“Why didn’t you follow up with me?” I asked one of my health practitioners. Our emails had gone astray. She knew I was committed to my next appointment and even though days went by after my, “I will check my calendar tonight and get back to you immediately,” response, she didn’t follow up.
She shrugged her shoulders and said, “Oh I don’t like to do that…” and then left the rest of the sentence hanging.
As a client I was upset. I wanted to feel valued by her. I wanted to know that she would follow up with me because she was just as interested in working with me as I was with her.
As a therapist I had compassion. Obviously there were negative and limiting beliefs at hand preventing her from connecting with me and asking for my next booking.
As a business woman I thought to myself, “Oh she needs to resolve this issue so that she can move forward in her business and expand.”
In my own business there was a time that I too was afraid to make a call or drop an email asking someone for their booking or just peak into their day with a follow up hello. At those times when I felt stuck I would dig for the beliefs holding me back from reaching out, growing my business and generating cash.
Is this you? Are you also falling flat on your follow up?
When you find yourself stalled in the follow up, here are three tips to get you unstuck and moving forward again.
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Find and change the thoughts, beliefs and fears holding you back. Fears of rejection and hearing the word No may be the culprit. Perhaps your thoughts are full of, “I don’t want to bug them. They can’t afford my service. What if they didn’t like what I did for them the first time?” Or maybe something deeper is at the core such as “I am not deserving of what I want. I can’t handle a bigger business.” Limiting beliefs and fears will keep you stuck. Find and change them.
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Set a time for the follow up. After a session with a client I tell them that I will be in touch in two weeks to check in, setting in motion an opening to connect. During consultation calls if a potential client says, “Let me think about it,” ask them when would be a good time for you to follow up. Once they give an answer you have their permission to call. Now you are fulfilling a promise rather then holding the belief that you are intruding on their day.
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People love the follow up; change your perception. I appreciate when people follow up. Sometimes the days get away from me and a little nudge, a tweet of hello or a “Do you have time for a call?” goes a long way. I feel valued and that makes it more likely I will do business with that person. Changing your perception means changing your beliefs and mindset. Back to point one. In the meantime use this as a take away– People love the follow up.
Now take a moment to reflect; who is long overdue for a follow up call or email? Go with the first name that comes to mind and take action.
About Esther Bartkiw
Esther Bartkiw is a Facilitator of Consciousness, Change and Transformation, Spiritual Mentor, Core Belief Engineering Practitioner, Motivational Speaker and Writer. She works with people from around the globe to awaken to consciousness, break through barriers, release limitations, dissolve fears, connect to their true self, open to all possibilities and live life with joy and ease. Using ever changing and evolving tools and methods, Esther assists You in transforming any area of your life and stepping into your magnificence. For more information visit her websites www.whispersfromthesoul.com www.changefromwithin.ca and www.yourealmosttheregirl.com
Thanks for the great post, Esther. It was exactly what I needed to hear. I took your advice and followed up with the first person who came to mind. Now motivated to get my plan set up and in action!
I love when that happens Janet. Congratulations and on reading, feeling inspired and then following through. Now who is second on the list?