People do business with people they know and like!
In my networking classes I have been saying this for six years. Can't say I was the originator of it, yet it appears people are catching on. Finally, people are referring to this statement in casual conversation when they are talking about marketing.
Signing up on the website the minute it was launched was a priority for me. Yet, in the last two weeks I have received calls from local businesses. I have to say now I am even more frustrated with them. They didn't follow the guidelines of the new law and they bothered me.
While I am at it, does anyone know who came up with the truly "dumb" name cold calls? First of all, I am a person who hates to be cold. Then someone labeled a phone connection as a cold call---How Cold!!!!
Once when being trained as a sales person, I was told I had to make 100 Cold Calls a day and, of course, track them. At the time, I thought it was an ineffective way to connect with people. Yet, being the new salesperson and wanting to please, I spent my day penned up in a small office "trying" to connect with people so they would buy sales training. Notice I used the word "trying." Either I was a total loser, or the system truly was inefficient. I remember only one significant customer I got through that process and I had spent hours and hours on the phone. Of course, if you want to learn how to handle being told "No" and how to handle it with real grace that is the perfect way to do it. Many organizations continue to start their sales people out on the phones and give them the same assignment ? 100 calls a day. My belief is they are missing really connecting with people.
There is no way I am going to start talking about my personal diet etc. with someone I had just met two seconds ago. Yet, for some reason people feel they have to go out and sell their product. People buy things from people they know and like!
While it may appear to be the slow way, it is the most effective. Remember the Hare and the Tortoise---Who came out the winner?
I am interested in learning new things and understand that people are interesting and have much to teach me if I take the time to listen. I am urging those of you in business to take a new approach to your marketing efforts. Yes, I know the days are frantic with work and issues to solve. Yet, taking a time out to have coffee with a person you met at event can reap huge rewards.
1. It's Relaxing Stopping to have a cup of coffee with someone at the local coffee shop changes the pace in your day. Trust me, you'll come back to the office with a new outlook.
2. You Learn. Didn't quite understand what Louise does at the XYZ Company? Bet you will when you are through with the meeting. Plus, you will know more about Louise and Louise will understand more clearly what you do.
3. You have a New Contact. Maybe you can't use Louise's services, yet you will be amazed how quickly someone crosses your path that could use her services. You refer her to your friend: your friend wins, Louise wins and you do because you are known for sharing great information.
4. Louise liked you ? She sends you a Referral. It may not be immediate, maybe even a year, yet it will happen when you least expect it.
PEOPLE DO BUSINESS WITH PEOPLE THEY LIKE AND KNOW!
Personal connections are even more important as we continue to rely more and more on technology. Pick up that contact card on your desk that was given to you by a person you met at a recent event and give them a call. Listen how pleased the person is at the other side of the phone. You will be delighted with what you hear and subsequently learn.
PS. The "Do Not Call List" website is www.DONOTCALL.GOV.
KATHY CONDON, GCDF, is a Vancouver, Washington based Career Facilitator, International Speaker, Columnist and Trainer. She is an expert in Connecting with People/Networking, Generations Working Together and Gender Issues in the Workplace. She has published a CD on "Connect with People/Networking." She can be reached at (360)695-4313, http://www.kathycondon.info or kathycondon.info
If yours is a small business and you have big... Read More
Good marketing, whatever form it takes, always meets certain criteria.... Read More
Ten Crucial Questions for Your Business Future I'm... Read More
One particularly hot south Texas day, I was making a... Read More
Who says scientists can't market? Here are 10 easy marketing... Read More
Feng Shui is the Ancient Chinese practice of configuring home... Read More
Okay, we were kidding about the smoke, but not about... Read More
The N-word! We all know the value of networking and... Read More
Are you willing to fail your way to great marketing... Read More
Make a vow to keep up your marketing schedule in... Read More
Have you read anything in the news lately about childhood... Read More
Promotions are everything you do to let your customers know... Read More
What's a small business owner to do if they have... Read More
I enjoy cleavage as much or even more than the... Read More
Ten Marketing Pitfalls By Stuart ReidIf you want to make... Read More
The fight for your customer's attention at a tradeshow has... Read More
It's quite apparent that Americans are living... Read More
So you're starting a small business. You figured out what... Read More
Having run a multi-state franchise company with multiple brands it... Read More
"I wouldn't pay more than what I charge now."If you... Read More
When a shopper picks up a product in a store,... Read More
Joint Venture marketing has become a highly popular way for... Read More
Your customers don't know what they want. And to assume... Read More
More and more people are realizing that the Internet offers... Read More
Entering into Global markets is a great way to organically... Read More
Marketing is like rowing a boat. When you know how... Read More
Every business person who has any kind of product or... Read More
Lanyards are fast becoming the new "must have" promotional item.Events... Read More
Are you tired of living off handouts from big-name marketers,... Read More
Your list of customers who have previously bought from you... Read More
When you hear the word "marketing" what comes to mind?... Read More
Why does your business need a business card?Business card is... Read More
Guerrilla Marketing is using time, energy and imagination to market... Read More
Trade Shows are lots of work, but they can generate... Read More
Three seconds. That's what you have to convey your message.... Read More
One of the most common issues I'm asked about is... Read More
Generation X"--the 40 million or so people born between 1965... Read More
Direct Mail CampaignsDespite the proliferation of communication facilitators--mobile phones, faxes,... Read More
Building business relationships through networking is a great way to... Read More
If this is the first marketing article you are reading,... Read More
Some of the ways in which to get your "name... Read More
Sponsorship is the fastest growing form of marketing in the... Read More
Are your products or services geared towards only one target... Read More
Benefits! They're what marketing is all about. No doubt you've... Read More
These steps are taken from the Referral Flood Marketing Program.... Read More
Here is your C.I.T.T. (pronounced "kit")[Color ? Illustrate? Type ?... Read More
Too often we small business owners get caught up in... Read More
Social scientists have proven that people experience what they come... Read More
So how do you effectively market your product or service... Read More
I have always enjoyed talking to a Realtor friend of... Read More
Are you willing to spend $1.25 to raise $1? To... Read More
Some people have little difficulty attracting and maintaining clients who... Read More
The internet of course brings a huge arena of marketing... Read More
Mobile businesses are quite unique in the way they must... Read More
You probably read my headline and thought, wait a minute,... Read More
Are you still waiting for business to turn around before... Read More
In your marketing efforts, be they on or offline, it's... Read More
Second in a series of three articles:What if you could... Read More
Personal contact with customers is a crucial element in the... Read More
Several years ago, "networking" was the hot buzzword. Everyone was... Read More
Most of us are used to the concepts of risk... Read More
Multicultural marketing mirrors the changed face of America and is... Read More
Thank-you letters are one of the most important letters that... Read More
Why does your business need a business card?Business card is... Read More
If you run a small business you should be a... Read More
Are your direct mail response rates lower than you expect?... Read More
Marketing |