Persistence

What is persistence, and why is it important? One definition of persistence is, "the continuance of an effect after it's cause is removed". It can also be referred to as tenacity - "the quality of being determined to do or achieve something; firmness of purpose." Why is persistence important? Well, if you are not persistent in business, you will probably not be in business for any length of time.

In a home based business, persistence is what will differentiate you from your competition. It is not easy to be in business for yourself, even if you have a good support system, but especially if you do not have a strong support system, persistence is one trait that will help you to succeed. When times are difficult, it is your persistence to see things through that will allow you to get past the hard parts and move into a profitable endeavor.

As you talk to people about your business, many will not be interested at all in what you have to offer. The key item to remember is that those people may not be interested now, but at a different time and place, they may be very interested in what you have to offer. The key to being persistent is not in being a pest to people, but in continuing to talk with them about your business in a non-threatening or obnoxious way. For example, if you talk to your neighbor about your home based business, they may say that they are not interested now. At that point in time, stop talking about your business, even if you believe you can offer what your neighbor needs. Change the subject and move on. After some time, days, weeks, months, you may want to reintroduce the subject of your business back with your neighbor. There may be times when you believe that you have a product or service that would be great for another person, but it is not their right time or place. You have to respect that, but if you truly believe that your product or service would benefit this person, be persistent with your beliefs.

You do not want to always open the conversation by leading with your opportunity or service, but as you talk with these people, look for a low-key opportunity to again talk about your product or service. What you don't want to do is to alienate this person so that they are afraid to talk with you. If you are gentle, but persistent, you may eventually encounter the right time and the right place to talk to this other person about your product, opportunity or service. Think of your discussions along the lines of being at a social party. How many times are you going to want to be around someone who constantly talks about their work? You want to be able to talk about different subjects, not just your topics. If there is a opportunity to talk about what you do, then talk, but do not push your business on anyone, because as time goes on, you will find fewer and fewer people wanting to talk with you.

You want people to know, like and trust you. Be persistent in building relationships with the people you come in contact with. As these people begin to know, like and trust you, they may then begin asking what you have to offer and if your items would be helpful to them. Or, they may come to you with a problem that your home based business can resolve for them. If you were not persistent in building a relationship with these people, they would have most likely not come to you with their problem or issue. Continue to build your business, but do not shove it down other people's throats. You will win very few return customers that way. Persistence means that you continue going, even though you may get a negative answer the first, second, or multiple times. There will come a time, after all the negative answers that you finally get that positive, 'yes' and that is when your business will really start thriving.

Be persistent, be positive, be helpful and you will find your home based business will grow.

Until tomorrow...