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The notion that people only buy from those they know and like, is one that the traditional sales gurus have taught for decades.
But it has led many advisors to think they need to socialize first and do business second, resulting in extended sales cycles and awkwardly chasing their prospects with “just checking in” or “how are things going?” emails, text and phone calls.
They spend time and effort building what they think is a “relationship”, only to get “we’ll get back to you if we’re interested”.
Think back to the last time you saw your doctor.
Did he or she attempt to build a relationship with you, or even suggest getting together for a cup of coffee?
Probably not, yet without a formal relationship with your doctor, you follow their advice and pay their fee without hesitation.
The truth is, your prospects don’t necessarily need to like you to trust you.
Because unlike the kind of trust that occurs in a social context, trust in a business context depends on whether your prospects see you as an authority.
A doctor portrays authority through a specific consultation process and their bedside manner.
They focus on diagnosing your problem, which demonstrates they have no other agenda except to help you.
There’s rarely drawn-out chit-chat or superficial rapport-building that would make us feel they have an ulterior motive.
Their purpose is clear and simple: get to the bottom of our problem so they can accurately prescribe the solution – so they can see their next patient.
The experience usually happens in one step, instead of multiple steps, with little or no resistance on your part.
Trust is built inside the entire experience.
To convert more prospects into clients, try dialling down the social chit-chat and “relationship” building in your initial meeting, so you retain your authority.
A real relationship can be developed after they become a client, rather than before.
Related: Why Relying on Referrals Is a Liability
Get your Free copy of Ari’s best-selling book "Trust In A Split Second!" here and you’ll also receive a Complimentary Sales and Lead Generation Consultation (value $995.00). Ari Galper is the world’s number one authority on trust-based selling and is the most sought-after high-net-worth new client acquisition expert for financial advisors. His latest book, “Trust In A Split Second!” has become an instant best-seller among financial advisors worldwide.