Building Your Relationship - Be Persistent (not Pushy!)
Itzik Amiel
International Business Development|Power Networker| Professional Public Speaker| BRIC international expansion expert
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‘He said I am pushy’.
That is what one of the lawyers I mentor shared with me that contact of him said.
He was insulted.
He never wanted to be pushy or naggy, but at the same time he knows the importance of following up with his relationships.
His question was - how can one be more persistent and not be seen as pushy?
The answer to him triggered this edition.
You've been told not to be pushy, aggressive or a stalker when following up with your connections or after meeting with a potential client.
What exactly does this look like?
When it comes to following up with your connections or clients, it's important to strike a balance between being persistent and being respectful of your client's time and preferences.
What one person may consider assertive and confident, another may view as aggressive and off-putting.
“What one person may consider assertive and confident, another may view as aggressive and off-putting.”
Since everyone has their own communication style and preferences, your message may be interpreted differently depending on the receiver.
Your ultimate goal is to tailor your approach to the unique needs and preferences of the person you're trying to reach.
While you may not always have enough information to fully understand their communication style, it's still worth taking some calculated risks and making an effort to connect with them in a way that resonates with them.
So, what's the difference between pushy and persistent?
How do you follow up without being a pest?
How do you avoid being 'that guy' or ‘that lady’ while still managing to be effective?
So let me share with you some points of advice on how to follow up in a way that you get to build and cultivate relationships (vs. considered to be pushy).
Timing is everything
Follow-up is like the sugar in your blood. You need some, but too much of it and you could be in a lot of trouble.
“Follow-up is like the sugar in your blood. You need some, but too much of it and you could be in a lot of trouble”. CLICK TO TWEET
As a lawyer or any other professional, following up after submitting a proposal is critical to increasing your chances of getting hired.
If you don’t follow up, will it really get done? Will your message get lost in their crowded life?
It's important to know that just because you submitted your proposal, it doesn't necessarily mean that it has been received or reviewed.
When it comes to following up with potential clients or connections, it's important to strike a balance between being persistent and respectful of their time and space.
While it's natural to be eager and excited about your proposal, bombarding them with messages can come across as pushy and unprofessional, and may even signal a lack of confidence in your own offering.
Think about it.
Instead of rushing to follow up immediately after sending a proposal, take a step back and focus on building a long-term relationship with the client.
Give them some breathing space and time to consider your proposal before reaching out again.
It's also important to keep in mind that people get busy and may not respond immediately, so don't take it personally if you don't hear back right away.
If you do decide to follow up, be courteous and respectful in your messaging. Avoid bombarding them with multiple messages or pushing too hard for an immediate response.
Focus on providing value and building a strong relationship, and the results will follow in due time.
“Focus on providing value and building a strong relationship, and the results will follow in due time.”
A “no” isn’t a “never” – but it isn’t a yes
In building your practice, it's important to keep a long-term perspective.
Even if you don't receive an immediate positive response from a potential client, don't despair. Building relationships takes time, and rejection doesn't necessarily mean that the door is closed forever.
When reaching out to potential clients or your connections, keep detailed notes about your interactions with them.
If you don't hear back after sending an email or an initial proposal, don't give up hope. Follow up with a friendly message expressing your continued interest in working together and seeing if there's any potential for future collaboration.
If you receive a definitive "no," it's important to be gracious and professional in your response. You never know when your paths might cross again in the future, and you don't want to burn any bridges.
Remember, it's not about convincing every single person to hire you, but about finding the right fit for your services.
“Remember, it's not about convincing every single person to hire you, but about finding the right fit for your services.” CLICK TO TWEET
In short, stay patient, be persistent and focus on building genuine relationships with the people you encounter along the way.
Keep it friendly
When it comes to following with your connections, it's important to strike a balance between being persistent and being pushy.
Being too pushy can give the impression of desperation and potentially turn clients off. Instead, focus on being friendly and upbeat in your communications.
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While it's understandable to feel frustrated if you're struggling to secure new clients, it's important to maintain a sense of confidence and professionalism.
Remember that you have valuable skills and expertise to offer and that you are seeking a collaborative relationship with the client.
Avoid pressuring potential clients to work with you, and instead focus on building rapport and demonstrating your value.
I have no doubt that by taking a friendly and respectful approach, you'll be more likely to attract clients who are a good fit for your services and who appreciate what you have to offer.
When communicating with potential clients, it's important to convey confidence and value in your services. Avoid any hint of desperation or pressure in your tone, and maintain a professional and friendly demeanor.
Keep in mind that every interaction with a potential client is an opportunity to showcase your temperament and ability to handle obstacles with grace.
If you receive a rejection, it's important to respect the client's decision and stop following up.
However, if you haven't received a response yet, it's okay to find alternative ways to show your interest in a respectful manner. Following the company on social media or sharing its updates can be a good way to stay on its radar without crossing any lines.
Remember, it's not about winning over every potential client, but about finding the right fit for your services.
Master This Skills
Persistence is a good thing. However, to be perceived as persistent yet not a nag requires the mastery of the following skills:
1. Respect.
Persistent professionals are very aware of their prospects’ and clients’ time. They respect others’ time constraints and understand that their priorities most likely don’t include listening to lengthy pitches.
2. Value.
When reconnecting with someone in a persistent mode, it’s absolutely necessary to have something of value for them. Don’t be tempted to just “follow up” or “check in.” Instead, have information, an invitation or an introduction to present to them.
You’ll be deemed far less self-serving by bringing something of value to their table, and they’ll be far more receptive to your repeated attempts to get them to hire you and your services.
3. Sensitivity.
Knowing when to rein it in is essential.
Even though you can’t lose what you don’t have, you can irritate prospective clients so much so that they will nix you from all forms of communication.
Once again, respect and consideration are the rule.
The best professionals are skilled in remaining persistent and not getting discouraged while never crossing the fine line of being a nag or nuisance.
“The best professionals are skilled in remaining persistent and not getting discouraged while never crossing the fine line of being a nag or nuisance.”
Good Follow up
In conclusion, building strong client relationships requires persistence (not pushiness). You need to be proactive, attentive, respectful, helpful, and consistent in your communication with clients and prospects.
When you follow up with people, if you do it well you won’t be seen as a nagger. Good follow-up normally involves these three things:
“Good follow-up normally involves these three things: (1) Polite tonality (2) A degree of patience (3) A combination of communication styles.”
By doing so, you can differentiate yourself from other professionals in the crowded marketplace and become a trusted advisor and authority in your field.
Remember, being persistent means pursuing your clients and prospects with a purpose, while being pushy means being aggressive and pursuing them without any regard for their needs or preferences.
Strive to be persistent (not pushy) to build strong client relationships and achieve success in your professional practice or career.
What is your biggest challenge when it comes to following up with your connections?
Please share your comments and input with me, I read every comment personally.
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Until the next edition, SWITCH ON and keep STANDING OUT!
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Itzik is considered the global leading authority on business development, business networking, client relationships, and personal branding. He is a highly sought-after international speaker, trainer, business mentor, & attorney-at-law. He is also the bestselling author of “The Attention Switch ” & Founder of THE SWITCH?? , the leading online training, and education platform for professionals globally. Itzik teaches, trains, and mentors lawyers, other professionals, and professional firms to attract and win their ideal clients by becoming seen as authorities in their field, creating and maintaining successful and strategic relationships, and learning to SWITCH their relationships to referrals+revenue+results.
See more information: itzikamiel.com | THE SWITCH?? ?or connect with Itzik via: [email protected]
Social Media Marketer turned Into a Certified Numerologist & Tarot Reader & Personal Branding | |Content Marketer | Linkedin Strategist | Storyteller | Helps Entrepreneurs to build their personal brand (LTP2024)
1 年Great post ?? A must-subscribe newsletter for every professional.