You’re on facebook and you have over one thousand friends. You get on facebook to do your daily routine and someone sends you an instant message.
They ask you a couple of questions (Usually it’s what company are you with, how much money you make, and how many people are in your downline).
Then all of a sudden, out of no where, they attack you with their opportunity!! Yes attack!! They brag about their company, how long its been in business, how much they “plan” on making, their compensation plan, that your way is wrong, they’re way is the best, etc…
All of this bragging and pitching can be a turn off!! So Why is that? What do you think when people approach you like this? If you’ve been in the business for some time you probably would think they were naive. If you haven’t been in business for a while if at all, you probably think they’re just another selfish salesperson.
So what’s really important when you’re prospecting?
Check out this quote by Lisa Kirk:
“A gossip is one who talks to you about others; a bore is one who talks to you about himself; and a brilliant conversationalist is one who talks to you about yourself”
If you want to be great at prospecting, then focus on being a brilliant conversationalist. Ask questions about the prospect themselves and let them talk. You can ask about their hobbies, where they’re from, if they’re married, what they do for a living, etc.. You get the point.
I listen to a CD by Michael Clouse called “Prospecting 101” and he points out that in conversation people tend to be selfish, which is sad to say. They really don’t care about you, they only really care about themselves.
As a matter of fact they may even compliment you by saying that you’re a great conversationalist even though you only said a couple of words. Kinda ironic huh? But it’s true!!!
In all, don’t brag about your companies, don’t brag about your opportunities, because more than likely the people you’re conversing with really don’t care, especially if they’re not looking for an opportunity at all.
Focus on them personally and you’ll be able to build a great relationship one day. Just from this, they may want to join you in any opportunity that you may offer them in the future.
I hope this information was helpful for all of you. Do other’s a favor and please share this information by clicking on the links in the left margin.
For more information on how you can build your business, download the free ebook “Success In 10 Steps” by clicking on any of the links below.
To Your Success,
Sherman Smith
Mentoring For Free
MLM Is About You!!!
16 comments
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June 26, 2010 at 9:03 pm
Oliver Tausend
Hi Sherman,
thanks for this great post. I love the idea of being a great conversationalist without saying much. Good approach in every area of life, not only in the field of prospecting. I’ll take that into consideration.
Take care
Oliver
June 27, 2010 at 5:51 pm
sksmith
Hey Oliver,
Thanks for the comment!
Take care!
June 27, 2010 at 9:21 pm
Peter R Fuller
Hello Sherman
If you let people talk long enough they will eventually tell you about their problems, just be there with solutions when they do.
Thanks for the post Sherman.
June 28, 2010 at 7:03 pm
Sherman Smith
Hey Peter, it’s just that simple!! Thanks for the comment Peter!
June 28, 2010 at 2:45 am
Charlene
Very well said Sherman!!! Really, 95% of the people on Facebook using this as a means of networking should read this article…really!
June 28, 2010 at 7:01 pm
Sherman Smith
Yes indeed Char! I’m glad that I woke up for networking like that in the past. It’s pretty bold for anyone to do it that way. Thanks for the comment!!!
June 28, 2010 at 9:41 am
Milena
Sherman, I had that experience a million times..
So, once, I was really forced to tell one person the truth about her wrong approach – in her very first message to me, right when we first met, she pitched me with her opportunity and I simply answered her, very friendly that her approach is basically wrong, that I believe her business is great, but that that’ not the way to do business online and that she will never generate quality leads with that approach – she has found herself offended of course, thinking that I am just trying to get her into my business! Well, no probs, if you think you know better, than ok, keep on doing what all others who failed were doing..
I mean what I really don’t understand is why all those people don’t just follow some great marketers, they provide free tips through their content- and try to apply formulas successful people are using. Its as simple as that!
Great post my friend,
Milena
June 28, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Sherman Smith
Hey Milena, I know where you’re coming from. Sometimes I get so fired up about it that I know I’m going to end up writing a bunch of posts about it LOL. The problem is either that they don’t have any idea of what network marketing is really about or they just ignore the successful leaders out there that actually teach the correct way.
The idea that I can think of is to keep doing what we’re doing and hopefully, eventually they will come around. Thanks for your comment Milena!!
June 28, 2010 at 9:42 am
Wayne Wu
Hey Sherman,
Networking is all about showing a genuine interest in other people and serving them. I guess so many people are pitching their deals on Facebook because that’s what they’ve been taught to do by their company/sponsor. It’s such a bad way to build a wonderful business.
Wayne
June 28, 2010 at 6:55 pm
Sherman Smith
That’s true Wayne. Network marketers who do this should ask themselves, why should my prospects show an interests in me and my opportunity if I don’t show an interest in them? This is what you call the rule of reciprocity. Thanks for your comment Wayne.
June 28, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Jacqueline McGinnis
I like the Lisa King quote. That says it all. Your post is certainly the first step to creating a connection with your prospect and without it, you don’t get much further. I hope you will elaborate on prospecting. You’re so good at it.
June 28, 2010 at 6:51 pm
Sherman Smith
Thanks Jacqueline on your comment!!!
June 28, 2010 at 9:49 pm
Charlie Holles
Sherman, I think this should be essential reading before network marketers open a Facebook page! If our first thought is our deal when we talk with someone then we might drag them in but there is no real relationship or long term business and they will disappear.
June 28, 2010 at 9:59 pm
Sherman Smith
Hey Charlie, I really appreciate your comment! Thanks!!!
June 29, 2010 at 1:35 am
Cheryl James
Hey Sherman. I agree… this should be necessary reading. I suppose it is in a way. Those that really care to learn and succeed will eventually find this advice from some of the more experienced marketers like yourself.
June 30, 2010 at 6:05 am
Sherman Smith
Hey Cheryl, I learned the hard way which in a way was positive since I learned from my mistakes. Network marketers need to realize that the most important thing about prospecting is the prospect themselves. Thanks for your comment!!!