Top Ten Tips for Network Marketers, Entrepreneurs, and Other Sales Professionals

 

How to enter a room. Pause a moment. Smile. Walk with Confidence. Be Present.

1. Make Your Entrance Count: When you enter a room, stop and pause a moment. This instantly positions you as a confident and important addition to the event or group. Use good eye contact and be present. Always look people in the eye when you are talking to them, introducing yourself, etc., and put your mind and attention fully on them. Make sure you walk with confidence. Women, pull up gently in your lower abdomen as if you are trying to zip up a tight pair of jeans and place one foot in front of the other allowing your hips to slightly sway. Men, walk with ease and with your feet moving directly forward. Women and men: Chin horizontal to the earth; if it's too high, you appear arrogant, too low and you appear unconfident and weak. Stand straight and with your shoulders back all the while with an air of grace and ease. This takes practice.
2. Practice the RULES of Engagement: Know when and when not to join a group. If you approach a group and they turn slightly towards you, wait for an appropriate moment to join in the conversation. If they don't turn towards you, move on to another group. (NOTE: remember to avoid taking it personally when others do not include you; at the same time, remember to always turn to include others. It is very rude otherwise!) When introducing others, always say the highest ranking person's name first. I.e. (you are introducing your newest business partner, Lisa Nichols to your NVP, Hilary Corcoran): "Hilary, I would like to introduce you to our newest team member, Lisa Nichols. Lisa, this is Hilary Corcoran, our NVP." (to Hilary) "Lisa is also from Ireland and very excited to join our team." Keep in mind that a client outranks anyone in the company. I.e. (you are introducing Trish Samuel, your favorite client to Hilary): Trish, I'd like you to meet Hilary Corcoran, CEO of Hope Nation, our Arbonne branch. Hilary, this is Trish Samuel, my very good friend and favorite client." (to Trish) "Hilary lives near your daughter in Newport Beach..." This goes for guests and hosts. The guest always outranks the host. Lastly, give a firm handshake. Clasp the hand and step forward with your right foot. Shake the hand three to four times and release, maintaining eye contact and a bright smile the whole time.
3. Honor the Art of Small Talk: Small talk is the most socially accepted ice-breaker. Ask a lot of questions. Listen well. Stick to neutral subjects. Have fun. Stay up to date on a few interesting bits of current events. Be sure you have a few fun facts and even historical bits or a few quotes memorized. Know your audience. If you are at an event with non-social media types, don't ask them if they saw the latest Tweet from Byoncé. If you are in a room of tweens, don't play the jitterbug and start dancing.
4. Polish Your Professional Presence: What is your story and whom do you admire? Decide what your dream is and then dress yourself in that dream. In other words, what do you look like when you are at your best or have made it to the top? Are there others that you admire from whom you can glean image tips? What to you want to communicate to others? In other words, when you walk down the street, what do you want others to see in you: chic? elegant? warm and friendly? modern? romantic? business-like? When it's time to shop, always seek quality over quantity. It is best to pick one quality suit and a couple of blouses rather than several outfits of lesser quality.
5. First Impressions Count so Make Yours Last: As a primal instinct, everyone you meet will decide in less than 5 seconds if they trust and like you or if you are a threat. The first three things people notice about you are your head, hands and feet. Keep your hair styled at all times, nails neat and manicured, and shoes freshly polished and free from scratches and dings. And yes, men! Manicures are available for you, not just women. You do not have to polish of course (unless you want to), however please keep those cuticles in excellent shape since you will use your hands to shake others' hands and handle product. Your single greatest asset is your smile.

   

   Your smile comes from your heart.

   A smile must come from your heart, reach your eyes, then your lips. Eye contact is crucial when you smile at someone.
6. Style is Your Personal Signature: Remember that your wardrobe and accessories are valuable tools you can use to brand yourself. Your personal space and vehicle are also branding tools. Keep these items clean and polished, neat and tidy, fresh and enjoyable. Your signature is up to you, just make sure to keep it consistent and in pristine condition.
7. Follow the Golden Rule of Networking: When you attend events, look for one maybe two (max!) lifetime connections. Look for someone you really like and would love to invite to your home for Christmas dinner. Seek like-minded people. These people may have vast differences from which you can draw on to enhance each others' lives, yet you must be able to resonate with their core values. Following this rule opens your mind and heart to true and valuable connections. You may end up occasionally connecting with more than one or two or you may go home with just one. Either way, you will feel happy because this connection will in all likelihood end up a lifetime friend.
8. How to Give and Receive Business Cards: Always use two hands when you hand someone your card. Hold it by the two top corners and present it as if it is your dearest possession. Receive their card with the same honor and respect. Comment on and/or compliment it. And remember the #1, most important, business card tip ever: It is far more important to receive a card than give one. Always ask for others' cards before you ask them if you can give them yours and always ask for others' cards even if you don't have cards.
9. Give to Receive: We care. That is obvious. Why we care is not always obvious. When we want others to perceive that we truly care about them, we must approach them with the attitude of serving them rather than wanting anything from them. This includes our hosts, potential business builders, and our team. Most of us have heard the phrase, "Ask and ye shall receive," and while this is true, there is also another system at play in today's society. It is, "Give and ye shall receive." Fortune 500 companies such as Merrill Lynch, built their fortunes on the concept of giving before asking. In fact, Arbonne subscribes to this philosophy by teaching us to give samples and spa nights, etc., before ever asking clients to buy. Be prepared and satisfied to give, give, and give some more without ever receiving a sale, a partner, or anything in return. Schedule time each day or at the very least, each week to hand write thank you cards and other types of "giving" communications with your contacts. 
10. Learn and Practice Dining Etiquette Skills: Know your basics. For instance, it's okay to remove a bone or grizzle from your mouth as long as you remove it the same way you placed it in. I.e. if you used your fingers, remove with fingers. If you used a fork, remove with your fork. Place the unwanted food on your plate without trying to cover it up. Simply set it down and leave it be. Another basic: when eating your bread, break off one small bite at at time, butter it and then eat. Repeat as desired. Don't just butter the whole thing and then take bites off of the whole piece of bread. And refrain from pushing away your plate when you are finished. Don't touch it at all. Let the waiter clear it (or if you are clearing, get up and then clear the plates).

    

    American Dining. Informal Dinner. How to set the table. BMW.

    Understand the place setting by remembering BMW. Think Bread on the left, your Meal or plate, in the middle and Water or Wine on the right. (I know, I know. Mercedes isn't too thrilled with this acronym...). Master what to do during the meal. The key here is to know that mistakes happen and your job is to make as little fuss when they do happen and move forward quickly. Also, help others feel comfortable if they spill or make a mistake. And of course, take a dining etiquette course! and practice often at home.

What to remember: 

• Give yourself room to learn and make mistakes
• Practice often (you are welcome to join my ongoing training by clicking this LINK)
• Avoid giving unsolicited etiquette advice to anyone. EVER.

What to do first: 

• Write out any due or overdue thank you notes.
• Send an email to someone you recently met. Include a link that they would find interesting or helpful (i.e. if they like golf, send them a link to a great golf article)
• Watch this VIDEO on how to give and receive business cards and then practice with a friend or colleague 

"Learning how to accept business cards has made all the difference in how other's perceive me. Thank you!" -Yvonne Hildebrand-Bowen

Feel free to download this Original Photo 1-sheet as my gift to you! If you like it, you may purchase the accompanying 13 page Ebook featuring each strategy on an original photo for only $4.97. This is a simple and elegant PDF style Ebook, sure to please.

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Thank you for visiting my blog and have a fabulous day!

"If we all practiced manners and civility, what would we then have left to war over?" ~Carrie Glenn

~Signing off...