I feel as if what you are trying to do is to be the champion of a cause, a movement, an ideal… and I’m a patron/supporter of that cause, for sure. So, the cycle completes itself.

Interesting idea, that one — that in the caring for each others’ causes, we become both champion and patron. Hmm…

Trisha, I like where you’re going with partner, and I agree, it’s confusing, since partner is used to signify ownership in work/ideas/compensation/etc. (and yes, prospects is another word I find icky; like I’m zeroing in on their pockets or something…)

Ken, isn’t synchronicity a great thing? And you’re welcome.

It’s gotta be synchronicity. I am just sorting out a website for an Intentional Healing practice and, because I too had a retail background, I was thinking *customers* or, on my ego days, *clients.*
Patron is such a good word! It fits the understanding that they are their own healers and that they are bringing their good to the relationship. Thank you for the great timing and the sharing.

Blessings,

Ken Graydon
http://www.angylion.com.au

But, I guess there’s always room to explain it to prospects (another ‘yucky’ word I don’t like much) and that becomes part of your marketing.

Is there another word that “encompasses both an exchange of value as well as a relationship that deepens into friendship?” I honestly don’t know; maybe there is. Any ideas? I’d love to find out what comes of this…

Hey brother. I’m on the same hunt too. The only thing I’ve come to is to remember that we’re talking about people – who have hearts, minds, needs, emotions, etc. I think any term otherwise dehumanizes people a bit. So I’d love to find a term that does that less – or not at all. Let’s keep asking and keep looking.

I do think of you as a patron, but it’s not limited to that. This blends into your questions as well, Trisha. I hold it that we have multiple levels of relationship with just about anyone who’s in our circle of influence.

Just as my wife is my friend, lover, advisor, companion, and more, my patrons are often clients, who become friends, partners, brainstorming buddies, etc. It’s such an individual thing, but I’m sure you get what I mean.

One of the main things that seeing people as patrons has done for me is that I no longer see a “one-up, one-down” relationship like I did when it was just customers or clients. I find that in those words, there is a sense of dependence, neediness, and ownership (in both directions) that I really didn’t resonate with. In patron, however, I see a person who is independent, strong, and just happens to love what I do. And that love engenders my love, caring, and friendship.

So, will I use “patron” in my marketing material? Well, I am now! I personally think that if I treat someone in a patronizing way (like you mentioned), no matter what I call it, they’ll feel it. And the same will hold true if I hold people in the light of respect, honor, and trust.

Is there another word that “encompasses both an exchange of value as well as a relationship that deepens into friendship?” I honestly don’t know; maybe there is. Any ideas? I’d love to find out what comes of this…

I really like the definition of ‘patron’ since I’ve been struggling with the ‘clients vs customers’ wording for a long time now.

Two questions…

1. How do people relate to being called a ‘patron’? Is that something you’d use in your marketing material, such as on a website? Pardon the unavoidable pun, but isn’t it rather ‘patronizing’ (def: “Showing condescending favor; assuming the manner of airs of a superior toward another”)?

2. I find most of my clients/customers/whatever that don’t turn out to be ‘toxic clients’ have all become ‘friends’ of mine. Is there are word that encompasses both an exchange of value as well as a relationship that deepens into friendship? To me, ‘customer’ seems too superficial, while ‘client’ is closer, but still too formal and impersonal for what I end up having with the people I serve.

Don’t get me wrong, I have started listening to them and am getting something out of them, but the main reason I bought them is because I think we need more people like you in the world.