Where has this year gone? A few days from now we will be celebrating Halloween, one of the biggest holidays (at least where candy sales are concerned) here in the U.S.

There are 36 million kids ages 5-13 in the United States, and more than 93 percent of them report going trick-or-treating, according to the Washington Post.

Do you realize that all of those little ghosts and goblins who will be coming knocking at your door for some tricks or treats can help you spread the word about your business?

Absolutely! Halloween presents a great opportunity to get really creative and think outside the box as far as your marketing is concerned.

Refer Business to Competition

Reading that headline you might think, “Gosh, has she gone nuts? Why would I want to refer business to my competition? Why would I deliberately want to lose a sale?”

But, I’m telling you, referring business to your companies competition, might actually be a good thing.  And like any “act of giving” it might come back to you manifold.

In my nutritional business I sometimes ran into customers who had an issue with the price of the flagship product of our company. They thought it was too high and told me that they could get the “same” thing for half the price at COSCO.

Instant Gratification or Lifelong Customer?

Instant gratification or delayed gratification?

Would you like one marshmallow or two?

Marshmallow? Okay, now you may think I have completely lost it. But please stay with me for a moment and I will explain where I am going with this.

A study was done on a group of four year old children. They were taken one at a time into a room with a two-way mirror and given a marshmallow. They were then told they could eat the marshmallow right away, (instant gratification), but if they didn’t and instead waited until the person who gave it to them returned from an errand they could have two marshmallows. (Delayed gratification).

Build Your Business with Rapport

“People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”

Building rapport is the first step in building a relationship with your customers, clients or future business partners. It’s a skill anyone can learn and like anything else, it takes practice. The more we practice, the better we get at it. Eventually it comes naturally. My husband is great at this. He has a unique gift to make the person he talks to laugh within the first 30 seconds. Humor is a great ice-breaker.

Here are 3 important points that will help you become a great rapport builder:

1) Ask questions. You can find out a lot about a person by asking questions. Listen to the answers they give you and you will find out what their needs are. People love to talk about themselves.

2) Listen. I mean really listen to what they are telling you. Keep eye contact and give them your full attention. Looking around while listening is not only rude, but it will give them the impression that you are distracted or don’t really care. Make them your total focus and show genuine interest. Let them have the feeling that there is nothing else more important at that moment than they are. Do participate in the conversation but listen more than you talk.

3) Compliment. There is nothing that will give you faster or stronger rapport than a genuine compliment. Emphasis is on ‘genuine.’ Really mean what you say. People will see straight through a fake or insincere compliment and that would only hurt your trying to build that relationship. So be totally sincere. It makes us feel good when we get a sincere compliment and we open up. If you don’t know the person very well or you have just met, compliment them on their smile, their outfit or anything else that strikes you at first glance.

Building rapport can be a lot of fun and it’s different with every person you meet. The more you practice, the better you get.

How do YOU build rapport? I’d love to hear your comments on this.

To Your Success,
Ilka Flood
The Enlightened Networker

1. Focus on what the prospect wants not what you want.
2. Recruit through their eyes not yours.
3. Use the word “you” at least 4 times. Use it more than you use me or I.
4. Paint word pictures. Use phrases like…”What would it be like if…
5. Don’t use Network Marketing Lingo.
6. Double the size of your Warm Market.
7. Listen closely to what your prospect is saying.
8. Always tell the prospect why you are calling. You need to be real.
9. Bring value to your opportunity. Let them know the reasons why you joined.
10. Don’t recruit. Connect their hearts to the hope and possibilities. Hype comes from the head. Hope comes from the heart.
11. It’s not about hype it’s about hope. Hope for a better future. Enlighten their lives. WIFM (What’s in it for me) the radio station everyone is tuned in to.
12. Be in the presentation not just at the presentation. Be sincere.
13. Let the prospect ask questions.
14. Be focused.
15. Use their name at least 3 times in the first 3 minutes. People love to hear their name. People need to know you have taken an interest in them.
16. Follow up. Don’t chase your prospect. You’re not a dog. Show your leadership by following up with them, but don’t chase them. Get them talking again. Make a friend. Ask them what they like so far. Ask if they have any questions about your opportunity.
17. Don’t lose your old contacts. Keep in touch with them. Timing may not be right for them right now.A great system to keep in touch with your prospects and customers. It is also a powerful system to get referrals.
18. Use the phrase…”If this is righ for you…”
19. Be forward focused. Use phrases like…”This is a new year. Have you ever thought of having your own home business?”
20. Always setting the next steps. What do you do next? Show them their next move. Be the Pied Piper.
21. People don’t follow what you say or do but who you are. Be genuine. Stay in your confidence level.
22. Always thank your prospect for their time. No matter what. Always ask for a referral.