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I?¡¯ve kept the same cell phone number for the past 7-8 years. I?¡¯ve lived in NYC, NC and now Florida and in all that time, I?¡¯ve never changed phone numbers. Nor will I. Sure, it?¡¯s inconvenient for my mom who lives across town to have to dial a NYC phone to get me and I?¡¯m only a few miles away, but for me it?¡¯s worth it.
I have clients that still call me periodically for coaching that used this cell phone years ago. They like knowing that I?¡¯m just a call away if they need me. Several of these clients would probably have names that you might recognize, and don?¡¯t use a coach on a regular basis, but if the need arises, they know I?¡¯m there.
I?¡¯ve spent a large part of my career working with and for celebrities. Whether I marketing for them, do PR for them or consult and coaching with the them, I?¡¯ve made a part of my career working in that market. As a result, I?¡¯ve gotten to know many agents, publicists and Event Planners.
I also coach individuals in business. Right now, it seems that a large bulk of my clients are in new jobs, businesses or about to make a transition. I don?¡¯t work by contract, only on an as needed basis. Some of my clients show up every week. Others are clients that are only once a month. I?¡¯m flexible because my clients are busy. So am I, and I?¡¯m fine with them rescheduling with me a day in advance.
I started coaching this way because the high profile clients that I served couldn?¡¯t meet on a regular basis. They were traveling or unavailable at normal business times so I made allowances for them. As my business and experience grew, I found that working with high profile types was going to be different than a traditional client that may be.
I work on a project basis with many of these high profile types. Some of them are high level executives, besides celebrities and I?¡¯m there as a personal consultant that they call upon for many different issues. Most of them found me through the communication coaching that I provide and we?¡¯ve kept the relationship going through the years. Whenever they call I merely write it down and keep a log. I usually bill once a month. On projects, I?¡¯ll estimate a cost for the project and always try to come in under the estimate.
I have clients that will fly in for the day and for that, my fees are a bit higher than on the phone. It?¡¯s a concentrated coaching session that can deal with family issues to creating a work out schedule or recreating a brand or speech. We?¡¯ve discovered projects to create that they can market and we?¡¯ve written the outline of books.
I noticed right up front that celebrities are keenly aware that people try to make a buck off of them so I actually charge them less in some cases. Regardless, overestimating the bill is the way to go, and they always appreciate the financial break. I learned this early on when I had a repeat customer and I sent a bill that she questioned. She didn?¡¯t feel that I had put in that much time with her so I told her that I had struggled with the bill myself because the project was so ?¡°off and on?¡±. So, I told her to rip up my invoice and to pay me what she thought she should. I got a nice check in the mail that was just a little bit less than I had originally charged and it had a nice note attached. It was definitely the right decision because I?¡¯ve continued to coach this person here and there over the last many years.
Coaching high profile types are a great gig if you can get it. But don?¡¯t make the mistake of holding to your exact requirements or you might lose a client in the process. The ones that I know appreciate my willingness to be flexible with my schedule and to reschedule if something else comes up. I?¡¯m fair with the money and I always try to deliver more than promised.
I love the coaching people who are successful, energetic and ambitious. They never refuse a challenge and they?¡¯re always up for new ideas. They appreciate others who are hard working like them.
That is why I keep my cell phone number the same. Being available to these people is the name of the game.Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com Mary Gardner has been working with celebrities for the past 20 years. First on Capital Hill, then as a celebrity lecture agent, publicist and TV professional. For more information: www.marygardner.com
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