When I interviewed Rebecca Thorman (Creator and Owner of http://kontrary.com/ ) for The Great Successful People Package we chatted as if we had known each other for years.
In fact, it was the first time we had spoken and she loved my accent!
The interview was great and time flew by. Rebecca shared her knowledge on such subjects as finding your strengths, writing skills, building relationships, making that jump from college to work, blogging.
Hear something new…
I listened to the interview with Rebecca again as sometimes when you listen to something the second, third or fourth time, you hear something new. That is the great benefit of audio. As you are listening, your mind wanders and you miss something. Listen again and it is as if you are hearing something new each time.
It’s about relationships…
This time Rebecca’s discussion on ‘Relationships’ jumped out for me.
Relationships can make or break the success of your business. They can ensure you progress or actually scupper your chances of success.
Relationships can make you a million dollars or lose you a million dollars.
You will struggle to simply get things done if you do not have people on your side. You will need support to be successful.
Relationships can help you get a new business deal, provide expert advice…
Rebecca is a master at building relationships. She knows how to relate to individuals, really listens to what people are saying and knows how to respond appropriately.
So how does Rebecca make it so easy?
Simply walk up to individuals and introduce yourself.
That’s it?
Yep and it is so simple. Nothing complicated.
It takes effort and a little bit of courage to start with but each time you do introduce yourself, it becomes easier and easier.
Now I can talk and listen to anyone. I have no fear or qualms regarding introducing myself.
But what is the next step?
You chat for a while, maybe get their business card and depart and say ‘keep in touch’.
But, do you keep in touch?
Very often, no.
However, what I learned from Rebecca was how easy it is to keep in touch.
So the first step, introduce yourself, pose some questions and listen.
Then, afterwards, make the second step yourself.
Rebecca says, ‘Just ring them up and say “Hi, let’s have lunch (or coffee), my treat”‘.
Coffee / lunch would be difficult if you were thousands of kilometers apart, but still make contact. Have a reason for contacting them. Maybe you can help them or you are asking for their advice. People like to feel beneficial to others and pass on their advice.
Most individuals respond positively
So you chat, have coffee or lunch and you have a new business relationship started.
Then the relationship starts to be really easy.
Just keep the relationship in mind for the long term. Contact them every month – either by email or by phone.
In between monthly contacts, keep a list of topics you could discuss like work, family, holidays, ideas, plans…
So, since listening to the interview with Rebecca, I made a list of my business relationships and contacted each one. This time by email and to just catch up on things.
Really simple. I like simple.
The email just contains a small amount of what I have been doing and lots of questions for them.
My list of business relationships includes when I last contacted them and how and when I intend to contact them again.
I urge you to do something similar.
Go and find a new business relationship today. Speak to someone, introduce yourself, you just never know that relationship might make you a million dollars!
Want to see who else I interviewed? Then click here: Great Successful People
Sounds like a good idea to me. I like this, “My list of business relationships includes when I last contacted them and how and when I intend to contact them again.”
The one thing I like to put on my list is something that they have told me about themselves. Maybe about hubby, child, something where they know I listened and care. I have found that always surprises people. It can make a big difference with just something very small.
i do know from experience Andrew that you are a good listener and you do keep track of things and people, which is very much appreciated.
Love your little pieces of info to keep the business going. Thanks
Debbie
Debbie
I agree – keeping little snippets of information about clients is an excellent habit to have.
Andrew
Andrew:
I think a vendor from my past career-life has read your mind. He contacted me just yesterday to see if we could chat. When I told him that I don’t work in his arena any longer, and probably didn’t have any leads for him, he asked if we could talk anyway.
This gentleman owns a product placement company that gets brands exposure in movies and TV. It’s very specific work, and since I’m no longer launching brands I just couldn’t imagine how I could help him. Turns out, he just wanted to talk about my current project.
Our fifteen minute call consisted of questions about my new career and encouraging comments. Good for him.
Who knows if I will be able to help him again in the future, but with the relationship he is working to build, you better believe I will if I can.
Kathy
Kathy
it’s weird, isn’t it…when people are happy to listen to us…we think they are wonderful.
Perhaps it is because it is so unusual.
Andrew
Relationships are THE key to success in business. All the big marketers with their lists and JV opportunities got that way through their relationships. They don’t call it an old boys club for nothing!
It’s the same for relationships with your customers. Treat them right, build a solid relationship, and you’ll be able to sell them products and services again and again, and they’ll happily buy from you.
Steve
What you say is very true.
It’s a shame more marketers don’t spend more time with their exisitng clients rather than just trying to get new ones.
Andrew
Without a doubt Relationships are very important in life and in business. Great post. Thanks for Sharing!
One cliche they never fails, “It’s easier to keep the contacts you have, then to constant;y be on the lookout for more.”
Your ideas are awesome, but Kathy proved the cliche. 😉
Dennis Edell@Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog..How to Kill Comment Contest Comment Spam
Dennis
What you said is what I tried to say to Steve above!
Andrew
A million dollars is a big of money that not many bloggers can reach.
Tony
But we all must try!
Andrew
WWWOW, it’s a simple topic. We often forget that relationship is important in any kinds of businesses. Thank you.
Yep! It is all about the relationship. And that is something we Internet Marketers have realized.
Ever heard someone say “the money is in the list”? I know I have and that it is true 🙂
Nabil
Re: “the money is in the list”?
That’s only half true. The other half is “how you treat the list”.
Andrew
This is a very proactive approach on the concept of expanding “who you know.”
I like it, especially the idea of keeping a list of the popular topics that you like to discuss with each of your contacts. That way you can build on that relationship by keeping a reminder of their personal traits and making that connection with them.
Richard
Excatly! Afew minutes of making a few notes…goes a long way.
Andrew
Wow, can it really be as easy as simply approaching people and saying hello? Why is it so difficult to do that, anyway? When did it get to be that way?
I suppose those are more questions better posed in a Sociology class, but still I believe it’s relevant in blogging and online marketing.
Delena
Delena
That first ‘hello’ can be the hardest!
Andrew
Don’t forget, when you go to meet someone for the first time, flash them a ‘million dollar’ smile…
Sonny
Nice one…like it!
Andrew
It all comes back to Aristotle’s philosophy– that man is a social animal. This is why approaching people is just so easy and simple for us. ‘Coz we know how to socialize and this is very important in keeping your small business going and expand your business relationships.
John,
I do think a lot of bloggers…blog…so they don’t have to talk to anyone, though.
Andrew
Hi Andrew,
I totally agree that building relationships can really make a big difference in any business you have. If you build a reputable business by offering services or selling products to customers, you will always have customers coming back to buy again from you. If they got satisfied by the service, they can usually recommend it to their friends, thus increasing your chances of getting new customers.
Felicia
You have touched upon an excellent point…referrals.
Many of my new clients are referrals.
Andrew
Corinne,
That’s a unique approach…must try it.
Andrew
Interesting article about making a million bucks. In our business we have always stressed the relationship building business comes first then the money will follow. There are so many that never take this into considerations. Thanks.
Jeff,
I see so many service providers who are just looking for their next client rather than providing excellent service to their existing clients.
Of course…we all would like more clients but provide excellent service to existing clients and they will buy more from you and refer you.
Andrew
It really is all about networking, which, as you mention, can be quite difficult for a ‘beginner’ who doesn’t have much experience with it. I remember my first time at a networking event. It must have taken me a good hour to work up the nerve to approach someone. But I did. I quickly realized, too, that it wasn’t really that bad. And it’s true, the more you do it, the easier it gets.
Petra
I often think…”What is the worst thing that can happen”. It’s normally trivial and it gives me the confidence to start the conversation.
Andrew
Going along with that, I also usually think to myself “Well, if it goes poorly, I never have to see these people again.” Maybe that’s not exactly the most positive outlook to have, but it helps me get up the nerve to enter situations like that with more confidence.
I think I agree with you. In fact, building relationships could help with businesses, your career and many other aspects, and some of this will help you grow your income one way or another. Just need to be patient.
Relationships can also make you happy!
Andrew