Can You Catch A Golf Ball In Your Pocket?

In our last golf tournament we had a very unusual thing happen.  It was on the 18th hole and as always with our group we were having a blast. Mike a 6’ 5” giant of a man was just off the green waiting to putt.  Craig and I were coming up the fairway toward the green.   Being the impatient guy that he is, Craig determines that he can no way hit the ball that far so decides let one fly.   Of course as Murphy’s Law would have it, Craig blades the ball and it goes rocketing right at Mike.  We all yell “FORE” which in golfer’s terms means “Look out Stupid You’re Going to Get Hit.”   Mike ducks, turns slightly as the ball hits and bounces 10 feet in front of him landing directly in his front pocket.   Mike not feeling a thing stands up and looks upset that we hollered so loud because no ball seemed to be near him.  If fact I think he gestured at us using one of his fingers.  Both Craig and I had a hard time walking we were laughing so hard.  You can imagine Mike’s surprise when at lunch we told him to reach in his pocket.    What are the chances? As I was chuckling later I thought with playing golf for many years  I had never have seen that happen before then one day it’s the right place at the right time.    Snagging a dream client is a lot like that.  You can be selling your products or services for years and never land the perfect client then all of what seems like sudden chance, they call you or you happen to meet them at a networking event and (hey presto) you’re working for them.  What’s the secret?  Here Are 5 Secrets to landing the Dream Client The first secret to catching the golf ball in your pocket or getting the perfect client is being in the game.  You have to participate in the day to day marketing of your business.  You have to be out there where that client has the opportunity to meet you.  You can’t force it; you just have to be there.  It takes consistent effort. The second secret is to be prepared to meet them at anytime.  You just never know.  So don’t get caught not having businesses cards or something that will tell them what you do.   You might prepare a 30 second answer to the question “What do you do for a living?”  You would be surprised on how many do not have a clear answer to that question.   The fact is meeting the perfect client is much more possible if you are ready. The third secret is having a question that engages them in conversation maybe something about their job or family.  Make sure you have one memorized so it comes naturally.  Be sincere and show interest in them and what they are doing?  Dale Carnegie said, “A persons favorite subject is all about themselves”     Get them talking about themselves or what interest them and you’ll gain a friend for life.   It also helps you to get on common ground with them maybe sharing a mutual interest like golf. The fourth secret is to capture their contact information.  You need to come away with a way to contact them again.  I say it’s like making sure you have pockets in your pants.  Without it you can never catch that golf ball.  So be sure you carry a pen and something to write on.   Nowadays people do not do business with anyone without some kind of a relationship first.  You need to collect that information in your database file so you can refer to it.  The most effective database file is one you can write down some of the tidbits they told you about themselves.   A good sales person can remember about 100 people but a database can remember 1000’s. The fifth secret is follow up.  When you get back to the office the most valuable time you can spend is writing to all that you met.   Saying thank you for their time or that you were glad to meet them.   It’s amazing how valuable a simple follow up email or card can be in building a relationship.   Now that they know you and you have said thank you it much easier to talk with them again maybe this time about the services you offer.   The chances are much greater in your favor that they will go to your website or read your brochure. The interesting part of the golf ball story is Mike didn’t even feel the golf ball until he reach in his pocket.  The same is true with getting your dream client because you meet them by being in the right place at the right time.  Seems like no effort is needed but that is not necessarily true is it.  You were (1) in the game, (2) prepared, (3) showed interest in them, (4) capture their contact information and (5) followed-up. You can catch a golf ball in your pocket.  I know because I saw it done.  Start by getting in the game and be prepared for success.    2009-01-14T16:49:00Z

2009-01-14T22:30:47Z