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SELECTED PRESS RELEASE:
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posted on:
7/18/2012 12:23:50 AM EST
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Developing Strong Relationships
communications, relationships, rapport, conversations
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Old style marketing was all about having a massive list that you could send your offers to and hope that a healthy percentage of the list would buy based on the sales letter. That is so old school, most people seem to understand that. They’ve accepted that online marketing and social media are all about building relationships. Unfortunately, that’s where they stumble.
Much of what is required in the physical world to build a strong relationship is required in the online world with some tweaks to overcome the differences in communication channels and how we are used to getting feedback. Here is my personal list of Do’s and Don’ts for establishing a relationship.
1. Do your homework. Everyone wants to feel like they are special and that the reason you are approaching them is that you think they are interesting. Take the time review a person’s profile and read some of his or her blogs.
2. Establish rapport. The physical ways we can use to establish do not translate over to the online world, especially if you are using chat or Skype as your communications channel. Video adds back a little of what we are used to looking for in eye contact and body language, as well as tone, yet it is still imperfect. The written word does not always convey the emotions behind the communication exchange. Share some information about you and use a combination of Yes/No and open-ended questions. Make sure you read the response and ask follow-up questions specific to what is said.
3. Understand that you still need to work through the different levels of conversation at the same time as your associate. When you skip levels or just go to fast the other person will feel uncomfortable although he or she may not always be able to explain why that is so.
Level 1 - Safe Communication – Facts & Figures (Still don’t ask anything that you would ask a person to their face – How old are you? And How much do you weigh? Would both be inappropriate questions.
Level 2 - Others’ Opinions and Beliefs – My mother always said -
Level 3 - Personal Opinions and Beliefs – This is the first level where the parties begin to relate on a more personal level. They may not be overly committed to items shared so that they can change their mind and easily avoid confrontations if the conversation gets to awkward or hostile.
Level 4 - My Feelings and Experiences – At this level the person is more willing to share what is important to him or her. These are usually areas that they are not inclined to concede on.
Level 5 - My Needs, Emotions and Desires – This is the highest level of communication and intimacy. A great deal of trust must be established before 2 people reach this point.
4. Don’t make the person feel like they are being interrogated. While answer are being typed instead of spoken, you still want the given and take of a natural conversation.
5. One good pattern to use is to disclose some information about yourself at the appropriate conversation level, note something in the new associates profile or blog that relates, and then ask an open-ended question about it.
EX: I went to LSU for X, I see that you went to Michigan State. What was your field of study?
6. This one may be controversial or based on an incorrect assumption, but a think that most of us are working on PCs, Macs, or laptops with full keyboards. I would avoid over-doing text talk. I find it a bit distracting myself.
Does anyone have any additional Do’s or Don’ts we can add to the list?
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BUSINESS OWNER COMMENTS:
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 | | GREAT Press Release about developing strong relationships, Marian, fellow Empower Network-er! See ya in Austin, TX where we will RELEASE our Inner BA$$! GO EMPOWER NETWORK!!! Thanks for sharing, so back to da top with ya! God bless! :D
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| | |  | | The atmosphere of friendship and camaraderie make IBO a great place to hang out and chat. Thank you Rob, Steve/Vicky, and Cheryl. |
| | |  | | One of my favorite things about IBO is that I'm able to build relationships here. Great post Marian. Tweeting this for you! |
| | |  | | Relationships are the key to your successes, that is why we love it here at IBO. Thanks for the great blog Marian, have a great weekend and GO IBO |
| | |  | | Excellent post Marian, I really enjoyed it. thanks for sharing it and will tweet it for you. |
| | | | | Most definitely James. What I've found is that some people when confronted with a keyboard and chat box have difficulties translating that to a conversation between people just trying to get to know each other. It can lead to an awkwardness that could be avoided. |
| | |  | | In today's online world it is all about the relationship. |
| | | | | I'm glad that you enjoyed it Anastasia. |
| | |  | | Thanks for sharing Marian. Very interesting blog. |
| | | | | Thank you Jack, Kimberly, & Cacey. |
| | |  | | Excellent blog Marian, great information! Thanks for sharing and have a great day! |
| | |  | | Excellent blog Marian. Building relationships are so critical to anyone's success in this industry or any direct selling type business. I spend over 30 years in the auto industry and still maintain a lot of those relationships. Thanks so much for sharing and continued success to you my friend. |
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