Professional Marketing Resources

To attract prospects, it is not enough to simply define your target market and know everything there is to know about it.

You must use your knowledge to distinguish yourself from the competition.

This will help you provide potential clients with a compelling reason to choose you instead of the competition.

What Prospects Look For In Service Professionals

As a result of our training and experience, as providers of professional services, we add significant value to our clients’ lives.

However, if asked, clients seldom say that they chose individual service providers because of identifiable features of the professional service.

Clients are more likely to say that they made their choice on the basis of individuals’ specific personal characteristics.

Here are 10 traits that prospects seek in choosing service professionals like you.

The more of these characteristics that you possess and demonstrate, the easier it will be to attract prospects.

1. Diligence

This category includes

• attention to details
• concentration on client’s goals
• endurance
• enthusiasm
• hard work

2. Expertise

This is the accumulated know-how from experience, training and continuing education that makes you good at what you do.

3. Flexibility

More often than not, clients’ circumstances and market conditions continue to change and evolve.

Clients want service professionals who can respond effectively to newly changed circumstances, not remain focused on the way things used to be.

4. Good listener

A good listener understands and accepts what clients say.

The most successful service professionals consistently report this as a critical element of effectively serving clients and succeeding in their businesses.

5. Hard-working

The most successful service professionals work very hard–and smart–at satisfying their clients.

6. Helpful

The major challenge of being helpful is to assist clients as much as possible without becoming pushy or intrusive.

7. Networked

Your clients will value you and your service more when you can refer them to others who provide services that complement or supplement yours.

A good network [link] of referral partners [link] can help you attract prospects.

8. Patient

Being patient means allowing sufficient time for appropriate actions and the best decisions possible.

10. Current industry knowledge

To develop this knowledge it’s necessary to continue to research [link] and monitor [ link] what’s happening in your field.