The 9 Simple Truths to Building an Unbreakable Relationship with Your Business Contacts

1. Do your homework
   With the arrival of the Internet in full force, it has never been easier to find out something about anyone. Just “Google” them, go ahead, type their name into Google and run a search. You’re bound to find out something you can use to help you bond with them. There’s nothing more flattering than when someone you meet with has obviously taken the time to learn a bit about you in advance.


2. Keep stellar records of interactions
   As business people we may make hundreds maybe even thousands of contacts each year making it all the more critical to keep good records. Today’s customer relationship management (CRM) software such as ACT! makes it real easy to effectively track interactions whether they are by email, meetings, or phone conversations. Now when we are about to resume conversations with someone we haven’t spoken to in a while, we can go back and see exactly where we left off.


3. Stay in touch
   There’s nothing worse than not following up with a new contact. You’ve gone through the process of meeting them, now what? Have a system for staying connected. Email marketing systems make this easier than ever. Although consistency is key here, be sure to make each contact purposeful and valuable to your contact.


4. Learn to listen
   We have the ability to hear but do we always listen intently when our contacts speak? If so, we probably wouldn’t forget their name within seconds after they tell us. Pay attention! Seek first to understand and then to be understood – not the other way around. Most of us are so busy trying to figure what to say next, that we don’t really listen to what the other person is saying.


5. Your word is gospel
   As a matter of fact, your word is all you have. It is gold, treat it as such. How? Be honest, it’s as simple as that. Abuse it with your contact, and you can damage your integrity and credibility with them, possibly forever.


6. Show respect
   Respect for your contact, their actions, beliefs and their time. This doesn’t mean you have to like it; you just need to respect it because it’s important to them. Nothing damages a relationship more than utter disrespect. This is even more reason to research your contact and find out what makes them tick. Hey, if you can avoid offending someone, why not do it.


7. Exercise Patience
   We live in a world of instant gratification. We want everything yesterday. While this can appeal to some, it wreaks havoc on our ability to be patient. Keep your cool. And most certainly don’t come off as desperate. And remember it’s okay to be persistent, just not pushy.


8. Be genuine
   Don’t be afraid to share something about yourself. People do business with people, not companies. Let your contact get to know you, the real you, and you’ll see some of your relationships grow to a deeper, more fruitful level.


9. Be a giver not a taker
   Let your generosity flow and if there’s any credence to the law of reciprocation, it will all and more come back to you in one way, shape or form. But give for the right reasons, without expectation of anything in return and allow yourself to experience the true gift of giving.

© 2006 Online Marketing Muscle -- All Rights Reserved.

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Online entrepreneur Dean Mercado, "The Motivational Marketer", is creator of the acclaimed 'Pumped Up Networking' system geared to explode your business through professional relationships.  To learn more about it and to sign up for his FREE eZine the 'Marketing Minute' – a weekly multimedia eZine designed to give you a jolt of marketing wisdom in less than 5 minutes, visit www.OnlineMarketingMuscle.com.