How To Turbocharge Your Business Development

I’m sitting here sending follow up emails.

Actually, in some cases I’m sending follow-up emails to follow-up emails to follow-up emails.

Quite a few of them.

No replies galore, not even an acknowledgment in a lot of cases.

I am being ignored.

For the record, I’m talking about weeks, not days or even a week.

It could be me, I accept that.

The people around me tell me I have too high expectations of a reply, a quick one, or even one at all.

They say the world has changed, things have changed, it’s not the same as before.

I know that. I appreciate it is not all just about me.

That’s why I didn’t even bother to call them.

I accept all of this.

Ghosting is on the trend upwards. Noted.

Most of my emails are not urgent or life-threatening, but they are important to me so I can move forward with certain things.

An acknowledgment would be nice though - that’s my salient point here.

It would also just quietly, keep this grump old man happy (well……maybe!)

This ties into the title of this blog post, as well as a broader piece of advice for anyone in professional practice - one of the simplest ways to build strong, trusted relationships (which invariably leads to more business) is through timely communication.

When I first started out in my own law practice, I was given some excellent advice by an older lawyer - he said “over-service everyone!” (but don’t charge them for it).

The simplest way to do that was to respond to emails, phone calls and even letters then quickly.

I did. I could also, because I wasn’t busy.

I phoned everyone back who called me within an hour or two if it was new business, and within the same morning or afternoon for others. I didn’t go home until all phone calls were acknowledged. Same with my emails.

I even answered the office phone myself sometimes.

It all worked.

I still try to do this stuff, to this day.

The testimonials and word-of-mouth recommendations I received from the above practice alone were phenomenal, and led to a steady stream of referrals and opportunities.

I had become known as a lawyer who called you back quickly.

So, if you’re looking to build your professional reputation, deepen relationships as well as turbocharge your business development, I repeat my above advice - respond to emails and phone calls as quickly as you can - and especially if they are from me!