To read Nader Anise's bio on Wikipedia, go to:
Dear ,
So, I want to mention a couple of things before I tell you how I lost out on a $30,000 client.
1. Thanks to all those who joined and signed up as PAID Coptic Chamber members. Congratulations! (I will mention you all soon in one of my newsletters). However, if you haven't fully completed your profile on the website, please do so right away. Again, the website is: www.copticchamber.com/newwp (this web address will change soon, so please do it ASAP).
2. The NEW directory section of the Coptic Chamber website is still being worked on. It should be completed within the next few days -- and will definitely be much better than the previous version.
And for now...
Last Wednesday, I had a introductory phone conference with a potential client. A lawyer.
A real no-nonsense kind of guy.
He was interested in my high-level marketing coaching program that comes with an annual price tag of $28,880.
As usual, I reviewed his email thoroughly, looked up his bio, did some research on his practice and was thoroughly prepared.
At least I thought I was.
Imagine My Shock...
Let's just say... right out of the gate... things didn't so well.
I won't give you his real name, but let's say it was John Smith (yes, it was something that simple, that basic).
So, the first words out of my mouth were:
"Hey there, John Smith, how the heck are you?!
His reply: "It's SMYTH!"
Mind you, like I said up top, the man's name was soooo basic and spelled exactly the way 99.9% of the population would pronounce it -- I just happened to be speaking to the 0.01% who pronounces it differently. I thought NO WAY I'd be pronouncing it wrong!
Talk About Open Mouth, Insert Foot!
I tried hard to recover as best as I could after that, but there was no salvaging it. I had lost him from the get-go... and, honestly, I kind of knew it.
So, why am I sharing this story with you?
1. I wanted you to know that even someone like me, who has been in sales and marketing for over 30 years, can fumble the ball. It happens. So don't be too hard on yourself if you occasionally mess things up. It only means that you're human.
2. Remember yesterday I told you that you must ALWAYS know your audience and be VERY well prepared? Well, even though I thought I was prepared -- I wasn't. I either should have researched exactly how he pronounced his last name (although it looked so simple), or I should have avoided saying it altogether. My mistake.
But you live and learn... and I hope you learned what not to do next time you pitch a client. :)
Until next time...
If you have any comments, ideas or suggestions, please email me at: nader@copticchamber.com.
