Business is about people. Business Blogging is also about people.
Some of you reading this are thinking, “No it isn’t. Business is about money (then a few might even add) you idiot!”
If you are one of the folks thinking that, I say you are wrong. Here’s why.
If you get the people, the money will follow. Money doesn’t spend itself. People make the transaction happen.
And it is a fact that people are much more likely to do business with other people that they know, like and trust. If they never hear of your business, chances are remote that they will send their money in your direction. If they have a strong reason not to trust you, you will have a much more difficult time making a sale than if there is credibility built in before you meet.
But how can you become more likable? Is it truly possible to make people like you?
Yes. It is possible.
And it is easy too. Just apply this simple 4 step formula and you will find people like you a whole lot more than they do now.
1. Ask Questions
Everyone has the same favorite subject: Themselves.
It is a universal law of humanity that people would rather talk about themselves than hear about you. And if you show an interest in their favorite subject, they will surely like you for it.
So the secret to making people like you is to be interested in their favorite subject and get them talking about it.
The easiest way to make this happen is to ask them a question. Try to make it a question that will tell you something about them.
To add extra power to your question, make sure they can’t answer it with a simple yes or no. For example: Do you like chocolate? is no where near as good a question as What’s your favorite desert?
Questions that can’t be answered with a simple yes or no are called open ended questions. These are the ones you want to get into the habit of asking everyone you want to like you.
Think of the essay questions you used to get in school. You know, the ones that made you groan because there was no simple answer for so you could never be sure if you gave the right one or not.
You are much more likely to get the other person talking with an open ended question than if they can simply say “No.” and dismiss you.
2. Shut Up
The next step to our formula is simple. Even so it is easy to mess up here.
You will be tempted to immediately change the direction of the conversation that you’ve just started over to your own favorite subject (which if you haven’t figured it out already is yourself.)
Don’t do this.
Instead shut up and allow the person you asked the question to to speak. Let them keep talking as long as they will.
Your success in making people like you is completely dependent on your ability to allow them to talk. The more you are doing the talking the less success you will have.
3. Listen
This third step will likely be the hardest part of the formula, especially if you are new at this.
Not only do you have to be not talking, but you have to put a little effort into hearing what the other person is saying in response to your powerful open ended question.
If you are like me, you will be tempted to be thinking about what you want to say next while you are not talking. If you succumb to that temptation you will probably end up worse off than before you started.
Remember, their favorite topic is them. If you show you didn’t hear them when it comes your turn to say something in the conversation you will come across as a slick hypocrite who was trying to manipulate them just so that you could tell them something you wanted them to hear.
On the other hand, if you show them that you really care (by paying attention and hearing what they say) about their favorite subject, even the crustiest hard case will soften and think more kindly toward you.
4. Repeat
Then do it again. And again. And again…
The more you repeat this process the more that other person will think you are a great guy or gal.
And there you have it. A simple 4 step formula that is guaranteed to see success in making people like you.
So head on out and make some new friends today. I bet you’ll find your business will increase as a result of all those new friends.
Enjoy!
