Earlier this week, I spent an hour chatting with a potential new Facebook (FB) friend. Got to know him a bit, but he NEVER asked me anything about me. I shared some info about myself…family stuff and such….but again, the topic never changed from being about him. Due to the questions I asked, I know his businesses, the company names, how long he’s been partnered with them, that he’s married with three children, their ages, his full-time job, the name of that company, etc…but he knows NOTHING about me other than what I slipped into the conversation without being asked. There was no reciprocation in this conversation. It was kinda painful…on my end.
My point: TALK TO PEOPLE. Stop being afraid. Stop being so self-focused. Ask questions. Get to know PEOPLE. They MATTER.
In the true scenario above, which occurs so many more times than not, I made him feel good, I was interested in him, I kept talking about him. But from my side of things, I felt kinda deflated. Not once did he ask about me. It’s like he didn’t really want to know me; at least that is how I FELT & still feel. He was only interested in telling about his biz crap. Maybe because when he told me the name of the company he was partnered with, I told him that I knew many people already in that company (it was actually three of them). I dunno. To me, someone saying they know many 
people already in a company is a mere “road block”, NOT a stop sign. Be creative in how you maneuver that one. It’s NOT impossible to get around it. YOU set yourself apart from others in a particular company. Just because someone knows many people partnered with your company does not mean that they are already involved (unless they’ve told you that they are) or they won’t purchase products FROM YOU in the future…you NEVER know.
Also for me, not impossible for me to interest him in my company’s products & services. Since he never asked me about my universe, I had to be creative and somehow tell him about that part of my world. I offered some info…and ended the last chat with a question. We’ll see if he replies. (To date, he has not replied…bad network marketer, in my book.) You see, I talk to people. I get to know them. I ask them questions. I want to know. If nothing else, I want to know if we are a good fit for conversation, friendship, interaction. I will kinda call them out if they need it. Some don’t even know they are being called out. I call it “guiding them to the light” (OK, I made that up)…but you get the point.
The main thing here: TALK TO PEOPLE. ASK about them as well as talking about yourself. It is NOT all about you!!! Conversations is reciprocation. Reciprocate. Participate in the conversation. It is give & take. Conversations are designed only to get answers but also to make BOTH parties feel special or important…even if just for a few minutes.
Do not fear me. Do not be intimidated by me. I am a great person; a little rough around the edges – who isn’t?, but a soft cookie when you get to know me. Well….maybe… LOL I call ’em like I see ’em. I am authentic and ethical. I am creative. I am an aspiring artist. I love people. I want to know you better. I am married. (for those seeing this who think they might want a date – LOL)
My main thing is TALK TO PEOPLE. Really talk to them. Be genuine. Be honest. You don’t have to share your deepest secrets, but be truthful. Get to know them. IF you do not gain a new business partner….that’s cool….you might gain a new friend and that is MORE VALUABLE…in my book.
