Relationships are the foundation of many of the best business transactions. It goes without saying that most people prefer to do business with those that they like, know and trust. Having a great relationship with one’s partners, clients and peers are one of the best ways to get ahead in business. However, this is often easier said than done. According to Dan Soviero, founder of Signature Lacrosse, “Many entrepreneurs are so eager to land their next client that they fail to build the relationship first.” This oversight can be detrimental to the long-term relationship between a business owner and their client. 

When Dan first came up with the idea for the Signature Premium Lacrosse ball, he began by leveraging his relationships. He acquired invaluable from the coaches and players in his immediate circle and began sharing his concept with local teams. He gained the trust of those around him and then scaled that upward and outward to eventually become the preferred Lacrosse ball of the NCAA, the Official Ball of Professional Lacrosse, and the Federation of International Lacrosse, and the trusted ball for more than 300 college teams around the nation. Today, Dan runs a 7 figure business and has changed the game of lacrosse forever, and it all started with building solid relationships. 

Dan shares his top 3 tips for establishing trust and building great relationships with clients. 

Be yourself. While it is important to be professional in your client interactions, don’t be afraid to be yourself and engage with your clients the same way you would your friends and family. If you are warm and at ease with clients, they will be more likely to reciprocate that. Dan recommends building this initial rapport by establishing shared interests or values. He speaks with prospective clients about hobbies, personal growth, and his family. “I want my clients to understand that I’m a real person,” Day explains. In doing so, Dan breaks the ice, and more often than not, the client opens up in return.

 Really listen to your clients. Dan follows Dale Carnegie’s principles from his book “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” Throughout the book, Carnegie continually returns to the importance of listening more than speaking and asking questions as a means of building trust. Approach each client interaction eager to learn, the sale will come later after the relationship is formed. 

Be selective with the clients you pursue. In the same way that not every person is a good friendship or relationship match, not every client will be the right fit either. Pursuing the wrong types of clients can be a costly mistake. Before pursuing a client, make sure that their values align with your own and that you are capable of meeting their needs. This confidence will help you stand out in the industry and build the right client’s trust. 

To learn more about Dan Soviero, visit www.signaturelacrosse.com.