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Those awkward pitches

by Brian from Omaha
13 replies
Any tips on how to best pitch a product or service to family members and close friends? It can be awkward and even be resented.
#awkward #close friends #family members #pitches
  • Profile picture of the author zdebx
    So you're going to limit your target audience to your family and close friends?

    I bet you'll have a tough time scaling...

    Good luck.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Originally Posted by Brian from Omaha View Post

    Any tips on how to best pitch a product or service to family members and close friends? It can be awkward and even be resented.
    Don't.

    This is the worst form of sales & marketing...and one that companies that sell knives and insurance and the like prey on for their churn & burn salesforce.

    I've heard Dave Ramsey say the average insurance salesperson's job lifespan is only a couple years...because they burn through the few hundred contacts they have...sell them some BAD insurance...and then are DONE.

    Please, please don't be that person.

    Look for people who are in a situation that they NEED what you offer.

    That's the beginning of what's called "qualifying".

    Lousy companies with commission salesforces send you out there to talk to your friends & family because they don't care whether your prospects are qualified or not. They know that if they send enough of you poor suckers out there, someone will make some sales. And that's all they care about. They know they can use you for the dribble of sales you're worth with your current connections...and then drop you as soon as you're exhausted.

    Plenty of other suckers out there.

    Get some sales training. There are some very affordable books on Kindle. For $2.99 or so, you can get the guts of a good qualifying and closing program.

    Stay away from friends and family. You have to live with those people. And as great as your relationships with your buyers might be, they aren't your friends or family.
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    • Profile picture of the author kevineverett
      Originally Posted by Jason Kanigan View Post

      Look for people who are in a situation that they NEED what you offer.

      That's the beginning of what's called "qualifying".
      Give them what they WANT, not necessarily what they NEED. Do you agree with this approach?
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    • Profile picture of the author TheGMa
      Originally Posted by Jason Kanigan View Post

      Don't.

      This is the worst form of sales & marketing...and one that companies that sell knives and insurance and the like prey on for their churn & burn salesforce.

      I've heard Dave Ramsey say the average insurance salesperson's job lifespan is only a couple years...because they burn through the few hundred contacts they have...sell them some BAD insurance...and then are DONE.

      Please, please don't be that person.

      Look for people who are in a situation that they NEED what you offer.

      That's the beginning of what's called "qualifying".

      Lousy companies with commission salesforces send you out there to talk to your friends & family because they don't care whether your prospects are qualified or not. They know that if they send enough of you poor suckers out there, someone will make some sales. And that's all they care about. They know they can use you for the dribble of sales you're worth with your current connections...and then drop you as soon as you're exhausted.

      Plenty of other suckers out there.

      Get some sales training. There are some very affordable books on Kindle. For $2.99 or so, you can get the guts of a good qualifying and closing program.

      Stay away from friends and family. You have to live with those people. And as great as your relationships with your buyers might be, they aren't your friends or family.
      Yeah, Jason, I had to drag our roommate out of one of those dang knife sales talks. Wasted an hour of her time.

      You are so, so right.

      Annie
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  • Profile picture of the author stoltingmediagroup
    What are you actually pitching?


    My first response would be DON'T!

    I think we all at one time or another have seen a friend or family member
    get sucked into some "opportunity" or MLM plan, or other,
    which suggests to its members that they start with family and friends.

    When you sign up, even though you are not making any money with it,
    you are now faced with trying to convince family and friends that what you are offering,
    is going to somehow benefit them if they invest in your offer.

    This will in most cases eventually backfire,
    and your family and friends won't be very supportive someday
    when you "do" have a real opportunity that you believe in.

    Which brings me back to my first question, as it all depends on that.


    We can all jump the gun here and assume you signed up to some sleazy program,
    but maybe you have a great personal business idea?
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    • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
      Originally Posted by stoltingmediagroup View Post

      What are you actually pitching?


      My first response would be DON'T!

      I think we all at one time or another have seen a friend or family member
      get sucked into some "opportunity" or MLM plan, or other,
      which suggests to its members that they start with family and friends.

      When you sign up, even though you are not making any money with it,
      you are now faced with trying to convince family and freinds that what you are offering,
      is going to somehow benefit them if they invest in your offer.

      This will in most cases eventually backfire,
      and your family and friends won't be very supportive someday
      when you "do" have a real opportunity that you believe in.

      Which brings me back to my first question, as it all depends on that.


      We can all jump the gun here and assume you signed up to some sleazy program,
      but maybe you have a great personal business idea?
      True. Most of the success stories I've read include the founders going around begging $100,000 from family and friends to survive through that opening period (years?) and have some marketing budget to work with.

      But I must say this is not the sound the OP is making.
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      • Profile picture of the author Kay King
        It sounds like "basic training" in an mlm program - they often advise approaching your "warm" market.

        Why? Because if you can talk Uncle Joe into spending $30 because he likes you, the mlm makes money even if you can't sell ice in a heat wave.

        The time to pitch family and friends is AFTER you are making good money with the program you want them to join.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    OP, if you're into an MLM program, listen to this and apply what Tim says.

    https://simplecast.fm/s/5d1bff13
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  • Profile picture of the author simonmks
    Give them what they want without getting problems
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  • Profile picture of the author namehero
    Originally Posted by Brian from Omaha View Post

    Any tips on how to best pitch a product or service to family members and close friends? It can be awkward and even be resented.
    If it's not something scammy and something that's going to benefit them, show them the results form yourself!

    If it's something questionable or not related to them, I would follow Jason's advice and not bother.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brian from Omaha
    Thank you all for your comments. Good stuff. Much of it reminded me to rely on my instincts (I was ignoring them). You've been very helpful.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      It's refreshing when someone asks a questions and actually LISTENS to the answers... I've learned the hard way to never ignore my instincts...
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