I received an email in my in box the other day. Shocking huh? It was one of those forwarded emails that have been around the world something like 70 times. I’m not sure if you get these kind of emails or not, but I liked the story behind it and knew you would to…so here it is.
ALWAYS ASK, NEVER ASSUME !!
His request approved, the CNN News photographer
quickly used a cell phone to call the local airport
to charter a flight.
He was told a twin-engine plane would be waiting
for him at the airport.
Arriving at the airfield, he spotted a plane warming
up outside a hanger.
He jumped in with his bag, slammed the door
shut, and shouted, ‘Let’s go’.
The pilot taxied out, swung the plane into the wind
and took off.
Once in the air, the photographer instructed the
pilot, ‘Fly over the valley and make low
passes so I can take pictures of the fires
on the hillsides.’
‘Why?’ asked the pilot.
‘Because I’m a photographer for CNN’ ,
he responded, ‘and I need to get
some close up shots.’
The pilot was strangely silent for a moment.
Finally he stammered, ‘So, what you’re telling me,
is . . . You’re NOT my flight instructor?’
Now I’m going to tell you how I see this relating to online marketing. ‘Why’ you may ask… because that’s how I roll. As soon as I realized my passion for helping other people get massive exposure online by creating tribes, I started see a whole lot of potential in connecting stories from real life situations to online marketing. Call it a gift!
So I’m sure you can see the moral of this story is to always ask. Now you’re probably wondering how this relates to online marketing or building your brand. It has more to do with getting out there and making things happen and building relationships than it does building your brand or funnel. Or does it?
Most people have a great idea and never do anything with it. Or they join a network marketing company and become the closet evangelist. I’m still wondering how that’s working out for them. But for those who ask…they get results.
In building your funnel and auto responder ask questions in the title. The brain hates un ended situations. The open rate is a lot higher in most cases. I’ll let you ponder that one for a bit. What titles peak your curiosity?
On social media sites like Twitter and Facebook ask engaging questions. I know it’s a novel idea, but asking for information about someone before you jump all over them can really go a long way in forming a powerful relationship. Have you tried it?
When building a multimillion-dollar network marketing business ask for the sale. How’s your mindset on this one? Are you building a $100 a month organization or a $100,000 a month organization? The right mindset will win over your ego in asking for the sale every time! A little posture and networking etiquette will also help.
When looking to form a joint venture, ask when is a good time to connect. Just because the other person may appear a little out of your league doesn’t mean that they are. No risk no reward right?
While looking for prospects or suspects online ask if they keep their options open. Here’s a tip though…it helps to ask them questions about themselves first. I know this seems redundant, but I’m adding it twice just to get the point across.
At the end of your blog posts ask for comments. This is in the form of a demand, as in a call to action. Every blog post should have one. This one is without exception.
Now’s your chance to go ask questions, build relations, form tribes, and get your message out there. The marketplace needs more leaders, and leaders lead. They’re no afraid to ask and they’re not afraid to listen for the results.
Ken Pickard
The Network Dad
P.S. Here’s a great little tip if you don’t know what to ask someone. This works offline and online. F.O.R.M. Family, Occupation, Recreation, Message. Ask for information, qualify people, and then send them your message.
P.S.S. Here’s the “NOT SO HIDDEN” call to action and yep you guessed it…with another question. What questions do you ask when starting to build relationships? Leave a comment below for the community. Next time we’ll talk about hearing vs listening. I’m digging through my emails for another story!
Super value added special tip…Get a freakin GRAVATAR!
Fun pop quiz…how many questions did I ask? No the email story does not count.
Older Comments
Hi Ken! Great information, and it’s always a good idea to repeat important keys especially about building relationships.
I also like your reminder about asking questions a lot especially at the beginning of a post or auto-responder follow up. It really does get people thinking, and I think they want to read more.
Good stuff!
Erika
.-= Erika Olson´s last blog ..Online Marketing Beginners- How Do I Provide Value =-.
You only get answers when you ask questions. I especially like to ask people to let me know WHY they want to join me in business before I waste a lot of time assuming it’s for the right reasons.
The answers are important, but only if the questions are the right ones.
Thanks for the powerful tips (and engaging story) here, Ken!
.-= David Merrill´s last blog ..Tribe Mentoring Blogging Basics – Part 3 =-.
David,
That’s a great idea on asking people why they want to join you in business. I’m really of the mind to start interviewing people for my business. it’s not about the sale or getting them in. it’s about what they are going to do with it. How are they going to impact the lives of others?
Ken
Man, asking the right questions is so key to building a successful business. Thanks for this great reminder Ken. You posts have such great info in them!
.-= Michael Feil´s last blog ..Blogging for Beginners – The Tribe Tab =-.
Michael,
Thanks my friend. Always appreciate you stopping by and sharing your knowledge as well.
Ken
Ken,
Thanks man for the heads up! Great piece of work on Asking for the sell, I do sell and I must stay I kind of forgot about the close on my blog post, something as simple as asking for the comment on the post is key in closing it out, thanks man for getting back on point about the close. Ha Ken, have you every thought about selling shoes to shoes sales man. I bet you’a he would buy….LOL! Thanks Man!
.-= Charles Wharry´s last blog ..Blogging For Beginners- “What is the best way to get people to comment and interact with me on my blog” The Empowered Theme KaryRogneycom =-.
Charles,
Thanks for stopping by. you never know what you can do or accomplish until you ask for. Someone just might say yes or give you that missing piece that you’ve been searching for.
Ken
Ken,
I had a great comment all lined up as I was reading through your post. Then at the end when you threw out the whole “get a freaking gravatar” comment…I lost it all. I am still laughing at that…and yes I agree. Nothing worse that scrolling through comments and seeing the “Mystery Man” icon next to someone’s comment. Step 1 in personal branding and on-line marketing should always be to get the gravatar.
Oh…and the rest of the post was freaking awesome too!
Love ya man!
Krista
.-= Krista Abbott´s last blog ..How To Define Success For “Your” Life =-.
Krista,
Sometimes we need to shake things up by slapping peeps upside the head with the proverbial 2×4. There was a Sonic commercial I saw where a girl scout was selling cookies door to door. The man who answered the door was about to say no thanks. But his alter ego yelled “GET THE THIN MINTS!” My son and I were on the floor howling. The switch in tone made the whole commercial.
Ken
Ken,
You’re not kidding on the power of engagement and asking questions!
As you know, I took a leaf out of your book recently and tagged a few people on Facebook who were experts on the topic I wanted to know about. It worked like a dream in terms of the responses, engagement and friendships I was able to build.
Questions are such a powerful way to build relationships, yet so many new marketers continue to alienate people with self promotional methods that do little to ‘win over’ the very person they are tying to impress!
Ask people about themselves and the love will follow
.-= Michaelé Harrington´s last blog ..Next Generation Technology Reveals Potential To Double Online Conversions =-.
Michaele,
You are right on the money with that! “…yet so many new marketers continue to alienate people with self promotional methods…” Even if i know the answer or know what to do next there’s always someone who knows more than I. And even then there’s always a chance of connecting more!
Ken
Ken , I counted seven questions.
What question do I ask when starting to build a relationship?
A discovery type of question, such as How did you get started doing what ever they are doing?
A relationship is born from a desire to understand someone. It does not matter how great my product or service is, if I don’t understand what they are wanting to accomplish, or if they are willing to change. Thanks for the story that you began this post with.
Perry A Davis Jr
Music City USA
.-= Perry A Davis Jr´s last blog ..5 thoughts as to why not call your friends- family and people you know as – your “Warm Market =-.