My client promotes other people but not me!

I was talking to a client who felt really stung:

“I’ve done great work with this client, she’s really happy with me. But, I see her on social media promoting a different coach, a different program, and she never mentions me! What is going on?”

It’s a painful dynamic for sure, who wouldn’t feel the sting of that? And I’ve seen this exact dynamic reported by my clients over the years many times.

But I asked a simple question. “Do you think the other coach asked?”

We like to recommend, but we don’t naturally promote

Most people, given the right circumstances, will recommend you and your work. It’s true!

What are the right circumstances? We talk a lot about that in the Asking for Referrals module, but the basics are:

• They need to know who you help and what problem you help them with.
• They need to know how to send someone to you.
• They need to hear some name the problem out loud, to trigger their memory.

If you’re a chiropractor who helps athletes recover from traumatic injuries, one of your clients, or a colleague, or a friend can be at a party and here someone say, “Whoa… I love to do X sport, but I had this injury that I’m not recovering from.” And your name will pop up, and they will refer you.

“Hey, I know someone who helps with that. Do you want their name?”

That’s an effective referral.

What people usually *won’t* do is stand up on a chair at the party, and announce, “Hey, if you’re an athlete suffering from a traumatic injury, I’ve got someone for you!”

They also won’t normally do the equivalent on social media, announcing to the world how you helped them, because most people won’t do that.

Unless…

Unless what?

Unless you ask them. Really. It’s often just that simple.

When I’ve had clients who felt comfortable enough to ask their clients what happened, they’ve found that their client had been asked to promote, often in the context of a promotional campaign.

Given that we’ve seen this dynamic in the past, at this point I recommend that you don’t go ask your client, “Why you did you promote them and not me?” Nothing good can come from that question.

What I do recommend, however, is asking if they’d be willing to share with any audience/followers/communities the good work you’ve done together.

Make it as easy for them to do as possible.

Create some kind of event or happening, to give a reason for them to promote you.

Maybe you’re going to do a talk, or a Facebook live, or you’re going to offer free assessment sessions, or… something.

Then, it becomes natural to go to someone, “I’m going to be doing X. I have a favor to ask! Would you mind sharing some of the great things you’ve said about our work together and help announce this thing I’m doing?”

Remember: people are happy to help!

Your clients love you and your work. They want to see you succeed. They are often touched to be able to support you.

If you ask and make it easy for them, they’ll often jump in if they can!

If you are doing this, what are some ways you’ve asked people to help promote you? If you’re not doing this, where are you getting stuck? Do you have any other questions?

Let’s get you flying!

With love,
Mark Silver, M.Div.
Heart of Business, Inc.
Every Act of Business Can Be an Act of Love.

P.S. A few openings

Although our Learning Community is closed for a bit, we’ll be starting a waiting list for the next time we open. Keep an eye out for that.

I do have a few spaces open in my small group coaching and even one or two individual client slots.

Even more, some people (maybe you?) are in a great position for a personal intensive, meaning you come here to Ithaca, and we spend one to three days focused exclusively on your business.

If you’re interested in having me personally help you, let’s talk! Hit reply, tell me about your business.