In person: Make Eye Contact, avoid distractions like cell phone or computers, sit face to face, LOOK like your listening, lean inward toward the person, avoid sleeping (always good to do during boring meetings), use short sentences instead of droning on and on….ask for feedback periodically to make sure they understand, ask questions – let the other person talk, say something that really grabs their attention – a personal story is always best – open with the time and place, then share some dynamics of the event and close the last segment with what you want the group to do because of your story and how it can impact or change them moving forward. Try to keep the stories to 3-4 minutes max.
Email
In email:Have a catchy subject line, avoid caps, bold, underlining – which can send a message you are shouting, considering writing the text in five or six short sentences – open with a quote or leave it blank, use the name of someone you are trying to connect with to get their attention.
So that people can read it more quickly. If
your email is more than 2 short paragraphs,
pick up the phone or rewrite it. Inspire people
to want to read the email with oreo coaching.
Start with something positive (top cookie layer)
Share the middle cream (the change or challenge)
End with something positive (bottom cookie layer)
Voicemail
Let’s add voicemail to the mix, why not? If you are a school principal and you are doing robo calls that I SO (notice caps) look forward to every Sunday and Monday evening, PLEASE practice your call and time yourself so that you are not cut off mid-sentence every week! (Yes, I am putting an exclamation, because after the 3rd time, I stopped listening.) If you are in sales, then make the call about the other person – not you.
Example:
“John, this is Merikay w/ COACH MKay Companies, I know you are probably swamped so I’ll be super quick. I’m calling today to explore what upcoming meetings your association may be planning for the future and find out what topics would be important to help give them an edge in today’s competitive business climate. Is now a good time to talk or would you like to schedule a conference call?”
(If you are leaving a voicemail…..)
John, I will be in the office tomorrow between 8am – 11am, if that time does not work for you, please leave me a voicemail anytime at 255-3273, 255-3273 (please leave your phone number twice so people don’t have to play your message over again) I look forward to speaking with you. SMILE (yes, caps again) while you are on this call, they will hear the enthusiasm on the other end of the phone.
