Recently I had the pleasure of receiving an e-mail from a client who wanted to extend to me an invitation to her newly-established art studio. This was her message:

Hi, James,

Thank you for getting me on the right path regarding marketing my work. This invitation is a direct result of my session with you. I wanted you to know that it is important to me, also, that you see your handiwork in action. 🙂

Hope to see you soon!

It was a wonderful moment for me, to see a client being successful, and that my work with her, had some measure in that success. When I was a trainer in my corporate job, I used to tell the people I trained this statement, which holds true in my work as a coach and consultant: “Your success is my success.”

This is true for any entrepreneur who works with others, in some type of service occupation: The success of your clients is a measure of your own success. When people are seeking to do business with you, more than likely, they will be measuring your business success by the successes of your clients.

My Client Success File

One of the things I have done in my own business is to create a client success file. I have it simply labeled Client Successes. What I put in that file are things like the e-mail from my artist client; cards that I have received from clients, expressing their gratitude for the work we have done together; and things like flyers of their upcoming workshops, lectures, and retreats. Doing this does two things:

• First, it creates a testimonial file, a source of information readily at my disposal that I can use to communicate the results (benefits) of working with me to potential clients. I can use this information on my marketing materials as well.
• Second, this file can serve as a confidence booster, on the days when I may be wondering if my work is meeting the needs of my clients and audience (all work, is my opinion, is designed to solve a problem a client or customer is experiencing; you can read more on my thoughts on that here).

If you are not currently keeping such a file of the successes of your clients and customers, I suggest you start. And remember, the success you help your clients and customers attain, the more successful you become.

Here’s to your continued success!

Your partner in success,

James