You may feel you’re really effective in front of prospective estate planning clients, but have you ever really tracked your “close” rate? If you don’t already close - - that means get a signed engagement letter and check - - from over 80% of the prospects you meet, at the very first meeting, then read on…
Of course, attorneys don’t like to think in terms of marketing and sales. It’s “unprofessional”. But the reality is, you can’t practice your professional skills unless you get clients to engage you and pay you - - the stuff they didn’t teach you in law school or in continuing education courses!
For example, do you know…
- The 7 things you must communicate to a prospective client before the initial meeting so you begin with the ball already near the goal line! (and how to communicate these key things to them)
- How to train your referral sources to properly prepare clients so almost all do business with you - - what they should say and, more importantly, what they should not say!
- How to arrange your meeting calendar for maximum results (probably the exact opposite of what you’re doing right now!)
- The 2 critical “missing link” steps between setting the appointment and seeing the client that most attorneys overlook (or their staff botches)!
- How to put both your head and your heart in the right place as you enter an initial meeting, so you’re confident, less anxious, and more successful.
- How to “script” the first few minutes so you never suffer from opening jitters and you take control right away! (Plus, you’ll receive Phil’s actual, time-tested and “perfected” script, word-for-word!)
- The successful meeting “Tool Kit” you should have at your fingertips during every initial meeting (you’ll even get 7 of those tools with the call!).
- What are the 2 key reasons most attorneys fail to close clients at the initial meeting and how to overcome them.
- Step-by-step, exactly what agenda to stick to and what to say throughout the meeting as you work seamlessly towards the “close”!
- What to do when problems arise, such as:
- Little or no information brought in by the prospective client
- One spouse isn’t present or there’s tension between spouses
- Client shows up with another advisor or some other interfering third-party
- How to use a simple, one-page “pre-fabbed” engagement letter to clinch more sales! (You’ll get Phil’s, so you don’t have to “reinvent the wheel”!)
- How to blow away the 2 most common objections most prospective clients have about moving forward!
- How and when to use the “technical” close versus the “emotional” close
- How to flush out the time waster, do-it-yourselfer and engineer type - - and turn them into an obedient client!
- How to throw in an irresistible incentive so the client will make the decision to do business right now!
- How to use the “silent pause” to incredible effect!
- Word-for-word “scripts” to overcome specific objections like:
- “We just came to gather information.”
- “We want to think about it.”
- “I need to talk with my _______ first.”
- “We’re shopping around and comparing.”
- “I think I can get it done for less.” (which they may be thinking, even if they haven’t come right out and said it!)
- If you still haven’t closed the client, how to properly and successfully use the ultimate weapons - - the “Columbo gambit”, the “Takeaway” and the “Nucular Bomb”!
- The one thing to be sure to give every prospect who leaves your office saying “no” - - that will often lead to a “YES”!
- The 2 simple contacts with “no-closes” after the meeting that will turn them into clients!
If you don’t know even just one of the techniques and key components listed above to successfully hold client meetings and engage more clients, then there’s room for improvement. The good news is you don’t have to learn all of this on your own.
All of the training and tools to help you successfully hold your initial client meetings and handle objections better is now available in our Successful Initial Client Interview & Appointment Closing Tips Training & Forms Package.
Click the “Details” tab to see what’s included.
What’s Included in the Successful Initial Client Interview & Appointment Closing Tips Training & Forms Package?
The Successful Initial Client Interview and Appointment Closing Tips Training & Forms Package comes complete with the following items:
- Two-Part Training Program: “Successful Initial Client Interview & Appointment Closing Tips” with Philip J. Kavesh, J.D., LL.M. (Taxation), CFP®, ChFC, California State Bar Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law (a $495 value!)
You will receive the PDF handout materials and MP3 audio recording to both 90-minute training programs, which include…
- Client Meeting Forms to help you gather the information you need from the client to efficiently run your first meeting and the client meeting forms that you will need to help you hold a successful meeting and help you turn more prospects into clients, including:
- Engagement Letter – Engagement form authorizing the legal representation of a client, laying out the date of completion, payment due upon signature and payment due upon the signing of the client’s estate planning documents.
- Acknowledgement of Information Given – Form releasing liability of you and your law firm should a client or prospective client decide not to move forward with all or part of your planning recommendations.
- Agreement to the Presence of Others – A waiver of liability for the request of third-parties to be present at the client or prospective client’s meeting, such as a client’s child or other advisor.
- Friends & Family Disclosure – Disclosure of representation of other family members and friends, plus a disclosure to husband and wife clients of potential conflict of interest.
- Checklist When Reviewing Another Trust – An internal checklist used when reviewing a prospective client’s existing Living Trust drafted by another law firm.
- Divorce Checklist – An internal list of the possible estate planning actions to take when a client is currently undergoing a divorce from a spouse.
- Appointment Confirmation Kit to help you properly confirm your prospective client appointments, which also begins the process of successfully holding client meetings. This includes:
- Requirements for Meeting with an Attorney cover strip sheet to serve as a checklist for your prospective client about what’s needed for the initial client meeting.
- Coverpage of Instructions and Directions so that your clients know where they’re going, when and what to bring with them.
- Client Questionnaires, including three different versions for prospective clients who don’t already have a Living Trust, for a prospective client that already has a Living Trust, and for existing clients.
- Confirmation Script so that you and your staff can know, word-for-word, what to say and how to handle the confirmation calls to for all kinds of appointments.
- Prospect Follow-Up “Sale” Letter - - a unique sales tool to help you close a few more of those prospects that decide not to move forward after the first meeting.
The forms and questionnaires come in a modifiable Microsoft Word format for you to be able to easily modify, and edit for your firm.