What activity is vital to building a business but many network marketers are too afraid to do it? Talking about their business! Now, you may read that and say, “Nonsense! I love to talk about my business! I do it all the time.” Congratulations – you’ve overcome a major fear of many of your peers! However, many of you read that and nodded your head, understanding that you’re one of the many network marketers that gets anxious to talk about your business. Why? Other than being super awkward, you just may not have the experience to feel natural bringing it up in conversation. Although you may understand you have to do it – it’s part of business – it doesn’t make you any less anxious. But, don’t worry, today we’ll help you talk about your business without feeling super awkward about it.

Why it’s important to talk about your business

Let’s get one thing clear – you are the biggest advocate of your business. You could build a network full of strong advocates, but no one – aside from maybe your mom – is going to be a bigger advocate for your business. And, if you don’t talk about your business, no one will. In fact, they’ll never know you have one, not to mention one where service is at its core. 

This is a common issue with network marketers who are new to the industry. Sure, they may have lofty financial and business goals. They may also be eager to be their own boss and break free from the typical 9 to 5 job. Although they may make a post or two about their business when they first start it, they may feel that’s it. Post a handful of times and your network will basically build itself. In an ideal world, that would be true. In reality, it takes a bit more effort than that. 

The people you know want to support you

Your friends and family want to support you in your endeavors, including your business. But they’re busy. They have lives and commitments of their own, so while they want to support you, they may not remember your business. It’s nothing against you, it’s just that they have so much going on that they can’t possibly remember it all. That’s why you have to remind them. The more you remind them, the longer it’ll stay top of mind. That’s not to say you’ll talk about your business every single time you talk to them, but if you bring it up periodically, they’ll remember. And, once they remember, they’ll be more likely to support you or introduce you to someone they know who can benefit from your business.

So, why do network marketers feel weird about it?

Even if you’re the most experienced, extroverted conversationalist you may feel awkward, at least initially, talking about your business. It’s hard to find that natural opening in conversation where it would feel normal to do so. Add into that that traditional pushy sales techniques have given network marketing a bad reputation and it’s enough to give anyone pause. However, network marketers who value their relationships want to overcome this stereotype. To separate themselves from the stereotype of the pushy salesperson, they engage their network by using other topics of conversation. They’ll ask about their families, hobbies, jobs, future vacation plans, the weather, etc. One thing they avoid bringing up? Their businesses.

In order to grow your business, it’s essential to talk about your business. You have to bring it up in conversation, even if it feels weird or awkward. And, although you may fear appearing like a pushy salesperson, you won’t have a business if you don’t talk about your business. You are your business’s biggest advocate!

How to talk about your business without feeling awkward or like a pushy salesperson

It is possible to talk about your business without feeling like a pushy salesperson. Here’s how:

Keep service at your core

If you feel awkward talking about your business, focus on the service you provide to your network. Pushy salespeople solely want to make the sale – they’re not concerned with serving their networks. They don’t give a hoot as long as they make the sale. But, you’re a network marketer who knows that relationships are central to your business. If you burn bridges to make sales, you won’t have a network before long. 

That’s why it’s important to focus on service. What is your business offering them? How can you help them reach their goals? When you approach the conversion from a place of service, you’ll feel less awkward talking about your business. Instead of wanting to make a sale, you’ll want to help them address a need or make their lives easier. And, instead of focusing solely on making the sale, you’ll focus on building the relationship. That leads to long-term customers, happy team members, and future introductions. 

Listen for a need

As you’re focusing on the person you’re conversing with – either in person or online – listen for a need you can fill. Everyone you speak with is facing challenges in life, both big and small. Some are open about them; others may mention them, but only indirectly. That’s why it’s so important to listen.

It’s about more than what people say, but also how they say it, the words they use, their tone, and if you’re speaking to them in person, their body language. Listen for needs you can fill and ways you can help. Best case scenario, your business can help them. Even if it can’t, you may be able to introduce them to someone who can help. Sometimes just listening helps (and also builds trust). Although you may bring up your business in conversation right then, listening also gives you the opportunity to follow up with them. After your conversation, when you’ve thought of ways that you can help, message them to say you’ve been thinking of them and explain how your business or solution can help. They’ll be honored that you’ve thought of them and it will help build your relationship with them. 

Find a natural break in conversation

In every conversation, there’s a natural break. At this time, the conversation turns to you and what you’re doing. This is your opportunity to talk about your business. 

For some, it’s a lot of pressure. They don’t want to sound like a sales pitch because the other person may tune out. However, they don’t want to minimize their businesses either because it is important to them. 

Although you don’t want to sound pitchy, it’s important to be prepared, especially if this is your first time discussing it with someone. It helps to write down important points about your business.

• Why are you passionate about it/why did you start it?
• What does your business do? What do you sell and why?
• What do you want other people to take away from your business?

When you talk about your business, keep these points at the forefront. You don’t have to go into all of them; however, it helps to mention one or two in the course of conversation.

Once they know about your business, you can chat about how business is going. Are you having a great month? Perhaps you’re close to reaching your short-term goals. Or maybe one of your customers had great results with one of your products and you want to share their results. Maybe you grew your team recently and you’re really excited about it. Excitement is palpable and if you’re excited about your business, other people will be as well. Like a smile or a laugh, your excitement for your business is contagious. And when you’re excited about your business, it’ll be much easier for you to talk about your business.

Leave them wanting to learn more

As you’re discussing your business, the other person may ask questions about it. Welcome those questions and answer them. However, also leave them wanting to learn more about it, especially if they seem interested in learning more. After the conversation is over, follow up with them. See if they have any more questions or send them a sample. Following up shows that you care and that you remember their interest. 

If they’re not interested, that’s fine as well. You’ve planted the seed. Over time it may germinate into an introduction to someone they know who is interested in your business. While they may not know someone right away, when you follow up with them and maintain consistent contact, they may think of someone. Be sure to thank them for the introduction and build trust and a relationship with them. 

Let Teamzy help you talk about your business

Still nervous about talking about your business? Teamzy has scripts to help you talk about your business and follow up with customers, prospects, and distributors. Use the scripts to engage with everyone in your network. Practice them often until they feel natural. Be sure to add them to your Teamzy network to keep in touch with them. Click here to learn more about scripts and how to build your network based on relationships.