New Year’s Plea to all (network) marketers, from an anonymous, regular person who inhabits the same space on earth that you do:
“I am NOT your prospect! (=a potential or likely customer, client, etc).
I am not your sales object.
“Everyone’s a prospect” sounds good to you, but not to me.
It’s only from your self-serving point of view that ‘everyone needs this’. Not mine.
I don’t want to be potential money in your pocket. I want what I want. And it’s probably not what you want to sell me.
I know your true agenda. Sharing today turns to nagging tomorrow and soon I ignore you when I see you on my email or Caller ID.
So stop already, please!”
Treating other people like sales objects isn’t good for you, either.
How does it feel knowing you can’t go anywhere or meet anyone without feeling the need to accost them?
Wouldn’t you enjoy meeting people more if you saw them first as well, people, like you? Like your Mom, your friend, your mate? Instead of a conquest?
And yes, you could not only sell with that attitude, but sell much more than before. And without alienating everyone you come across. Here’s one way.(Free download). Walter’s using this now, and writes, “Your words are gold to me!”
—
New Art of Recruiting CDs are finally here. 10 CDs. Phew. Described here. You get a discount for ordering early, and for foregoing the big case which holds them all. The 10 CDs are $97. We have 30 sets right now for $77. USE discount code:
recruit2008
Order your new Art of Recruiting CD program here.
People have been screaming this for years. Some companies have heard this, some haven’t. Look at the car company Saturn. They listened. They experienced huge growth. They’ve done so well with their sales model, car dealerships, car companies and other retail companies have emulated Saturn’s approach. Here’s the big difference, the salespeople don’t assault you the second you step on the lot. You don’t see them standing at the gate salivating over you with big dollar signs in their eyes. When is the last time you looked forward to dealing with salespeople at one of those Old School type establishments?
This is why so many upscale and niche boutiques do so well in the retail marketplace. You walk into their store and they know only 1 in 20 actually buys something. They (often the owner) greet you. She asks questions. She smiles. She engages you in conversation, not seller talk. She leaves you alone if you appear uninterested. She even directs you to a competitor if she doesn’t have what you are looking for. She knows her products are not for everyone and she conducts herself accordingly.
We are no different from these retailers. In the “prospect’s” eyes we are all the same, we are sellers. Why would you brand yourself as someone people want to avoid? Why chase people instead of attracting them? Go visit a Saturn dealership then go to a high pressure dealership. Go to a few specialty boutiques then go to store with old school salespeople. Experience both sides. Now, take a hard look at your behavior. Which model do you emulate?
Kim, your words always ring true! Thank you. Thank you also for pointing us to “Change This.” What a great site. I’ve already downloaded your manifesto and another one. I’m sure I could spend hours exploring there.
Happy New Year to all New School members!
Lucy in St. Thomas
To all New School members and Kim I want to wish you all a Very Happy New Year in 2008 and a big thank you to Kim for the good rounded advice. I have spent the last three months or so just getting educated by Kim and Ann Sieg in hopes of increasing my online business.
Sharon L. Bloch
It’s old school vs. new school sales and marketing. It think the old school has it. Care and concern for people looking to buy what they are looking for is the way it ought to be. We know what we want and we know how we want to receive it. Believe me we will find the person we want to do business with when it’s time.
Thanks Kim for keeping us on the straight and narrow.
Ced Reynolds