“Ladies, It is Time to Start ‘Leaning Back’” by Erica Duran

Posted on August 17, 2015 by Erica Duran, One of Thousands of Entrepreneurship Coaches on Noomii.

I had a virtual coffee date with a good friend today who I hadn’t spoken to in a long time.

She was telling me how she had “hibernated” for a few months away from her business and just the other day went to her first networking group in almost a year.

She then went on to tell me how “yucky” and out of alignment it felt. That everyone there was being so salesy and pushy. That no one really tried to connect with her.

I thought about this for a moment and then came to a conclusion.

Women our age didn’t have very good models to follow when we were first learning about business and sales.

This forced us to learn sales, personal development, and business strategies from male marketing gurus. You know, all those CD sets from Tony Robbins-types sold on late night infomercials?

It’s no wonder why all these women are running around trying to sell like men!

That aggressive, “go get-em,” hyped-up version of sales style works for men and it worked for women for a little while in the beginning.

But it isn’t so true anymore.

Can’t you just smell aggressive salesy people a mile away?

I also believe this phenomenon is happening because of the countless direct selling multi-level marketing type companies people have joined due to the recession or wanting to make a few extra dollars.

Now, I know these companies are not all bad and some have GREAT training on sales and personal development. I’ve been in many of these companies myself when I was starting out and trying to find my way. It really was great business training wheels.

But let’s just admit it, multi-level companies do attract a certain number of crazies. And not all of these companies have the best-intentioned up-lines or leaders facilitating their training programs.
These days, ladies… it is time we start “leaning back.”

Doesn’t that phrase “lean back” just take the stress and anxiety of sales away?

Doesn’t it feel like you can breathe and stop gripping your mouse so tightly?

What is hard to believe is that women are having this challenge in networking.

After all, we are the better of the two genders when it comes to relationship-building.

Ladies, it is time to let go of all this struggle yet be powerful and happy at the same time.

I know the one thing this world doesn’t need is more stressed-out, overwhelmed women.

So, what do I mean by “leaning back” and what are some examples in real life situations? Here is what I mean…

1. Networking is networking. If it was selling, it would be called selling or shopping.
Networking is to meet other business owners, share ideas, make connections, refer others, eat bad banquet food, and get out of our homes and offices for a few hours.
Networking is not shopping or selling and it is highly unlikely that your ideal client is at a general networking group. Most just are not targeted enough.
You would have greater success if, when you attended the networking groups, you “leaned back” and tried to see if anyone there should be connected with anyone else you know.
This goes for social media networking groups as well.
If the group is targeted enough to your ideal client then “lean back” and let them come to you.
The right ones always do somehow.
You don’t chase them down.
But do introduce yourself and ask them about what is going on for them currently.

2. Stop gripping money and potential clients so tightly.

3. Stay present and curious with your clients. Listen to what they are struggling with and offer support if that is your area of expertise.

4. Approach your marketing on social media with a contribution mentality (be entertaining, inspirational or educational). Then, just attach a simple link for them to learn more if they are interested.

5. When you are on sales calls and in networking meetings, LITERALLY “lean back” out of an aggressive forward stance.

6. Show and demonstrate the value and the results your clients will get from your programs and services instead of boasting about your signature system, the certifications you’ve earned, or the features of the product.

7. Figure out and get clarity on YOUR ideal clients. Who do YOU want to work with? Not necessarily who is coming to you at this time.

8. Organize your offerings into packages for YOUR benefit of having confidence and ease in communicating what you do, not exactly for the client’s sake.

9. Get clear on how you want to work each day and for how long.

10. Get clear on how much YOU’D like to earn each month to fulfill your desired lifestyle.

11. Remember when having sales conversations, there is no way you can solve their problem in 30 minutes. It is just a discovery session to see if there is a fit on both sides.

12. Also, remember that on these initial sales calls, you are not “auditioning” to get the client. Stay in your power and expert status!

13. Do not be available for anything less.

So, my little coffee date today sure spring-boarded a lot of observations, didn’t it?

I hope this helps you to see that a more feminine approach to networking, marketing and sales is what works these days. And that people are craving connecting with “real” people, not carbon copies of the gurus of the past.

If you would like to get some support in implementing the “lean back” approach to your lifestyle and/or business systems, feel free to book your own private Aloha Strategy Session. Trust me, there is no pressure on these calls at all. I’m totally leaning back. LOL!