Keys to More Deals--Great Communication!

These are good tips. Communication is key!

Thanks to you both for your positive comments.

Another thought in regard to the telephone. The telephone is a limited medium for communication. You cannot see the person, and often it is difficult to adequately evaluate vocal intonation.
One of my early mentors stated that "The telephone is for building a rapport and setting an appointment." While this approach is not always practical for the situation, considering remote investing, etc., I believe that there are two rules of using the telephone that must be employed:
1) Whenever you have an opportunity to meet face to face with someone to negotiate a deal, do so.
2) We must try extra hard to make our communication over the telephone understandable and simple.
Hope these two little rules can enhance your communication experience.

Dallin,

this post is a must read for all investors, newbies and experienced. We take communication for granted, but as you point out here, it's something that we need to pay attention to, and improve where needed.

One thing that I would add, is that when we have a phone conversation, we mustn't forget to listen to what the person on the other end has to say. Breathe, pause, repeat what the other person says so they know that we are listening to them...

I needed this info im poor in this area.

P.S.
God bless you
Please add us to your buyers and sellers list asap

This post is perfect for any newbie starting out or some others who are having problems talking to buyers/sellers.

I am always aware of how I sound when I speak especially on the phone. I replayed a message I left on our answering machine. To me I sounded sluggish and dull. What an eye opener. Thanks for your post.

Greg Toth

As always Dallin has hit it out of the park with this great article.
When I was first in phone sales I had a very small, weak sounding voice. One of the people that sounded so at ease on the phone gave me what he did daily to help with his confidence.
He would sit in front of a mirror, and would talk to himself about the topics he was the most uncomfortable about. He would do this until his voice and facial expressions were what he was comfortable with. It works! and can build your confidence.
Dallin brings a very very important point,
"1) Whenever you have an opportunity to meet face to face with someone to negotiate a deal, do so.
2) We must try extra hard to make our communication over the telephone understandable and simple.
Hope these two little rules can enhance your communication experience."

Practice what you are going to say, make it yours and make it as simple a message as possible.

"Be hungry for success. Og Mandino"

Thanks Coach another wonderful example to follow with a man who has the experience that means alot and thanks for your true honesty, Jim

Thanks to so many people for contributing here, the additions are so valuable, and I appreciate your positive words.

I got thinking that maybe we need to use an analogy or two here that would be helpful to the motivation to be a good communicator.

Analogy 1: House on Fire--If your house was on fire and you were calling 911 for emergency assistance, do you think that you would let an accent, a crummy phone or the tendency to slur your words stand in the way of getting your message across?

Analogy 2: Convincing a potential Spouse--If you were trying to convince someone to marry you who was "sitting on the fence" what would you do differently to communicate better with them?

Analogy 3: If your children were starving because you are not making enough from your real estate investing, how much would you sharpen your communications skills to get more deals.

Communication is key to your survival, even babies know that--if you need to sharpen yours, do not let your ego get in the way--we all can become better communicators.

Thanks so much for the great tips.

I ran across this really great article on communication skills in business.
Effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills are valuable in the workplace. Some companies spend a lot of money to train their employees on how to effectively communicate. Good communication skills go beyond conversations, but employees must know how to communicate well in written reports and emails. Understanding the benefits of effective communication helps companies place a focus on developing a workforce that is able to communicate within the firm and with customers, vendors and international business partners.

Effective workplace communication is important in companies with workplace diversity. Good communication skills help to reduce the barriers erected because of language and cultural differences. Companies that provide communication training to domestic and international employees reap the benefits of effective workplace communication. Companies can avoid cultural confusion and miscommunication by training international employers early in their careers and on a regular basis. Effective communication causes productivity to increase, errors to decrease and operations to run smoother.
Global Business

With global business transactions continually increasing, the need for effective communication to meet global demands is also increasing. Managers and employees must know how to effectively communicate with the company's international counterparts. The difference in cultures requires managers to understand terms commonly used in America that another culture finds offensive. Companies that prepare workers to excel with verbal and nonverbal communications skills find it easier to enter into global marketplaces than companies that do not prepare its employees. Effective communication is important for businesses looking to expand beyond its domestic borders.

Related Reading: How to Plan a Meeting on Workplace Communication
Team Building

Effective communication in the workplace helps employees and managers form highly efficient teams. Employees are able to trust each other and management. Effective communication reduces unnecessary competition within departments and helps employees work together harmoniously. The result of a team that works together is high productivity, integrity and responsibility. Employees know their roles on the team and know they are valued. Managers are able to correct employees' mistakes without creating a hostile work environment. A manager who openly communicates with his subordinates can foster positive relationships that benefit the company as a whole.
Employee Morale

An improvement in employee morale can result from effective communication. Although pay is a concern for many workers, it is not their only concern. Employees appreciate good communication coming from management. It produces a healthy work environment. When employees are satisfied with their jobs, they are able to efficiently perform their duties with a positive attitude. Failing to communicate effectively in a workplace leads to frustration and confusion among employees. However, managers can alleviate such problems by keeping the lines of communication open. rjohnson

I also just read an article this week on the effectiveness of vocal warmth. Sincerity and warmth are vocal characteristics that create trust and break down barriers. But, the key is to feel those qualities inside first.

If your mentality is to get this house cheap, make a deal, make it happen - that intensity is going to come across in your voice. Often this makes owners nervous and they equate the person with a push used car salesman.

On the other hand, if the buyer/wholesaler approaches the deal with the mentality to help the owner, do him a favor, see what solution we can work out, all of a sudden the owner is put more at ease and will be much more interested in negotiating.

Gotta begin by thanking JoAnne, Randy and cambellsimon for your comments. Communication absolutely extends beyond verbal, and thanks, Randy for including some information on that. I think that whether it is me, or someone else who posts, that we need to explore written communication further, and I would invite more on either verbal or written communication from anyone who posts here.
Also, Simon, your post really resonated strongly with me in regard to vocal warmth. I am in firm agreement that this does begin from within.
My first mentor liked to explain that everyone listens to the same radio station in their head--it's called WII FM, which stands for "What's In it For Me." In order for us to establish a rapport with people and get them to open up to us, we have to tune into their radio station and that is called WIIFT, which stands for "What's In It For Them."
Using a what's in it for them approach begins with open ended questions to discover a person's needs, wants, and desires.

If we can go into a conversation with this approach, we will demonstrate that we are really interested in the other person and how we can assist them. If they raise an objection at any point, the correct answer is always: "Well, I'm reasonable and negotiable." That's not a yes or a no, it simply shows openness to understand further.

There are some people who can go in and put together deals when others could not. Now you know how they do it.