New Year! New Communications! What To Say?

Happy New Year ….  

It’s the time for new beginnings, new ideas, new doors to open! AND .. a good time to be reminded of how to “open & begin” all our communications.  All it takes is to remember one basic principle under which some basic techniques can be applied. It will make all the difference in your communications success or failure.

What is the one basic principle?  “It’s not about you.” Remember that and you’ll be off to a great start. People are in their own heads and when “new” dialogue and/or information arrives in front of them, they often first want to know what’s in it for “them.”  If you approach the openings of all your communications with this in mind you are immediately way ahead in securing a connection.

What are some techniques to use in your opening conversations?

1. Never open with the use of “I” – “We” – “Our” — Doing so just puts you in the way of your readers (listeners) connecting with your message. Communicate and connect directly with your recipient’s mindset. Get out of the way!
2. Do open with your point! Don’t make people read an entire sentence without knowing your point of the message. Many people won’t hang around that long. Set the stage immediately! It can be as simple as Heads Up! to set a stage for attention and then begin your next sentence with your point. Maybe you want to title it in the opening, i.e. Want to lower your taxes? It works the same as email subject lines .. the first 4-5 words can mean your message gets read or NOT!
3. Talk about results! People are not interested in what you offer unless it is going to get them what they are really after. Again.. what’s in it for them. Realize that you are just a “how” for getting what they want. ……………………………………………… Here’s just a quick tip for answering the question, “what do you do?” Reply with asking if they or someone they know ever needs _________ (fill in the blank with the result that people get via your products & services). Then continue by saying you make that happen. Try it .. you’ll get much better reaction than if you start describing what you “do” .. again, tell them what they will get!Here’s just a quick tip for answering the question, “what do you do?” Reply with asking if they or someone they know ever needs _________ (fill in the blank with the result that people get via your products & services). Then continue by saying you make that happen. Try it .. you’ll get much better reaction than if you start describing what you “do” .. again, tell them what they will get!
4. Share the news of the day in the specific “world” you share with your buyers. This is a great way to open conversations that attract new contacts without being salesy. Also great for attracting your buyers via social media or blogging.     For example if you provide financial consulting you might talk about the news of the day that relates to financial concerns. Or if you sell cars, talk about something going on in the auto industry .. maybe the new electric Mercedes-Benz!!  Providing engaging conversation of this type without ANY mention of what you do OR your products and services will attract people who are currently suspects and who will become prospects because at some point, they will have needs that are a result of these “interests”  ..this piece of the world that you have in common.

There are more techniques that will be specific to your personality, the specifics of your engagement, and the who and when of your conversations. HOWEVER .. if you always just remember the one basic principle that “IT IS NOT ABOUT YOU” you will always begin and and all of the above on the right foot and maximize your chances of success.

Here’s to your success via making connections . …
margie