Word of Mouth, Networking, and Sales Conversations

What You Will Learn

• Explain why word of mouth is a small business's strongest marketing
• Network through church and community as a servant
• Ask for referrals respectfully
• Hold an honest sales conversation and accept a "no" gracefully

Lesson Notes

The Power of Word of Mouth

Word of mouth is customers telling others about you. People trust a friend's recommendation more than an ad. It cannot be bought; it is earned by honest, excellent service.

Networking in Church and Community

Networking is building relationships with people who may become customers or referral sources: at church, community events, support groups, and workshops. Be genuinely interested, help where you can, and let people know you over time. Do not turn fellowship into a sales event; serve first.

Asking for Referrals

A referral is a new customer sent by someone who knows your work. Ask: I'm glad you were happy with the work. If you know anyone who could use help, I'd be grateful if you passed along my card.

A Simple Sales Conversation

Selling is helping someone decide whether your offer fits their need:

1. Connect: greet warmly; use their name.

2. Ask: learn their need with open questions.

3. Listen: repeat back what you heard.

4. Offer: explain how you can help, with honest price and timing.

5. Invite: ask if they would like to go ahead, and accept the answer.

If they say no, thank them. Today's respectful no can become tomorrow's referral.

Key Terms

In-Class Activities

My Network Map

Draw yourself in the center of a page with circles for church, family, former coworkers, support groups, and community organizations. In each, list people or places that might need or recommend your business (first names or roles only).

Sales Role-Play

In pairs, practice the five steps. The "customer" draws a card with a need and a hesitation (price, timing, or trust). Switch roles. Practice ending graciously when the answer is no.

Assignment: Networking and Sales Plan

Write a one-page plan:

• Three places you will network in your first 90 days (check any location limits in your conditions).
• How you will serve in each place, not only promote.
• A referral request in your own words.
• A five-step sales script, including a response to one hesitation.

Graded with the Module Assignment Rubric.

Reflection Journal

Proverbs 18:16 says a man's gift makes room for him. Who has God already placed in your life who could help you, and whom could you help? How can you network as a servant rather than a salesperson?

Prayer focus: Ask God to open doors through your gifts and to bring the right people into your path.

Let Another Praise You

Proverbs 27:2 says, Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth. That is the heart of word of mouth. When a satisfied customer tells a friend about you, it carries more weight than anything you could say about yourself.

Word of mouth cannot be bought; it is earned. Every job done well, every promise kept, and every problem made right gives people something good to say. Networking at church and in the community is not about handing out cards. It is about building real relationships and serving first.

Selling can be gentle and honest. Connect, ask, listen, offer, and invite. Then accept the answer. Tasha was nervous about selling her cleaning services until she realized she was simply helping people decide. (Tasha is a composite example.) When someone said no, she thanked them warmly. Months later, one of those people referred her to three neighbors.

Proverbs 18:16 says a man's gift makes room for him. You do not need to force doors open. Serve faithfully, ask humbly, and trust God to make room for your gift.

Think About It

1. Who in your network might help you, and whom could you help? ______________________
2. Which step of the sales conversation feels most natural? Which feels hardest? ______________________
3. How do you respond inside when someone says no? ______________________

Daily Devotions for Week 6

Room for Your Gift

A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.— Proverbs 18:16 (KJV)

God can open doors through the gifts He has given you. You do not have to force them open.

Reflect: What gift is God using to make room for you?

Pray: Lord, make room for the gifts You have given me.

Do: Name one door you are trusting God to open.

Praise From Another

Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.— Proverbs 27:2 (KJV)

Humble, excellent work lets others do the praising. That is word of mouth at its best.

Reflect: What would you want a customer to say about you?

Pray: Lord, keep me humble and faithful.

Do: Write the review you hope a customer will one day give you.

Two Are Better

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.— Ecclesiastes 4:9 (KJV)

No business grows alone. Relationships, partners, and mentors multiply your efforts.

Reflect: Who could be a partner or mentor for your business?

Pray: Lord, bring the right people alongside me.

Do: Add one name or role to your network map.

Stirring Up Good Works

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:— Hebrews 10:24 (KJV)

Good networking encourages others. Ask how you can help, not only how they can help you.

Reflect: How can you encourage someone else's dream this week?

Pray: Lord, make me an encourager.

Do: Encourage a classmate about her business idea.

Pleasant Words

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.— Proverbs 16:24 (KJV)

Kind, gracious words make a sales conversation feel like care instead of pressure.

Reflect: How can your words be sweet to the people you meet?

Pray: Lord, make my words pleasant and true.

Do: Practice your referral request with a warm, kind tone.