How to Win Friends And Influence People: Chapter 07

Internet marketers have a nifty little acronym: WIIFM. It's based on the premise that people don't generally care about you and your problems or accomplishments. They only care about themselves. WIIFM stands for  What's In It For Me? And that's what Carnegie is talking about in this chapter.

An easy way to become a good conversationalist is to ask people about themselves, and then stand back while they open up the flood gates and talk your ear off.

Ask about their business, ask about their children, their travels,

the celebrities they've met, their hobbies... there's a lot that people will tell you about themselves - and they're just itching, waiting for you to ask.

Carnegie says the highest compliment we can pay anyone

is to listen intently and be genuinely interested in them.

This is the best way to please anyone.

Conversely, the surest way to drive customers away

from your store is to interrupt them, contradict them,

irritate them and not pay them exclusive attention.

Hint: Focus more on the other person than you do on yourself!