Close More Sales: Tip #128

Have you examined your approach style?

How do you wish to be perceived and are you able to convey that desire? Your approach affects your marketing message, business development and ultimately sales.

This morning, someone called on my business line asking for my husband – not too swift. He then launched into the fact our bank has investment advisors on board who are ready and willing to help us make new allocations with our money.

Question based selling always performs better than the old fashioned telling-selling. Furthermore, “Bob” spoke hesitatingly and continually qualified what he said after the fact. His approach left me cold and I had no interest in pursuing the conversation.

The irony of all this is had Bob taken the time to research our account, he would have seen that once upon a time we used the very services he was trying to sell. He could easily have approached me on our history, would have sounded intelligent and quickly found what he needed to know. Our history was less than stellar to be polite.

By taking time to research and prepare upfront, you will come across with credibility. Through the cycle, as you build relationships and trust, you will be far more likely to close the sale – and it will be a Smooth Sale!

Footnote: It must be open season on people cold-calling who do not have a clue! As I was typing the previous paragraph, someone called to ask me to join their program not realizing I had already completed it! Compounding this error, oblivious to what my business entails, “Chuck” then asked, “How would you feel if…” - He was obviously reading from a script trying to sell me. Needless to say, he reached the wrong person.

Share on Facebook

Close More Sales: Tip #127

Do you take time off to re-energize and celebrate?

In honor of the 4th of July holiday, it is important to encourage all of you hard working people to take the legal holiday off and celebrate!

These days, most of us work very long hours. When we are not working, we are thinking about what yet needs to be done. You owe yourself a holiday, so seize it. Most likely you have much to celebrate: having a job or owning your own business, good friends, and an activity or party to attend.

Make the most of the good times. They are meant to re-energize and enjoy life to the fullest. Surrounding yourself with people you care about and acknowledging the holiday will bring about greater satisfaction and sense of well-being. Relaxation, enjoyment and good mental health will provide you an energetic boost when you return to the office.

On a personal note, we are very fortunate to have moved to a very friendly neighborhood. One couple invites the entire street over for a potluck lunch & dinner on every major holiday. We eagerly look forward to good conversation and being with people who live life to the fullest, and know how to have fun!

I hope you get to see a fabulous fireworks display in honor of our country’s birthday as well as recognize your personal good fortune. When you do return to the office, you will be in a more positive mindset – ready to contact prospects, meet with clients and do what it takes to build business. Your relaxed frame of mind will help you close more sales and make it all seem to be a Smooth Sale!


Wishing you a wonderful holiday celebration!

Share on Facebook

Close More Sales: Tip #126

How many months remain in your budget?

Today’s question refers to cash in the bank. Due to the economy many businesses are having to close. With competition for jobs high and job availability low, it is prudent to become creative in preserving and increasing your cash.

For some, it was previously easy to play games with credit cards obtaining a 0% balance for 12 months. When the 12 months expired, they were able to close those accounts and open new ones. Most likely, that is a scarcity today.

We need money not only to survive, but to continue our business development, marketing and selling efforts. We need to take prospects to coffee or lunch, and keep a positive mindset about business It is important to make it easy for our prospects to say Yes, turn them into clients, and have enough capital to continue. So what is an entrepreneur to do?

You may have heard about the Government ARC loan for small business owners. It is well worth your time to consider. However, the only caution on this is you must have been profitable one year out of the past two. If this is not the case, you are still eligible to speak to your SBDC Representative to find other assistance.

My advice is to seek out the help you need. When you have assistance, you will sleep better at night and provide better customer service – all which leads to closing more sales and enjoying the Smooth Sale!

Share on Facebook

Close More Sales: Tip #125

Practice Makes Perfect – take heed!

The old proverbs hold a lot of truth. This one, in particular, speaks to the subject matter of the fear of trying something new. The subject matter was brought up by a participant in our workshop.

She asked of me, How do I proceed providing a workshop for my clientele that management demands of me if I never gave one before? What will I do if it does not turn out well?

I replied she should look at her workshop as a unique opportunity. It is normal to be nervous any time you try something new. By outlining ahead of time what she will say, attending another similar event to get pointers or asking others who have already done this, she will increase her chances for success. By the time she delivers her workshop, she will have learned new skills and feel proud. Over time, the delivery will be easier and her comfort level will increase and she will be ready to tackle another new project. Additionally, she may qualify for promotion.


Learning is never easy or comfortable, but it is certainly rewarding. By keeping a positive mindset, learning from other entrepreneurs, delivering on uncomfortable requests from management or prospects, you will be able to market to more people and close more sales. As you perfect your skills, you will enjoy the Smooth Sale!

Share on Facebook

Close More Sales: Tip #124

Are you certain you really want to do that?

Some people have very strong desires to become famous whether through performing on stage or becoming a well-known author, and announce to the world this is so. But their actions tell a different story.

Time and again, I have heard that an author’s lifelong dream was a breath away from taking place, but at the last second, that author could not bring him or herself to push the “send” button. Panic set in.

Admittedly, the first time around, pressing the send button is very scary. What if the publisher does not like what you wrote? How can you face the humiliation after having spent perhaps years on the manuscript?

Let me turn the questions around. What if the publisher were to very much like your manuscript, but you chose not to send it? How would you feel looking back and realizing a gigantic missed opportunity?

With every wish comes reality; as they say be careful for what you wish for. And when your wish appears to be coming true, turn your mindset to running with it because deep down, that is what you are truly passionate about. By following your dreams, your business development, marketing and sales will begin to flow, and will develop into a Smooth Sale.

My personal footnote: Out of 1,000+ quotes received, mine was chosen for The Woman’s Advantage 2010 Calendar. My quote spoke to “Pursue your dreams!”

Share on Facebook

Close More Sales: Tip #123

Do you assume the sale?

Last week, a newcomer was introduced to our group for approval to join the membership. Everyone seemed to enjoy her but not one person knew what to do next. Being we were her prospects, I suggested she “Assume the Sale.” In other words, show up to the next meeting and become a part of the group.

In business, it is critical to keep a positive mindset that you will get the sale. You need to make certain you meet all of the requests of your prospects, have an honest dialogue and ask the right questions in order to advance forward. While you are advancing, you also strive to build the relationship with your potential client.

Operating in the manner described above becomes easy business development and will attract many to what you have to offer. By lining everything up just right, it becomes very easy to ask, “When would you like to get started?” And when you carefully follow the process and assume the sale, it becomes a Smooth Sale!

Share on Facebook

Close More Sales: Tip #122

Is there any difference between setting and achieving personal goals versus business goals?
Students in my most recent sales training workshop posed the above question. My answer was, “It is entirely the same. In fact selling to a business client or to a friend or spouse is the exact same process.”

In business, you have the option of “cold calling” (finding a new prospect on your own) or following-up with a prospect by telephone or appointment. The last holiday we celebrated, I casually met a few people from the neighborhood at another neighbor’s home. My goal was to get to know them better and ultimately establish friendships.

Finally settled in our new neighborhood, last week, I “cold called” our neighbors. I knocked on their front doors and invited them over for dessert on either Wed. or Friday evening. Giving a choice of dates increases the odds for getting a “yes” answer. Everyone accepted. One neighbor, however, behaved like a suspicious prospect and first asked, “What do you want?” followed by, “Do I need to bring anything?”

I replied, “You do not need to do anything you do not wish to do, there are no obligations. All you need to do is show up and enjoy the other neighbors.”

Yesterday evening, the neighbors already in my living room were amazed the suspicious one came to our door. They previously had no success connecting with her and wondered how I was able to do it. Both get-togethers proved to be a lot of fun and blossoming friendships are under way.

My point was proved. There is absolutely no difference between building personal friends or relationships with business clients.

When you change your mindset to marketing and selling to friends other than those from whom you will make money, your results will be far better and you will experience a Smooth Sale!

Share on Facebook

Close More Sales: Tip #121

Do you spend more time on education or entertainment?

This was the question posed by Brian Tracy’s organization iLearningGlobal. Mr. Tracy is a reknowned sales trainer, author and speaker.

It was a startling question because I would bet most spend more on entertainment, particularly during poor economic times. But what if you were to take a right turn and begin to educate yourself during slow times – would your business improve? I’m willing to bet the answer will be “Yes!” For me personally, I have always increased my education during slower times to still thrive and excel when better times arrive.

Opportunity is available now:

1. GASPPO is an organization designed to help business thrive by bringing experts together for tele-seminars on how to grow your business. They are offering a no-fee tele-summit only requiring registration because seating is limited: Click here to register now.

2. Visit iLearningGlobal.com

3. Join the Smoothsale group on Facebook.

Formed to answer your questions about sales and business growth as well as be an open forum to brainstorm these topics. It is designed to help everyone GROW their business.

4. Join the Smooth Sale tele-seminar “Relationship Selling” (no charge).

June 24 at 9:00 a.m. PST.

Dial: (712) 432-0075 / Access Code: 379681

When you change your mindset from “escaping” to “Learning” you will become directed and confident. Business development will take off with new marketing approaches and prospects will more easily convert to clients. In summery, education will help you close more sales and the effort becomes a Smooth Sale!

Share on Facebook

Close More Sales: Tip #120

Have you needed to attend mandatory Monday morning meetings in the corporate environment?

In my early corporate days, I initially looked forward to these in anticipation of learning new skills but quickly realized that was not to be. In the sales environment, it was more of an opportunity for management to beat-up the salesforce in the hope of motivating them. Doesn’t make much sense – does it?!

Hopefullly you are experiencing a better environment. The more important meetings, whether in corporate or as an entrepreneur, are the ones you hold with yourself.

Every Sunday evening create a prioritized list of what you must complete during the week so that you can enjoy the following weekend. Likewise, every evening, do the same for the next working day.

You will be amazed by how these meetings with yourself will help you with efficiency and effectiveness. One added tip: Keep track of your accomplishments to build your confidence, or for “selling” to your management. You will be glad you documented your meetings!

A by-product is by documenting what you accomplish, this will be a basis for your marketing messages and enable you to better relay them to your prospects and clients. Business development will come easier as will building relationships because your comfort level for discussing a variety of topics will add to your credibility and trust.

Ultimately the self-held meetings will lead to closing more sales and they will become a Smooth Sale!

Share on Facebook

Close More Sales: Tip #119

Only 5% of people make money on the internet – don’t even try!”

That was the remark told to me this weekend. They obviously did not know to whom they were speaking. The word “can’t” motivates me to prove them wrong and it should you, too.

I quickly recounted in recent years what I was told I can’t do:

    - Have a successful sales training business

    - Get published

    - Have my book do well (thousands of copies have sold worldwide: “Nice Girls DO Get The Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results” published by Sourcebooks)

    - Develop multiple streams of income – Done

Join me in changing your mindset to “Yes I can” and you will quickly see your business development taking off. Once you get past the fear and recognize you just might pull that something special off, you will market to and attract many more prospects to your sales peipline. By building relationships with these people they will soon become your clients.

With your determination and persistence, you will close more sales and they will be a Smooth Sale!

Share on Facebook