Would you like to know if someone is a candidate for your services within four seconds of meeting them?
I just read about a financial advisor who built a very successful business doing that. He cold called investors, introduced himself, and asked a simple question: “Are you looking for a new financial advisor?”
He didn’t ask if they were interested in getting information about a hot stock. He didn’t invite them to a seminar. He was looking for people who wanted a new advisor and that’s what he asked.
They either were or they were not. If they said yes or maybe, he moved forward. If not, he moved on.
Hold the phone, I’m not suggesting you cold call. Or that you ask people you just met a qualifying question. “Hi, I’m Joe. Are you looking for a divorce lawyer?”
But I am asking you to put on your thinking cap and come up a good qualifying question for your services.
There are many ways to phrase the question:
- Are you looking for. . .?
- Do you need. . .?
- Which of these works best for you. . .?
- Do you have this problem?
- Have you ever. . .?
- Why are you. . .?
- Are you ready to. . .?
You might put the question on the home page of your website, front and center, to let visitors know they’ve come to the right place. You might not ask until someone has had a chance to read something, get their questions answered, and get a sense for who you are.
You might ask in conversation. Or hand over a brochure or report that asks for you.
On the other hand, you may never vocalize the question or put it in writing. The question may be no more than sub-text. But there it will be, guiding you and qualifying your reader or listener.
Crafting this question will help you define your “ideal client”. What is their problem? Where are they in the process? What other solutions have they considered or tried? It will help you qualify prospective clients, possibly in four seconds or less.
So, what would you ask someone to find out if they are a prospect for your services?
Do you want help describing your ideal client? Get this.
