Did You Know: Your Business Needs 3 Legs to Stand? - Get more referrals by talking to us!

{3:40 minutes to read} There is a classic idiom about the structure of a 3-legged stool.

Your business can be compared to that 3-legged stool. How?

A stool isn’t a stool if it only has one leg. Even with two legs, it’s precarious and unstable at best. The third leg is what provides the stability and support needed to make the stool functional!

For a stool to stand, it needs at least three, equally important legs— and if you want to be successful, your business also needs three legs.

1st Leg: Live Your Profession

It might seem obvious, but it’s important for business owners (and practicing professionals) to “live their profession.” It is up to you to present yourself, your work and your value to others. This includes sharing your knowledge and being immersed in your industry. Convey your investment in—and passion about—the value of the service you provide.

Most importantly, wear your professional badge (name tag/business card) proudly and share how you make a positive difference in the lives of your clients.

2nd Leg: Build Relationships

Building personal and professional relationships is an integral part of growing and maintaining your business. People are going to bring you business and refer potential clients to you—and this makes face-to-face interactions all the more imperative. It is during these personal meetings that comfort and trust are established with your referral sources, and you should continue to nurture these relationships over time.

Attending networking and industry events is essential. One of the best ways to showcase your expertise and value as a professional though is to present to groups as a branded expert. As the person in the front of the room, you establish yourself as the authority on your subject matter—a Subject Matter Expert (SME).

3rd Leg: Your Online Presence

The importance of your online presence should not be underestimated. Potential referrals will almost always research you online before making a determination about whether or not they want to make initial contact with you.

At a minimum, your online properties should include your website/blog, all of the various social media profiles, business/company pages, search engine listings and business directory listings.

phoneBlogger.net works with you to develop content to populate your online presence—which builds and reinforces your branded expert status with meaningful articles. Educational and informational content will help encourage people to read your social media postings, blog articles, and newsletters—especially if you are current on industry knowledge and consistent with your publishing schedule. This is commonly referred to as “content marketing.”

Many business owners invest 90% of their energy on the first leg (Live Your Profession). It’s true you must stay on top of your game, but doing so shouldn’t take up all of your time and focus.

Without all 3 essential legs, a stool will never be stable or function as it should.

The same applies to your business.