Calling on / selling to friends & relatives... do you? how do you? reactions?

[Gendenwitha]

Okay, got a great job, Just finished the training and I'll really enjoy doing the nuts and bolts end of it... the customer service, counseling of sorts, the number crunching...

... but I'm scared to death to begin calling my friends and relatives as directed. I'm already behind where I'm supposed to be.

what can you tell me to give me courage and get me started? I'm so terrified to take the first step.

I do think everyone, especially parents of young children should have life insurance, so it should be as easy as selling fire extinguishers right? You hope they won't need it but know you're making a huge difference in their life if they ever do? So why is it SO d@mn hard for me to pick up the phone?


P.S. I've fallen out of touch with lots of people the last three years since I've been in school, and that's part of the problem... if I call now only to sell them something I'm afraid they'll think that's the only thing our friendship means and won't talk to me ever again.

[jlanda]

As someone that's gotten clients almost primarily through networking, you don't sell to the friends and relatives. You tell them what you do and ask them to send anyone your way that they think could use your services. If the friend or relative is interested, they'll want to buy in also. They don't feel like they're being "sold to" and instead are left without pressure and can make the choice on their own. On top of that, they can help you bring others in. That's how I've gotten many of my clients, and some of them wind up being friends and relatives

[janasmama]

^ excellent tip

[npl]

I tell friends that I'm doing a show, and ask them to come say hi if they go to the show, so I have a friendly face to talk to. I tell them "no obligation" and it's not threatening. I put it like I'd like them to see what I do, and get their opinion. I have sold to friends, because it's natural for them to give me a try because they already know and trust me. They also refer me to other people.
I know your situation is different. I like the suggestion to put out the word in the form of "please keep me in mind to refer to your friends".