Are You Schmoozing Your Customers?

Thewoodman

I went to a seminar a few years back at the Hanley Wood Deck Expo in Florida. Adrienne Zoble Associates, Inc. was talking about schmoozing as a marketing plan.

Basically what it means is taking client, subs, vendors, insurance agents ect ect... out to lunch. Or to breakfast or for coffee.

Here is a little smoozing success story for you.

Last year I was working pretty hard to land a certain well to do customer. I could not get him to commit. So I invited him out to a local restaurant ( of which I was friends with the owner also from smoozing). We talked for over 2 ½ hours. I have since landed a number of jobs on his home. But the best part is that every time he comes into town ( he has a number of house through the United States) He calls and invites me out to lunch. He has kind off taken me under his wing and is helping me grow and improve my business. We talk about business and what I am doing to give back to the community. He even told me that I am going in the right direction with the smoozing I am doing. He called it the 85/15 rule. 85% of the people want to work and get a paycheck. The other 15% want to manage, to grow, to run a business, to make things happen. He tells me I am in the 15% for sure.

Inviting him to lunch was the best move I could have made.

Are you schmoozing?

Mark

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Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.
www.wasatchvalley.com

cbscreative

Great example, Mark, just having this guy as a mentor is more valuable than getting his business. Having both is a big plus. Congrats on making this discovery.

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Steve Chittenden
Web/SEO Geek • Graphic Artist • Writer • Marketing Guy
One reason I know so much about the web and marketing is that I don't have to know as much about construction.

WarnerConstInc.

I take mine to the strip clubs!!

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Warner Remodeling ll Auburn Indiana Remodeling ll Dekalb County Remodeling ll Custom Woodworking Auburn Indiana
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jhark123

Honey, I have to do this, it's for the business

genecarp

Shmoozing is a very important part of a succesful biz. G

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rselectric1

Schmoozing is definately a great technique on high end customers, but it isn't for everyone.
Have you ever seen a person with ZERO charisma try schmoozing? It will break you heart.
I am a moderately good schmoozer, but the gift of charisma is golden. If you have it, use it, but no to rip anyone off.

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220...221...whatever it takes!