Host: Lorraine Ball
Improve Your Listening Skills
the episode
I had the strangest phone call the other day. It was from someone I have known for a long time. I wouldn’t call us friends, but our paths have crossed multiple times over the years so we are acquainted. We chatted for a few minutes. He told me he had moved to Florida. I mentioned I sold my company and I am enjoying the slower pace. He barely acknowledged what I said and proceeded to launch into a pitch on his new venture. Unfortunately, I have no interest since, as I told him, I sold my agency.
By the time I got off the phone I was annoyed, because he clearly had no interest in anything I had to say. Then I felt sorry for him. Not only had he failed to sell me, but he completely blew the chance to sell to my contacts. There was no way I was going to introduce him to anyone I actually liked.
So, before your hop on your next sales call, maybe you should brush up on your listening skills.
Pay attention to your body language. Make sure that you are facing your customer, making eye contact, and nodding your head. This shows that you are engaged and interested in what they have to say.
- Ask questions. Asking questions shows that you are interested in what your customer has to say and that you want to understand their needs.
- Listen without interrupting. It is important to give your customer your full attention. Do not interrupt them while they are speaking.
- Paraphrase what your customer has said. Paraphrasing shows that you have been listening and that you understand what your customer has said.
- Summarize what your customer has said. Summarizing shows that you have been listening and that you understand the key points that your customer has made.
Unlock the Power of Words
Using these power words in your web copy, email communication, social media, will grab the attention of your reader and move them to action.
With this workbook you’ll discover how to apply the kinds of power words to your marketing copy.
about the marketing minute
Each week, host Lorraine Ball shares just a few words on a marketing topic. She boils down creative ideas, practical tips, and decades of real-world experience into a mini podcast which is always less than two minutes.
Look for these mini bits of marketing inspiration every Sunday. Then come back and enjoy the longer interviews every Thursday.
Look for the mini podcasts and full episodes on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcast and wherever you listen to podcasts.