Okay.
You've established a nice beginning relationship with
your prospect. Maybe you even met several people
whom you feel you'd like to work with and present them
with the opportunity to do so. So now what?
Here is one effective option.
Send
a thank you note to every new prospect you meet with
whom you wish to take to the next step.
Handwrite this on an 8-1/2 x 3-1/2 (fits nicely inside
a #10 envelope) note card. This note card has
some brief contact information as well as a small, professional
picture of yourself. It is NOT a direct response piece,
but simply a thank you note. The note, written in blue
ink, typically reads: "Hi Mary, it was a pleasure meeting
you. If I can ever refer business your way, I
certainly will." Then sign your name. At
this point, please don't include your business card
or make any reference to what you do.
You
might ask, "Well, why do I need to include my picture;
won't my prospect remember me?" Maybe...and maybe
not. Remember the saying, "Out of sight, out of
mind"? Let's face it; regardless of how quickly
you elicited their good feelings toward you, the minute
the conversation is over, they leave to their own challenges,
meet other people, handle different situations, etc.
You want to give them every opportunity to remember
you as the person they met who made them feel good (remember,
"feel-good" questions) about themselves. And the
fact is, as human beings, we think in pictures (if you
doubt that, just try not picturing a purple elephant
right now! See?). As such, a small, classy,
professional picture will go a long way towards this
person feeling very comfortable with you when you decide
to approach them to see the business when you choose
to.
From
this point on, you can keep yourself on his or her mind
by sending notes of any relevant interest (regarding
his or her hobbies, sports, charitable causes, etc.)
or hopefully even referring business, introducing that
person to someone who can help her in her business.
When
you are ready to invite your prospect to see your business
plan, he or she will remember you, and with good feelings.
Now
it's time for the call. What do you say?
Remember, there is no pressure. You are now consistently
meeting and building relationships with so many quality
people, that if this person isn't interested, so what?
Say your favorite four-letter word (N-E-X-T) and move
on to the next prospect.
As
your list grows bigger and bigger, and you know that
the success of your business is not dependent upon any
one person being interested, you develop a much better
emotional "posture." I describe posture as: "when
you care...but not that much." And what's interesting
is that when the prospect realizes that you don't really
care all that much, suddenly he or she is much more
interested. And again, if they aren't, fine.
What
do you say when making the invite? How about something
very simple such as, "Hi Jane, this is Tom. I'm
expanding a business project in this area with some
very successful people, and I'm looking for some...(appear
to be searching for just that right word) already very
successful, business-minded people who are open to making
more money or diversifying their income. Would
that include you?"
Note:
Use different words for different prospects. If
you are speaking with someone you perceive is already
financially well-off, you probably won't want to use
the words "make more money." Instead, maybe focus
on "creating more time in their life." Always
seek counsel from your upline for answers to specific
questions.
When
they ask, "What is it?" you need to have an answer,
without trying to explain the business over the phone.
If you present this business over the phone, you will
give them just enough information to make a major decision
in their life based on very limited information.
And that decision will most likely be "no." At the same
time, if you refuse to offer any response, they may
become suspicious (who could blame them?) and not agree
to meet with you. Again, seek advice from
your upline regarding a response that fits your particular
opportunity.
As
your list gets bigger, you'll want to take less time
and go through less steps (meeting, thank you notes,
notes of interest, etc.) from when you initially meet
your prospects to when you invite them to look at your
business. The more steps you take to get to that
point, the better the odds are that they'll agree to
meet with you, but the bigger your list is, the more
"no's" you can afford to get without causing any internal
panic, so the choice is yours.
Bob
Burg is author of "Winning Without Intimidation"
and "Endless Referrals." To receive 20% off on Bob's
products visit www.YourSuccessStore.com
or call 877-929-0439. |