Got a gorilla client, ? 🦍

Just do this… [Just do this…] [View Online Version]( [Quick Tips]( The Problem with Gorillas… Hi Creative Professional, Do you have a “gorilla client”? Not a jungle-dwelling herbivore who loves kittens... I mean a client who makes up 50% (or more) of your income. Of the folks who responded to this week’s client survey, nearly HALF admitted to having a gorilla client. (If you missed the survey, you can still [give your input here]( And honestly, I’m a bit shocked! I didn’t realize how many people are in what I consider a pretty precarious position. But wait… is having a gorilla client such a bad thing? What if your gorilla is also your ideal client - a total “dream gorilla”? Maybe they value you and your work, they pay well (and on time!), and they give you projects you like. It’s not the gorilla that’s the problem – it’s how you treat your business when you have one. When you have a gorilla, you get so busy with their business that you stop working on yours. After all, it feels like your income is stable and you could continue working with them… forever? But things happen. And we all need a back up plan. That’s what marketing is – your back up plan. Now, if you’re thinking, “But I’m so busy! When would I even do my marketing”? That’s when you do “minimum viable marketing.” For example, no matter how busy you are, can’t you still… - Spend 10 minutes a day connecting and/or commenting on LinkedIn... - Reach out to one person in your network every week, just to “check in”... - Attend one in-person networking event every month... Couldn’t you do one (or all) of those things, even when you’re busy? Couldn’t you decide to make it possible – to set yourself up for success in the unlikely event that the gorilla disappears? In other words, whatever you do… Don’t stop doing your marketing! Now, if your gorilla isn’t quite the dream client, then it’s time to focus on finding new and better clients. As luck would have it, I’ve been working on a new way to find clients that I’ll share in coming weeks. Stay tuned! In the meantime, [take this short survey]( so I know what you need to know. What do you consider “minimum viable marketing,” ? Share what you do when you're short on time [here on LinkedIn](! That's all for now. Thanks for reading. What did you think of this week's newsletter? [Loved it]( | [Great]( | [Good]( | [Meh]( | [Bad]( Ilise Benun Your Marketing Mentor (917) 750-0498 [Need a business coach? Book a free session here!](     Listen: Case Studies for Professionals If you’ve been thinking of doing case studies to promote your own creative services, you probably should! Tune in to this episode of the Marketing Mentor Podcast, with special guest, Case Study Writer [Casey Hibbard]( to hear how. [Listen to episode 498 here](.   Read: Three Clients That Almost Got Away [SMP+ Program]( member [Sharlet Brennan]( just signed 3 clients... All from leads that had appeared to go cold. She shares her 5 tips for snagging clients, even when they seem like they’re ghosting you. [Read it here](.   Need to Attract Better Leads? Don’t spend time and energy working for less-than-ideal clients. Brand Messaging Specialist Lisa Mullis will walk you through her 11 steps for (better) client attraction. When: May 8, 12 pm ET Use code "iliseQT" for 50% off. [Register here](.   Stop Getting Ghosted! In [Writing a Winning Proposal: Land Your Dream Clients](, you'll learn my proven "Proposal Oreo Strategy" and the 3 most important things about writing a winning proposal: 1. how to identify the right prospects 2. the best practices for writing proposals 3. the 10 essential elements I also show how to share it with your prospect so they say yes, instead of ghosting you! "What a gem course. Straight to the point, no embellishments, full of tips, and a wealth of information. Highly recommended." OMG! For a limited time, the course is only $5.99!Give it or get it here: [( [ratio](   FOLLOW US [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [LinkedIn]( [YouTube]( [marketing-mentor.com]( | [View Online]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Manage]( your preferences | [Opt Out]( using TrueRemove™ Got this as a forward? [Sign up]( to receive our future emails. View this email [online](. 350 Barnard St. | Savannah, GA 31401 US This email was sent to {EMAIL}. To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book. [powered by emma](