How many times have you received a Facebook message or Instagram DM from a potential client inquiring to work with you? 

EVERYONE’S hands are raised right now. It happens. So what do we do about it? Should we keep all communication in that social media message thread? Should we just send a link to our website? What is the correct protocol here to set us up for success to make it more likely we’ll actually book that client vs scare them away?

We’re going into this episode with this assumption: you should have a website for your business with a contact form for potential clients to reach out to get in your inbox to work with you. If you don’t yet have a website, that’s something you ideally should be working towards. A website is a foundation of where people can come to learn who you are, what you do, and how they can work with you. 

 

DMs & Facebook Messages aren’t the devil 

No, you don’t want them to be your only inquiry inbox but we personally think many service-based entrepreneurs need to get off their high horses and just realize that some clients don’t know better and feel it’s a “personal” way to initially reach out. So just roll with it when those inquiries show up! We promise you can convert those!! 

 

Send a personal video or audio message

Get excited! Show them you care! Say their name, address any details about their inquiry/project/vision, send them the link to your website/contact form, explain that DMs are tricky for you and can get lost so email is the way you communicate with clients, etc.

 

Do NOT communicate entirely via DM or FB Messages

Those should be just the initial contact points if someone is reaching out to you, get it onto Honeybook or email as fast as possible. Not only is this more professional, avoids losing conversations, etc, but it also allows you the tools like contracts, invoices, outfit guides, etc all right at your fingertips.

If you are ONLY keeping communication with clients through dm or messenger, first off you’re not setting up anything for success. You’re not establishing a professional relationship with clear communication from the get-go.

People treat DMs and messages similar to how they view texts, with less respect for you/thinking you’ll answer at all times of day, etc.

You can’t send a legit professional contract via dm. And you NEED a contract bro. www.theheartcontracts.com for 10% off. 

So often we see when people are only doing communication via DM or messenger they aren’t making their sessions “official” (with a contract and money down) so they’re showing up to sessions without payment being given first. This is how you get into messy situations where clients end up baiting you for months after you’ve done the session and never paying.

 

Bottom line

You CAN use DMs and FB Messages to your advantage as a business owner! But just recognize their place: an occasional spot where potential clients reach out and where you can instantly build a connection before redirecting them to your email inbox.

 

 

Show notes

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