Follow up is the key to closing a deal with a potential client. If you don't’ follow up with someone, you will never know what they are thinking or what direction they are heading. We’ve come up with a list of a few good follow up practices for you to start incorporating into your business practices.  

1.    Always be polite! A positive attitude and a smile will get you a lot farther than a sour look of disgust. Even if a potential client is not interested in what you have to offer, you can still be polite and listen and thank them for taking the time to talk with you. If they respond with a rude attitude, then you can walk away knowing that you were businesslike and professional and tried your best. 

2.    Be clear and direct. Don’t try to skirt around the topic at hand. A potential customer will be much more appreciative if you just get to the point and don’t waste hours of their time trying to indirectly describe your point. If you get right to the point and they are not interested, you can either choose to end the conversation, or switch to a different topic of friendly conversation to build your relationship. 

3.    Watch your tone and your language. The words you choose to use with a potential client should be chosen carefully, not just spilling out of your mouth. It is important to realize what impact your words can have, and how they might be interpreted differently by someone else. Keep your judgemental comments to yourself, and be sure that you choose language that is business appropriate and will not offend anyone. Also, your tone should be one that is friendly and kind, in order to encourage positive interactions. 

4.    Not everyone is the same. Different clients have different needs. Some clients need you to be very direct. Others need you to be more friendly and ask about their personal lives. It’s a matter of taste, and how a person is used to doing things. Knowing this and learning as much as you can about your clients will give you the information you need to make these decisions and have the best interactions that you possibly can. 

5.    It’s not about you. Be sure that your pitch doesn’t turn into something that is all about you. It’s about the client. They don’t want you hear your personal stories unless it is very relevant to the topic you are discussing. They don’t want you to take personal phone calls during your meeting. It is all about them, and you should make that clear. 

cultivate positive relationships with your clients and customers. If you are searching for more help, contact Occupancy Solutions. We have all kinds of information to share with you about improving your business technique and how to get the most out of your interactions with potential clients.