There are many roads to potential business success, and direct selling superstars understand that among them, building relationships with customers is vital for success.
But what if one is naturally introverted and has problems even striking up a conversation? Or what if a potential and existing customer is withdrawn? How would you then seek to build a rapport and, consequently, secure sales?
A good first step is being sincere in your approach and considering the questions or topics that will help you forge a solid bond and develop trust.
Here are five conversation starters to get you on your way:
Events and Happenings
Regardless of background, experience or knowledge, we’re all affected by many of the same things. But instead of commenting on the weather, which can seem mundane, why not try conversing about a recent event in the news?
Yes, matters of race, religion and politics, which are sensitive and can lead to heated debates, ought to be left off the table. But there’s no reason why items from the local news site’s sports, business or lifestyle pages, for example, can’t serve as icebreakers.
A tip, though, is to do some research beforehand and consider topics that might interest your customers. You could check out their social media pages, particularly their LinkedIn profiles, for clues.
Interests and Passions
As with general events, it’s easy to bond over shared likes. But why not chat about your prospect or customer’s passions instead of your own?
People love to talk about what they love the most, whether it’s a longtime interest or a new hobby. So, consider asking about how your customers spend their free time and what life’s like for them after office hours, for example.
Yes, these might seem like run-of-the-mill questions. But as many sales stars have found, delving into a person’s interests and passions can serve as the key to connecting with them more meaningfully.
Family, Friends and Pets
As a general rule, sales conversations should steer clear of personal matters. Nevertheless, many people who gravitate to direct selling do so to help ensure better lives for their loved ones.
As such, as long as you’re respectful, there’s no harm in getting personal and taking an interest in a customer’s family, for instance, or even their furry friends.
Of course, family can be a touchy subject for some. Hence, it’s advisable to begin slowly, with safe questions like, “How many siblings do you have?” or “Do you have children/pets?” Your customers’ answers will indicate if they wish to chat further. Just be ready to move on to another topic.
Inspirational Stories and Accounts
Everyone loves a good story, and in business, the more inspiring the tale, the better. So, why not lean on QNET’s many success stories and chat with your prospects and customers about these?
Stories can capture the listener’s imagination, make messages clearer and provide an image of what is possible. So, leveraging the positive testimonials of QNET entrepreneurs and customers would undoubtedly give your sales targets better insight into QNET as well as our products and services.
By the way, don’t feel compelled to confine your storytelling to business. Indeed, the RYTHM Foundation has so many stories of hope and inspiration that people ought to know about.
Thought-Provoking Topics
While controversial subjects should, generally, not be touched, when you get to know your customers and prospects better, consider broaching topics that could lead to more open and frank discussions.
Granted, questions such as “How do you feel about entrepreneurship?” and “What were your initial impressions of direct selling, and how have those changed?” might not necessarily help you generate sales and close deals. Nevertheless, the responses you obtain could offer valuable insight for building even stronger customer-direct seller ties.
Best of all, you can clear the air about certain questions or doubts.
At the end of the day, though, it’s all about what feels natural. So, don’t be rigid in your approach, actively listen, focus on the person in front of you and, importantly, strive to be honest.