10 Distinctive Comply with-Ups to “How Are You?”

What number of instances have you ever had this alternate with prospects? You say, “Hey there, how are you?” They reply, “I’m good, thanks. And also you?” You say, “I’m good too, thanks for asking.”

Zzzzzzz.

There’s nothing unsuitable with kicking off a dialog by asking how somebody is doing, nevertheless it undoubtedly received’t result in any memorable dialogue.

Whenever you’ve solely obtained a pair minutes to construct rapport with somebody, you don’t need to waste time on conversational fluff. As an alternative of falling into the boring dialog entice above, drive the dialog ahead with these distinctive follow-ups to “How are you?”

How one can reply “How are you?”

1. “What tasks are you engaged on?”

Open-ended questions like this one usually result in extra attention-grabbing responses. Additionally they require your prospect’s full consideration to reply — which suggests they’ll be specializing in the interplay from the get-go.

As well as, asking about your prospect’s present workload offers you the possibility to study extra about them. What are their greatest priorities in the intervening time? Are you able to assist them with any? And the way might your product match into their workday?

2. “How did the [event, project, meeting] go?”

Use this query to indicate that you simply’ve truly been listening all through your relationship. It’s a good way to right away personalize your dialog and make your prospect extra engaged.

In the event that they didn’t beforehand point out an occasion otherwise you’re talking with them for the primary time, use a element you discovered on social media. For example, you may say, “I noticed on Twitter that you simply simply attended the Midwest EdTech convention. How did it go?”

3. “How is your [day of the week] going?”

Use this query to interchange “How are you?” It’s not too far off from “How are you?”, however merely utilizing totally different phrases make it really feel contemporary. Slightly than giving a knee-jerk response, your prospect will pause and suppose, “Hmm, how is my Wednesday going?”

Most individuals can even really feel compelled so as to add a proof, similar to, “My staff has an enormous deadline arising, so I’ve been busier than regular.” You’ll get the chance to ask a follow-up query (and study extra about their targets and challenges when you’re at it).

4. “What’s new in your world?”

One other different to “How are you?”, this opener is pretty informal, so it is best to put it aside for prospects with whom you’ve constructed a robust rapport. It exhibits that you simply’re thinking about their life and what’s occurred because you spoke to them final.

If they appear like they’d be turned off by this degree of informality, attempt “What’s new in [prospect’s industry]?” as an alternative.

5. “I learn that [company trigger event]. How is that going for [you, your team]?”

To concurrently show you’ve achieved your homework and encourage your prospect to open up, tie your query to a latest firm announcement.

For instance, you may say, “I learn that Bread and Butter lately expanded to Utah. Congrats! How has that been in your staff?”

6. “I noticed that [company announcement]. [What’s that been like, how did that go]?”

Your prospect’s firm doesn’t need to make any main strikes so that you can ask an organization-related query. Any announcement is honest sport — possibly they only launched an worker volunteer program with an area nonprofit, redesigned their web site, or moved to a brand new workplace. In any case, your due diligence will often impress the client.

7. “Have you ever gotten an opportunity to do any [prospect’s hobby] lately?”

When you’ve already talked about an exercise your prospect enjoys, asking this query is a good way to construct in your present rapport.

You may also use social media to study their hobbies. For example, when you learn of their firm bio that they love touring, you may ask, “I learn in your firm’s ‘Group’ web page that you simply’re an enormous traveler. Have you ever gotten the possibility to go wherever new recently?”

Folks usually gentle up when discussing their passions, so this query instantly places prospects relaxed.

8. “So inform me how your week goes.”

Asking, “How’s your week to this point?” will get you pretty commonplace responses. Nevertheless, telling somebody to speak about themselves carries way more weight. You’ll appear extra thinking about their response just by flipping the script.

As a bonus, this assertion conveys confidence and authority — making you appear extra credible from the very starting of the dialog.

9. “I’m curious to listen to how X went.”

Wish to genuinely flatter your prospect? Use this line. Everybody likes listening to another person is raring to study them. To not point out that exhibiting you’re inquisitive about their life (not simply their price range) makes the interplay really feel extra human and pleasant.

This one works effectively for occasions, tasks, and different office-related subjects, however you too can use it for on a regular basis issues. Possibly your prospect talked about they had been studying an excellent guide. Say, “I’m curious to listen to the way you favored Smartcuts.” Or in the event that they’d tweeted a couple of film they had been wanting ahead to, say, “I noticed your tweet about ‘Spiderman.’ I’m curious to know what you thought.”

10. “Did you see [industry-related content]?”

This can be a nice choice when you’ve achieved a little bit of prep earlier than your assembly. If some attention-grabbing content material associated to the propspect’s business lately dropped, deliver it up for dialogue. This might be an article, video, press launch, case examine or one thing related. 

If the prospect has seen it, you possibly can study extra about them by asking concerning the components they discovered most vital or helpful. In the event that they have not seen it, use this as a possibility to fill them in and drive residence the way it pertains to their enterprise, including any insights you’ve got gained. 

Variations of “How are you?”

This straightforward greeting can are available in quite a lot of kinds. Both method, the solutions above ought to suffice for any of the next:

• How’s it going?
• What’s new?
• What’s up?
• How have you ever been?

Making small speak looks like a drag, however you should use it to your benefit to extend gross sales and construct rapport. Comply with the pleasantries up with an open-ended query to study extra about your prospects and their wants.

Suggestions for a way to reply to “How are you doing?”

Now that you simply’ve gotten some intelligent responses at your disposal, let’s focus on physique language. Your non-verbal communication is simply as vital as what you say. Listed here are some issues to bear in mind when responding to “How are you?”

Bear in mind to smile.

Whether or not in particular person or on the cellphone, a smile can go a good distance. In particular person, it makes you approachable. Over the cellphone, it conveys heat in your tone. A smile can put your prospect relaxed and can most definitely immediate them to smile again. It’s a straightforward solution to break the ice.

Take note of tone.

This is a crucial one. When you’re smiling however your tone is indignant, it’s sending prospects a blended message. Do your finest to maintain your voice nice and upbeat. When you sound drained or uninterested in the dialog, likelihood is, the prospect will discover.

They might interpret your tone as rudeness, which might tank the sale. Maintain your tone nice and well mannered.

Be real.

Though it’s finest to stay nice when interacting with prospects, it’s not a move to be pretend. Remaining well mannered if you’re having a foul day is one factor, however adopting a totally pretend persona just isn’t the reply. Prospects will decide up on this, which can undermine your efforts to construct belief and rapport.

Don’t overlook to pay attention

Listening might be a very powerful a part of interacting with a prospect. Listening will show you how to acquire perception into their wants and obstacles. When you’ve adopted as much as “How are you?” with certainly one of our prompts above, you’ll want to rigorously take heed to their reply. For instance, when you ask how their week goes, take notes in the event that they point out any work roadblocks. You may circle again to that with an answer your services or products affords.

Reply With Confidence

With these 9 distinctive questions up your sleeve, you’ll by no means must cease at “How are you?” once more. Your conversations will probably be extra attention-grabbing from the second they start.

Editor’s observe: This text was initially revealed in September 2016 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.