Take a decoy

If you go to an event and you suspect there may be someone there who may compromise your politeness, take someone as a foil.  I went to a party last night and feared a troublesome person would be there.  So, I took a friend who vowed to keep me in tact.  The person didn't come but I was glad I'd put measures in place to avoid an unsettling situation.

When visiting, hold the criticism

I am a member of an organization where we have visitors come by occasionally.  At the last meeting, some visitors criticized the format from the floor.

Our membership was offended.  But, there's a lesson in that.

When visiting another organization, keep you criticism to yourself until the end of the meeting.  Then, take the person aside.  No one likes to be called out and/or fronted in the presence of a crowd.  The upside is that it gave the membership something to rally around.

And, we've decided to establish a policy in which we alert visitors to keep any comments to themselves until the meeting is over.  So, there is a lesson in that faux pas and I'm glad to share it with you.

Let your client win a game

Getting into the summer months when there were golf outings.  I attended one last year and my client and I played a set of tennis. Early on, it was obvious that I could win 6-0.  So, rather than pouring it on, I faked a few bad serves and purposely hit the ball out a few times.  I won 6-1.  However, she didn't feel deflated because she'd won a game.  Keep it competitive but remember whose support is enabling you to be at the golf outing.

Gift giving

I love giving gifts...just little tokens and they are mighty appreciated by clients.  For my AKA sisters, I have pink and green rings that are very inexpensive but I give them after a great presentation or as a way of saluting them for a job well done.

Likewise, I extend the same treatment to my other clients.  It underscores the maxim that "little things mean a lot."

So, incorporate gift giving into your marketing mix...it's the little gestures that distinguish you from the crowd.

Meet the Relatives

If your client offers you the rare opportunity to join him/her for a family function, GO! I was with a client for a trip to New York where we were pitching business. She invited me to have dinner with her and her sister. I passed on it even though she insisted. I kept saying that the two of them, as sisters, should probably be together.

I regret that decision as it would have given me another opportunity to know the client on a more intimate level.

So, if that opportunity is presented to you, take advantage of it. It gives you a chance to know the client on a deeper, more personal level. And, once that happens, you have a greater opportunity of being a value to that client.

REST

Over the weekend, I did absolutely NOTHING. Stayed in, relaxed and chilled. Those type of days are beneficial for mental health and recharging and you must treat yourself to lazy days on occasion.

It's worth it.

Always say "Thank you"

Whenever I book a client on a show, I always say "Thank you" to the producer and to the host. Put it in writing as well.

Those two words go a long way toward cementing a positive relationship with the media that can help for future pitches.