That Personal Touch
That Personal Touch
By: ERIN N. SIMON
Inspired, In-Spirit Publishing®
Establishing a rapport is so important. We are easily able to do it, when it comes to the fun stuff. When a man wants to meet a woman, he will go out of his way to talk to the woman. Sometimes the man is successful and sometimes he's not. When we want to go out and have fun, we will give all the details to who will be there, what kind of food is available, and what activities will be. When conducting business, we get lazy. We don't feel like reaching out to individuals. We write a five line post on Facebook or one line post on Twitter and hit enter. That personal individual touch can the difference between the status of a potential client and actual client. This is known as conversion. Seek out websites and social media platforms which offers you the opportunity to promote yourself. Take the time to do this. Community builders are trying to establish a network where others can be aware of your endeavors and share with others in their personal network. To do that, it means saying a little more than "Check me out". If someone shows interest, reach out and take the time to really talk to that person. That personal touch lets the person know, that you appreciate them taking the time out, to be interested in what it is you are promoting. Whether it is a radio show, business, travel, or event, take the time to give them details. Some of you may be thinking, "I'm taking time to give them all these details and then, they don't buy, read, attend, or listen." Understand that they may not, but may take the comprehensive information you gave them and offer it to someone else who will be more than happy to buy, attend, read, and/or listen. Do you need to write a dissertation regarding the business or event? No, but take a minute to say, "I appreciate your interest. Here are some quick points. What is it exactly that you're interested in?" Listening to your audience is essential. Practicing active listening will put you in a position that will allow you the opportunity to offer the audience what they want or prefer. For those of you unaware, conversion rates, are percentages of potential clients, whom you would like to take a specific action. This may mean a sale, or membership, etc. Because people are different, you want to treat each potential client like an individual. When we put out general information, someone may be interested. Now, seize the one on one moment! Establish a rapport! Don't disengage if they are not interested, because the rapport may allow for a later sale or multiple sales. It is that personal touch which will separate you from your competitors. Some things you can do to increase your conversion rate by offering that personal touch:
1. Call the person by their name. People feel validated when others call them by name. Never shorten a person's name if not invited to do so. Always call them what they prefer if they take the time to mention it.
2. When explaining your endeavor (both writing and speaking) be as clear and concise as possible.
3. If the potential client shows interest, find a way to let them know you appreciate their interest and then engage them by actively listening to what they are saying and what they aren't saying.
4. Welcome suggestions and criticism. Criticism can be hard to take when you are passionate about your endeavor. Thank the person taking their time to tell you the truth, but take it with a grain of salt. Be honest with yourself if this particular thing needs improvement. Try to do better in the future and continue to build.
5. Try various ways to reach your market. Sometimes, direct promotion may not work. If you can engage your audience in other ways, then you may find opportunities to mention your endeavor.
6. Lastly, be honest. Nothing is worse than when something is over-hyped. Don't sell someone something you cannot deliver on. People feel deceived and you may lose more than an actual customer. Word of mouth will lose you a ton of potential customers as well. People love transparency. If they feel they can trust you, your conversion rates stand to do better. For those of you out there with endeavors, don’t be shy. Let people know what you are doing but, remember, this is a social networking site. This means you are not only promoting yourself but you are showing an interest in what other people are doing. You are investing in other people's endeavors as well. Listen to each other's videos, songs; ask each other details about the endeavors we are posting, and you will see the network become a community that is invested in each other. As Always, Be Blessed & Bless Others ERIN ERIN N. SIMON is a writer, blogger, and visionary in raising the conscious level within the African American Community. One of her passions is to create a Black Media that truly matters, is promotable, and shared with as many people as possible. In 2013, She and her husband started Inspired, In-Spirit Ministries where they have a real estate arm in Detroit Michigan. They have recently started a Publishing Company called Inspired, In-Spirit Publishing which have three published books on their shelves; Interruption: Shae's Search, Interruption: Interlude & The Series Finale Interruption: Alter Ego. Her husband has a company known as GS Investments in which financial freedom is gained one investment at a time. She currently resides in Florida with her husband and three handsome sons...
