Follow Up or Follow Out
The follow up is one of the most important parts of building an on-going business relationship. If you market yourself as a reliable source of information then you must continue to build on that foundation.
Sometimes the follow up can take months even years before it will turn into a tangible financial reward. But in that time, with regular contact you will have formed a sturdy relationship that will ensure ongoing referrals.
There is one magazine editor I have been in regular contact with for years. I have never had anything published in this magazine. Not once, despite regularly sending through article ideas and proposals.
Isn’t that a waste of time, you ask? The answer is ‘no’. Over the years we have become good business buddies and even if she hasn’t been able to use the ideas she has recommended my work to other associates.
And when a book I wrote came out, she made sure the magazine covered it.
People in any business are just people. Regardless if you think they encompass everything you want to be, everywhere you want to go, they are just people who appreciate a solid, consistent work ethic.
We all have deadlines and the pressure of attaining results, whether it’s from investors, creditors or business partners. If you were in business, wouldn’t you rather employ someone you have developed a relationship with, than something that is a fly-by-night, here-today-gone-tomorrow worker?
Finding reliable people to work with is like finding a needle in a hay stack. Make the search easier for your customers and be ready to answer the call.
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