Looking for Relationships, Not Quick Sales
Like many of you, I belong to a number of business-related groups on both Facebook and LinkedIn. I appreciate the people who start and maintain the groups as well as those who do their best to keep the conversation going as at least some of them are there to build relationships. However, I’ve noticed there are a couple of ploys people use over and over until they not only start getting annoying, but warn the wary the person posing the question will follow up with a sales pitch.
If you’ve been following me for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed I hate sales pitches. In my travels, I’ve come across people who’ve shown me there are better ways to hawk your wares, if you will. The ones I find most appealing involve building relationships with people not only so you’ll have a community of people who are interested in what you are selling, but are available with services and products you use yourself. In a best case scenario, you end up with a self-supporting organism.
Sure, it takes longer to build rapport with people, much less, find the ones who are not only interested in what you offer, but are willing and able to purchase it. The hardest part for me has been figuring out where to build presence in order to attract those people, but along the way, I’ve developed relationships with people whose services I might not need right now, but will likely need in the future. As I see it, this part of the relationship building process is as valuable as the one that results in revenue for me.
Warning Signs
I’ve learned to spot those who join a group for the sole purpose of making a sale, then running 
rather easily. They’re often the ones who pose a leading question aimed at a particular pain point such as “If you could outsource one function of running your business, what would it be?” or one I saw recently which asked “if you could give your pet a longer, healthier life, would you do it?”. I regret to say I answered that one, and got hit with…you guessed it, a sales pitch in my Messenger box.
I find these tactics offensive and rather sleazy, but understand it’s a major aspect of MLM sales training. I see it as a kind of marketing sucker punch, and am as likely to block someone for it, as give them a piece of my mind, depending on my mood. I’m guessing the tactic works, or it wouldn’t be taught, but it seems to me a lot of effort, and a high risk of offending people or pissing them off for the sake of what might be a one-off sale.
Those who use these shady techniques build no social currency with me, or with anyone who’d rather be wooed than bashed over the head. I’m guessing they deal with quantity rather than quality when it comes to customers, and they’re not looking to create a long-term, loyal clientele.
Planting Seeds vs. Whackamole
I see it as the difference between sustainable farming and constant planting until the soil won’t produce any more without adding tons of nutrients and new soil. Like a field, the source of potential clients or customers is finite. Not only that, they’re likely being hit be a hundred others who are counting on the quick sale.
People like me hear the same opening lines so often, we have our virtual hand up before those hard sellers get past “hello”. We’ve heard it all before, and the one-night-stand of sales is no more appealing than the cocky fellow who hits on every woman in a bar until he finds one desperate enough to let him get away with his old, tired lines. Sure, it’s the law of averages. If you hit on enough people, you’ll eventually find someone who will listen. I think the ego has to be pretty big to tolerate that many rejections!
Nevertheless, the posers of questions get a lot of responses in these groups I frequent. I believe part of it is naivete on the part of the responders as the groups are often fluid, attracting many new members every week (which may account for the plethora of people asking “where’s everyone from” and getting 300 or more answers). Others respond as they’re likely working from the same playbook, and see it as an opportunity to practice their own pitching skills.
Looking for Love in the Right Places
For me, it’s an indication I need to start reviewing the groups I’ve joined over the years and 
removing myself from the ones whose membership leans towards these more obvious and flagrant attempts at selling. I’m learning I don’t belong there as I’m never going to offer my services in a way they’ll understand, nor will I respond positively to any of their offers or efforts.
Overall, it’s part of the process of controlling what we do and don’t see on Social Media. When a message is oft-repeated and always offensive or annoying, it’s probably a group that isn’t a good fit. You wouldn’t wear a pair of jeans that chafes. Why follow a group that does? Then again, not everyone believes your clients and others you work with should fit comfortably. Maybe I’m in the minority, but if I am, it’s exactly where I want to be.
It took me a long time to learn to show up as myself and attract those who don’t expect everyone they hire to be perfectly coiffed, made up in the latest style, and dressed in business attire. I’m looking for people who break the mold themselves, and show up as their raw, unadulterated selves, shoes optional. They don’t operate from a playbook, and don’t appreciate a cookie cutter approach to their needs.
I’ve never been able to refrain from tailoring what I do to my client’s needs, and have no intention of starting now.
About the Author
Sheri Conaway is a Holistic Ghostwriter, and an advocate for cats and mental health. Sheri 
believes in the Laws of Attraction, but only if you are a participant rather than just an observer. Her mission is to Make Vulnerable Beautiful and help entrepreneurs touch the souls of their readers and clients so they can increase their impact and their income.
If you’d like to have her write for you, please visit her Hire Me page for more information. You can also find her on Facebook Sheri Levenstein-Conaway Author. And check out her new group, Putting Your Whole Heart Forward.
Be sure to watch this space for news of the upcoming releases of ” Rebuilding After Suicide” and “Sasha’s Journey”.
