Date Your Customer!

Yes, you heard me right; I said "Date your clients!" Just think about it for a moment-what did you do when you first met your significant other? You probably went through a series of questions so you could find out a little bit more about each other. Next you say something like, "We should go do something sometime." They gave an answer that showed they were interested, and you went forward with the dreaded "Do you want to go out Friday night?" question. Putting yourself totally on the line you felt vulnerable and scared to death! When they said "yes" you breathed a sigh of relief, and started to get to know each other to see if a long-lasting relationship was in order.

You try to find out?

1. Their beliefs and views

2. Their interests and hobbies

3. Their future plans

4. What they like and don't like to do

5. Etc.

So, when you first meet on your first date are you excited? Do you want to make a great 1st impression, and started it out with a compliment? Are you really attentive to their wishes and needs? I mean, you wouldn't want to rush into a relationship without knowing what their basic likes and dislikes are, do you? That would make for an incredibly stormy relationship.

Now, putting it into perspective, your client relationship is very much the same. You meet with a perspective client, and open a dialog that you hope will be a mutually beneficial one. You make a great impression, and you and the customer gather all of the information needed to see if you can begin working together. Then the dreaded question of if they want your solution or not, putting you in the same vulnerable, scared position!

Once they say, "yes" to your proposed solution, you begin following thru with your promises, and build and grow a great business relationship that should last a very long time. (Notice I said, "follow-thru" not "follow-up"! You made the promises to take care of all of their needs, so you come through as you said you would!) Your gathered information is also critical, as well as your impressions given, and your attentiveness to their needs or desires. We wouldn't dare mismanage our personal relationships, why do we constantly mishandle them in business?

Michael Niles is a Seattle based sales trainer, speaker, and coach. He can be reached at 206-229-3119, michael6941@hotmail.com, or http://www.focustrainingsystems.com.

---

Resistance Training for Sales People

What was the quickest rejection you ever got? 2 minutes... Read More

Less is More: Quick Tips to Improve Your Sales

I'll be brief. If not ? I'll negate my own... Read More

How To Master The Art And Science Of Super Salesmanship In 3½ Minutes Flat!

Dear Friend,You #1 weapon in advertising will always be...Superior Salesmanship.I... Read More

Sales Letters - How to Write Them

You could just send out your brochure to potential customers... Read More

Failed Salespeople Share Similar Traits

We are each responsible for our own success - or... Read More

Seven Keys To Closing More Sales During The Second Half Of 2006

It's not too early to start planning for the sales... Read More

You Dont Need Health Insurance!

Seems almost every situation in our lives is centered on... Read More

Getting Them to Buy: The Two Most Important Pieces to the Sales Pitch

Why are some sales pitches more persuasive than others? Are... Read More

How to Boost Your Sales Letter Conversion Rate

Emotion and reason mix very well together to make excellent... Read More

The 7 Deaths of a Salesman

In sales, you can work one of two ways. You... Read More

Top Ten No Money Promotion Ways That Create New Clients and Fast Sales

Better than offline promotion such as press releases, talks, or... Read More

Need A Sales Boost ? Try These!

The telephone is still the best and most effective way... Read More

Mortgage Leads Are Like a Box of Chocolates

Mortgage leads are like a box of chocolates, you never... Read More

Probe Before You Sell

When selling a product to a customer, it is very... Read More

Get More Clients Now!

Although David has been a graphic designer for a decade,... Read More

Three Fast, Short, Simple Ways to Escalate Your Sales

1. Sell an inexpensive product to sell an expensive product.... Read More

Being Politically Correct When Selling Can Cost You Sales

In our culture it is basically un-American for a prospective... Read More

Make Your Prospects Speak

You've probably heard people speaking about someone that he was... Read More

The Top 7 Sales Blunders

We all make mistakes when selling our product or service.... Read More

Sales Leads: 10 Sure Fire Ways To Unleash An Avalanche Of Sales

If you knew a few sure fire ideas that have... Read More

Pressure Washer Business; Cleaning Composite Decks

There is a new trend in the way wood decks... Read More

How to Make Training and Development a Power Agent for Change

Does this sound familiar? With high expectations, you sent your... Read More

The Dos and Donts of an Elevator Pitch

The dreaded question: "What exactly does your company do?" It's... Read More

How To Write Sales Letters That Deliver

Tired of sending out sales letters that generate anemic response?... Read More

It Is Not The Price That Is Keeping You From Making The Sale

Most salespeople are under the false belief that the lower... Read More

Boost Buyer Confidence By Assuming The Sale

I saw something in town the other day that just... Read More

Business Appointment Success or Failure

One of the quickest ways to loose a sale is... Read More

Increase Sales By Flying Under Your Prospects Radar Defenses

How do you persuade someone to do what you want... Read More

Bite Your Tongue

Most people don't realize how powerful a negotiating tool silence... Read More

Really WINNING Over Customers

Three qualities are needed to sell anything in life. They... Read More

Do You Want To Sell More? Then Stop Trying To Be Everything To Everybody!

I know you've heard this a thousand times, but from... Read More

Body Language, Five Key Ingredients

When making your living in the sales industry, and working... Read More

One Simple Persuasion Secret That Will Blow The Roof Off Your Sales

The next time you're shopping for clothes in a department... Read More