How To Listen on the Internet
(c) Wanda Loskot
Here is a novel business idea that will double, triple,
or even quadruple your bottom line. Actually it's nothing
new - it is a bread-and-butter of business. Or rather bread
without a butter because it is so basic. But even though
it is SOO basic I am constantly astonished how very few
people understand it!
After being on the web for more than four thousand hours
I got used to my portion of personal letters, often written
in response to my posts on various lists and discussion boards.
Quite often writer's comments lead to a business offer. That's
perfectly all right, because I need to buy things too and
since I respect proactive business people, I'd rather buy from
those who write to me than those who don't....
However, it saddens me when they (well, a majority of them
anyway) waste the opportunity to score extra points and fail
to create a good first impression. Quite often they turn me
off because after asking me to help solve their problems
and/or offering me their products they raise questions such
as: "By the way, what kind of business you are in?" or "Would
like to learn more about you" or here is the best one: "Do
you have a web presence?" (it came with yesterday's mail -
in response to my post on some list seriously!)
Why it is so funny? Because I ALWAYS include a signature file
which answers those questions. And because my signature has
even more: a link to my website, which answers all those
question, asking any of them tells a lot about a correspondent.
It tells me that he/she doesn't listen!
Not a good sign.
You might say "c'mon Wanda, LISTENING on the web??" Yes,
listening! If creating our websites is the equivalent of talking,
and participating in the discussion lists or boards represents
a conversation - then READING someone's post or letter is the
equivalent of listening. Keep this in mind when approaching
anyone with your offer, proposition or idea.
We do create lasting impressions with that first contact! And
reading as carefully as we can whatever others disclose helps to
make that first great - and most important - impression which
demonstrates that we are good listeners.
Dale Carnegie once said "You win more friends in life by being
interested in others than trying to get others interested in
you". It works on the internet, too. To establish show the other
person that you are interested in what he or she is doing.
Outside of the web this can be time consuming - but here it is
a cinch! Most of the time all you need to do is to click on that
link in the signature file, visit a website and take your time to
read a little! (of course it starts with READING that signature!)
You will find that true heartfelt listening will result in the
creation of lasting relationships. And that, my friends will
make your business thrive (even without those search engines!)
Wanda Loskot is professional business coach - check her
Internet Success Boot Camp (a combination of interactive
telephone classes, printed manual, email support, field
trips, and more). And make you register to WIN FREE
course ($345 value) at http://internetsuccesscoach.com
