How to Listen on
the Internet
-- by Wanda Loskot, http://loska.com/successconnection
-- http://www.redtienda.com/english/newsletter59.htm#1Here 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 are you 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! 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. 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!)
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