May 24th, 2010 | 
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When it comes to having a Direct Sales home business, its just not about selling your products to your customers. Direct Sales and Network Marketing is also about building relationships with your customers, party hosts, team members, etc.
Many times a consultant gets too focused in pushing the product sale that they forget about building a trustworthy business relationship with the customer/client.
One of the ways you can build a relationship with your customer is to keep in contact with them. Let the customer know that you appreciate their business and that you are there for them when then need additional items.
When I work on building a relationship with my customers and clients, I like to talk to them about some generic personal topics…such as: Are they married, have children, hobbies, holidays, vacation plans and so forth. By allowing some personal chit-chat when you are conversing with customers/clients, this opens up the door to some ‘personal’ relationship building.
Studies have shown that customers/clients are more apt to do business with you or refer their friends and family to you…if they feel like they have a good business & personal relationship with you. It reminds me of the old saying “Customers will do business with those they know & trust” so its your job to get to know your customers and to let your customers get to know you.
When you take the time to build relationships with those who you come into contact with…this will lead to future sales, additional party bookings, new team members and so forth. Relationship building is well worth your time & effort and should be done on a consistent basis.
How do you like to build relationships with your customers and clients?
Shelly
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Very well said. It’s all about building those relationships and staying in contact. Many of us make the mistake that because our Monthly Newsletter goes out that’s all we need to do to consider being in contact with our customers.
But it’s so much more.
Catherine
Jordan Essentials
Sr. Associate Rep # 3854
Blog: http://CathyJELadyNews.blogspot.com
Catherine, I totally agree with you! A lot of consultants are just trained incorrectly or not trained at all. Network Marketing and Direct Sales is about relationship building…its not just about selling the product and spamming everyone to death with sales ads.
Shelly
Great article! We know that our customers have many choices to buy their “products” from. What makes direct sales so special is that personal touch, that relationship you build with your customer.
Paying attention to some key details your customer shares with you, can make a big difference in building loyal, lasting relationships with your customers. Take a moment to thank your customers, and add that personal detail they shared with you, it can be as simple as remembering their child’s name or commenting on how great her homemade cookies were, appreciation goes a long way…think of how great you felt when someone said “thank you” to you.
I couldn’t agree more with you! Case in point – I buy a lot of Avon….Avon Reps are a dime a dozen here in my local area…however, I choose to buy from one particular rep who takes great time and effort to ‘speak’ to me and not ‘sell’ to me. We will talk about family, hobbies, shopping, holidays, etc. Because of this ‘personal’ attention, I feel like I have a personal rapport with her and I choose to shop and do business with her.
A different Avon Rep I know used to hammer me constantly via phone, email and yes…personal visits to my home constantly to push herself & product at me 24/7. That was/is a turn off for me.
Shelly
Hi Shelly,
Great article and you’re so right on. There will always be plenty of products on the market but the likeability and trust factors are so important in getting sales and repeat sales as well as appreciating your customers. This is why I LOVE Wholefoods and Trader Joe’s :).
Janette