| Sometimes we say things that get us in trouble. Daily, | | | | out and they were very scare right before the |
| right? Certain phrases can really have the opposite | | | | holidays? A DJ told listeners that there would be a |
| effect of what you want. | | | | helicopter flying over this big parking lot, and they could |
| - To tell you the truth | | | | hold up their credit card and a picture would be taken |
| - Honestly, I have to say | | | | of it, and then the dolls would be dropped out of the |
| - I kid you not, all kidding aside | | | | helicopter. Some people actually believed him and went |
| - No joke | | | | to that lot. I know, some of you are saying "how could |
| - This is not a scam | | | | anyone fall for that" but how do you think the people |
| - This is a legitimate opportunity When you are | | | | who did fall for it felt about that DJ and that radio |
| speaking to someone and you say, "To tell you the | | | | station? The station must have been concerned |
| truth..." you are implying that you don't tell the truth the | | | | because they made him apologize on the air. |
| rest of the time! What does that do to your credibility? | | | | As far as the last two statements, which I see quite |
| Saying "honestly" at the start of a sentence does | | | | frequently these days, just let me say that legitimate, |
| exactly the same thing. It implies that you are not | | | | legal companies do NOT use this language on their |
| honest the rest of the time. If you say these thing | | | | websites and their representatives don't use it in their |
| often, ask yourself why. Are you telling people | | | | advertising. They know these statements immediately |
| something you really don't believe yourself? | | | | bring questions to a prospect's mind. Besides, ever |
| The "I kid you not" or "all kidding aside" phrases imply | | | | heard of "buyer beware?" People should check out |
| that you joke around alot. Again it implies you are | | | | any opportunity before they jump in. Just because you |
| sometimes less than completely honest. I worked with | | | | tell them it is legitimate, why should they believe you? |
| a salesman at IBM who was always joking around in | | | | Consider the source; if you stand to profit from what |
| the office. I liked him, but I didn't trust him! He was very | | | | you tell them, they should verify it! |
| successful, but he didn't joke around with potential | | | | If you feel the need to tell someone upfront that your |
| customers he didn't know well. He knew when to turn | | | | opportunity is not a scam, or that you are not lying or |
| it off. You must be aware that if something isn't funny | | | | kidding, you better ask yourself why! And realize that |
| to your audience, you'll do more harm then if you kept | | | | you will be setting off warning bells in their mind! |
| your language professional. | | | | When you are building relationships for your business, |
| I recall a joke played by a radio station many years | | | | take the high road. Stay professional and always tell |
| ago. Remember when cabbage patch dolls first came | | | | the truth. It will serve you best in the long run. |