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How to Convert Dream Clients Into Paying Clients
Not everyone is meant to be your client. And that’s OK. That’s why we have systems in place to vet those potential clients. Whether they’re vetted through a phone call, a form on your website, or an email back and forth, it’s important to understand that not everyone is meant to be your client. But for those that you are, I’m sharing how to convert dream clients into paying clients.
If you missed the Focused Fifteen series we launched in August, catch up on all four episodes HERE. This series is like a mini roadmap to business success that you won’t want to miss.
Two Things To Do Before a Connection Call
The first thing you need to do is to determine your niche. And you might be so overhearing that. But some things aren’t always going to fall within your wheelhouse. It’s important for you to be really good at a few things than to be just OK at a lot of things. You can’t attract your ideal client if you don’t know who you serve.
To get an idea of the types of virtual assistant services you could offer, read this post HERE.
The second thing you should do is to clearly define how you help your clients. For you to be able to do this, you have to understand your ideal client’s pain points. How do you do that? Market research. Go to Facebook groups and take polls. Email or direct message photographers on social media. To understand what your ideal client needs, you need to understand their pain points.
Without these two things, you’re probably not going to have a whole lot of leads to begin with. So work on those two things first before you dive into the next few things I’m going to share.
Implement Sales Psychology
In order to convert ideal clients into paying clients, you have to use sales psychology. This is being hyper-aware of how you set up your conversation. Generally, your conversation with your ideal clients starts with a connection call. A connection call can take many forms, whether it’s an email, an actual phone call, a Zoom call, etc.
When you’re using sales psychology, it’s not always selling your service. It’s about selling the result. So what will they get when they work with you? Maybe it’s to get their time back, to feel less stressed, or to work in areas of their business they want to work in.
Maintain a Professional Look and Environment
If you’re getting on a Zoom call or some other platform where the potential client can actually see you and the environment that you’re in, you want to make sure you maintain a professional appearance. I’m not saying you have to dig out a pantsuit. However, it’s important to look professional and put together.
You also want to make sure the sound quality is good on your end, and the angle of your camera looks good. Finally, be sure whatever is in the background portrays a level of professionalism. Many people hire other people based on emotional connection. Will people want to put their trust in you to help them with their business?
Create a Connection with the Potential Client
When you first speak to a potential client, it’s vital to create a connection. Any time I speak to a client, whether it’s my first phone call with them or a simple touch base with an existing client, it’s an opportunity to connect. You learn their communication style, how they run their business, what content they like to produce, and other important things to learn about them.
Personal connections are so important because they’re the first step to building trust. If you’ve ever heard of the like, know, and trust factor, it’s similar to that.
Convert the Potential Client in Five Steps
You might be thinking, “OK, Amanda, how do I do this?” Well, we start with the like. I keep a few topics in my back pocket to use as more chitty-chat topics when I have a call with a client or potential client, like the weather.
Then, anytime I have a call with a potential client or existing client, I make sure to look at their current content to bring up a point of connection before getting on the call.
Next, that leads to chatting about their business and converting them. I let the client do the majority of the talking first. You’re going to take what they say, digest that, and then mirror it back to them. This is also called active listening. As they speak, you can take notes and continue to make eye contact as well.
Then, once they’re finished talking and provide the reasons why they need to hire a virtual assistant, it’s your turn. First, you want to congratulate them and give praise to them for all they’ve accomplished so far in their business. You also should empathize and recognize their pain points.
And then finally, you provide a solution to their problem. Ideally, you provide an action plan during that call. That way, the client knows exactly what they’re getting before they hang up with you if they decide to hire you.
Listen to the whole episode where I dive deeper and provide examples of how that conversation can flow to convert your dream clients into paying clients.
