Soul Proprietor - Keeping your clients

I love getting a massage. It’s my favorite form of self care.

A few years back, I was getting massages from a guy that I really liked. He was super strong, efficient, and I always felt great after seeing him. But the drive was further than I liked so I stopped going. I began seeing a woman that was just as good – but lived five minutes from my house. This worked better with my busy schedule.

Then, she had a baby and her schedule suddenly changed. She was no longer available on the days when I was.

I moved on to a new guy. He works in a spa that is only a short ten minute drive. He’s strong as an ox, friendly as can be – plus I get that spa experience with all the nice smelling oils and stuff. I’ve happily moved on to him and I plan on hanging there unless he moves.

What is the point of all this massage story business?

The point is this: sometimes people just move on for whatever reason.

It may be that they want something different. Or it’s no longer convenient. Or maybe they don’t need you anymore. In some cases, it might be that they don’t like you or your work. Yes, that last one stings but it happens to every single entrepreneur.

There are coaches who offer trainings on how to “keep” clients through strategies such as list building techniques with heavy sales pressure, incentives, triggers, cold calls, or other such thing.

I prefer to take a more Zen approach to this.

If we dig each other, cool. If not, everyone is free to go.

I have clients that have been with me for my entire 25+ year career. They wouldn’t think of going to anyone else. We vibe each other perfectly. (Some of those clients have tried other tarot readers but just prefer my style – so they came back.)

And then, I have people who may work with me once and feel that they got what they needed – or just didn’t feel I was their cup o’ tea. It’s all good. I take none of that personally. It’s just business.

I never “chase down a sale.” If a client loves to work with me and comes back, I’m delighted. If they move on, it’s all good. They are free to go do their thing. Which may not be my thing.

When you do your business with this attitude, it’s far more tranquil than trying all sorts of techniques to “keep” people. Frankly, that “keeping” mindset feels more like scarcity mindset to me.

While it’s tempting to test out those techniques (and yes, some of them work), if you find yourself tripping out every time a client moves on, it’s time for you to pause and rethink this. A panicky, graspy old skool sales schtick may work great for the corporate world but it doesn’t always translate well to heart-centered careers.

Look, people are not just numbers. They are not just a “sale” or some thing that you “keep.” They are people.

Which means it’s better to focus on building client relationships by being genuine and doing your very best. Provide a good service and treat people with respect. If they come back, that’s awesome.

But if they decide, for whatever reason, that they no longer wish to work with you, bless them and release ‘em. Because they are free to go and shouldn’t feel pressured or obligated to stick around. (Psst…likewise, you are also free to deny service if you’re not digging what the person is bringing to your office. Freedom for all!)

Although the old saying goes: it costs less to keep an old client than get a new one, I’d like to say that in a spiritual business, no one gets spiritual by holding on. Drop the scarcity mindset.

When you do that, any sales or incentives that you do offer will come from a place of genuine offering and love, not fear.

That will leave you with a business and clientele that feels good – and right.

Blessings,

Theresa