CREATING A CLIENT BASE
PROSPECTING STRATEGIES ► FOCUS ON DIRECT CONTACT WITH PEOPLE AS THE WAY TO BUILD A CLIENT BASE ► ALWAYS NETWORK ► DEVISE A PLAN ► CUSTOMER VS. CLIENT
NEEDS, WANTS & DEMANDS ► NEEDS- PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, ESTEEM. ► WANTS- NON NECCESITIES TO TRANSLATE FROM CLIENT NEEDS. ► DEMANDS-THESE ARE WANTS THAT HAVE BEEN BACKED BY FINANCIAL RESOURCES MUST TRANSLATE THEIR IDEAS INTO A COMPLETE PACKAGE…WHY WOULD THIS BE SUCH A CHALLENGE?
THE CLIENT EXPECTS… ► GREAT FOOD ► APPROPRIATE ENVIRONMENT ► A MEMORABLE EVENT ► STRESS-FREE EXECUTION ► FLAWLESS APPEARANCE ► IDEAL WEATHER/CONDITIONS CAN YOU THINK OF OTHERS?
MARKET ANALYSIS CUSTOMER PROFILE ► DEMOGRAPHICS ► LIFESTYLE ► GEOGRAPHICS ► PSYCHOGRAPHICS MARKET DATA SOURCES-TREND REPORTS, PUBLICATIONS, CENSUS, PLANNING COMMISSIONS
CUSTOMER CONTACT ► ENSURE PROPER ATMOSPHERE FOR SELLING/BUYING ► AVOID INTERRUPTIONS/CALLS ► CLIENTS NEEDS TO FEEL LIKE THEY ARE KING ► KEEP CONSULTATION PRIVATE BUT ENSURE DECIDING PARTIES ARE PRESENT ► HAVE IDEAS BEFORE THE APPT IF POSSIBLE (KNOW BUDGET) UPSELL, AND CLOSE ► ENCOURAGE DECISION MAKING ► PROPER PROFESSIONAL LANGUAGE WHAT WOULD A PROPER CLIENT MEETING LOOK LIKE?
CUSTOMER SOLICITATION CUSTOMER >CLIENT ► CUSTOMER- INITIAL CONTACT ► PROSPECT-WHEN YOU HAVE INFORMATION- NAME/ADDRESS/ PREFERENCES, EVENTS DATES, ETC. PREFERENCES, EVENTS DATES, ETC. ► CLIENT-PROSPECT THAT HAS COMMITTED TO A SALE
EXISTING CUSTOMERS ► MAINTAIN RELATIONSHIPS ► FOLLOW-UP ► CREATE PROFILES ► CLIENT PROGRAMS ► LIFE CYCLE OF EVENTS THINK OF CUSTOMER PROGRAM YOU MIGHT DEVELOP AS A CATERER……
ORGANIZATIONS ► KNOW MEMBERS ► PERSONALIZE ► FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THEIR EVENT SCHEDULE/FUNCTION DETAILS
DEVELOPING NEW CLIENTS ► PERSONAL ATTENTION ► ANNOUNCEMENTS ► MAILINGS ► CALLS
PUBLICITY ► FREE EXPOSURE THROUGH MENUS ARTICLES BROADCAST POSTERS FLYERS
ADVERTISING ► EXPENDITURES FOR BROADCASTING YOUR BRAND NEWSPAPER RADIO WEB DIRECT CONTACT REFERRALS TESTIMONIALS
MARKETING MIX ► PRODUCT INCLUDES SERVICES ► PRICE AVAILABILITY, DISCOUNTS, STRATEGY ► PLACE (DISTRIBUTION) TRANSPORTATION, PERISHABILITY, PROCESSING, INVENTORY MANAGEMENT ► PROMOTION COMMUNICATION, PUBLICITY, ADVERTISING 4 P'S 4 P'S
PROFESSIONAL SALES STAFF ► COMMUNICATE CAPABILTIES ► PROVIDE DETAIL INFORMATION ► MEET WITH CLIENTS ► GIVE TOURS/ EXPLAIN OPERATION ► DESIGN MARKETING TOOLS/LOGO DESIGN ► PURSUE AND DEVELOP LEADS ► FORMULATE PROSPECTING PLAN ► DETERMINE MARKETING BUDGET ► PROVIDE INPUT ON MENU OFFERINGS/SIGNATURE ITEMS
TOOLS ► BUSINESS CARDS ► PORTFOLIO ► PHONE BOOK ► SELLING STAFF ► WEB/BLOGS ► UNIFORMS ► BROCHURES ► SIGNAGE ► MAILINGS