3 Ways To Keep Your Clients And Attract Lots More!

I used to study late at night, sometimes through the night, and usually I could pull it off pretty well. There was one teleclass that started around midnight and lasted an hour. I had had a particularly busy day with the kids and had been woken by the baby at about 5am the day before. The class was about 'Coaching Presence', how to create presence and what it entails. About 20 minutes in, I fell asleep. The headset on my phone was securely fixed, I had leaned back, put my feet on the desk and luckily was on mute because I was probably snoring (though of course, I never snore)!

I woke to the sound of the teleclass leader saying,"So Lisa, would you like to acknowledge yourself for something as we draw this class to a close". I blurted out the first thing that came to mind "I'd just like to acknowledge myself for being truly present", I said and cringed as I continued, "I didn't say much?..but eh, I was here"?

I had to confess some time later, it was so ridiculous..but I was reminded about this when I started thinking about presence and how effectively it can be created through storytelling.

The great storytellers always say that as you tell your story, if you really SEE the story, your listener will see it too; if you are truly present in the telling, the audience will be there, with you throughout the whole story.

No matter what your business is about, being truly present for your client is the optimum state. You need to be with the client wherever they are; it is only then that you can accompany them on their journey. By being fully present and fully conscious of this state, you can demonstrate openness, flexibility and be confident in the process.

There are specific skills that you need to master in order to demonstrate optimum 'presence'. This is true of Storytelling and of Coaching; it is also highly relevant to any business trying to delight their clients and attract more interest! These are the most important presence creating and enhancing skills:

1. Active and Affective Listening - this is when you listen consciously, openly and obviously to really hear your client and identify and understand what their concerns are right now at this moment. When you can truly hear your client's concerns, only then can you start to meet their needs.

2. Inquiry Process - developing the practice of encouraging your client to constantly self-inquire. As you client becomes clear about what their issues are and what they need, you can then be right there to support them and help them find a solution.

3. Powerful Questioning - asking powerful questions that allow your client reach a deep level of awareness and understanding. They will thank you for the questions that you ask them that get them to this intense and empowering level of awareness.

If you want to support your clients and have them running back for more, you need to be present with them, wherever they are. Your agenda is their agenda. They determine where you are going in your sessions, you just have to pay attention and be there for them, wherever that is. If you can listen to their story, and really hear it, then you can be truly present for your client. If your clients feel your presence and come to rely on you being there in the way that they need you, they will come running back for more!

So keep hearing your clients' stories, and make sure you tell the ones that they need to hear too!