How To Build A Relationship

In our last posts we have been discussing how you could target your market and build your business, how to create desire, etc. The title of this post “How to Build a Relationship” is because building relationships is so vitally important to your success it can’t be overstated. In fact, it is so important we could have made the title “How To Really Build A Relationship.”

So many businesses, sales people, owners, managers and others think that you just keep pounding the streets, knock on more doors and never give up and you will eventually be successful. While we do have to do these things to some degree, doing the wrong things more often just means that we will go out of business faster!

If we want to truly be successful, if we want long-term success, we have to have long-term, good, healthy relationships with those we are trying to engage in business. The closer we get to our customers, the more successful we become. Of course, the big question is; how do we do this?

Actually there are lots of ways and they are easier than many think. First of all, put yourself in the other person’s position. What would you want? How would you want to be treated? How do you want to be treated now? When you start to realistically think this through, it becomes much clearer and much easier.

How about getting to know someone’s hobbies? Their birthday, their children’s names, their spouse, etc.? Why do you think that Facebook asks you to fill out all of the questions they do when you sign up? They now use it for their paying customers to target their prospects and advertise to them. There isn't anything sinister here, they asked and the people responded, same for you.

Keep something in mind, people love to be interviewed. Why? Because no one cares about them enough to take an interest in them. If you show an interest (and I am talking about a real interest, not a fake, feigned interest just to get the info), people are happy to share because they just want to be thought about. They want someone to take an interest in them personally.

When asking about their hobbies, ask them what they do to relax after a long day or week (see our other posts for more on this). What do you do with this information? Look up information on their hobbies and send it to them through the mail (not email), and just tell them you were thinking of them. As you do these things you will build your relationship, get closer with them and have a life-long friend. You may also find yourself much wealthier in all areas because of it.

Now sit down and map out a plan to start getting closer to your customers and prospects. Figure out what works best for you and your industry and become the best that you can be at this and you will soar above your competitors.

If you would like help with this or any other business, sales, marketing, social media issues and more, contact us at:

Until our next post – we wish you all success!