Do you ever have that little voice of doubt in your head before starting something new? Maybe you verbally vomit all over people about your new gig? A big ol’ shaken cocktail of nerves, excitement and self doubt are causing your verbal vomit.

A few weeks after starting one of my new businesses I was at a wedding and started talking to an acquaintance about one of the products I was selling. I talked and rambled and talked some more. It was so bad that I even sent her a message a few days later rambling some more. Then I got nervous about what she was thinking and sent yet another email telling her I wouldn’t bring up my products anymore unless she came to me. My guess is that poor gal was probably saying “Oh dear God, thank you for finally shutting her up!”. Thank goodness I got to chalk that up to a lesson in life, business, and what not to do next time.

Maybe you aren’t a verbal vomiter. Maybe when you ask someone if they want to do business with you you find yourself saying things like “Is she going to think this is weird?”.

TWO WAYS TO LEAD AND CLOSE CONFIDENTLY.png

The good news is there are a few ways to overcome doubt. Here are a couple ways to lead with confidence so that you can close with confidence:
1.GET TO KNOW YOUR PROSPECT (Prospect meaning potential customer/client/business partner) 2.KNOW AND PRACTICE YOUR OWN STORY

GET TO KNOW YOUR PROSPECT

You can address and overcome doubt before having the conversation about your offer or opportunity by asking questions and having authentic conversations.

Find out their hopes and dreams.
Ask them what intrigues them about your opportunity.
What are their concerns or hesitations?
What scares them?

Asking questions shows that you care about their needs and concerns and that it’s okay to talk about it. Asking questions also uncovers objections. The problem is when you just talk and talk and talk but don’t ask questions you may bring up objections they didn’t even know they had. Then they will become apprehensive. Ask, listen, and then respond with info pertaining to their question.

EXAMPLE:
We all know cookies aren’t always the healthiest of food options. When I had a cookie company people with health concerns would often ask me what was in my cookies. Rather than rambling about the health pros and cons of all the ingredients in my cookies I would ask them questions about their concerns. “What ingredients are you trying to stay away from?” “Do you have allergies?” “What are they?”

Ask questions until they understand what you have to offer.

KNOW AND PRACTICE YOUR STORY

People want to feel like they can relate. You can go more confidently into a conversation if you have a grasp on your own experience and have practiced explaining it. While in conversation listen to what people are saying so that you can be thinking to yourself “What do they need to know about my journey to get them to see business from my perspective.” That’s how you will resonate.

If you have practiced your story you will be able to pull bits and pieces from your story to resonate with that person.

EXAMPLE:
My business gives me a great deal of flexibility to create an income for my family but also work on my own terms. If i’m in conversation with someone who says they want more flexibility in life I can pull the flexibility piece from my story and say: “I know how you feel because I felt the exact same way. I needed to cover bills for our family but I wanted to be present while my baby was little. I found that I can work this business in flexible hours and create a full time income.”

If you personally haven’t found success yet in the area of their concern, but know someone who has, you can say “I know how you feel because I felt the exact same way. I need to cover bills for our family but I want to be present while my baby is little. I’ve seen my friend Sally build her business in flexible hours and create a fulltime income. I’m looking forward to doing the same.”

Once you have listened, uncovered their concerns or needs, and addressed their concerns/needs don’t talk yourself out of the conversation. People tend to keep rambling when they get nervous. Cut the rambling at the end of the conversation and ask the person for the business. “Are you ready to start today?” or “What would you like to start with today?”

“The most effective way to do it is to do it.”.png

To put it all simply. Stay positive. Cut the chatter and keep the right mindset. Believe in yourself, your business and your product/service. As a result you will close with confidence knowing you hold the key to solving their problem.

Most importantly, you just have to start. You’ll gain the confidence as you go along.

If you want to learn more tips for success in life and business read these 15 Tips for Success.

Old School Modern Mama,