The 'turn-offs' to avoid are all those things that would prevent or make your prospects refuse to consider or to sign up to SFI.
The question refers to the biggest turn offs to avoid and they are important to know. My own approach is to try and eliminate all turn offs. All prospects are valuable and we should always project ourselves in the best possible light. Be professional.
Prospecting online/offline
- Avoid spammy type language, appearance or hype. By all means put passion in your ads or in your emails to prospects but find the balance and don't overdo it. Emails that look spammy go straight to the Bin.
- Use everyday language. Not everyone in the world speak English so don’t use complicated words. People won’t bother looking them up in the dictionary or use a translator. They will simply bin your email/ad. Not everyone knows what an Affiliate is - explain it.
- Avoid abbreviations. I had never heard of a PSA until I joined SFI, so avoid using it without an explanation.
- Avoid email bombing your prospects. They are likely to block you or filter your messages. Be strategic about how often you send your messages and how they are worded. I personally don’t like getting the same message over and over again.
- Avoid bullying type emails/messages. Sure you have to include in your ad a 'call to action' statement but put it across so that it appeals to the emotions of the prospect. You want them to join SFI and you want them to want to join or at least have a look. Avoid phrases like 'Do it Now' etc. Many people do not like being ordered to do something, especially by someone they don't know.
Prospecting in Person:
If you are going to speak with prospects in person, take into account not only what we have covered above but the non verbal turn-offs as well.
These can be the way you look or are dressed, your smell, your demeanour, how you speak and say what you say, when you say it, the appropriateness of the conversation regarding timing, place etc.. There are many things to take into account.
A simple key is to try and put yourself in the place of a prospect. What are your expectations and how will you react, especially if someone you don’t know or don’t know well, approaches you with a business proposal?
I suspect you will not be all that receptive to someone who:
- Is scantily dressed or scruffy and unkempt
- Has bad breath and bad body odour
- Launches into the sales pitch without developing a connection first
- Sounds robotic. Even if you have said the same thing a 100 times, put passions, belief, freshness and excitement into your ‘sale pitch.’
- Lacks warmth, friendliness. There needs to be a human connection, not just business.
- Lacks Credibility - Remember you are promoting yourself not just SFI. You need to know your business and if you don’t know the answer to a question, say so and offer to find out the answer and get back to them
- Hassles for attention. Know when to quit. If the prospect says no thank you, respect that and move on. I recommend however that you hand them your card or an SFI pamphlet to take away. Never miss an opportunity.
These are some of the turn-offs – I say avoid them all whenever possible.
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