It is that time of year to connect! It’s that time of year when you have the opportunity to add the most new business through connecting with
- meeting people you’ve never met before,
- meeting people you haven’t seen in a while, and
- meeting people you usually see once a year at this time of year.
It is that time of the year to pay attention to growing new friendships and building your customer base, your hostess list, and new prospects for your business. I call it “connect-conscious” prospecting.
Over the next six weeks you will be making connections with people you meet at holiday events, social get-togethers and business meetings. These connections can easily turn into new business and help you establish new customers and hostesses.
It’s important you are prepared to connect. You want to be open, give out your warm welcoming smile wherever your go and you will attract people to you. Try on your smile before you leave your house every day in the next six weeks.
These are signals! What signals are you giving out when you’re shopping at the mall, or standing around at a networking event. Perhaps you’re attending your husband’s office holiday party, or a family gathering. Pay attention NOW! Are your signals happy, serious, sad?
The point is to be aware of how you appear to others and be “conscious” of giving loud and clear signals that show you’re ready to connect. When you’re smiling, open and friendly, this is a signal to other people that you are approachable and open for business. When show the right signals, you get other people’s attention.
Now, you’re aware of the signals you’re giving out, be ready to consciously connect.
Be the FIRST!
- Be the FIRST to strike up a conversation.
- Be the first to shake someone’s hand. Offering your hand first, acknowledges that you are ready to connect.
Be interested IN THEM! Ask questions about them, get to know ALL about them. Ask about their work, their business if they own one. Ask them how they feel about the holidays. Building relationships by asking questions helps you find common ground with others to share “your” product and business opportunity.
Use eye contact. Look a person directly in the eye. Eye contact is real contact. Then, offer your smile and let your smile reflect your attitude. Now you’ve got their attention. And as I said earlier — Be the first to identify yourself.
Take the lead. Extend your hand and be the first to shake hands. Don’t be a wet noodle. Have a firm and respectful handshake. Point your heart at the other person and be the first to say “hello.” When you point your heart at that person with your hand extended you’re giving out special energy to accompany your handshake.
Use their Name. I always recommend to find a way to remember a person’s name. You make a lasting impression when you remember someone’s name in an initial conversation. A great way to do that is to say her name two or three times. This help’s you fix it in your memory. You wouldn’t say, “Barbara, Barbara, Barbara!” three times in a row, but maybe, “Barbara? It’s so nice to meet you, Barbara!”
Be prepared with your powerful story. Your story begins with a one-liner. A simple easy one-liner that doesn’t leave you tongue tied is to answer the question “What do you do Gale?” is simply to say,
- I own my own home based business.” or
- I own my own home based fashion business, or
- I own my own home based skin care business,(your product line)
It’s a very simple opening, but it prompts someone to ask you more. It opens the door for future conversation and a chance for you to talk about the “benefits” of your product and business opportunity and what it does for others.
Remember, we are about to begin the festive season. At every event people are celebrating, having fun and making new acquaintances. Your intent is to be open and attract people to you and build relationships. You don’t want to bore a person at a party by fire hosing them with details on your business. You simply want to be very friendly, answer questions and make a connection. When you make that connection, find a way to get her information to follow-up later.
Being prepared and ready to connect is your greatest resource in creating new business 
especially during this festive time of year.
Want more help on conscious-connecting? Email me at mymentorbiz@gmail.com for a 30 minute complimentary coaching session and we’ll work on your “powerful story” so you are prepared to connect during the most social time of the year!
I challenge you to set yourself a goal to add 50 new connections by New Years! Are you up for the challenge?
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