I remember reading a quote from American poet Robert Frost that said, “The brain is a wonderful organ. It starts working the moment it gets up in the morning and doesn’t stop until it gets to the office.”. As you probably know and experience yourself, many times when you are busy with your daily work, there is no time for the creative thoughts to pomp into your mind. I refer specifically to these creative thoughts (even creative ideas for tax structuring) that will attract the clients to you.
Preparation, well in advance, helps you to develop and nurture the creativity within you. Every time, before I carry a keynote presentation around the world, I prepare properly and always talk, well in advance, with people from the industry. I always pick some great ideas, out of these conversations, that I can use within my presentation. In that way I create my own “Creative Attention” toward my audience.
Do you prepare well in advance before you approach a potential client or before you meet a new person? Actually preparation happen all the time, even during the meeting (e.g. when you see during the meeting photos of the person’s family etc.), you can learn new information and use it during the conversation to bond sincerely with the other person. This is a very good example of ‘creative attention’ that can be used easily by every person.
The secret is: as a professional you need to build relationships with all your contacts. Sincere and authentic relationship. In this way you will humanize your approach. You will get new clients, but for sure will get many more friends!
Some spend money for sponsoring events with the hope to get new clients from the participants in the event, some try to “buy” the way to the clients hearts by inviting them to a game or any other fun activity. My believe was, and will always be, contacts and relationship come from the same place creativity comes from – from your heart!
Yes, I agree treats usually get a good reception. Everybody likes to get something. But, I think that what people like to get above all is “attention” – attention for their existence, attention to their needs, attention to their uniqueness. If you know how to give more attention, you will definitely win people hearts!
In these special times, many of your customers may be struggling. Give them a pat on the back. Give them the attention they deserve. It is not a secret, that if you support your client in the time they need it, they will keep doing business with you because you can help their business too!
Try to find creative ideas and opportunities to give REAL ‘ creative attention’ to your clients. Thus, you will shine and be in front of them. They will see directly what is the difference between you and your competitors, but even more than that, you will attract only these clients who like your kind of ‘creative attention’ and not the one of your competitors.
I do believe that every person (as well as every business running by specific people) give its specific and unique ‘creative attention’. Mostly it is part of the personality but it is certainly something every person (and every business respectably) can develop, advance and improve.
