By Dana Phillips.

Getting out of your warm market and into the world of strangers can feel a bit uncomfortable. It involves talking to strangers and asking them to get involved with your business. YIKES! I know some of you are entirely at home striking up conversations with strangers, but it can feel downright daunting if you are more of an introvert like me.

One little shift helped me turn this around. Make it all about them, and leave me out of it!

The best way to get started is to practice initiating conversations. One important tip is to keep it positive! When standing in the grocery line, don’t comment on how long you must wait or the person in front with 50 coupons. It will put them in a negative mindset, and they will be much less open to you. Be curious and observe something about them and make a comment like this:

  • What is that vegetable called? I don’t think I have ever had it. What does it taste like?
  • I love the beach; what is Hilton Head like? (Commenting on their hat or t-shirt.)
  • Your daughter’s pigtails are so cute. They bring back memories of when my daughter was that young.

Zig Ziglar always said, “They won’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” So begin by creating a bit of a relationship. If they engage back with you, you have made a connection and can take the conversation to the next level like this:

  • Do you always shop at this time? (When it’s busy or not, either answer works!)
  • I love being able to shop when the lines are short, don’t you? It’s one of the things working in my own business allows me to do.
  • I know better than to shop now, and I usually do; my business allows me to choose.

By now, you will probably know a few things about them, such as whether they work. You might even ask them. They will likely ask about you if you are engaged in a conversation. This is when being a walking billboard can come in handy. Do you carry or wear your product or logo clothes? They are likely to ask about them if you do!

One final tip: If you discover any interest in you and your company, ask for their information to follow up. This is your business, and keeping the conversation flowing is up to you!

Is this one of those tricky questions?  

Every leader learns they can’t do it alone. It would be best to have a spark to set your goals, an ear to listen to, and resources you could use.

Join The Direct Selling Leaders Network. Since you are known by the company you keep, maybe you want to find some leaders who want to share passions, principles, and practice. You can be one of the great people to hang with.

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