What message are you and your business projecting to the public-at-large these days? Is your image up to the competition and challenges in the current market? Or are you getting lost in the shuffle?

How you answer these questions has everything to do with your current level of success! Has your business fallen off? With a recession looming, it’s time to take a long, hard look at how you can better attract new clients and keep the referrals coming in. It’s also crucial to keep reinventing your own wheel and be constantly expressing the value of your product and services above the price. With the economy in trouble, people are much more particular now about what they’re getting for their hard earned dollar. A low price won’t be the only factor to making the sale or gaining a new client.

On the other side of the fence, you must not cut your fees so much that you lose quality clients and referrals along with revenue. Trim back where you can, but don’t lose your professional credibility by doing so. It may also be a good time to become more specialized and pare down your offerings to the most profitable.

Remember that your clients are essentially buying you first and will then remain loyal in the long run because of you. The product or service is actually secondary. How does your own image come across? You are your business. It might be time for a makeover. First impressions, whether in person or on the phone, can make or break potential business connections. People want to do business with successful looking, and sounding, professionals. Are you confident, upbeat? Is there anything distracting about you? A coach could be a great investment to help increase your revenue by reinventing your personal and business image, along with your employees, if you need a detached yet critical eye to do so.

Sometimes we don’t know how we’re coming across to others. Something as simple as an attitude adjustment can make a huge difference to how we are perceived.

Now is the time to think less is more. A male recruit recently commented to me he noticed that the most successful agents at a regional meeting had a sleek look. That’s a perfect description in itself. Your business materials, from stationary to business cards, should reflect your new image. This can be done quite inexpensively. I am a big fan of Vista Print for providing everything you need, even simple websites, at a reasonable price. Big, bright, flashy, splashy, or gimmicky just doesn’t cut it anymore. If you want to stand out in the crowd, go for understated classic. Cool, calming colors and messages. Now is the time when quiet can attract more than loud. People need soothing; someone to listen, and, above all, impeccable service. Developing relationships with your clients and forming strategic and supportive alliances is more important than ever. Do that and you’ll be certain to succeed!