Top Three Ways to Piss Off Your Prospects

  Written by Karen Kan, MD on Jan 15, 2009 4:28 pm

Read More: Direct Mail  |  Marketing

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I learned something valuable this week that I'd like to share. I learned it about myself, actually. I learned that no matter how wonderful the business opportunity sounds, I would never work with someone who I didn't feel good about.

Here are the top 3 ways to piss off your prospects (yes, I got mad and that's why I'm sharing these with you so you DON'T do what this guy did!)

1. Write to your prospect in DETAIL how amazing your opportunity is and how you'd love to work with them etc. the very first time you've connected with them.

I call this vomiting on your prospect.

Yuck.

This is what goes through my head when I read a big long comment or email like that:

Gee, have you even ASKED me what I needed yet? You don't even know me!

My advice? Instead of vomiting all over your prospects, start asking questions. Get interested in who they are and what makes them tick. Ask them what support they could use right now to become more successful. Don't assume anything, even if you think you "know" what would help them. The softer, more receptive approach can work wonders.

2. Opt-in to your prospect's autoresponder (even though the content of the newsletter is nothing you are interested in) just so you can criticize them, sending them an email like this one:

OLD school Auto Responders are out.  Either write me for real or Don't but don't mess around with peoples emotions for your personal gain!! Especially when it can be personalized with the latest technology

Hmmmmm. First of all, I can't imagine the "messing around with people's emotions for personal gain" comment would be taken in a positive light by a prospect regardless of your opinion. Secondly, do you really think criticizing your prospect is going to make them feel warm and fuzzy about working with you?

Nah, don't think so!

My belief is that most people out there are really trying to help others and they are doing what they are doing to, of course support themselves financially, but also to empower others to a happier, more prosperous life. Criticizing your prospect negates all the "good" that you are trying to impress upon them. Instead you will hit resistance like a lead brick. You'd be lucky if you hear from that person again.

More helpful would have been:

Great newsletter you wrote - I can feel some personality behind it. Hey, I noticed that you use text autoresponders. Do you like using them? I know a lot of gurus who swear by them - but I'm wondering if you'd be open to hearing about a new cutting-edge technology that would create more intimacy with your clients and possibly improve your sales...and it wouldn't be any harder or more money than what you are doing now? If you are, I'd love to hear from you. I know you are really trying to make a difference in the world, and I think my product can really help you serve your clients better.

3. Ignore your prospects' email or request for space (basically, getting a "NO") and bombard them with emails about your business.

Here's the first email I received:

I love what you are trying to do but your methods are already old school. from a technology stand point.  Text is out. auto text responders are out!!  As a Better Networker friend I can show you the next wave.  It is going viral, either be ahead of the curve or lose what you have built to date.  Call me

Did you notice the threat at the end of that sentence? Here's a hint: don't threaten. It doesn't feel very good on the other end. Y'know, it is the difference between the energy of abundance and the energy of scarcity. This person is trying to invoke your FEAR of losing something valuable. Reminds me of my parents when I was a kid and didn't do what they wanted me to. Doesn't feel good.

And here was my response:

Thanks for your interest, Jim (not his real name). Sounds interesting. Not wanting to add something to my learning curve just yet, but check back with me in about 3 months and I might be ready. Thanks so much!

Did you notice what I wrote? Firstly, I THANKED him. I ACKNOWLEDGED that what he had to offer sounded interesting. Then I told him where I was at PERSONALLY (reason I didn't want to pursue the opportunity right now) and then I instructed him on WHEN he was free to connect back with me again to CHECK IN if I was ready to put the energy into studying his opportunity. Then, I thanked him AGAIN.

When you read the two emails above, can you FEEL the difference in energy? So let me ask you this? Which would you rather receive? And I'm not even the one prospecting here!!

Of course, I was the prospect in this case and yet, even though I was somewhat annoyed that this person opting into my newsletter for prospecting reasons and not for wanting the information I provided, I was still courteous.

Did you know that I never received a direct reply to my email above? Nope, I was totally ignored. Instead, I received another prospecting email (see the one I wrote above). So I got the message that he wasn't interested in what I WANTED...only in what he wanted to sell me.

WRONG approach.

It's not about what YOU want or what YOU think your prospect needs and pushing it on them. It is about learning to ASK and LISTEN for what your prospect NEEDS and RESPONDING to those needs WHEN the prospect gives you an opening.

Lastly, it is such a shame that this person really rubbed me the wrong way. It makes me not even want to look at what they have to offer...and that could mean both of us truly missing out.

Dr. Karen Kan

www.MLMBusinessLeaders.com

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