Let Your Prospects KNOW You
- Date: 2007-07-19 - Word Count: 859
Share This!
Every experience is an energy exchange. If you are focused on only what you can get from a prospect, your fear of not signing on the prospect or being withholding about the amount of time you're spending with this person, your energy will be resonating at a very low level. This makes all the difference in the world when you are interacting with someone (actually, even more than the words you say!).
I highly recommend NOT offering a free sample session of any kind. This is what I compare to the perfume counter at Macy's. When you walk by the perfume counter, you know you'll be asked to try something for free. You feel no connection to the person offering it and the value of the sample registers are pretty low. Maybe you'll take it, maybe you'll leave it, but you, the customer, are in the driver seat.
You want to create a different energy when connecting with a prospect. You want it to be a co-creative experience. You and your prospect are coming to this meeting on equal ground. You don't need to prove anything. You just need to meet together to connect.
When you do this in a way that sets the stage for sparking the energy between you, then you are set up to move to the next level of relationship (prospect into client).
Now think about it...when you are about to buy something or are exploring working with someone, do you want him or her to rush you through it or actually have the experience they really want to get to know you and your needs?
Now also think about this...do YOU want to rush into a relationship with a new client or customer without getting a sense of if they are your ideal client or not. (Think about any not-so-great client or customer relationships you've had in the past...want tons of those? I didn't think so.)
Setting the Stage
Setting the stage is getting on the same page energetically with the person you're connecting with. You start any serving opportunity by allowing in energy of trust. Below is a list of questions/steps for you to sample as part of forming an initial trusting connection with a prospect. As you read through the questions, consider what is important for you to include in your initial prospect meeting, ask your inner guidance: "What parts of this sample feel good to me? What would I like to incorporate into my own Process?" Make note of these answers.
Questions to Ask Your Prospect
Start by gathering information about the prospect's current experience. How did they hear about you? What/Who brought them to you? Ask, "What would you like to experience from our time together today?" Be clear about what they can expect from you in this conversation.
These types of questions put you in a place to truly connect as PEOPLE and this makes all the difference in the world when preparing to move to the next level of a relationship. And yes, you CAN do this in any business. Imagine more people being more invested in your good interest...your mechanic, grocery store clerk, doctor, lawyer, accountant...feels good, right? Only good can come (for you and the people you serve) from taking the time to create this connection.
Next, be willing to share parts of you and your experience that relate to and connect with what you've heard. Tell a brief story, share a little tid-bit of a similar experience; be honest and be human. Be willing to share what it is about you and your business that connects to their situation. Let them know they aren't alone in this.
When I used to work as a high school teacher, over and over I saw the same pattern in teachers who struggled with discipline and getting high-achieving results from their students: They did not treat their students as people; they blamed the lack of success on the students; they didn't really trust (or believe) that their students could succeed.
Not quite an invitation to thrive, huh?
Now, please know I am not saying to give away oodles and oodles of your time or information for free. I am simply inviting you to embrace joyfully giving your time and energy in a thoughtful and systematic way when you connect with future clients, rather than starting a connection off by "making sure you aren't giving too much or being taken advantage of." Only abundance can come from really taking the time and energy to truly connect with those you are meant to serve (and to really make sure you are a match!) The type of energy you start a relationship with makes a HUGE difference in effecting the results you're looking for.
Call To Action: Make up your own list of "setting the stage" questions. Bring to the surface what you want in an initial meeting experience below. List everything you want in an easy, positive selling experience. (Just think about how you would like to be treated as you prepare to invest in something.)What do you want/need to make the selling experience an easy, joyful one? Set up a practice conversation with a "prospective client" using the questions and practice sharing of yourself, too.
I highly recommend NOT offering a free sample session of any kind. This is what I compare to the perfume counter at Macy's. When you walk by the perfume counter, you know you'll be asked to try something for free. You feel no connection to the person offering it and the value of the sample registers are pretty low. Maybe you'll take it, maybe you'll leave it, but you, the customer, are in the driver seat.
You want to create a different energy when connecting with a prospect. You want it to be a co-creative experience. You and your prospect are coming to this meeting on equal ground. You don't need to prove anything. You just need to meet together to connect.
When you do this in a way that sets the stage for sparking the energy between you, then you are set up to move to the next level of relationship (prospect into client).
Now think about it...when you are about to buy something or are exploring working with someone, do you want him or her to rush you through it or actually have the experience they really want to get to know you and your needs?
Now also think about this...do YOU want to rush into a relationship with a new client or customer without getting a sense of if they are your ideal client or not. (Think about any not-so-great client or customer relationships you've had in the past...want tons of those? I didn't think so.)
Setting the Stage
Setting the stage is getting on the same page energetically with the person you're connecting with. You start any serving opportunity by allowing in energy of trust. Below is a list of questions/steps for you to sample as part of forming an initial trusting connection with a prospect. As you read through the questions, consider what is important for you to include in your initial prospect meeting, ask your inner guidance: "What parts of this sample feel good to me? What would I like to incorporate into my own Process?" Make note of these answers.
Questions to Ask Your Prospect
Start by gathering information about the prospect's current experience. How did they hear about you? What/Who brought them to you? Ask, "What would you like to experience from our time together today?" Be clear about what they can expect from you in this conversation.
These types of questions put you in a place to truly connect as PEOPLE and this makes all the difference in the world when preparing to move to the next level of a relationship. And yes, you CAN do this in any business. Imagine more people being more invested in your good interest...your mechanic, grocery store clerk, doctor, lawyer, accountant...feels good, right? Only good can come (for you and the people you serve) from taking the time to create this connection.
Next, be willing to share parts of you and your experience that relate to and connect with what you've heard. Tell a brief story, share a little tid-bit of a similar experience; be honest and be human. Be willing to share what it is about you and your business that connects to their situation. Let them know they aren't alone in this.
When I used to work as a high school teacher, over and over I saw the same pattern in teachers who struggled with discipline and getting high-achieving results from their students: They did not treat their students as people; they blamed the lack of success on the students; they didn't really trust (or believe) that their students could succeed.
Not quite an invitation to thrive, huh?
Now, please know I am not saying to give away oodles and oodles of your time or information for free. I am simply inviting you to embrace joyfully giving your time and energy in a thoughtful and systematic way when you connect with future clients, rather than starting a connection off by "making sure you aren't giving too much or being taken advantage of." Only abundance can come from really taking the time and energy to truly connect with those you are meant to serve (and to really make sure you are a match!) The type of energy you start a relationship with makes a HUGE difference in effecting the results you're looking for.
Call To Action: Make up your own list of "setting the stage" questions. Bring to the surface what you want in an initial meeting experience below. List everything you want in an easy, positive selling experience. (Just think about how you would like to be treated as you prepare to invest in something.)What do you want/need to make the selling experience an easy, joyful one? Set up a practice conversation with a "prospective client" using the questions and practice sharing of yourself, too.
Related Tags: more money, more clients, more business
Heather Dominick, Solo-Entrepreneur Expert, has over 10 years of teaching and coaching experience. Heather's primary focus is in coaching entrepreneurs to identify sources for increasing business profit and making successful business changes. To sign up to receive your free business building e-course visit http://www.energyrichcoach.com Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The No. 1 Rule For Projecting Confidence - Speak With Authority
One of the most important characteristics a person can project in a business setting - or any situat - After the Autumn Checkout European Debt Crisis and U.S. Brewing Rebound
In the commotion caused by the Fed on interest rates come to an end, the "disastrous" for the euro a - Advantages Of Arcade Game Rentals
There are many different advantages to arcade game rentals. Most people need something to release th - A General Primer on Truck Cargo Nets
In modern highways it is quite rare to see truck cargo nets in action, this is because they are usua - The United States Will Burst More Severe Financial Crisis
Not long ago, suddenly announced that the central bank to raise interest rates, the interest rate hi - Niche Marketing Profits - 3 Easy Steps to Finding a Profitable Niche Market Income in 10 Minutes
Like most beginners I was having a very difficult time trying to find a niche market to earn extra m - The Importance of Hospitality Management Consulting Firms Toronto
Businesses and the managers that help guide any business are in a constant state of improvement and - New Keynesian Theory Label
2010 winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics three theories have been labeled as "New Keynesian" labe - Federal Reserve Pouring Money QE2 Unpredictable Fortune
U.S. economist Milton Friedman proposed a "throw the cash from a helicopter" view, while the practic - Fiscal Consolidation Should no Longer Delay
British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne today announced fiscal consolidation policy, shoc
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Common Financial Problems to Avoid
One must first change their habits and not procrastinate. American Consultants Inc at offers key fi - How a Bad Hire Can Hurt Your Business
What's worse - hiring the wrong person or not hiring anyone at all? Companies can become almost des - Joel Comm Is Dr. Adsense
What is Adsense? If you are new to making money online and net marketing, you may not know what Ads - 5 Steps For A Dynamic Wealth System Online
Recipe: Opportunity + knowledge + Dynamic Wealth System + Your Action = Massive Success!!! Step 1 - How To Stop Foreclosure
Losing your house to a foreclosure can be very scary. There are times when circumstances are ou - How to Always Pitch A Strike
As business owners, we are always working on new ways to convince people to become customers, client - Membrane Diffuser Solutions for Wastewater Treatment Systems
In the aeration basin of a typical wastewater treatment plant there are both organic and inorganic m - Another Year Hating Your Job or Loving Life?
Copyright © 2007 Mary Foley I've come to the conclusion that to be successful - really successf - Dyestuff Industry In India And China
World demand for dyes and organic pigments to touch $10.6 billion in 2008According to a study on dye - Cma-cgm Case : the Series of Lawsuits Continues in Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, France, England and the United States
Damietta company case : The series of lawsuits continues in Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, France, England a