How To Get Prospect Feedback To Produce High Connection Business Content
Even if your current prospects are non-responsive
Online coaches tend to face a catch 22 scenario in the early stages of marketing their business.
The scenario goes something like this…
You have an awesome 1:1 program (or course or service) and after a few initial clients you’re ready to let the rest of the world wide web know!
These are exciting times.
You stretch your arms over your keyboard, crack your fingers and begin pushing out business content on a few platforms.
So far, so good.
I mean pushing out content is half the battle right!?
You wait a day or two but then the unexpected happens. Nothing!
This doesn’t make sense. You know your program is awesome but for whatever reason, there seems to be a disconnect and your prospects are not responding.
No inquiries are coming into your inbox.
No subscribers are joining your email list.
You get a few likes. And, woah, a comment!
You reply to the comment with a thought-provoking question but never hear back.
“Well then…” you wonder, “how can I connect with my prospects through my business content?”
Sound familiar?
This scenario is what I like to call the Cycle of Disconnection.
You want to publish content that speaks to a specific group of prospects. However, your prospects are non-responsive because they don’t connect to your content. In order to publish better content, you need feedback from your prospects. But you can’t get feedback from your prospects because they don’t connect to your content…
…and then the Cycle of Disconnection repeats.
The cycle leaves you wondering…
How can I make my content more interesting to these prospects?
How can I get feedback if prospects are non-responsive to begin with?
How can I break out of this vicious cycle?!
Well, from here, coach, you have two options (no primary-colored pills involved)!
- You can take a shot in the dark by creating new content and hope for a better response.
OR
2. You can get the in-depth information you need to produce business content that speaks to your prospect…via good ol’ fashion networking!
Yep, take it in.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- Why old school networking is still the gold standard for getting feedback from prospects needed to produce high connection content
- Ways you can start networking online (and offline!) today
- The #1 way to make your first impression count while networking
Why Networking Is The Gold Standard For Getting Prospect Feedback
There are a few reasons why networking is the direction you want to take as an early stage coach.
You need more prospect information. Sure, you may think you know your prospects well…but the reality is you need to know them better than well.
You need to know them REALLY well.
Better than…they know themselves!
I know that sounds a bit creepy and even kind of demanding of a business owner.
The thing is though, if you plan to use the internet to draw interest and create connection, you need to be able to build deep trust…without the help of your physical presence!
Writing high level or general business content won’t do the trick. You can’t build deep trust with generic information.
I mean, it IS the internet.
Do you trust every coach with generic content on the internet?
Of course not.
So, the more understanding you can show of your client’s problems and their current state of affairs, the better.
Okay, so how do we learn how to speak their language?
We talk to them. Lots of them. As many as you can. As often as possible!
Networking is a great way to know your prospects better, especially if you’re not getting any interest online.
When you network, you gain juicy, high value insights.
There are some things people won’t tell you right away. However, if you are sitting with them (virtually) and have a listening ear, you’ll hear things you wouldn’t necessarily get from online polls, comments or surveys.
That’s the juicy stuff.
One time, I talked with a prospect who at first didn’t appear to be interested in storytelling for business (my coaching niche). I let her talk for a while and the most interesting thing happened.
She said that she had tried storytelling in the past but felt that storytelling structure was too complicated. This was news to me (since I use a very simple structure) but it was extremely valuable to hear that THAT was what she felt.
Regardless of whether it was true or not, that is where she was coming from.
When you hear feedback like that from your prospects, it’s like gold for your business content.
The feedback you get from your networking helps you refine your business message or bigger story you sell. You learn what topics to focus on and which ones to save for later or throw out.
Not to mention…you’re building relationships with people who will either become your clients, supporters or future partners.
While the purpose of this type of networking is for research and not for getting clients, some will trust you enough to become your clients later on.
Some will become your dream supporters. I found some amazing colleagues through networking. While I know you want more client interest, colleagues are the ones who help you through your darkest days so that you still have a business.
Finally, you’re also setting the stage for partners in the future.
If you’re consistently networking and refining your story, you’re bound to get more client interest.
I believe that about you.
But one day you’re going to need to branch out to new audiences to continue growing and you’re going to need partners who trust you to do that.
The best time to build trust in partners is before you need them.
I know, it’s a long-term strategy. But that’s the name of the game if you’re looking to make an impact with your business.
Ways You Can Start Networking Online (and Offline!) Today
Now that you’re convinced you need to go out and start talking to prospects, let’s review ways you can go about doing that including…
- What mentality to have,
- Where to start networking, and
- Scheduling tactics
Networking Mentality
Earlier I mentioned that the goal of networking is to learn more about your prospects. You need the information to improve your content and build interest.
If you say to a prospect that you’re only interested in chatting for networking purposes but then you give a hard pitch, your prospect will likely be turned off, angry, and you won’t gain any new information.
So…be cool. :)
This is a time to learn not sell. Use this time to listen and practice talking about your business in a low stakes environment.
At the same time, this is your chance to make a professional impression so be smart about how you talk about yourself and your business.
Where to Start Networking
The easiest place to start networking is…your own network! Start asking friends, family, extended family, coworkers, college classmates, soccer clubmates, hair stylist, etc if they know prospects who would be interested in connecting or chatting.
If your existing network is limited, start using online groups where your prospects live.
Paid or private groups are great because trust is generally higher and group members are pre-qualified to a degree. That means the prospects will not only be higher quality but they will also be more open to networking. It’s a win-win!
Public groups and forums are fair game too. I haven’t tried public groups (yet) but I imagine the same mentality and scheduling tactics would still apply. Keep in mind, it may take longer to build trust since these groups tend to be larger and self-promotion heavy.
Scheduling Tactics
While it’s possible to have a decent conversation online, it’s better to schedule a 1:1 networking call. Remember, you want juicy insights.
The simplest way to gain enough trust for a call is to solve a small but valuable problem for them.
The best part is…you don’t even need to solve a problem that’s 100% related to your business. It could be any small but significant problem. Just help out.
Once the prospect is elated by your help, continue the conversation by messaging them directly. If they respond well, invite them to a networking call!
The #1 Way to Make Your First Impression Count While Networking
Okay, so you’re ready to network online and offline and use your priceless research to produce alluring business content.
There’s only one problem.
You have no idea how to introduce yourself.
How do you even get people to talk to you?
My recommendation?
Have an enticing introduction.
Having an enticing introduction is the #1 way to make your first impression count.
I teach my students to have an attractive introduction ready for booking networking calls and on their platform profiles.
It sounds small but if you approach a complete stranger, especially on the internet, it’s a big deal to give them a reason to be interested in you from the onset.
Remember, we’re finding ways to build trust. Every step counts.
Conclusion
Not getting the client interest or connection you need from your business content? What you need is feedback. You will find a wealth of inside information by networking with your prospects! Before you go, make sure you use the networking mindset and tactics mentioned earlier to make the most of each contact.
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