617- Deceptive Connectors, have you met one?

Yesterday, I talked about the people who try to sell to you in their first message.

This post is about the people who connect with you, then send someone else to meet with you.

The standard excuse by the person meeting with you is that your new connection is too busy to meet with you personally.

Aren't we all busy?

How can you build a relationship by talking to someone's co-worker, virtual assistant, or another stand-in?

I have had several people, with credible profiles, request a connection. Once we meet and exchange a few niceties, they send me their calendar (or I send them mine) so we can meet.

It all seems to be flowing until you get to the meeting.

You hop on a short zoom meeting to meet your new connection but they don't join the meeting.

Instead, you're greeted by someone you don't know at all and haven't connected with.

They go from the standpoint that you are there to learn about the services they offer. They have no interest in building a relationship beyond you buying their program.

What's more interesting, they may even be offended that you made an appointment with no intention of buying their program.

I can't help but wonder if they buy other people's services/products so quickly.

You have to be ready to give, even if the person does want your services. They will pay for those services.

Do you consider how you can give back?

You also meet to get to know the person. Is this someone you would introduce to others in your network?

The whole point is to get to know a person so that you can introduce them to people who may be or may know their ideal clients.

Engaging on someone's post is the beginning.

To use an analogy, liking and commenting is like waving at a new neighbor and saying good morning.

Requesting a connection is like knocking on their door to welcome them to the neighborhood.

The virtual meeting is standing at the door or in your front yard to have that first chat. You wouldn't send a different neighbor to chat on your behalf.

At this point, you aren't lending them your lawn mower or inviting them to use your pool while you're away.

Once you get a feeling for each other, you may now invite them over for drinks with a few other neighbors.

You get the idea. You build it slowly so both people get to know the other.

Don't be the door-to-door salesman and unpack your whole box of goods at the first meeting.

Have you encountered Deceptive Connectors?