Have you been overcoming obstacles to attract more sales?
2009 was a very tough year for business. Personally I changed a number of venues for how I do business and never considered giving up. My belief is you do not let situations force you to give up. Instead, you find ways to make things work and then only when you decide you are ready do you move on to new pastures.
Our newspaper today featured many extra advertisements – a clear signal the economy is picking up again. And with the lazy days of summer ahead, this just might be the best time to reflect on the obstacles you overcame and the lessons you learned to plan out the remainder of your year for advancing more quickly.
My mantra this year is to let your voice be heard, particularly so for those who are shy or have difficult people in their lives. The written word is one of the best ways to get started. This is both a business development plan as well as your marketing strategy, and we all know marketing precedes sales. Consider writing a blog or articles to be sent to other sites to help your effort and attract more attention to your expertise. Find an inexpensive internet radio station such as TheWINOnline to host your own radio show. Take a public speaking class to speak at events. All of these activities will put you in front of new prospects some of whom will become your clients as you build a relationship with them.
As you develop a variety of ways to market your business, revenue will increase and your confidence will soar thus helping you to find your voice. The last piece of advice is to write a book whether you seek a publisher, self-publish or write an e-book. Couple the book with marketing it online to a worldwide audience and the book will do well. The advantage of the ebook is that the outlay of money is a fraction of the cost for the other routes and will get to market much more quickly. We have a new “How to Write An eBook and Sell More Copies Online” 5-part webinar series beginning June 2. A book of any type is almost “the new business card”.
When you are utilizing every means of media possible, opportunity finds you. I am leaving today for a vacation in France ending with speaking in Paris at the Powerful Women International Conference on May 14-15. For those of you able, please join us – my talk will be on “Find Your Voice to Let It Be Heard!”
I clearly recognize the hurdles I jumped through to get to this point and am welcoming many future opportunities. When you look back and then plan accordingly for the future, you too will experience the Smooth Sale.
Nice job! I have been in sales for over 20 years and I think your advice is wonderful. Here are a few other ideas:
There should be more discussion on the future, the web, new media and social media. Change is constant. As sales professionals, we must embrace technology and the Internet and adapt. I have discovered that the traditional methods are not as effective and efficient as they used to be. I had to change.
So, I embraced the Internet and resources that the web provides and started conducting my first call appointments ONLINE! Now instead on seeing 3 or 4 people a day, I can connect with 6 or 8 prospects without leaving the office! I save time and money! More connects equal more sale opportunities! Secondly, I created an ONLINE NETWORKING group and invite my best prospects to the session. This turns a cold lead to a warm one. Third, I created an ONLINE TOOL that I share with my prospects that engages the prospect and helps them solve their problem.
Now, they see me as a strategic partner and not someone trying to sell them something. These tactics have made be more successful and profitable! Thank you for sharing your wisdom and expertise!