client advertising

Well I'm hosting an advert on my personal site for a client. It's a nice apartment in trendy Luekerbad in Switzerland, now who likes ski holidays??? It's visible on my webpage links

I just hope it works as she wants to increase the use of it substantially.

Network, network, network

I'm using an online networking tool as well. LinkedIn is a professionals network that links people across disciplines and borders. For me it is a way of reaching b2b as well as letting some of those potential clients know I'm here directly.

As I have said before the next generation will use online tools much more heavily and disregarding that is a mistake I'm not taking. Twitter, Facebook, this blog also feature in my use of online resources. There is a lot more to online marketing strategy than simply looking for email addresses to bombard.

Admin support necessary or a drag?

I have spent the morning trying to clear up some possible gaps in the Insurance a client has. Important? Well, if their buildings aren't properly covered it could be.

After that I have to discuss a Sales tax or TVA problem that may affect the viability of a project.

Then it's about marketing holiday property, repairs to a damaged kitchen, collecting quotes on garden maintenance, disposing of an old stove.

It's all about giving people back the time they need for the things they do best, or want to do with their time.

New client meeting today

And they all count. On the face of it this is only a request for limited help. But by taking it on I open the door to showcase all of my services and this includes triggering the introduction of others who may want my services by prospecting.

Daily activity

Every day is different and I'm finding the challenge to be that balance between what needs to be done today and what is necessary for the longer term quite testing.

In training for my new role with LBV one of the statements I regard as key was that "its not about being busy, its about being profitable". To me this is the test, for every activity you need a second, no more, to decide is this just being busy or is it/will it be profitable?

procrastination or organisation

Is making a to do list getting organised, or putting off actually doing anything?
I may call for votes

Networking and cast a wide net

I've had quite a good week, despite not having any new clients.

I have met a few people who do not need my business, but who will have friends and acquaintances that do. In addition, on Thursday I met a man who runs a gite complex, but who also does some property development. At present he has a property in the very pretty and tourist friendly area La Roche Bernard, some shops and apartments are his plans of the large traditional building he owns.

I have offered to help with marketing and suggested ways he could think about improving his gite business. He has given me other contacts and introductions to places where I can expect to find customers.

I am also looking at ways to take his properties to a show at which I am an exhibitor, to show the breadth of the work I do, and to look for possible buyers.

Network, network

I am up to three clients now, and I have passed anthoer prospect to a colleague in an adjacent region. I am coming to see that this is also about creating networks.

I have the opportunity to have other people recommend me, or give me details of prospects in places where they are active that I would never know about.

This thread will take time to bear fruit, but it must happen.

Next is to socialise positively. There are so many social events here in France, it's not should I go, but which one should I go to? I sat down last Saturday night at a long wooden table under a marquee next to a French woman. We both had our food and exchanged greetings. She noted my accent and what I was eating. She asked me whether I did not care for mussels which were the main meal that night. I said that with the bread and aple tart dessert it was too much for me. She then said, you should meet my English friends, and turning to her right introduced us.

It doesn't get easier than this.

Patience and persistence

Well I have my first clients. Successive days.

It was also a case of not talking too much, just letting the business sell itself.

Opportunistic or what?

I spoke to someone today who might have been interested in a large reambling riverside property on the Vilaine in Sourthern Brittany. So, I called the seller to discuss. Well, he might have been serious about the price, but it sounds a bit steep to me. I wonder if he recognised my accent as British and added something?

Should I be using a local intermediary?

Prospecting patience

I'm only ten weeks into this work and I must guard against being impatient and getting frustrated.

Good news is that I had a mail via the website today asking me to contact someone for work they want done!
Bad news is that the woman I already had as a prospect doesn't have a phone line in this country that works, and when she is back in the UK it will be difficult to talk properly. I tried visiting her residence locally today, but the main door is digitally locked and with ten apartments to chose from I didn't want to annoy the rest of her building just to find her. So I will try again via the phone (in case it gets fixed) and try the house at a different time of day in case it's only locked after 6pm.

I also came across a prospect having trouble shopping for items to fix a toilet when she doesn't have the technical language, nor does she want to waste her holiday like this anyway. She left with a flyer and I'm hoping she calls.

New year, new work new risks

Well I took the redundancy offer. The money was good and the timing was as good as it gets.

Now I'm building a life in France, something we have talked about for years, but didn't realise we could start so soon.

Why the we and I, because my partner is currently still working and living in the UK with her children while they work through school. I've moved over now to start building a home, a business and our new life.

I bought a franchise in the successful Les Bon Voisins network. This is me, and I'm thoroughly enjoying the challenge of running a business for the first time. OK so starting from scratch is always a challenge, but the LBV framework has successfully led 35 people into French lives before me, I'm in a good coastal location, so its up to me to make it work.

I'll be adding to this as I move the business forward.