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Dating my clients...


Ok. I'm not really dating my clients, but i figured that headline would make you curious enough to read this article...

Because you know what?
I sometimes do FEEL like I'm dating my clients.

Ever since I started my own business INTERACT WA , I can't help but think courting new clients isn’t that different from courting a potential mate. You’re nervous as hell, but you still want to make a good impression and hopefully seal the deal. We all know the feeling of that first date that can be both exhilarating and nerve-wracking.

So I dusted off the good old date rules that served me well back in the days that I was single. Funny enough they still prove to be very useful in running my own business.  
Rule #1: It takes two to tango.
We’ve all been in relationships where we felt we were giving 110% and the other person was giving nothing. It stinks, right?
I try to remember this when I'm chasing down a client who can’t commit or when I'm trying to please someone who seems like they just can’t be pleased no matter what I do: It’s smart business to follow up a few times and always carry out your end of the bargain, but at some point you have to accept that “they’re just not that into you” and move on to clients who can appreciate and value your work.
Sometimes it’s not you, it’s them.
Rule #2: You’re most desirable when you’re taken.
Success begets success, whether you’re a newly engaged woman suddenly surrounded by eligible bachelors or a freelancer who just landed a big project and has several more clients banging down the door.
When I'm in a period of stability and success, I tend to attract more of it – sometimes more than I know what to do with. 
Rule #3: Don’t settle for Mr./Ms. Wrong.
Just as some people tolerate a 'wrong' partner just so they can stay in a relationship, I sometimes face a similar temptation to work for demanding or low-paying clients because I'm afraid there are no better clients.
Don’t fall into this trap! These clients will only sap your creativity and eat up time that could be spent finding Mr./Ms. Right. Have some standards and hold out for projects that fit you. Believe me, they are out there.
Rule #4: There are plenty of fish in the sea.
It’s easy to lose perspective when you’ve just been dumped or you’re stuck in a bad relationship that destroys your confidence. But remember that break-ups can free up your time to find something better. There are always other potential mates or clients when you’re ready for them, and they’re out there waiting for you.
So keep these rules in mind while you are dating your clients. Would you like to go on a 'date' with me so I can tell you more about InterACT WA? Contact me here or check out our website www.interactwa.com.au


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