It’s that time of year again – people everywhere spending time with family and friends.
And of course, some of us are already thinking about how we might use the occasion to offer someone a useful product or maybe even the business…
But others are already anticipating that and are planning ways to say No or avoid contact…because they don’t like dealing with “friends who sell what they recommend.”
Three tips if you plan to bring up your products or business.
1. Be transparent. Before you say one word, ever, to anyone you know about the wonders of your product, let them know you are selling it. First. Remember you have something to gain and they’ll find out soon enough. Your comments can then be taken with the right grains of salt by the other person from your first words.
2. Be out there about “why” you are selling it. Everyone wants to buy stuff. And we all like to buy what we want from someone we can relate to – especially someone who seems knowledgeable and cares about what they’re selling.
Everyone needs to make a living, and we all know that.
For example, if you market earth-friendly cleaning products because you have long been an environmentally concerned person, let people know that about you. So the connection between what you do for a living and your pre-existing personal passion is clear.
Your recommendations will also mean more to someone who’s not quite as conscious about the environment as you, but is becoming more so. You can assume such a person will figure that you could have sold ANY earth-friendly product line. So if you chose this one, it must be pretty good. ☺
3. Limit your gushing or crowing about the products. Other than your personal story about it, and why you are now selling it, skip the “It’s just the best, life altering, one-of-a-kind, proprietary, patented, amazing, new and exciting, head and shoulders above all others, etc.” verbiage. The more you say about its wonders, the more uncomfortable you make everyone else, because they know you are selling it. You start looking like the pushy sales type most women try to get away from quick.
After your before and after story, just ask, “Uhh, do you know anyone who might like to know about a product like that? Or who might want to help me find more customers? Let me know, ok?”
Smile, let go and be first to change the subject.
Kim,
I completely agree on all points.
Thank you for creating a new method of NM that restores our individuality, which was lacking in the Old School. . .
So we appear first and foremost as OURSELVES: Likable, normal folks who have dreams and passions.
The humanity is back in Networking.
Cheers,
Rani
PS – Merry Christmas to all in advance!
Lynn aka the shrink
Holidays with family are almost universally fraught with “issues.” Once we “grow up” we expect to be treated as adults yet when we return to our parents’ home, we are sometimes treated as children – and in fact we are their children – and old behaviors tend to come out on the part of all present.
Families can be the hardest on our choices of business or careers – again it usually has to do with old family issues – and old-school thinking about these things.
I find it easier, no matter the audience, to just answer the question of what do I do with the “I market products for ….” And if someone gets into asking why I would do this instead of a real career like I had… I smile and say I am happier and leave it at that.
My son has often commented that his best Thanksgivings were with our Boston area friends and NO family around…. just what we all considered our extended families. Then again most of my friends and I no longer have living parents so that parent/child issue cannot happen. I do wonder though how my son will do if he ever marries and again gets to go to “family” dinners ☺
Lynn
http://growolderbetter.com
One of the most valuable things I’ve learned in my whole life: I joined network marketing thinking it was a sales business. It isn’t. It’s a relationship business.
When I was able to reprogram my mind and create relationships with NO AGENDA, my business started to grow. I create relationships to build people, and people build my business. I never get a “no” because I don’t ask. Crazy? NOPE. Who’dathunkit?
Mentoring For Free taught me this. Makes no difference what company you are in. We help anyone wanting direction.
Lisa
http://mammalisa.com