First Step Marketing

Networking is a people business. So you must continually work at developing good relationships, team morale and effective communication.

Effective communication is a two-way interaction between two parties and it implies both verbal and nonverbal communication. It is a vital skill for all distributors and network marketing leaders. Ask yourself whether you would like to listen to yourself at a presentation meeting. Who is the best speaker you know? What ideas, techniques and presentation methods can you copy from him or her?

Here are some ways in which you can improve your communications:

Rehearse what you are going to say Do you know what you are going to say, why you want to say it and how you will put your points across?

Keep your language simple Use simple language and avoid jargon.

Think of your customers’, distributors‘ or listeners’ needs Do you convey your message in terms the listener will understand, trying continually to detect any problems from the listener’s point of view?

Speak slowly and clearly You may have sold a product or idea a hundred times, but never take what you say for granted. It’s a first for the prospect, so take your time and do not rush.

Keep what you say relevant Don’t pad what you say, or waffle. Emphasise what is important to the prospect. lie enthusiastic about what you are selling.

Remember to listen Conversation is a two-way process. Most people like to talk about themselves and their ideas.

Give them your undivided attention. Listen carefully while they share their views with you. The greater the two-way interaction is, the greater the likelihood of a commitment.

Check for understanding Give your prospect every opportunity to ask questions. Answer them fully. Watch their eyes to see whether they really understand and are not confused. Hand out additional information, such as product brochures.

Telling is not selling If you really want to sell an idea, get your prospects actively involved. Invite them to a distributors‘ meeting and let them hear about the experiences of others. Join in the meeting and contribute to their views. (Make it as easy as possible for them to contribute.)

Enjoy the experience Relax! If both parties are tense, communication is poor. Have fun while you communicate. Laugh. If it’s a sales pitch, keep the tone relaxed and conversational.

The way in which you communicate makes a difference. Meaning and enthusiasm are conveyed through one’s body language. This is a good indicator of how a person is feeling. You know how this works. You tell a friend about a great new prospect who is keen to get started: ‘She really sat up and took notice of what I said.’ That’s the body language. Sitting up, leaning forward, drumming fingers, smiling, glancing at a watch, holding the product, rubbing one’s chin, and so on, all provide clues to how well you are communicating. This body language also indicates whether the listener is really interested in what you are saying or not and whether you are communicating effectively.

CHECKLIST: COMMUNICATION

In your dealings with your prospects, customers and distributors do you:

• have a sincere desire to help
• give prospects your full attention
• refuse to be interrupted, e.g. by telephone calls
• take your time with each prospect (avoid looking at your watch!)
• listen carefully to what they say
• look at them, smile, nod your head and say ‘I see. Go on,’ and give positive feedback
• try to see the problem from their perspective
• keep the presentation at a conversational level
• avoid the use of jargon and technical language
• ask questions to clarify situations
• organise your presentation in a logical manner
• encourage prospects to ask questions as you are explaining
• provide useful, helpful advice and information
• try to match the prospects in terms of speech and behaviour pattern
• check along the way that you are agreeing with one another by repeating key points, such as: ‘So you want to make more money?’
• make positive recommendations
• summarise the major selling points?

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Network Marketing: Learn to communicate well

This entry was posted on Friday, February 29th, 2008 at 9:48 pm and is filed under Business Plans, Customer Service, Marketing, Promotion, Sales. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.