Now hear this: Active listening brings prospects and customers into focus

People like people who listen to them. Listen actively to people and they will tell you exactly what will help them. You won’t have to guess. You won’t have to rely on multi-level marketing sales techniques. You’ll know what to do — because they will tell you.

Problem is, most people don’t know how to listen. Often when people speak to each other face-to-face they only partially listen. Their thoughts are about something that happened in the past or something they think is going to happen in the future. They’re not actively listening.

Active listening means you are completely present with the person you’re engage with — listening beyond words for meaning.

Active listening differs from typical listening in that your attention is intentionally focused on the other person, not just politely giving him time while you are thinking about your response.

The test is if, after the other person has spoken, you can repeat back the essential message. If so, then you were consciously present. You paid attention and understood the other person.

Learn to use active listening whenever speaking with network marketing prospects, whenever talking with existing customers and whenever communicating with your network marketing downline.

By developing a habit of active listening you can get people to have a more open attitude toward you. You can avoid miscommunications. You can clear up conflicts. Perhaps most importantly, you can build trust and confidence.

Tips for listening with intent include:

Cease any interfering activities before the conversation.
If you ar in a restaurant or other place with frequent traffic, avoid looking at passersby.
Turn off your cell phone.
If the person is someone you know, remark on a point of how a recent pervious conversation went and concluded.
If you made notes about the person, look over them ahead of the new meeting.
Be aware of any emotions you may have and put them aside.
Suspend your opinions or judgments.
Focus your attention toward hearing the person’s words.
Be aware that your intention is to learn what the other person has to say, not talk about yourself.
Don’t interrupt a person’s comments.
When asked a question, answer briefly.
When the person finishes talking, pause a moment before speaking.
In your own words, repeat the important points or a summary to affirm your understanding of the situation
Ask questions to clarify points.