Have you ever wondered why some of your friends or even your family members have not come to you for your services, even though you know you are good at helping them?
Sometimes you are offended when your family or friends go elsewhere for a service you also provide. Why did not they come to you and say can you help me?
You think your friends know your business but they do not come to you. I can totally understand you because I have also had this experience.
So here are some reasons I came across to help you understand this mentality:
Confidentiality
Your business may be about your clients knowing how much money they have or how much debt they are in. Therefore, they are afraid of you talking about your customers.
And since you have known them for a very long time and some for a lifetime, they are concerned about how you are going to keep that confidential. Their life, their money, their health, and even the business they have.
Sometimes they do not talk to you because they are concerned about confidentiality. So the best thing you can do is have a frank conversation with them and reassure them that their details or secrets are safe with you because they have not heard you talking about your client behind their backs.
Do they really understand what you are doing?
If you do so many things or have switched from one business to another, they have been confused as to what you are doing. Sometimes your friends have only a vague idea of the services you offer. So you better change that.
The best thing to do is to start a conversation with your friends or family and let them know that you are doing this thing.
Risk to the friendship
There is always a downside to everything.
If you mess up, you have not only lost money but you have also lost a friend or family member. However, there are customers who have become friends and somehow weathered the storm and can separate their friendship from their business relationship. And they are successful with both.
It is best to be transparent with each other. If you do a poor job, your friend or family member can terminate or fire you without affecting your personal relationship as a friend or family member.
Asked about their business
Sometimes we assume they do not do business with friends just because we are not asked. But if everyone should know that you have the opportunity, then it is up to you to accept or decline, but always ask politely.
Let them know you are accepting new clients
Sometimes we complain about how busy we are and how we do not have time for family. So your friends and family assume you have your hands full with your current clients and do not need or accept any more new clients. Let them know from time to time that you are working with a new client so they know you still have a few spots left to fill in.
I’m too small
Just because they think they are a small client, they may believe that they are not your ideal client. Or they think they can’t afford you because you are dealing with big and famous clients.
If that will be the case, always let them know that you are happy to work with your family and friends. Have a special rate for them, and if the size is an issue, then give them a range to let them feel that they are valued.
Do they need you to know?
Is there a place where they need what it is that you offer? Although they might not need you to now, they might need you later.
Try to get into conversation every now and then and be in touch with them.
You are new at this, aren’t you?
The problem will career change is that need you need to prove yourself again. So sell yourself, and prove to them that you are not only great in doing your previous job but on your current business now. Try selling your firm first and all their resources are right behind you.
I work with someone already.
Everyone works with someone in some form of compassion but we were never married to these people we work with although we try to be loyal but sometimes things just fizzle out, and people move away. Even successful people often work with more than one job and don’t let this stop you make sure you answer any of their concerns that they may have so that they will be more comfortable in hiring you for the services you provide.
They don’t like you.
Bottom line is, we do business with people we like and trust. So if they don’t like you and they may not want to do business with you, don’t feel offended by that by any means. Remember that you are not gonna be for everyone and it is okay.
Be profitable and be blessed!
