You are already doing a couple of things I would suggest – sending them additional information that could help them out (pink spoon like cindy says!) or directing them to sign-up for a coaching session.

One other idea is to hold a free open Q&A type call once a month and invite them to attend. This way you can still make that personal connection but in a group format that only takes one hour of your time per month…

I’d use the same approach as for a pink spoon — you don’t have to tell them the how since that’s what you do for a living.

People are always going to look for the free and you can use your pink spoon to begin developing a relationship with them.

If they are part of your target market, create an autoresponder just for them.

Hope this helps

Cindy

I enjoyed your article. One thing that you did not address, which I am trying to sort out, is how to respond to people (complete strangers, but potential customers none the less) who email and ask if they can phone me to ask me some questions. Because of the nature of my service (mentor coaching), these requests are of the “how do I become a coach?” or “can I talk to you about which certification would be best for me?” type.

In the days when I got several of these types of request per month, I agreed quite freely. Now that I get several requests a week, I just don’t have the time to meet on the phone for free with people.

Most of the time what I do now is send people a standard information package, with an invitation to contact me if they still have questions after reading the package (incidentally, very few follow-up. I take that to mean that the information package has answered their questions). I have also experimented with replying with an offer to meet with them for a fee. When I have used this approach I have never heard back from the people. I don’t know if they found it offensive, or if they just decided against it because of the cost.

It’s the latter approach that I have questions about. I’m torn between wanting to do all I can for relationship-building, and giving away my time. Any advice?

Barbra

I love the focus on getting the response. I’ve had people refer to this as the “call to action” — but somehow “response” feels more personal and relationship-building. I somehow think I’ll be writing in a slightly different style as I ask people to respond…instead of asking them to act.

I have to say that the most fun responses to read are the ones where someone shares how your site had touched them, helped them, made their life better in some way. I got a very heartfelt one like that this week that just gave me the warm fuzzies. It feels so good to know you’ve connected with someone!

Thanks Tina,
Terri Z