That’s what “the average city dweller is exposed to — 5,000 ads per day.” (New York Times Magazine 2.11.07)
The author writes, “I am an American consumer, and the battle to catch the corner of my eye is growing more desperate by the hour. Desperate and counterproductive…”
Too much, and not relevant to him. “I don’t have a lot of money, I’m not a trendsetter and I’m rarely in a buying mood. And I don’t like strangers to talk to me…”
How typical is he of the rest of us?
All the more reason for network marketers to avoid the direct hit to their friends and contacts, and instead ask the less direct question –
“Do you know anyone who might like to know about a product like that?”
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More questions like these to ease the pressure you exert on others as you approach them are in the book, If My Product’s So Great, How Come I Can’t Sell It?.
As always Kim you hit it on the head. “Do you know anyone who might like to know about a product like that?” That is the perfect question to remove yourself from the “pressure cooker” All we have to do is keep asking that question… keep on it people and great things will happen!
Kim,
This little question is brilliant. Your approach works both in a warm and cold market situation.
It’s also simple. So simple, in fact, that many people may overlook its importance and power.
It shows that you respect your prospect’s intelligence (“I’m not going to decide what’s right for you.”)
It creates referral opportunities (“Do you know anyone…”)
It has an implicit takeaway (“I don’t know if this is the right thing for you.”)
It shows you’re not desperate (“I don’t care if YOU buy it.”)
Great stuff!
Alex
NetworkMarketingHeroes.com
I agree with Alex & Andrew. Share your “I market a product for people who…..” “Do you know anyone who might like to know about a product like that?” Only way you are going to get their attention is if they are the “people who” or know anyone “who”.
Kim, I agree with the author. I too do not like talking to strangers, unless I have asked for the information. I do not want the information unless I am looking for it! This is how I approach people. If they are asking/looking/or seeking…I will then offer a tid bit. Otherwise, it’s “do you know anyone who…?”
I knew someone in a big city who would go to a different gas bar to fill up. He would strike up a conversation with the attendant and then would say “I’m marketing a ____. Do you know of anyone who might be interested.” Apparently he has done very well with his business doing this approach.
It takes the pressure off the person to whom you are talking with and they don’t have to be defensive.
I too learned that little question, “Do you know anyone who….?” after I presumed everyone was as concerned about their last 5 pounds as I was.
I also just listen to what the speaker is talking about to determine if they or anyone they know might be my target market before speaking up. I listen for phrases like “needing more income”, “weight watchers” or “losing the last 5 pounds”.
I find I am more successful as well if I am prepared for their answer either way ahead of time. I do not want to have to requalify anyone each and every month. They have to want what I have to offer.
http://networkmarketingsuccessbunney
http://BrendaBunneyMLM.com
This message is absolutely right. It works for products and for distributors. The best way to approach friends is to say “Do you know anybody who might be interested in earning extra money from home working on their spare time?” No prssure on them no embarreasment for you.
David
http://www.extra-inc.co.uk
5,000 ads a day ? No wonder the ads are getting louder and more “hypey.”
The advertisers feel a need to yell louder and louder just to get attention on their ad….I expect it will get worse, like online – more CAPS, more highlighter , and more in your face promises.
No wonder people tune us out… Everyone has what is called a “personal space” – which differs according to who is “invading” it and what is the environment. When we start pushing our products on strangers, we are generally within their personal space and are seen as invaders. And people react to invaders with hostility and aggression.
I don’t know of personal space research with ads, but I would hazard a guess that we are feeling invaded by those 5000 ads as well.
So a softer safer approach will help make people feel less like their space is invaded… and make us seem different from those 5000.
Lynn Dorman, Ph.D.
grow older better