Chic Oregon Grandma Reveals Secrets of Conquering Fear of Calling Leads Through Brainwashing
Read More: NO! No way! I can’t call my leads.
What would I say?
My mind might go blank!
I would probably get tongue-tied.
What if they asked a question I didn’t have the answer for?
What if they knew more than me?
I will never be able to do that!
These are thoughts that would run through my mind in the past. So many unfounded fears filled my mind. I’m sure most of you never suffered from this malady, so this is for the few shy ones out there.
In the beginning its imperative that we use our up line mentors to help us with calling our leads. Three way calling is an excellent way to get the training and learn the necessary phone skills so that we can step up to the plate and start batting on our own.
I was so comfortable allowing my mentors to call for me. They were so good at it, they knew just what to say and they said they loved to do it. There was no stress on my part, my palms didn’t get sweaty, my stomach didn’t churn…..So, why not let them, I thought, as I sat back leisurely and enjoyed my beverage of choice.
UNTIL….
I came to the stunning realization…..I could not allow this to go on. I could not stay in this infant stage any longer. How am I ever going to become any kind of leader if I can’t get past this hurdle? What was I going to do? Well, how about Grow up or Stretch myself? But I was petrified! I knew I needed to take the bull by the horns, but getting on that animal seemed a painful process.
UNTIL……
I began to brainwash myself. You can call it self talk or auto-suggestion or anything you prefer. I had learned enough about self-development and having the proper mindset on my journey to know how powerful these techniques are, and I had no other choice.
So I began to tell myself something similar to this:
“I love calling my leads! I am confident, willing, ready and excited to talk to them. I look forward to getting to know them and they will sense my genuine concern for their success. I feel comfortable and I know just the right things to say.”
At first, making the phone calls was a bit awkward. But hey, pat myself on the back…..I was actually doing it.
Then I got to feeling more comfortable. I was getting really good at leaving messages. I even got some compliments from my mentors. :)
And after a time……I did find I really was actually enjoying it.
A few basic things to help along the way:
1. Start with a script in the beginning. It helps to have something in front of you as a guideline to keep you on course.
2. Smile big and give yourself a little pep talk before you dial. :)
3. Put duct tape over your mouth to make sure you do more listening than talking.
4. Be genuinely interested in the person you are calling. Ask questions to draw them out to find out about them. Are they currently trying to build an income from home? What do they do for a living? Ask about their family. Basically, just get to know them, develop a relationship. Some people like to refer to “FORM” as a guideline in asking questions, which stands for:
F=family
O=occupation
R=recreation
M=money
5. Find out their pain…their biggest struggles. Let them know you can help them and point them in the right direction.
6. Then Follow Up. The fortune is in the follow up.
And you know, I quickly realized, the tape playing in my brain was really unfounded fears. I was dwelling on the wrong things for sure. All I needed was to erase the tape and put in a new program.
Better go now…..I have calls to make.
Lynn Jones
http://www.idealprofitsystem.com
Views: 2,191 | 
Comments: 32 
About the Author: Lynn Jones
Member Since: 01/11/2009
I'm a Distributor For:: SISEL International, LLC
Other Company: Profit Clicking
Industry: MLM
Primary Web Site: http://lynnjonesonline.com
500 Pound Phone
That was a good excuse but My dream is stronger than my fear. I worked though it. I have to store this post it's a Keeper. Thanks,Miss Lynn
Be Yourself And You Will Own Your Life!
We all go through it~ When we relax and just be "real" knowing we are perfect just the way we are, there is a peace that comes. Yes Lynn, you are right on the money, once we face our fear and take action it becomes so much fun. I always tell myself "Everyone is a friend I haven't met yet!" Thank you for this brilliant article Lynn.
The Phone Weighs to Much
Great Honest Post! I think a lot of people have a fear of calling leads as they Build their Network Marketing Business. Some still do thats why they're in Affiliate Marketing.
Thanks for Bringing up the Proper "FORM." Great way to remember intent of the first call.
Thank You Lynn
So often we fear the 300 lb telephone. But when I read your account it makes sense. Thanks for sharing.
Timothy C Burns
Afraid To Talk To Those That Raised Their Hand
Just be yourself, you are calling them to help them solve, fix or avoid a problem...realize that you will not be able to help everyone. When you call them be interested in helping them whether they join you or not, this will take the pressure off both of you. Friends first :)
Thanks Lynn,
Alice McCarthy
A Lesson I Need
Thanks Lynn...for that from the heart lesson...I took in every word...
Great Info
So true, sometimes the phone can feel like it weights a ton! But with the steps you gave in the article makes calling leads a bit easier. All fears are really unfounded!!
Fear Fear Go Away Never to return another day
This is the BEST Article I have Ever READ on Calling Leads this is a Keeper and every new person should print it OUT.
Your friend for life Juanita Waterman
Do It in Your Jammy's
Great reminder of how important it is for anyone in marketing to over come any fear of using the phone. Just like lifting weights the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Plus you don't have to get all dressed up to do it.
Harry Browne
This is a great lesson, Lynn, and an inspiration to everyone with a heavy phone. You did a great job of pumping yourself up to the task!
A book that has really helped us is "The Secret of Selling Anything" by Harry Browne, recommended to us by Tom Big Al Schreiter as the best he read in 2008. It's a basic concept that simplifies everything for us. Listening!
Under $10, you can get it at www.harrybrowne.org and it's worth a hundred times more than that!
Thanks again for the insight and advice!
THE SUBCONSCIOUS MINDS "DON'T TAKE PHONE CALLS!"
Lynn, Brillant article! What great advice and honesty in this article. I have had a hard time myself. I would do my self talk and autosuggestion also, then it occured to me what could be the worse posssible thing that could/would happen. "They would hang up"! No, I don't know everything about network marketing, not even close, but I do know that I am here to help people own their lives. Thank you for this excellent article. Juanita and Terrys' comment stuck out for me. Honesty and sharing this will be helping a world of marketing. Thank you for adding TRUE value to this industry. Congratulations!!
THE SUBCONSCIOUS MINDS "DON'T TAKE PHONE CALLS!"
Lynn, Brillant article! What great advice and honesty in this article. I have had a hard time myself. I would do my self talk and autosuggestion also, then it occured to me what could be the worse posssible thing that could/would happen. "They would hang up"! No, I don't know everything about network marketing, not even close, but I do know that I am here to help people own their lives. Thank you for this excellent article. Juanita and Terrys' comment stuck out for me. Honesty and sharing this will be helping a world of marketing. Thank you for adding TRUE value to this industry. Congratulations!!
THE SUBCONSCIOUS MINDS "DON'T TAKE PHONE CALLS!"
Lynn, Brillant article! What great advice and honesty in this article. I have had a hard time myself. I would do my self talk and autosuggestion also, then it occured to me what could be the worse posssible thing that could/would happen. "They would hang up"! No, I don't know everything about network marketing, not even close, but I do know that I am here to help people own their lives. Thank you for this excellent article. Juanita and Terrys' comment stuck out for me. Honesty and sharing this will be helping a world of marketing. Thank you for adding TRUE value to this industry. Congratulations!!
Thanks
Lynn, Thanks for a great article. I especially loved the part about duct tape! So true and it's great to have a good sense of humor, as well:-)
Lynn,
Sorry about the triple comment. BN and computer acting up. Sorry
I can so relate...
Lynn, great article. I can so relate. That phone weight a ton and I was very afraid to call my leads. Mostly I was afraid of "NOs" until I started putting things into perspective.
Not everyone likes fries with their meal, but the clerk at McDonald's doesn't break out in tears when we tell him/her "no thanks!"
If we're selling size 8 shoes (for example) not everyone will want them.
Once I realized my prospects didn't reject ME, but just weren't a fit for my product I had no longer a problem picking up the phone.
From then on I was just "sorting."
Thanks Lynn
Thanks for the article you just knocked on just about every bodies fears right at the door. This is great info on the "FORM" that most dont think about because we just try to sell sell sell.
Thanks again!
Amy Anderson
Very appropriate article, Lynn!
You've chosen a subject that is close to the heart of any new MLM'er, and I'm convinced that this fear is a huge motivator for those who eventually get drawn into Affiliate marketing. Too bad that those folks won't have the self-satisfaction that comes with helping others be all they can be.
If we are to remain in this "Relationship Business", we must replace this fear with the courage and conviction that only changing our self-image can do for us.
The FORM anagram is new to me and a great tool as well. Good Job!
Chic indeed!
Thanks everyone!
The cool thing about this method of "brainwashing" is it can be applied to just about everything we encounter that we find we don't want to do, don't like to do or are just plain afraid to do. Thanks everyone for you nice comments. I appreciate you all!
Great article
You're right on the button. I used to spend half an hour designing the perfect script, go through all the possible scenarios, pump my self up, then jump on the phone only to find the person I was calling wasn't there.
Now days getting on the phone is fun, and even better if the person you're calling has requested info, they are looking for what you have.
Search for Ways to Enrich the Prospects Life
Great article Lynn. A lot of people forget the most important role of their business... to network. We have two functions in this business. 1) network with people and 2) market our products and opportunity. That's why it's called Network Marketing.
I used to do a lot of networking in the chamber of commerce for my consulting company and many times I had to do cold calling. What really helped me is to realize they are just like me and when I approach the conversation from "how can I help you succeed." and from the posture of "I know my worth and the value of what I'm offering and out of my known value how can I use what I have to serve you." then it opened a lot of doors for me.
The biggest problem in this business is everyone is looking at things in the short term. But as network marketers our biggest role is build relationships since that's how a good majority of our business is generated. If we spent more time focussing on creating relationships and having a genuine interest in both our warm and cold market contacts how much further do you think we could get.
I like what one person said. "Instead of focussing on making a million dollars, focus on making a million friends."
And here's the real truth. 80% of all of sales (tradition and direct sales) is made on the 8th touch point. So if you're calling a list and blowing everyone off you're missing out on 80% of sales. OUCH!
- Tony
What about the do not call registry
Part of my hesitation relates to the problems with the do not call registry. What do you suggest I do in this regard. Is it something that I should pay much attention to?
I love Dialing for Dollars!
Great article, Lynn and I enjoyed the comments too! I am a Dialing for Dollars Maniac and I teach workshop webinars to help people turn their fear into fun.
Some of our closest friends were once leads! The man who married us (Buck Murphy), our first marketing director (Norm Daniels) and our customer support supervisor (LaDonna Hill)of ten years now! I get excited when it's time to call prospects because I know I might make some life-long friends along the way to finding some productive business associates. Remember, they are just people too, looking for some help finding a great opportunity and you have a gift to offer them. If you let go of being attached to the outcome and just focus on connecting and listening, you'll learn to love it!
As for the duct tape, cute idea! I prefer my mute button though (less painful!). I use a Plantronics headset M175C with a built-in mute button. It really helps control blurters like me!
Hey Benny, most reputable leads companies scrub their leads against the Do Not Call Registry so be sure to ask about that when you go to purchase your leads.
Back to Dialing for Dollars!
Peace Out!
Tracy 'Power Gal' Monteforte
Do Not Call
Hey Benny, most reputable leads companies scrub their leads against the Do Not Call Registry so be sure to ask about that when you go to purchase your leads.
Back to Dialing for Dollars!
Peace Out!
Tracy 'Power Gal' Monteforte
Everyone loves Grandma...
...because she shares her hard-won wisdom so generously! I appreciate your honest insights -- obviously gleaned from your own experience. Thank you. :-)
Thanks for the great post Lynn!
Thanks for sharing. Great Article.
Thanks for the great article Lynn!!!
I know this will help me a great deal,already printed a copy and will keep it close.Thanks agan.
Brilliant Article Chic Grandma!
This is definitely a keeper...the best in print that I've come across. One thing that has really helped me is to get rid of my agenda and just call my leads and get to know them. I've actually learned to enjoy making my calls : )
Thanks for sharing such excellent Value...Chic Grandma!!
Hey wonderful Grandma!!!!!! ANd mentor
Picture a lite weight phone.............and everyone coming to talk to you.........You are wonderful and have a great message..
Your friend, Jan
Great subject Lyn, one that is dear to many hearts...
I used to get the butterflies calling leads from purchased lead programs, and for good reason. Those kinds of programs are down right scams. Now I've shifted my mindset to think about the new relationship I'm about to build, and another new friend in my life. That makes picking up the phone a whole lot easier!