Selling to the Taxi Driver!
You know, one of the easiest things to do on the internet is to assume that people are not being honest and that they are only talking to you because they have something to sell. Who do you think is to blame for that?
We are of-course!
Have you noticed on the social networks how many people make a connection and then imediately try to sell you something. I am the first one to admit that that was my tactic when I first started social marketing on the web.
It’s like getting into a Taxi and saying hello to the driver and in your next breath introducing your product to him.
If you were that taxi driver, what would you think?
If, however, you have a long drive with him and you allow him to tell you about his family and his gripes and likes. You could chat to him about how busy he has been and you could comment on how clever he is to remember all the obscure places, he will eventually feel connected to you. He will then, more than likely, ask you what it is that you do. You will then have the opportunity to tell him about your business or product. Remember though, it is still not the best time to sell to him until you have told him about yourself. You need him to see you as a normal, kind, human person who he can trust and that he can see as the type of person he would want to buy from.
I am not saying that taxi drivers are likely customers but I am sure you know what I mean?
If you really want to find people to buy into your product or business, you must first help them to buy into you.
Your online profile should be the best you can possible make it and your picture should show you smiling and looking approachable. It’s important that you do not come over too professional, you should seem to your prospective customer like someone who could be living next door to him.
Your resume is important but remember not all of us have a great academic education, many of us are self taught, as am I, do not be ashamed of that.
Many of your prospective customers will, themselves, not have traditional training but some of the best entrepreneurs have started just like that.
Jim Rohn, the founder of Herbalife, as an example, started selling and made a fortune out of health products because of his mother’s enthusiasm for healthy foods not because he had a fantastic academic career.
Pat Sutton is a mentor with LifePath Unlimited
http://patsutton.lifepathpro.com
How’s your Verbal Business card?
The Breakfast Meeting!
We all know the scenario! You are sitting over your breakfast at some un-godly hour trying to hide the yawn when someone suggests that it would be a good idea to “introduce ourselves” to the other attendees.
A sort of “elevator pitch”. It means you need to explain what you do in about 1 minute in a polished clear manner.
In the social business world it is important that you can deliver a clear verbal marketing message that can create an important first impression and will attract new clients.
This I call your Verbal Business Card.
You should practice your verbal business card so that it’s virtually word perfect but at the same time you need to be able to deliver it with a natural flow.
So where do you start to create a great verbal business card?
Ask yourself these six questions:
1. What is my name?
2. What is my title?
3. What is my business name?
4. What is my product or service?
4. What is the benefit of my service or product?
5. How would that help you, (the delegates)?
6. How would you contact me?
You could also mention other things like, where you’re based, how long you have been established, how many people in your organisation etc. but the important ones are the first six.
Here is an example of my Verbal Business Card.
“Good morning! My name is Pat Sutton and I am The CEO of Niche Media Marketing where we build and design great websites and also work with businesses to improve their web presence. I am also an Authorised Representative of LifePath Unlimited, an extraordinary home-based business opportunity with products and beliefs that embace the Law of Attraction and personal development.
If you would like to hear more about my business you can talk to me today or if you pop over to my website at patsutton.com you will find my contact details and more about my business on the “about Pat” page.”
Don’t worry if it goes on a bit, I have never seen anyone cut short while introducing themselves. The other delegates will probably be annoyed that they hadn’t prepared their “Verbal Business Card” better.
Pat Sutton
see: http://www.patsutton.com
Internet Marketing Specialist
Authorised Representative of Lifepath Unlimited
see: http://www.ThisBusinessRocks.co.uk