3 Phrases That Ruin A Phone Conversation

You pick up the phone and the first thing your hear:
“Hi, it’s just Joe Salesman. I’m following up on…”
Click! That’s my favorite phone boo-boo!
Here are three phrases to avoid when you call a prospect, customer, home party hostess and especially when you leave a voice mail:
1. Never say “Just”  
Whenever we use the word “just,” we are lowering the value of our offer when compared to whatever is occupying their attention at that moment.
For instance, say I call Jane Prospect and say:
“Hi Jane, it’s just Rina Valan.”
I have effectively said that I’m second to whatever Jane has going on at the moment, and in effect become minor.
When you call your hostess or prospect, tell them why you are calling and take the word “just” out of your initial conversation and take it out of your voice messages.
2. Never say “I want to“
You’re in essence telling someone what you want is more important than what they want. This sounds like a demand and pretty soon their mindset turns back to their problems and their needs.  So when you call them, don’t talk about what you want, and refrain from saying anything with, “I want to” in it.
3. Avoid saying “Minute of your time”
Instead: ask “for a moment of your time.”
A minute has a well-defined length, and then what happens is they are focused on the length instead of what you are saying.  “Do you have a moment?” will typically get as much time as you need to get your message across. Try it!
—Rina Valan
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