How to speak to your prospects, and maybe even more important… how not to

This past weekend I was reading through a classified ad in a magazine.

The headline read “Knight XV,” and the sales copy said, “The Knight SV is the world’s most secured and luxurious, fully armoured, handcrafted SUV.  It is a one-of-a-kind V10 6.8 litre, Bio-fuel powered SUV which offers an ownership experience unlike any other in today’s exotic vehicle marketplace.”

Now for starters, most people don’t even know what all this means.  The average Joe has no clue what a V10 6.8 litre engine is and how it’s different from a V8 4.7 litre engine and why (or if) it even matters.

Not to mention, all the British spellings in an American magazine.

But the biggest issue is, if you met someone who was trying to sell you a fully armoured SUV (and yes, armoured was spelled like that) and this was the first thing they said to you, how much more do you think you’d want to hear?

Probably not much, right?

And in this example lies a critical lesson about how to talk to and treat your prospects.

You see, the secret to getting them to listen to you is…

To treat them… like… people!

Strange, isn’t it?

That treating people like people is going to make them listen to you – wow!

So let me give you an example of exactly how a similar introduction might work, if you were trying to sell this “fully armoured SUV,” in print:

Headline:

An Open Letter To Every Person Who Wants REAL Safety And Protection In Their Automobile: Don’t Even THINK Of Buying A Car Until You Read This!

Opening copy:

“In today’s crazy world, you can never be too careful, right?

After all, a day doesn’t go by without seeing some kind of tragedy or safety scare in the newspaper or on television.

And the ugly truth is, the more successful you are, the bigger target you are as well.

So if you’re one of the many successful people who want more protection and safety than your current automobile offers, then this is the most exciting and important message you will ever read!

There is now a way to guarantee you and your family the safest ride in the safest automobile ever designed.

But before I tell you about this car, let me just tell you up front, this vehicle is NOT for everyone.

And here’s why…”

See, when you speak to someone like a real live honest-to-goodness human being, instead of like an inanimate object, it’s just not that hard to get them to listen to you.

When you actually care about the people you’re trying to sell something to, and you share their concerns and fears, the conversation’s a lot more natural and a lot more productive.

Imagine that?

Now go sell something, Craig Garber

P.S.  now over 161 minutes of LIVE audio, with proven marketing strategies

***

“How To Make Maximum Money With Minimum Customers” – get three free chapters of my newest book!

Hottest offline marketing newsletter gets you more leads, higher conversions… proven marketing strategies, no nonsense… now read in 13 countries — get two issues free!

Copywriting and emotional direct response marketing “how to” products

Marketing videos that answer your toughest questions

If you enjoyed this, forward it on to a few of your friends and business associates.  And if you have any comments, just leave them here on my blog:

About the Author

Craig GarberAuthor of "How To Make Maximum Money With Minimum Customers, " and publisher of Seductive Selling - an offline marketing newsletter currently read in 15 countries, world-wide. In a nutshell, I do two things: 1. I show you how to attract a reliable, steady stream of pre-qualified leads who are ready to do business with you NOW... 2. And I increase your net profits and cash-flow, by increasing your customer, client, or patient value -- often, dramatically. How do I do this? By developing, and helping you implement, unique, personalized lead generation and marketing strategies... using compelling sales messages that push your customers emotional buy-buttons. I've worked with over 300 clients in more than 104 different industries, since March of 2000, and I really enjoy what I do. I'm a stable, reliable, happily married family guy with three kids who loves life and always follows through on my commitments and promises. I love to listen to music, workout, read, travel with my family, take pictures, and go bass fishing. I always say "Yes," when it comes to good cigars, good books, and good coffee :-)

Comments