I just got an email from a client of mine. For the past few months when we meet I make the same suggestions, and the client agrees it’s a good next step. Then the following month, nothing has happened and we talk about it, client seems on board, you see where this is going…

And so today, the client did what we’ve been talking about. I don’t remember what I said at our meeting this week but we finally “got over the hump” and then the client said “I just hope it’s not too late.”

It’s NEVER too late. Just be honest with folks, you can spot a liar, we all can. “I’m so sorry I dropped the ball on following up with you,” is a perfectly acceptable response. If it’s a newsletter you stopped doing for a few months, no problem, just pick it up again, no explanation needed (unless something happened and you want to explain it).

When you’re ready, your target market is ready too. Sure you may have missed one or two clients because you drug your feet, but you’ll get there, it’s not too late to start. I promise.

Why don’t I always just trust my gut? Every time I don’t it  comes back to bite me in the ass. It’s ridiculous. I started working with someone and knew right off the bat they weren’t happy and it wasn’t going to be a good fit. But for some reason (open schedule, money) I didn’t say no. I just said yes.
I say yes a lot and should probably stop that. But I still haven’t figured out the right way to say “you sound like a nightmare client when all is said and done, so I should pass” or “I’m not sure your company stands a fighting chance, and don’t want to be there when the ship sinks.” All I know is, every time I ignore my gut, I’m mad at myself with in a few minutes of that signed contract.

Trust your gut, it’s smarter than you are. TRUST ME.