Close More Sales: Tip #194

October 30, 2009 by Leave a Comment

Do you take time off from your business?

Time off can be in the form of 15 minutes of meditation, a walk in the sunshine, a weekend off or vacation. It can also mean time at the gym to clear your head. It’s important to get away from the computer and work to refresh your mind, get the smile back on your face and keep your blood flow working properly.

When we work continually we forget to see the light of day and happiness begins to diminish. The purpose of time off is you will be more relaxed and able to think more clearly. By prioritizing what “must” get done as well as your entire day, you can schedule in the needed time off.

This mindset shift will bring a more relaxed frame of mind and attract more prospects to your work. The non-verbal marketing messaging is equally important to the verbal because your mood and demeanor are affected. Exercise will help you regain your energy and enthusiasm.

Being on top of your game as well as your spirit will put you in the leadership limelight and more prospects into your sales funnel. Building the relationships simultaneously builds a better business and will help you close more sales. With a smile on your face, it will appear as if your business is a Smooth Sale!

Share on Facebook
Filed Under: Business Development, clientele, clients, closing, communication, Entrepreneurs, leadership, Marketing, Marketing and Sales, Mindset, Prospect, Relationships, Sales, Uncategorized ·

Close More Sales: Tip #193

October 28, 2009 by Leave a Comment

Which strategies do you use to get the help you need?

Through the years, I have found the people who have all the answers are the ones with the least confidence to try something new. So I made certain to focus my mindset on continual learning, trying, tweaking and re-implementing.

The power of observation is my favorite strategy for learning and succeeding. I avoid the mistakes of others and will adapt their better ones to my own personal style. It costs nothing and I am able to succeed more quickly. Next in line for favorite strategy is reading materials online and purchasing materials on an as needed basis.

Being in business means a lifetime commitment to education. As I implement new ideas, I communicate with and attract new and larger audiences. This process brings more prospects into my sales funnel and provides a leadership aspect to my services.

Education comes in all forms such as teleconferences, webinars, workshops, collaboration and subscribing to coaching services. I make use of all of these strategies to empower me to help others with their selling effort and business growth strategies.

Today I wish to share with you two of those collaborative efforts as well as my free and fee-based classes coming soon:

Smooth Sale Tele-Classes – 4 classes priced low 4U2 Jumpstart 2010!

Top Sales Experts – tele-class “Blazing Your Unique Trail”

Nice Girls DO Get The Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results – Book Selling Worldwide!

Money Fest Convention – Breakout Session, Moscone, San Francisco

Radio Interview hosted by LaraGalloway

Whispering Energy – a marketing and wise-help collaboration

Top Sales Experts – a professional sales community

By focusing on what might or will work, continually analyzing and tweaking business development takes off and you will succeed more quickly. You will close more sales and you will enjoy the Smooth Sale!

Share on Facebook
Filed Under: Business Development, clientele, clients, closing, communication, Entrepreneurs, leadership, Marketing, Marketing and Sales, Mindset, Prospect, Relationships, Sales, Uncategorized ·

Close More Sales: Tip #192

October 27, 2009 by 1 Comment

Did you know that successful Politicians and Entrepreneurs have much in common?

Last night I listened and watched a highly successful politician who was “selling” his audience on his past accomplishments and why he deserves to rise to the next rung in the political ladder. No matter what one thought about his politics, his style, agenda and delivery were perfect for selling the audience.

Gavin Newsom’s talk was genuine and heartfelt. Although we sat in a circle around him, Newsom made certain to engage everyone in the audience thus serving to build personal relationships. He stated he delivered Town Hall meetings up and down the State to find, despite our geography, we all have similar concerns. While he has a formidable opponent in his own party, he is working to build consensus among his constituents. He also spoke of leveraging connections – a concept which a brilliant business coach once shared with me!

Entrepreneurs need to follow the same model. Conversationally communicate your concern for your Prospects’ challenges and then let your past successes be known to establish your expertise. Offer new ideas for improvement while conveying a desire to help. Get the buy-in that your prospect is interested enough to become your client. Ask to become partners – or for the business.

Taking a leadership stance just as politicians do will help you market to audiences larger than you anticipated serving to help spread word of mouth about you and your business. When you think about your audience first, no matter the size, you will close more sales and they will be a Smooth Sale!

My disclaimer is I am not endorsing any candidate nor making any prediction about the outcome of hhe election!

Share on Facebook
Filed Under: Business Development, clientele, clients, closing, communication, Entrepreneurs, leadership, Marketing, Marketing and Sales, Prospect, Relationships, Sales ·

Close More Sales: Tip #191

October 26, 2009 by 1 Comment

Did you realize good script writers and actors excel in Relationship selling?

Upon viewing a relatively new television show about doctors, I recognized it left me in a state of not really caring about any of the characters or ever watching it again. The only characters building relationships were two young patients who were attracted to each other. There was little chemistry between the doctors, the doctors and their patients or the cast and their viewing audience!

When you sell, it is important to recognize all of the markets from whom you must get the go-ahead signal. In the case of television shows, the script writers and actors must also keep in mind the people who are able, with one click of the remote, to turn the show on and turn the show off.

On the other end of the spectrum is the wildly popular show, Grey’s Anatomy. Advertisers are a 4th and huge audience for this television series. It’s apparent the show is highly acclaimed just by all of the advertisers they have added into their coveted hour. This show not only plays but it sings to all of its audiences and has become an enormous success.

Business development is dependent upon your current mindset. When you step back to analyze everyone you must sell to and how to do it effectively for your greatest success (including positive word of mouth and referrals) you will grow your sales by leaps and bounds. Take the time to determine who your real prospects are, what needs they commonly have and how you can market to them. Effectively communicating your business services will land more prospects in your sales funnel.

Building relationships with your prospects will dramatically grow your sales, repeat business, referrals and testimonials. Soon you will be viewed as the expert and easily lead your customers to purchasing more. You will be closing more sales exponentially. This is our model for the Smooth Sale!

Share on Facebook
Filed Under: Business Development, clientele, clients, closing, communication, Entrepreneurs, leadership, Marketing, Marketing and Sales, Mindset, Prospect, Relationships, Sales ·

Close More Sales: Tip #190

October 23, 2009 by Leave a Comment

Are you balancing your day?

Are you overwhelmed by messages in email, facebook and twitter? It’s easy to get there, I admit! In order to keep my routine of finding prospects, attending to customer service and visiting with your clients, I devised this routine:

1. Prioritize the messages and tend to the top ones first.
2. Focus on your biggest money-making projects to drive sales and revenue. Partition your day accordingly.
3. Spend a portion of your day devoted to your long-term goals
4. Use the remainder of the day for follow-up

Changing your mindset from remaining in overwhelm to taking the lead in organizing your day in this manner will automatically aid your business development. You will be communicating with everyone in a timely manner thus showing off your leadership skills and expertise.

By being focused and organized, you will have more time to build relationships and attract larger markets. This in turn will help you to close more sales.

You will methodically make each a very Smooth Sale!

Share on Facebook
Filed Under: Business Development, clientele, clients, closing, communication, Customer service, Entrepreneurs, leadership, Marketing, Marketing and Sales, Prospect, Relationships, Sales ·

close More Sales and Your Interview: Tip #189

October 22, 2009 by Leave a Comment

Are you familiar with the power of collaboration?

Before you enter into any type of business agreement you must know your own rules for conducting business. Where do you draw the line in the sand and say “No, this business isn’t worth it.”?

After you develop your rules, find others who similarly approach business and offer services that complement yours. Interview several until you find the right fit for a collaborative effort. By combining forces, you attract not only each other’s clientele but new prospects who are attracted to your new combined effort.

Imagine finding a select group of people who approach business in a similar manner and who complement one another. Now add teaching classes on your specialty within the group to bring everyone up to speed, and you will soon have a very savvy group to interact with as a sounding board and as a marketing team.

Together, you will be seen as experts and leaders in your field. The right group will become a magnetic power of attraction reaching markets far and wide helping you to close many more sales.

I am fortunate to have found Whispering Energy, aptly named. Our combined energy has attracted much attention for us as individuals and served us as a whole. We each believe being in business is meant to serve your clients and communities at large. Should this be your belief, you will do well to visit Whispering Energy to determine if this fits with your mission and visualization of your future business.

Final advice comes from the book,
Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Realationship Building That Gets Results:

1. Plan quiet time to think about your business
2. Think B-I-G
3. Listen to your intuition

Always make it a Smooth Sale!

Share on Facebook
Filed Under: Business Development, clientele, clients, closing, communication, Customer service, Entrepreneurs, leadership, Marketing, Marketing and Sales, Prospect, Relationships, Sales ·

Close More Sales and Your Interview: Tip #188

October 20, 2009 by 1 Comment

What message are you sending to prospects?

The story I heard this weekend made me laugh and cringe at the same time! Upon asking Zeke what was new in the well-to-do town in which he works, he shared his latest experience.

A new restaurant opened in town so Zeke and his co-workers (professionally dressed) went in for lunch to see what it was like. They were greeted by the new owner with the words “What do you want?” delivered in a condescending tone. They brushed the greeting off and proceeded to order their lunch at the counter. Meanwhile they spotted a gentleman leaving a table which accommodated 4 chairs. Zeke and his friends claimed the table.

Five minutes later, the man who had vacated the table returned to it and announced in a not so nice voice – “You might have thought I left the table, but I hadn’t. You can’t sit here!” Zeke said there was no apology for misunderstanding or any hint of niceness in the man’s voice.

The haughty attitude seemed to reign in that new restaurant so neither Zeke nor his co-workers plan on returning. No doubt a few others will be told of the incident.

When you run a business or sell, you cannot afford to allow bad word of mouth to spread. Your customer service policies must be sound and you must strive to build solid relationships with those you encounter. How you communicate is the first step toward business development.

Your mindset should be one of helping your clientele. Establish the role of expert and leader in your field to spread good word of mouth and attract new markets. When you behave in this manner, you will close more sales.

Reflect on your policies today. Tweak where needed to ensure future sales are a Smooth Sale!

Share on Facebook
Filed Under: Business Development, clientele, clients, closing, communication, Customer service, Entrepreneurs, leadership, Marketing, Marketing and Sales, Mindset, Prospect, Relationships ·

Close More Sales and Your Interview: Tip #187

October 19, 2009 by Leave a Comment

Are you easily able to get what you want?

A telemarketer interrupted my busy Monday morning catch-up. It sounded as if she had an important survey so I relented and said “Yes” to providing a few minutes of time to answer her questions. She proceeded to ask the first of a long-winded question to which I immediately replied “No”.

I answered “No” five times and yet, this tele-marketer refused to hear me. Instead, she kept reading the page until she finished and then repeated herself by again asking me to answer Yes or No. My final answer was, “Are you not listening?”

Whenever you desire something whether personal or business related, you must change your mindset from getting what you are after to listening for possibility. Your #1 priority should be to listen first. Pose a question and listen to the answer; if the answer is unclear ask it be clarified. Only then will you know how to proceed.

Next, position your request in terms of what you were just told. Make your message attractive to perk their interest – this is precisely how you will get more prospects into your sales funnel. Direct communication is key.

When you speak succinctly others will see you as a leader and expert in your field. Adding the element of a dialog with your prospects will indicate you potentially offer a decent customer service policy. All combined, you will be well on your way to securing the favor you were seeking.

Proceeding in the manner described while building relationships, you will attract larger markets, close more sales and develop a loyal clientele. This is the secret to enjoying the Smooth Sale!

Share on Facebook
Filed Under: Business Development, clientele, clients, closing, communication, Customer service, Entrepreneurs, Marketing, Marketing and Sales, Mindset, Prospect, Relationships, Sales, Uncategorized ·

close More Sales and Your Interview: Tip #186

October 16, 2009 by Leave a Comment

What do performers and entrepreneurs have in common?

Shakespeare expressed it best, “All the world is a stage and each must play his part.”

Last night we attended an Open Mic night to hear performers of all types and all ages. Some were barely okay, others good and a few were brilliant. The one trait they all had in common was the willingness to overcome their fear to get on stage to perform in front of strangers. Most shared it was a huge hurdle to overcome but gradually they were able to change their mindset to looking at opportunity ahead to begin attracting new markets.

When we conduct our business, in essence, it is a performance. We are judged on our delivery. Improvement comes from trying new venues which many of us find scary. But once we find our way to clear the hurdle, we are able to communicate with larger and wider audiences. When others recognize our achievements they perceive us as leaders and experts in our field encouraging them to become our prospects.

The process of business development is always the same; first you attract and then you must build relationships with your prospects to convert them into clients. Adding the element of outstanding customer service, they will help spread the word of how good you truly are. When you perform well, your business becomes a Smooth Sale!

Share on Facebook
Filed Under: Business Development, clientele, clients, closing, communication, Entrepreneurs, leadership, Marketing, Marketing and Sales, Mindset, Relationships, Sales ·

Close More Sales and Your Interview: Tip #185

October 13, 2009 by Leave a Comment

Whom do you trust?

Years ago, the posed question was the title of a television show and made for great entertainment. This morning, while interviewed on Lara Galloway’s blogtalk radio show, MomBizCoach. Lara mentioned that is vital for businesspeople to trust themselves. I whole-heartedly agreed with her that this is one of the biggest roadblocks for entrepreneurial success.

Frequently we find that entrepreneurs have great ideas. They excitedly tell their friends and associates about their new plan only to hear, “That will never fly!” At this point, the downward spiral begins. The negative self-talk and doubt creep into the businessperson’s head, feet drag and sure enough the idea never gets off the ground.

Being in business is about taking calculated risks. When you hear a negative comment, ask the other person why they believe that. It’s time for a mindset switch to questioning rather than accepting everyone’s input. Check for merit in their belief. Is there some truth but with tweaking you can improve upon the idea? Or is it they just don’t want you to succeed? Analytical skills will come in very handy here.

Even if it’s a 50-50 chance for success, I would go with it if your intuition tells you to do so. You never know unless you try and you will live without regret. Should you succeed, imagine how happy you will be!

Trying new projects is one of the keys to entrepreneurial success. You attract additional markets making business development easier over time. Communicating new ideas will make you appear as an expert and leader in your field and will serve to help you build new and better relationships with prospects and clients. When this occurs you will close more sales. It all leads back to Lara Galloway’s comment to “Trust Yourself.” This strategy makes for a Smooth Sale!

Share on Facebook
Filed Under: Business Development, clientele, clients, closing, communication, Entrepreneurs, leadership, Marketing, Marketing and Sales, Mindset, Prospect, Relationships, Sales, Uncategorized ·
« Older Posts