50 Tips For Using The Phone To Build Your Network Marketing Business!
Phone skills are critical for the success of any home
business. The telephone is the most important point of
contact with your prospects and customers.
Improving your phone skills with these tips can make a big
difference in the level of your success and how quickly
your business grows.
1. Prepare yourself by getting mentally set for the task
ahead and by having a purpose and an agenda ready.
2. Follow a script, but be flexible. Don't sound like you
are reading.
3. Create index cards with specific points that keep you on
topic. If it's more natural for you to strike up a
conversation, then just do it!
4. Keep it brief, and get to the point right away. Make
sure you are clear concerning your reason for making the
call.
5. Be friendly but try not to get off topic. Remember that
network marketing is all about building relationships.
6. Be a good listener. That way you will be able to help
your prospect with making the right decision, hopefully
about joining your business.
7. Avoid the hype. Show enthusiasm, but make sure it is
sincere.
8. Smile! Keep a smile on your face, your attitude can show
through the phone.
9. Avoid selling your business. Just introduce yourself and
find out if they have any questions.
10. Understanding how your business works will help you
feel more confident when talking to prospects over the
phone.
11. Don't get on the phone if you are in a bad mood. If you
have some calls that have to be made then contact your
sponsor or a team leader for help.
12. If someone is not interested, then don't keep calling
them. This will only make you look desperate, not to
mention waste your time.
13. Expect to hear "no" a few times. Don't get an attitude
or take it personally, just thank them and proceed to the
next call.
14. Be aware of two things as you speak, what you say and
how you say it. The sound and tone of your voice is just as
important as what you are saying.
15. Alway's leave a message! Let your prospects hear your
voice and know that you are available. Sometimes that's all
it takes for them to join your business.
16. When leaving a message don't speak too fast. Slow down
so your message is not hard to understand.
17. Say your name clearly. If it's not common spell it,
just make sure the caller understands your name.
18. Slowly leave your phone number. Assume that the
listener is writing it down, so make it easy! Repeat the
number at the beginning and end of your message, if
possible.
19. Most importantly, leave the reason for your call. Why
would they call you back if they don't know what you want?
20. People can be very impatient, so it is important to
answer your phone by the third ring or make sure your voice
mail is set to pick up by the third ring.
21. Your answering machine greeting should make a good
first impression. Be short and to the point and don't drag
it out. Leave clear instructions and what information they
should leave. Such as their name, phone number and the best
time to call them back.
22. Check your messages often. A prospect may be waiting on
information to make a decision, and by taking to long
returning their call they may join under someone else.
23. Return all phone calls! This could be the most
important thing that you do to build your business. Set a
goal to return all calls within 2 hours.
24. Avoid using a speaker phone. It will make the caller
think that the call is not private and that you are not
concentrating fully on them.
25. Put together a list of answers to frequently asked
questions and post it by your phone.
26. Decide what you will say if someone answers the phone
other then the person you are calling. Should you leave a
message with them or call back later?
27. Don't type or shuffle paper while you are talking, it
can be distracting to the other party.
28. If you must put the phone down for any reason, do so
gently so you don't startle your caller.
29. Never chew food or anything else while talking on the
phone.
30. Cover your mouth and the receiver, if you have to cough
or sneeze.
31. Always speak directly into the receiver.
32. Don't hang up if you dial the wrong number, just
explain yourself and verify the number to avoid repeating
the call.
33. Avoid any background noise such as TV, radio and
computer beeps and clicks.
34. Listen to how people talk and not just to what they are
saying. You can learn how to connect with a person over the
phone by reading "between the lines".
35. Never start a greeting with "Can I have a moment of
your time?" or "Is this a good time to talk"? Only a sales
person would use these phrases and it makes it all too easy
for your callers to say "no" right away.
36. Be prepared. Have a list of calls that you need to make
including the name, phone number and any other information
that you may need.
37. When you first begin using the phone rehearse in your
mind what you are going to say. Once you do it enough, it
will come naturally.
38. Know what your schedule is before making any calls.
That way you can set up any follow up appointments if
necessary.
39. Do not procrastinate. Get you calls done first thing in
the morning. Putting them off may mean losing business.
40. Stand up or walk around while you talk.
41. If you are making more then one call, don't hang up
when the first call is over. Keep going until all your
calls are done.
42. Make sure you are not hungry, cold or need to go to the
bathroom before making any of your calls.
43. Record whether you left a message, if you need to make
a return call, who you talked to and what was said.
44. Leave an email address as an alternative communication
option. Many people will use email to get back to you
rather than the telephone.
45. Always enunciate clearly keeping the volume of your
voice moderate. Speak slowly and clearly.
46. Speak properly while sounding professional. Avoid using
slang or jargon.
47. Think before you speak! Offending prospects will not
encourage them to join your business.
48. Never say "I don't know", instead say, "Let me find the
answer for you". This is a great way to set up a return
call.
49. Stick with it! If what you are saying is working, keep
doing it, if not then try something else. Trial and error
is how to determine what works and what doesn't.
50. Have fun! Remember that some will and some won't, who
cares, just keep at it! Good phone etiquette is good for
business. It can set you apart from your competition and it
can actually get you the results you want much faster.
To summarize, first say hello and then introduce yourself.
Next, get to the point and just say what you have to say.
Last, ask if they have any questions and don't forget to
give them your contact information.
Using the phone consistently may just be what you need to
succeed!
Copyright 2008 Joe Rispoli
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Joe Rispoli has been involved with Network Marketing for
over 10 years. He has a system of duplication in place that
works just as well with one person as with a thousand. Find
out what the true power of network marketing is all about
with The Berry Tree at: http://ucanto.com/theberrytree.html
