The difference between perfect and ideal clients

While I have the opportunity to work with ideal clients through my business every day (I’m pretty blessed actually), there is a big difference between an ideal and a perfect client.

I’ll ruin the surprise now : there is no perfect client.

Sorry.

Most of the time when you’re out marketing, sharing about what you do, you’re looking to connect with ideal clients. The people who get you, need you, will pay for solutions, etc. and a lot of the problems come up because we’re expecting people to behave like perfect clients.

What’s the difference? Here are a few circumstances that come up and how they fall in the range of non ideal, ideal, and the mythical perfect:

* Non ideal clients ask no questions but complain about being confused.
* Ideal clients ask questions about getting started so they know what to do.
* Perfect clients can read your mind and never have questions.

* A non ideal client will cancel their appointment or don’t show up without any notice.
* Ideal clients follow procedures from your welcome packet when they need to reschedule a call.
* Perfect clients never make any changes to the schedule or plan ever.

* Non ideal clients ignore your advice, complain about the program, and don’t do the work.
* Ideal clients ask questions about assignments, clarify recommendations, and complete tasks.
* Perfect clients blink and everything is done immediately and without mistakes.

Last week I shared why you need a welcome packet – if you don’t explain your policies on rescheduling appointments, then there’s no way your clients can behave the way you want them to when that circumstance comes up.

Don’t wait for perfect clients

If you sit around waiting for perfect clients to show up in your business, or complain about how your current clients are acting, then you’re wasting valuable time and energy. Perfect clients don’t exist because the very people you’re meant to serve have challenges, struggles, and messy lives.

In the same way that there are no perfect VAs, your clients are going to have questions, need support, have concerns, and are human after all.

Your marketing, programs, and social media outreach all link back to an ideal client profile. Ideal clients are not perfect though, and understanding the difference will keep you from being frustrated and overwhelmed.

The next time you’re frustrated with a client, take a look at your own business systems and processes. Ask yourself if you’ve given those clients training and instruction on their next step, so you can systematize the process and smooth things out.

Remember, perfect clients are an illusion and don’t need you anyway. Look for ideal clients: real people with problems you can solve who align with you and your business.