22-10-2021
41: Cheri Hampton-Farmer, Owner of Communicating Matters Organization
If you’re like the rest of the WEOC WBC clients, you’re ingesting hours of business coaching through blogs, vlogs, courses, and podcasts. Without fail, we receive advice about niching down and targeting a specific type of customer. Today, Cheri Hampton-Farmer, owner of Communicating Matters discloses that she isn't’ really sure who her target audience is. And once she determines and connects with them, how does she nurture a relationship with them? Cheri Hampton-Farmer, the owner of Communicating Matters Organization, asks Leslee A Hill, WEOC WBC Program Director, for coaching on finding her target audience. Leslee's advice: 1) When you're just starting your business, make an educated guess of who your target market is and go out and ask them a million questions about what they struggle with. 2) Network Intentionally. Go where your people are. Prior to arriving, do your homework on 3-5 prospects you know will be in attendance-- Who do you know who can introduce you to the prospect? What is noteworthy that you can bring up in conversation with them? Connect with table sponsors-- They are networking all the time. They will refer you if they understand who you want to be connected with. 3) Follow-up with these people after the event. You can send them a handwritten card, including your business card (that shows a photo of you). Connect with them on LinkedIn in a private message--DO NOT SELL TO THEM YET. Your are building your network at this stage. Continue to comment on their posts. Ask them to meet with you to further your conversation. BONUS: Ensure that your website has an opportunity to extend your conversation-- quiz, checklist, podcast. We buy from people we know, like, and trust. You need to be known. Get out there and start connecting ASAP. Without sales history, it is difficult to determine who will pay you and what exactly they want from you, but you have to start somewhere. So make an educated guess and talk to them. The Lean Start-Up method by Eric Ries encourages us to co-create with our customers. Once you know who your customer is and how they want to buy from you, go out and network.Follow-up with each person you meet at a networking event. Here’s a bonus networking success tip for you: set up an opportunity to extend the conversation by providing a checklist, quiz, or blog. People buy from those they know like and trust. This extension of the conversation sets you up nicely to achieve all three.