Are you an Entrepreneur and an Introvert? Do you struggle with client interactions and selling? If so you're not alone.
I got an e-mail the other day from David. David owns his own home improvement and remodeling business and he struggles with client interactions, giving quotes and selling to customers, it's not something he's comfortable with.
This is something I can personally relate to. I'm an introvert myself and while early on my business was all online and any customer intraction was done via e-mail, at one point we got an 800 number and started taking customer phone calls. Initially this was uncomfortable for me and something I didn't really like to do, but I sucked it up, did it and eventually got comfortable with it, and while it's still not my favorite thing to do, it doesn't hinder me from running my business.
I think another important thing is how you frame the interaction. In this video I give an example of two scenarios. Scenario one going up to a women on the street and asking her on a date. Scenario number two going up to a women on the street and asking directions. I'm sure most people would be more comfortable with the latter. That's because the conversation has a purpose, to get directions.
With David's business he's not striking up a conversation with a stranger in a bar, he's responding to a customer who wants to get work done. This is a topic he's knowledgeable about, confident in and passionate about so he should have no problem talking to customers about doing their work. I think how he frames this situation in his head will do a lot to make him more comfortable with the interaction.
People skills are important in business. While introverts may never love customer interactions, they definitely can get better at them and it will only help to better improve their business and sales.
Are you an introverted Entrepreneur? Do you have any tips to share on how to get past it and deal with customers? Drop your comment below.