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How to build a business relationship with people

I love small businesses but my people…….my people…..we have got to learn customer service. It’s one of the downfalls of our businesses. I bought from 15 businesses during black Friday and out of the 15…..6 of them had horrible customer service. I don’t know if it’s the way we speak to people as if someone owes us something, I don’t know if it’s because we weren’t taught how to build relationships, maybe it’s just that we don’t care about customer service as much as we care about our product or services that we are selling. Not everyone is a talkative entrepreneur in fact a lot of us are introverts. We don’t like people but we love our business and we are damn good at it. I myself can be an introverted person although I do get out and work the crowds. I am in the middle! I however don’t let my shyness (yes I am shy *side eye) stop me from building a relationship with people. We can’t build only when we want something you need to build all the time. So how do you build a business relationship with people? Glad you asked……..

First listen….When someone comes to me to do a logo I listen to them. I listen to their why and I write down some information that helps me form the logo. For example I did a logo the other day for a client who is starting a business selling tea. She kept saying that tea was a part of her roots a part of who she was. I listened…..I then created a logo that represented a tea bag with roots coming out of it. I listened to her tell her story and took key points form that to create something that was special for her. As a blogger you have the opportunity to listen also. You can listen to others to see what they are searching for online and develop a post to go with that. I was in the line the other day and a lady and her son were talking about hot chocolate and who had the best one……hmmmm that gave me an idea to develop a hot chocolate post.

Secondly observe……I am observer. I observe the entire room before I make any moves. I like to sit in a corner and scale the room with my eyes first, then listen. Facebook groups are where people like to observe. I admit I am in a few where I don’t talk or speak but I observe the behavior for a while. I see who does the most talking in the group, then I see who offers the most advice, then I see who always asks for things. I can observe the folks who I can take seriously and the ones who are bullshatting through. I am in a group now where people ask for things first without peeping the scene first. Seek to understand and observe with the intent to learn and grow.

Third and the most important thing of all….you want to KNOW who you are helping to succeed in life. It’s not just about the money …at least not for me…it’s about helping someone grow their business so that they in return can help someone else grow. One hand washes the other so that we can all grow to make money because there is enough for us all. Why do I take pictures and give people a lot of pictures for a cheap price? Because I want the business to succeed. I want them to know that it’s not all about the money it’s about making sure they have what they need in a variety of ways. I build my relationships by getting to KNOW people first.

Here are some real tips for you

  • Tell people your name and talk about something other than your business when networking. Don’t just go for the business speech…talk about who you are and offer something besides your business.
  • Don’t beg people to take your business card or to collaborate with you. Here is the truth….if someone wants to work with me in any capacity they will follow me on social media and engage with me via that first then go into what we can do for each other. Every one of my relationships started after we communicated via a blog comment, instagram comment, a like on a FB page or saying something meaningful in a group on Facebook
  • Don’t brag….humble yourself.
  • Don’t hang with popular folks and think that you are popular too……yes you took a picture with a big blogger…so what did they throw you a bone, did they help you get to where they are. Many of them don’t so taking a picture with them and showing off to others to try and make yourself seem bigger than what you are won’t work…..
  • If you have a business have a blog. I did it backwards…I had a blog first then built my business but these days I tell people to have a business then build a blog. Blogging helps build that relationship because you can comment on bloggers you want to work with. This builds relationships….same with commenting no their instagram pages or tweeting them on twitter
  • Share people you like to other people. If I like something on FB I tag the person that I shared it from so that they can see it

As a blogger we are always wanting to pitch pitch pitch but we forget that brands want to see who we are first. Follow the company that you want to work with, buy a product or service from them without asking for something. It can be a small item nothing huge. Take a picture of the item and stick it on your FB page or your Instagram and tag them. Sometimes it pays off sometimes it doesn’t but if it’s a brand that you love you will buy from them anyway….why not build a relationship first by getting their attention. I did this with several brands that I have worked for and it has payed off!

Take a cue from your hair dresser…..they offer us a service and they talk to us as real people while doing our hair and taking our money. That is essentially how you need to build your business relationship with people. Talk to them as if their family, treat them like you value their opinion, and respect their time. The way to making money is to make sure our clients are happy and that they are comfortable with us. We need to fall in love with people that we serve!

How to build a business relationship with people

17 Comments

  • Melesha
    December 15, 2016 at 11:47 am

    Well Mrs.Kita you have really hit the nail on the head with this post. All so true and in depth indeed. I am definitely one who tries to build relationships with other small businesses by supporting them and not just for monetary gain. As 2017 approaches i definitely plan to blog and share with people a little bit more of who I am. The truth is people buy into you not so much your product. I just discussed this the other day with another successful entrepreneur. Thank you so much for sharing and being direct and straight to the point. I definitely took pointers.

    Boss Chic Crate

    Reply
    • Kita
      December 15, 2016 at 1:20 pm

      no problem I had to get real because so many folks are asking why they aren’t succeeding.

      Reply
  • Robin Masshole Mommy
    December 16, 2016 at 1:48 am

    YES! I completely agree with the observing part. I do the same thing because you just never know unless you can mentally prepare for what you might be getting into with the other person.

    Reply
  • Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle
    December 16, 2016 at 1:26 pm

    I love this post. I think the most important part of business is building relationships. Unfortunately, it can be the hardest part, as well.

    Reply
  • JulieD
    December 16, 2016 at 2:07 pm

    I think we’re a lot alike. I observe an entire room too when I come into a new situation. And yes, we need to listen to each other! These are great tips!

    Reply
  • Monica
    December 16, 2016 at 4:16 pm

    Excellent tips. A solid relationship is so key in ongoing brand partnerships. I’m also grateful for the brands who have really taken the time and effort to get to know me.

    Reply
  • Our Family World
    December 17, 2016 at 12:58 am

    Smart tips! I agree! A more solid relationship would help to build a successful business with your partners.

    Reply
  • Dana Vento
    December 17, 2016 at 1:00 am

    I really love this powerful post. Listening to each others opinion is the best key to building a good relationship with people.

    Reply
  • Jocelyn Cañasa Brown
    December 17, 2016 at 1:47 am

    These are some really great tips! I definitely need to start building better business relationships!

    Reply
  • Pam
    December 17, 2016 at 2:26 am

    These are really good tips. I definitely need to get better at networking and stuff.

    Reply
  • Kelly
    December 17, 2016 at 2:38 am

    This is a skill you may have to work on but you can master easily with some practice. These are great tips to help get confident in making these relationships.

    Reply
  • Theresa
    December 17, 2016 at 3:38 am

    Spot on! I think a lot of people these days are all about puffing themselves up and making themselves seem like a big deal. I like to create relationships, business and personal, with people that are humble. We need to spend more time listening to others and less times making ourselves seem like the top dog.

    Reply
  • Annemarie LeBlanc
    December 17, 2016 at 8:15 am

    You gave such good solid advice in this post. Starting a business is very challenging and entails a lot of hard work! I started only with a dream, but with the right contacts, strategies and faith, I made it!

    Reply
  • Seattle Travel Blogger
    December 17, 2016 at 12:28 pm

    Good advice. I agree about customer service and how it needs to be amp’ed up a bit these days.
    It is also interesting to note that you recommend building a blog AFTER you build a business.

    Reply
  • Toni | Boulder Locavore
    December 17, 2016 at 4:51 pm

    Your tips are really helpful! I do believe that being humble is very important especially in business. Thank you so much for sharing this!

    Reply
  • Rose Alexis
    December 18, 2016 at 1:52 am

    These are all good tips. It’s hard to network on your own, the more relationships you build, the better.

    Reply
  • Rae
    December 18, 2016 at 4:47 pm

    You definitely hit the nail on the head. These are wonderful tips and this post couldn’t have come at a better time. I’m getting myself together to launch sometime next year.

    Reply

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