Joel Comm offers business advice
I’m not a big fan of ladders… or heights, for that matter. You might say I am allergic to climbing ladders. I break out in fear.
So when it comes time to put Christmas lights on my two-story home, you can bet that I called someone who has no fear of ladders to get the job done. I was able to find someone on Craigslist.org, and the guy did a great job.
Well, the holidays are over and I went to call my fearless light-guy.
His number was no longer available.
So I did what any respectable man would do…
I went back to Craigslist to find someone I could pay to take my lights down!
I came across an ad, called the number, and the guy showed up on schedule at 8 am this morning. By the time I woke up, he was already halfway done.
I noticed he had a trailer on his truck, so I concluded that he provided many general household and maintenance services. He must use the trailer to cart around lawnmowers and such.
Anyhow, he finished taking my lights down and I asked him how much I owed him. It was just $15. I gave him $20 for the trouble.
And then I waited for him to take the next step…
… and I waited…
… and waited.
FInally, I asked him if he provided other services.
He told me that he did painting, lawncare, fence repair, etc, etc and so forth.
So I asked him for a business card.
He went to his truck and began looking for a business card or a flyer.
Nothing!
He told me that he spilled coffee on his cards… hmmm.. so I gave him a piece of paper to write down his name and number.
As he did, I asked him this question…
“May I give you a tip that will help you double your business?”
He nodded affirmatively.
I said, “If you want to double your business, here’s what you do.”
I proceeded to tell him that he should say something like this…
“Thank you for letting me serve you today. I want you to know that I also provide a number of other services, such as painting, fence repair, lawn care, and I would love the opportunity to help you in any way I can. Is there anything I can do to make your life easier?”
He looked at me as if he had never even considered doing this before.
I told him that if he would just ASK people for more business, he would at least double his business. I also suggested that if it worked out for him, he should hang my Christmas lights for free next December. ;-)
I bid him farewell and marveled at how much business this fellow was leaving behind.
Mark Joyner says the great formula is this…
1) Find a thirsty crowd.
2) Sell them a glass of water.
3) Then sell them a second glass.
Have you found your thirsty crowd?
Make sure you define your market clearly, and then go to where they are.
Sell them whatever you have that will satiate their thirst!
And then, make sure you find out what their other needs are so you can continue being the one who is meeting those needs. If you do, your business will skyrocket.
http://www.joelcomm.com/always_ask_for_the_order.html
8 months ago