Learn the relationship-building secrets that lead to lifelong clients, repeat customers, and endless referrals

In today’s commoditized marketplace, no matter what product or service you sell, there's probably someone somewhere able to offer it cheaper, faster, and maybe even better. So how do you differentiate yourself from your competitors? The Connectors shows that the only thing that truly sets you apart is the quality of your relationships with your clients and customers.

Everyone knows that relationships are important in business. Yet most people would admit that their relationships could be better—but don’t spend time working on the underlying skills. This book explains how to develop better, more profitable connections—as illustrated proven by some of the world’s most successful professionals. Even if you're not a “people person,” you can dramatically grow your business or your career through a few simple approaches to relationship-building.

The Connectors presents a five-step methodology that lead to lifelong clients, repeat customers, and endless referrals. Inside, you’ll learn how to:

• Stop networking and start truly connecting

• Create an avalanche of referrals and an army of happy customers

• Become a “connector,” even if you’ve never been a “people person”

• Find your social IQ—and improve it

• Put relationship-building principles to work daily

• Focus on others and reap the rewards yourself

• Ask the right questions—and sell without selling

• Differentiate yourself through the impact you have on others

In The Connectors , Maribeth Kuzmeski, founder of Red Zone Marketing, LLC, and consultant to Fortune 500 firms, shows you how to build profitable, long-lasting business relationships. From the Inside Flap What makes the world's most successful individuals so good at their jobs? What do they do that others don't? The Connectors answers those questions with the kind of straightforward wisdom that business strategists so often overlook. Forget marketing tactics or business school best practices. Those are handy, but it's really peopleand the relationships you build with themthat form the cornerstone of long-term success, sales growth, and excellence. Whether you're a salesperson, an entrepreneur, or an executive, your ultimate job is to bring in clients and keep them. Competition is brutal. No matter what you sell, there's probably someone somewhere selling it cheaper and faster than you can. So how do you differentiate yourself from your competitors? The Connectors uses practical exercises and case studies to show you how to set yourself apart from the rest by building high-quality, profitable relationships with your clients and customers. The Connectors presents a five-step methodology that helps you build the kind of high-quality relationships that lead to lifelong clients, repeat customers, and endless referrals. Inside, you'll learn how to: Stop networking and start truly connecting Create an avalanche of referrals and an army of happy customers Become a "connector," even if you've never been a "people person" Find your social IQand improve it Put relationship-building principles to work daily Focus on others and reap the rewards yourself Ask the right questionsand sell without selling Differentiate yourself through the impact you have on others In addition, The Connectors includes a wealth of valuable relationship-building tools, including tips on using software; smart strategies for keeping in touch; speaking tactics that really work; and self-coaching exercises that will change the way you develop relationships. Maribeth Kuzmeski is the founder of Red Zone Marketing, LLC, which consults to Fortune 500 firms on strategic marketing planning and business growth. A member of the National Speakers Association, she speaks worldwide on the topic of professional services marketing. For more information, visit www.RedZoneMarketing.com.