Social media as a sales tool
The biggest problem with social media, as seen by employers and business owners, is the huge amount of wasted time that is involved. They see it as employees or less seasoned entrepreneurs playing online rather than pursuing business. Action such as picking up the phone to call clients is much preferred by many rather than seeing employees spending time on the social platform.
Time is a huge factor in developing when it comes to building clientele and achieving all of the goals set forth. Therefore, the subject of social media being a waste of time, is a two-edge sword. The fact is, social media turned the sales funnel upside down, and that allows for a far wider prospective audience than ever before imagined. And this is produced in far less time than having to pursue a defined terrifitory.
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Several sales strategies enhance productivity on social media sites:
1. “People buy from people they know, like and trust”
Interacting online and sharing relevant content provides followers with reason to learn more and purchase from you.
2. Building relationships
Video technology provides person-to-person meetings across the globe eliminating travel expense. The visual aspect allows for becoming more comfortable with one another quickly. Watching for the visual clues such as body language and facial expressions provides insight as to what the other person is actually thinking.
3. Growing networks becomes your business development program
Creating online file folders, for those who may help advance business or career, as invitations to connect come forth, is a highly time-efficient way to quickly connect with social media followings when a new launch announcement is to be made. The effort becomes a widespread branding effort allowing for sharing among members of your networks with their individual networks too. It s now an unprecedented exponential reach never before experienced.
4. Team effort
Challenging employees or peers to become creative groups to create intriguing posts, tweets, and video chapions the team effort and springboards increased creative ideas for moving business forward. When everyone appears to have an equal voice, the motivation to contribute and remain with the group is greatly enhanced.
5. Monetary gain
The opposite is true of the perceived “waste of time and money” toward social media proves to be true. Instead, wider audiences are reached in a far shorter period of time. Intermixing the platforms further increases audience potential. Expense output is slashed substantially by greatly reducing travel, expense accounts, meals, gas reimbursement etc.
Business owners who inspire their employees and train them to use social media effectively, will experience loyal employees and lessening of the revolving door syndrome. Plus, you will experience the Smooth Sale!
Read Addtional Strategies and Techniques:
Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results, Sourcebooks
HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews, Career Press
