Lots of comments about how to deal with the perception:
“Beware of friends who sell what they recommend.”
They’re continuing to come in, so I’ll announce a raffle winner tomorrow.
(Interesting how many commenters seem to be in denial about this perception. Accept it. People have it. Many people would buy from us if they didn’t. Easy to blame the people. The more challenging question is: how do we stop fostering that perception?)
I promised some suggestions to help minimize this perception…here are three.
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. So your comments can be taken with the right grains of salt by the other person.
2. Be out there about “why” you are selling it. Everyone wants to buy stuff. We all like to buy what we want from someone we can relate to – someone who seems knowledgeable and cares about what they’re selling.
Everyone also needs to make a living, and we all know that.
So 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 personal passion is clear.
Plus your recommendations will mean more to someone who’s not quite as conscious about the environment as you, but is becoming more so. You can assume 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, limit the “It’s just the best, life altering, one-of-a-kind, proprietary, patented, amazing, new and exciting, 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.
Just tell your before and after story – that first date script.
Then, you can 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.
dear kim, i just arrived to celebrate hannukah weekend with my parents bro sis their lovers and kiddos along with 92 yr old grandma who still protests the war and stands for peace. amazing family, just flippin amazing. i’d like your coaching/support, or anyone who isreading this on how to let them know i am setting up a network and have it be so inviting that they will ask to try the services. love u guys and gals, thanks for all your contributions: noah.mcintyre@gmail.com
I believe in honesty no matter who it is. I am celebrating Chanukah as well. Our faith is based on trust and belief. Since it is your family, I believe, you cannot approach them like a prospect. I tell them about something I have found that I like and want to pursue. Tell them how you determined it was for you. Tell them you tried the products for something that was a problem for you and it worked. Tell them it worked for you. It may not work for them. Do not try to shove it down their throats. That definitely does not work. Happy Chanuka.
Happy Hannukah Noah. I would love to hear more about what you are setting up. You can e-mail me at thecleansecoach@gmail.com
Warm regards,
Stephanie
Hi Noah
Happy Hannukah and Shevuah Tov
Since you are asking those specific questions, you may not have taken any of Kim’s classes. If you are able to do, buy and read her material or you can read the comments posted on her blogs… mostly posted by those of us learning how to do what you say you want to do – market in an inviting way …
Good luck to you
Lynn
http://growolderbetter.com
When I read “limit the ‘It’s just the best, life altering, one-of-a-kind, proprietary, patented, amazing, new and exciting, etc.’ verbiage.” I remembered seeing my friend’s eyes glaze over when I did that! Mea Culpa!
So glad I am not the only one who dumps and am also glad that there are resources to teach us honesty in marketing.
Dear Kim, I have tried to get my husband’s family to try the nutritional products I marketed over the years without any success. It was like they all were rebelling against me. Now, I don’t think I used pushy sales tactics as I am not the pushy type but I certainly did something wrong with my approach. I really like your suggestions of asking “do you know anybody who might like to know about a product like that?” I’ll try that and will keep you posted.
Happy Holidays!
Ilka ;o)