Keeping and Attracting Ideal Clients in a Web 2.0 World

I spoke with the students and staff at The Academy of Oriental Medicine about keeping and attracting clients in a Web 2.0 world. It was all caught on video, and I posted the highlights on YouTube.   Above all, service providers need clients. Everything else is secondary. With more and more clients logging onto the Internet, service providers need a Web presence that fits their microbusiness's budget. Luckily, the Web 2.0 movement makes that more possible. Keeping and attracting ideal clients is both crucial and challenge for service providers. Without clients there is no service. More importantly, there is no cash flow. While service providers are experts in their field, most lack the marketing skills needed to survive; much less thrive. Service providers must offer easy online scheduling to attract and keep ideal clients. Widespread high-speed Internet access has changed how people manage their time and their life. Online shoppers look first to the Web for their every need. These wealthier, more educated clients have the willingness and ability to pay for the services that support their busy lives. Web 2.0 better fits a service providers strengths and budget. As the smallest of small businesses, they can ill afford big business marketing campaigns. Most independent service providers lack the high volume and profit margin that make traditional marketing strategies cost effective. Creating, hosting, and maintaining a personal Website can be cost prohibitive to microbusiness. Web 2.0 services and strategies allow independent service providers to cost effectively distinguish their expertise in niche communities. You can do it! You don't have to know how to build a cell phone to call China from the hike and bike trail. Like wise, you don't need to understand Web 2.0 engineering to join the movement. Just extend your relationship building and word-of-mouth marketing to the emerging Web 2.0 world. Web 2.0 is... Web 2.0 is hot, hip, cutting edge, and an evolving buzz word that burst onto the scene in 2006. It describes a cultural philosophy as much as it does a set of technologies. Web 2.0 is a "Power to the People" movement. It empowers individuals, builds grassroots communities, and democratizes content. Individuals control their own information and opt-in to information that they think is important. Web 2.0 is about collaborating and communing with others in real-time. People create fresh content in what resembles more of a conversation rather than a stale one way message. A comparison between Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 might help you understand the concept. Darrenbarefoot.com posted:

• Web 1.0 was about reading, Web 2.0 is about writing
• Web 1.0 was about companies, Web 2.0 is about communities
• Web 1.0 was about home pages, Web 2.0 is about blogs
• Web 1.0 was about lectures, Web 2.0 is about conversation
• Web 1.0 was about advertising, Web 2.0 is about word of mouth
• Web 1.0 was about portals, Web 2.0 is about Really Simply Syndication

the list continues... Focus on Keeping and Attracting Ideal Clients Experts are still arguing about what Web 2.0 is, so don't get wrapped up or overwhelmed by the details. Focus on keeping and attracting ideal clients:

1. Stay curious about Web 2.0
2. Become a Valued Community Member
3. Turn Every Interaction into a Scheduling Op