be interesting.  They don’t say much, if anything at all… they are happy to observe, watch, and learn and nothing more.

Here’s a fine example:

A woman called my office friday… she had been on my ezine list for two years and finally decided it was time to move her practice forward (she’s a therapist).  During this two year period, she poured over my advice and coaching materials.  I couldn’t have asked for a better new client.  She knows how I operate, what I expect, and what steps she needs to take – all because she’s been a fly-on-the-wall.

Because “it’s not about me, it’s about them” we allow ourselves to connect, interact and dance. To freely give information, knowledge and expertise allows us to help, assist, and empower.  I want YOU to be empowered!

Here’s another example:

Last Tuesday the Executive Pastor of my church lost his job.  Shock waves are still rumbling thru the community.  But did Mark feel isolated,  hurt and alone? Not for long! Mark’s social family stepped up immediately.  He was flooded with support from all over the world.  And, a bit of irony, check this out; the Associated Press picked up Mark’s story from his blog, and he was requested to apply for a Senior Pastor position in another state.   Mark rocks!

You see, our world is changing quickly.  Gen X has grown up in a “technology driven” economy… right before our eyes we are evolving into a “relational economy” which is what our previous generation aka. Baby-boomers grew up in.

Baby-boomers were taught ‘old school’ marketing and communication.  Knocking on doors, cold calls and old fashioned service calls to prospects were essential to their business.  Gen X sits behind a computer screen, a call center, or just sends an email.  We need to get back to basics and combine the best of both generations.

Tools like Facebook and Twitter can help.  We need to build relationships.  We need each other.  The SOUL of Facebook is only the beginning.

Follow me on Twitter, and lets connect on Facebook!