Human-to-human marketing is the most powerful way to conduct business

As a professional in business, it's important to build personal connections.

These are the cornerstones of success.

You have to get clients, I understand, but we're all human beings. Some fancy tac-tic given to you by AI or a guru might not work as well as you think it should.

It's easy to get caught up in the latest trends and technologies forgetting that you're not talking to bots or algorithms.

Your existing clients are more likely to do business with you because they trust and like you.

When you build a personal connection with your client, you create a relationship that is beyond transactions and professionalism.

It can lead to repeat business, referrals, and positive word-of-mouth.

I'm a brand designer, and I get most of my deals through referrals, so I know what I'm talking about.

Even the in B2B market, you establish connections with the decision-makers, which are people by the way.

You shouldn't let industry jargon like "B2B" or "B2C" intimidate you because on the other end of the phone, is a human you'll engage with, not systems or processes.

That's why you as a business owner, should read books about self-improvement, like my favorite by Dale Carnegie, How To Win Friends and Influence People.

He emphasizes the importance of being genuine and true to yourself, and of letting your personality shine through in your interactions with others.

One of the famous quotes from the book is: "Be yourself; everyone else is already taken."

You are drawn to people who are genuine and authentic, and you can spot people who try to be someone they're not.

When you're drawn to someone, you trust them. When people trust you, it means you're being genuine and honest with them, they are more likely to open up to you and form deeper relationships.

Being genuine and honest comes with interest.

Take the time to learn about your clients as individuals.

• What are their goals?

• What are their interests?

The more you know about them, the better you can connect with them on a personal level.

When you find their interests, you have to be helpful and supportive.

You don't have to offer your service for free to be helpful. You don't have to comment on every single post to be supportive.

Help can mean finding out what they are up to and actively keeping watch for anything that might be able to help them.

Support means offering your expert advice if they ask for it or going the extra mile for your clients.

I've built relationships with clients and industry experts and lost them.

No one really talks about how to maintain a relationship when you build one.

The key to keeping a relationship alive is consistency.

Make an effort to stay in touch with clients on a regular basis. Send them emails, connect with them on social media, or simply give them a call to see how they're doing.

Don't be afraid to let your personality shine through in your business interactions.

• Be authentic,

• Be interested in others,

• Be helpful and supportive,

• Be consistent.

If you do all these, you'll go on to connect well with potential clients.

See you next time.