Is This Home Business Mistake Costing You Customers?

There are a ton of home businesses out there in the world today. Some are great. Some are average and some, well, not so much. And at the end of the day, company revenues all boil down to that company selling a product or service. If there are no revenues generated by you, then you get no paycheck.

Brand new home business owners are typically very enthusiastic and have a lot of energy when they get started. These are great qualities to have, right? But without a little bit of training, the guidance of a seasoned professional, and some basic insight into how the human mind works, those very traits that likely got them started can backfire.

Maybe you have a home business, or have had several. Has this ever happened to you?

You were really excited and convinced that whatever product or service your company offered was THE product or service that you not only needed, but that every one of your friends and family members needed as well. After all, that's why you signed up, right?

Well, maybe a couple friends and family members were at least willing to give it a listen, but they weren't as convinced as you were. You jumped right out of the gate and pounced on them, causing them to cross their arms over their chests or, worse, run for the nearest exit! After a few repeats of this scenario, you were likely left feeling very dejected and maybe even ready to give up altogether, convinced that this particular business didn't "work."

As long as the basic laws of supply and demand are being met, it doesn't really matter what your company sells. Promoting your company, your brand, your very "self" is all about building relationships. I recently saw a sign on a church that said "people don't care how much you KNOW, until they know how much you CARE". Think about that.

My grandmother used to tell me that listening was twice as important as talking and that this is why we were created with two ears and only one mouth. How true! You have to listen to what people want and need. A very successful business associate once said, "People don't like to be sold and we shouldn't be out to 'get' people". She said, "People just want to be heard and they want to be helped".

It's about listening to people - really hearing them - and being able to fulfill their needs. When you care enough to take the time, to build and nurture the relationships, those people will be drawn to you because you are there to help them.

And that will help you build a business for the long term.