What does your phone look like? I know, it's as big as a Mac truck and it has teeth like Jaws, right? Put your phone in it's place: get it down to its proper size. Take another look at your phone - it's just another tool to help grow your business and it's made of plastic. Plastic MELTS! It's not omnipotent. Look closely; do you see any teeth? I thought not. Okay, now that we see the phone in it's proper perspective, let's get to work. 1. Gather your tools -phone -leads -script -quiet time 2. Review your outline Have a written outline of the points you want to cover with your prospect. When you're just getting started, it's difficult to talk off the top of your head. At the very least, write down the benefits of what you're selling to your prospect. Be comfortable with your outline before you pick up the phone. As you get better, you'll rely less and less on your outline. Be natural, don't sound like you're reading off your paper. 3. Set your calling goals How many calls are you going to make? How long will you work on the phone today? Before you pick up the phone, realize that you must go through a lot of no's, maybe's and hang-ups to get to one yes. That's the nature of the "game" and you must expect it or you'll wonder what you're doing wrong. Set the number of calls you're going to make high enough to get a rhythm going. It generally takes a few calls. I promise you'll feel better after about the 3rd or 4th call. I usually set my goal to call until I get a yes. By then, I'm so excited, I just keep right on going. 4. Start calling You don't have to be a telemarketing "pro" to make the phone work for you if you will do the following (although you might turn into one ): a. Have a mirror in front of you. SMILE! Why? People hear it in your voice. Don't people respond better to you when you smile at them? They smile back! b. Have energy. Walk around. Having energy means you're excited. And you are! You've got your hands on something worthwhile and you want to share it. c. Believe in what you're doing. If you don't 100% believe in your product or service, neither will anyone else. You can't sell what you don't believe in. Think of all the benefits you've gained from using your product or service. Write them down. Know that other people want what you have to offer. d. Have an "abundance" mentality. Don't beg. When you know in your heart that you don't have to get an order from or sign up everyone to be successful, THEN, you will be successful! e. Be polite and respectful. There is another human being on the other end of the line. They deserve respect even if they aren't nice to you. If the other person is rude, feel sorry that they're having a bad day and hope it goes better for them. Move on. f. Selling is still a relationship business. As convenient as the Internet is, it cannot replace human relationships. In the long run, your business will be more solid if you build relationships and friendships along the way. People do business with people they trust. Your telephone can be your best recruiting tool if you remember the following: smile, have fun, have energy, be polite, build relationships, be prepared, have belief and go through the numbers! *******************************************************
Alison Turner http://www.LifeSkillsforSuccess.com/"STYLE="text-decoration:none">http://www.LifeSkillsforSuccess.com/ Our mission is to be the Difference Maker in the personal, family and professional lives of enough people to make a positive difference in the world. Subscribe to LifeSkills Thought for the Day and receive great quotes, stories and articles in your mailbox daily. SUBSCRIBE HERE