Advertise Free Among People You Know
Parties mean it’s time to celebrate. They’re not only fun, but a great opportunity to network with people you may not otherwise meet, or get to spend time with. I assure you, you can advertise your direct sales business among these people without being hated.
‘Tis the season for graduations, weddings, high school and college reunions, and family reunions. At all of these events, everyone knows why you’re there, and you can take advantage of the connection.
How do they know you? Maybe they don’t actually, but they know you’re connected to the bridal couple at the reception, the young graduate at the grad party, your class year at the reunion, or they know who is your family at the family reunion. Now have you laid your foundation so broad that everyone knows what you do, the business you’re in, and who exactly your market is?
We don’t see these people very often, so sometimes it’s hard to keep up with them. Parties and celebrations are an excellent relaxing time to spread the word in a low key way and have some fun while you do it. If networking isn’t usually your thing then this is a pretty safe environment to practice and get better at it.
Okay, so you don’t want to be known as the MLM crazy person scouting the room to rope in everyone within three feet. However, you do want them to know what it is you do. They may become a great referral source for you if they meet someone who is the perfect prospect. No one will be able to help you if they don’t know what you do.
When you talk about your work at a social gathering, follow these basic guidelines:
- Don’t ask for names – instead leave the door open so you can followup with a phone call.
- Don’t be a salesperson – you don’t want to become the persona non-grata.
- Don’t pull out your datebook or book parties or set up appointments – just followup with a phone call and do it during business hours.
- Don’t be a conversation hog – if you find that you’ve been with one person more than 30 minutes, it’s time to end the conversation and move on. This poor person didn’t come to the event to try to be sold something from you.
- Don’t corner people – I know it’s tempting when you feel someone may be the ideal customer or partner but, don’t do it. This is a fast and easy way to burn a lot of bridges.
- Do be specific about who your ideal prospect is. Things such as type of person, title, company size, industry, niche, etc. – Your listener will know that you’re not targeting them, and they’ll relax around you.
- Do clarify what problem your product solves – they’ll be interested in hearing the benefits of your products.
- Don’t be shy! Do brag on a couple of more recent successes, achievements or opportunities – at celebratory events, most people are already in high spirits, so more good news is always welcome.
- Do network. Move around, meet lots of people – if they don’t know who you are or what you do, how will they be able to tell their friends or family about you or your business.
When they think of you after the party, you want them to still like you. You want them to enjoy being in your company. To make yourself memorable, it’s vital to spend more time asking about them and their life than it is talking about you. Follow these simple guidelines and you’ll find it really is that easy to gain some free advertising just by socializing with people you already know at all the season’s celebrations.
Photo by Corey Ann
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