Featured Posts

29Jan 2013
Sales advice.

Who is is ready to discover and apply some proven sales advice?

  (Introducing Five Incredibly Simple Things You Can Do Right Now To Close At Least 25% More Sales!)

Want some really solid sales advice, that you can’t put to use right now?

Aren’t totally tired of spinning your wheels when it comes closing more sells in less time? Since both your time and money are extremely limited. Don’t you want to maximize your results, as it relates to closing more sales calls?

This Proven Sales Advice Will Make You More Money!

Let’s face it, if you or your sales staff do (either) person to person and or use the telephone to close sales and or set appointments etc.

You’ve got to consistently get a certain amount of those prospects to say “yes” or else your done as a business, right? So the question begs asking; how do you close more sales?

Well it starts with how well you prepare and what type of ongoing follow up processes you currently have in place.

Whenever it becomes necessary; always be prepared to fire (quickly dismiss) any prospect that simply doesn’t respect you and or your associates and your time!

(How the heck does that marketing ploy (possibly) help you close at least 25% more sales, you ask skeptically?)

Very simply; it will free up your valuable resources and time to concentrate on your most viable prospects and future customers and clients!

For now however, let’s focus on:

Five Simple Ways This Proven Sales Advice Will Help You Close At Least 25% More Sales Right Now!

1.) Superstar and mega best selling author Grant Cardone advises: that you be so passionate about your product or service, that your less interested in how you’re personally perceived and more concerned about showing excitement about what you have to offer your target market.

Ride the enthusiasm train straight to the top the same way Internationally known mega best selling author Tony Robbins has!

2.) More proven sales advice: next, help a valued colleague make a sale and watch how fast the boomerang effect kicks in, and the favor soon gets returned!

3.) Always look for and establish some type of common ground with your prospects. Be it a university alumnus status or a mutual association membership, such as Toast masters, your local Chamber of Commerce etc.

This really helps to solidify their trust and respect for you and your company.

If you both happen to love the NFL, NASCAR or Opera, make it known asap!

4.) Whenever and wherever it makes economical sense to do so, sign up to volunteer to help out organizations and charities that your prospects favor and routinely support.

Both your time, expertise, network and money resources are all welcome! And shows that your serious about giving back to and supporting your local community!

5.) Due your research up front and let your prospect know that you not only understand how and what’s bugging them! But you have viable, practical and affordable solutions, to those problems right now!

These five simple steps are proven sales advice, that you take to the bank!

As always, if you got any value out of this post, please Digg or tweet this. Thanks!

And be sure you grab your explosive free 22 step small business marketing idea kit series, because it will help you increase your profits by at least 25% in the next 90 days or less.

And help you master your effective communication in marketing skills.(No matter what your particular niche market is.)
It’s a $97 dollar value and it’s free!

28Jan 2013

Consumer buying process.

Are you studying the consumer process?

   (So You Can Make A Lot  More Money!)

So you think you really know and understand the consumer buying process? Really? Is it worth betting your companies entire future on?

Because that’s in essence, precisely what your (we’re) doing you know. Which means, you’d better have a pretty good idea, of exactly what your target market wants or else (entrepreneur) your proverbial goose gets cooked. And how…

What You Should Know About The Consumer Buying Process Before You Even Getting Going…

If ever there was a major (pre step) blunder, that causes any number of otherwise savvy small business owners and or service providers to ultimately go down in flames.

This one major misstep would surely be right up there near the top of the list! And that would be confusing  what buyers wants – vs- what buyers need!

You see, as far your typical consumer is concerned, they may not need that 65 inch surround sound complete entertainment system, but they sure as hell want it!

Translated: you’d better be laser focused on what your specific target (niche) audience wants (and more) importantly, is prepared to buy.

And give it to them, or be prepared to get steam  rolled by your major competitors that will.

You’d Better Take The Consumer Buying Process Very Serious!

There are basically six major areas (and a gazillion) sub areas within in them for you to concentrate on.

So just as a broad overview let’s cover the six majors first.

And hopefully, as you read and re-read them, your own unique creative juices will keep in, so that you can properly identify several new previously unexplored areas to create thriving profit centers in.

(Note: remember, the real purpose of this broad overview is to jump start your creative thinking process. They’re not edged in stone. Just use them as a starting (gateway) to other more practical, personally customized ideas and concepts.

That pertain to your particular business, product or service.

1.) Try to conduct enough meaningful research, so that you really understand your customer (and clients) wants and needs!

Try and answer these four simple questions as precisely and as thoroughly you can. That way you can tailor your products and services specifically for them!

A.) What are your target market’s /customers primary reasons for buying you or your major competitors products or services?

What major problems (or needs) are they trying to solve or meet.

B.) What type of major researching buying habits do they have? Meaning- where do they typically go to conduct their research. Is it online, TV or local or national news publications etc.

C.) Who typically makes the major (and or) final buying/purchasing decision(s)? Is it the wife or husband? Or the purchasing agent (if it’s) a business related buying decision. Or is it the secretary etc?

You definitely need to know and adjust your sales/marketing process accordingly.

This Ties Neatly Into The Long Term Consumer Buying Process!

D.) How does your consumer typically buy similar products or services etc? Is from the web or offline retail store and or magazine mail order etc?

2.) You need to pick a specific niche. For several reasons.

But the main reason is , think of your overall market as the ocean. Would you not agree, that’s it’s pretty hard (if not) impossible to make a giant splash in the ocean?

But it’s a whole lot simpler to make huge waves in a puddle (niche!) So you want to become the recognized expert and leader within a smaller segment (niche) or sub niche of the overall giant market.

3.) Spend some time and thought, so you can develop a powerful (meaning) effective marketing message.

Perhaps work on two separate marketing messages. The first one being your all important (short and sweet) so called “elevator speech.”

You know, the really short (benefit orientated) one you use, whenever someone asks, “So what exactly do you (or your business) do?”

And you can rattle off a cohesive answer in 30 seconds or less!

Effectively Understanding The Consumer Buying Process Lowers Your Upfront Out Of Pocket Costs!

And your second one goes a little deeper, because it goes on your stationary, letterhead, business cards, flyers and or your WordPress blog etc.

And it basically answers how your business, product or service, solves their major problems and or concerns, better than your major competitors can!

(Again, your using this partially list, just to kick start your own thinking process.

So don’t feel you have have this all figured out by the time you finish reading this post.)

4.) Determine which marketing mediums you’ll use initially to deliver your marketing message to your target audience.

And obviously, you want to choose the marketing mediums where your target audience frequents!

5.) Set some initial (yet totally) realistic sales goals! Meaning- if your currently starting from scratch, don’t project an increase of $25,000 dollars, in the next 90 days or less!

If you’re not familiar with the so called (SMART) goal setting formula, you may want to use it initially, until you’ve had a chance to get your feet wet and develop your own.

(S) Set sensible goals initially. (M) Make sure your goals are measurable.(A) And they’re achievable!(R) And let’s not forget realistic.(T) And they need to be time specific.

6.) And finally…. Develop your main marketing budget based on the short and long term “total lifetime value of your customer base! (Read the post for that link!)

Not just some arbitrary figure like 30% etc.

You follow and implement this sound advice entrepreneur, and you’ll have a much better overall understanding on the all important consumer buying process.

As always, if you got any value out of this post, please Digg or tweet this. Thanks!

And be sure you grab your explosive free 22 step small business marketing idea kit series, because it will help you increase your profits by at least 25% in the next 90 days or less.

And help you master your effective communication in marketing skills.(No matter what your particular target market is.)
It’s a $97 dollar value and it’s free!

27Jan 2013
Strategic marketing planning.

Is your strategic marketing planning really practical?

What type of long range strategic marketing planning have you applied to your resource strapped small, and or service?

A lot of  otherwise extremely savvy entrepreneurs, are essentially doers, but not planners.

And as an extremely famous small business marketing consultant coach of mine is fond of saying, ” Doing the wrong marketing activities right or doing the right marketing activities wrong.”

Is a poor substitute for not having a practical marketing plan.

How To Do Practical Strategic Marketing Planning That Actually Fits Your Current Situation!

One of the best ways (long term) to ensure that your business, product or service is viable, is to based it’s creation on filling a current unmet need.

In other words, don’t mistake your passion for it, as demand in the marketplace. Basically a profitable market consists of enthusiastic buyers, that will readily part with their hard earned money, in exchange for your solutions.

Make Sure Your Strategic Marketing Planning….

(Answers These Five Basic Questions)

Otherwise your ship will quickly get off course. Superstar marketing consultant “David Frey” (pronounced Fry),one of my many marketing coaches, defines a profitable niche like this.

It’s like a lake with thousands of starving fish. All you need to do is throw in the right bait (marketing message) and you’ll soon have a feeding frenzy!

So it’s imperative that you at least have a basic understanding of (both) the size and current competition within your chosen niche.

1.) How much market share do you need to capture (initially) in order to break even? (And what time frame are you projecting for this important milestone to be accomplished/)

2.) Is their too much competition (both) short and long term, for you to really be competitive?

3.) Which if any of the market segments (niches) or sub niches, are currently being undeserved ? And how quickly can your business, product or service fill the void?

4.) Are there any practical weakness in your major competitors current marketing approaches, that you can readily capitalize on?

5.) Is the market segment your currently pursuing, (or preparing) to pursue, viable enough for you to run and grow a business?

Because if it’s not, you may want to consider this undertaking, more of a hobby, and not a business venture.

If you after this initial analysis, you still feel this particular target market is still viable.

Then it’s crucial that you spend some quality time developing an extremely practical strategic marketing plan.

Don’t you agree?

As always, if you got any value out of this post, please Digg or tweet this. Thanks!

And be sure you grab your explosive free 22 step small business marketing idea kit series, because it will help you increase your profits by at least 25% in the next 90 days or less.

And help you master your effective communication in marketing skills.(No matter what your particular niche market is.)
It’s a $97 dollar value and it’s free!

26Jan 2013
Productivity formula.

Are you focusing on the right productivity formula?

You already know just how important the right productivity formula is to the overall long term success of your cash  strapped small business,right?

Especially during the really lean times of a prolonged nagging recession. The entire chain reaction is brutally.

Because as your valued (and ever) dwindling valued customer base has no choice but to pull back on both their necessary and discretionary spending, this in turns affects your ability to:

A.) Consistently meet payroll.(Ask any of your valued employees and or associates, just how vitally important that one is!)

B.) Pay your supportive vendors on time (and or) expand your existing product and or services.

C.) Meet your current and future short and long term banking obligations.

 Why Focusing On The Right Productivity Formula Is Critical!

(To Your Long Term Success!)

Without getting too far into it here; you already realize how any of the three fore mentioned scenarios can and will affect the overall cohesive flow of your already (way too) cash starved  small business,right?

Not to mention the fact, that if your employees aren’t being paid on time, what type of attitude do you think they’ll bring to their job?

And what type of long term affect will that have on your valued customer base, both in the long and short term?

Exactly. And while you’re factoring in these other considerations, consider this major one as well.

If things get any tighter for you, during or after a recession, how receptive do you think (your already) way too conservative banker will be, when it comes to expanding your existing credit line, especially if you’ve previously had problems meeting your current obligations?

So you see my friend, you’d better be really careful, where you place your energy. Don’t you agree?

While Focusing On The Right Productivity Formula Will Not Solve All Of Your Major Problems! (It Will Relieve A Ton Of Them!)

One of the ways you can really create a viable small business (over time) of course, is by creating and implementing predictable systems.

Because then you’ll start to experience the results of a proven productivity formula.

Case in point. Suppose you really focus your energies on four simple (yet) oh so powerful tasks. And they are.

1.) Focus on re-activating old ex customers and or clients. Remember, they already know and trust you, or at least they did at one point, that’s why they originally became customers.

2.) Start developing marketing processes that cause your best customers and clients to spend 10-40% more, each time they buy from you.

3.) Getting them to buy more often. Meaning- if they typically come in (or visit) your website four times per month, drive them back to your WordPress blog more often.

Or get them back to your store three times per week, as opposed to just once per week etc..

4.) And finally..Systematically getting your best customers and clients to refer more new first time customers to your small business and or service.

Small incremental improvements in just these major four areas, and  your long term profitability of your small business and or service, will greatly improve asap.

For ex: just a ten percent incremental improvement in these four major areas, and guest what? You’ve just improved your overall productivity by a whopping 40%!

Recession or not entrepreneur, that’s getting it done. Don’t you agree? So make it your business to focus on the right long term productivity formula.

As always, if you got any value out of this post, please Digg or tweet this. Thanks!

And be sure you grab your explosive free 22 step small business marketing idea kit series, because it will help you increase your profits by at least 25% in the next 90 days or less.

And help you master your effective communication in marketing skills.(No matter what your particular niche market is.)
It’s a $97 dollar value and it’s free!

25Jan 2013

Advertising methods.

Who else looking to implement some proven low cost, high powered adverting methods?

  (To Help You Quickly Get The Word Out!)

Honestly, what specific criterion do you use, to try and quickly decide which advertising methods to use, to help grow your business?

Is it simply a matter of you throwing the proverbial dart at the board and wherever it lands, that’s where you start? Hopefully, your process is a little more scientific than that.

So How Do You  Actually Decide Which Advertising Methods Work Best?

(For Your Resource Strapped Small Business)

Do you let your pocket book decide? Or do you simply flip a  coin or what?

With so many viable options, how do you decide to invest your money, in the sea of advertising and marketing opportunities?

One particular strategy that usually works extremely well, is to work from the end result forward. Huh?

For ex: suppose your trying to attract more women between the ages of 20-50 to your place of business.

Because your long term “lifetime total customer value” calculation, tells you that these particular prospects, will stay with your particular business for at least seven years.

And on average, they’ll spend about $1,500  dollars per year (gross.) Which means, over their entire seven years, they’ll basically spend $11,900 dollars with you.

And you’ll net after deducting your various costs,about roughly 67% of that entire amount. (Or you’ll gross $7,973 dollars. $11,900 x .67% = $7,973.)

And that averages out to about $1,139 dollars per year. ($7,973 / 7 years = $1,139 gross profit per new customer per year.)

So under no circumstances, should you be spending more than $1,139 dollars per year to acquire that new first time customer.

Otherwise, you’ll probably be losing money on the all important front end of your long term (repeat customer) sales funnel.

(FYI: By the way, the specific numbers are totally irrelevant, it’s the overall basic concept, about “total lifetime customer value”, that you have to get, in order for this particular illustration to make sense.

Why Using The Best Advertising Methods Will Explode Your Long Term profits! (For Literally Pennies On The Dollar!)

Case in point: let’s do a simple side by side comparison of two types advertising methods. The first one will be the (all too typical) conventional type of  outrageously expensive local newspaper or local radio advertising stuff.

you know where a cash strapped local small business owner and or service provider tries (desperately) in vain, to simply blast their message to any and every one, only quickly to discover.

They don’t nearly have enough money to effectively advertise to the masses, before they have to fold the tent. because their pockets simply aren’t deep enough to see it through.

On the other hand; here is the other (marketing) based advertising approach. Clearly, this approach takes a little more preliminary work up front, before you can fully implement it, but let’s see which approach, you think you the best chances for long term success.

 Your Cash Strapped Small Business Can Either Take The Advertising Approach Or the Marketing Advertising Approach To Successfully Growing Your Business!

(Which Approach Makes More Sense to You?)

Let’s say company A spends about $4,000 dollars per month on a combination of outrageously expensive local newspaper and local radio ads.

And at the end of the month, when they total up what all this conventional advertising activity actually cost them vs the amount of business they really gained from it.

Well you already know how this movie ends,right?

On the other hand company B, (your company) actually did their “total lifetime customer value” calculation, and they realize (upfront), that their typical customer (which is women ages 20-50), will spend about $1,139 per year with you!

(Just remember to substitute your actual numbers in place of the ones used for this particular example.) (And don’t you dare get caught in the exact number rocket science of this extremely powerful marketing concept, for now just generalize in order to move forward!)

Anyway… Here’s what you might inexpensively test first. Just to see “how” much, this particular marketing tactic, gets the word out.

take your traditionally slowest day or test this concept during your traditionally slowest season, if your business or service tends to trend, depending on which particular season it is.

Say you’re a local small women’s clothing store retailer. You might give the first twenty women (or X) number of women through the door that day, a special coupon that they redeem at your local florist, that happens to be a valued joint venture partner.

And they get a dozen roses  free (they just need to pick them up in person) or personally pay for delivery! you of course just pay your florist’s actual real cost, because you both realize that a certain percentage of those women that come in to redeem their certificate, will in fact become valued long term repeat customers!

Hopefully You Prefer The Think Outside The Box Advertising Methods!

So let’s say you buy the first twenty women through your doors on your traditionally slowest day a dozen roses, that actually cost you $27 dollars each.

You spent a grand total of $540 dollars to advertise your business to your local market! but the reality is, you just spent $27 of your $1,139 dollar annual total!

If you throw in free deliver (which) you now know you can easily afford.

Think about the long term (positive word of moth) affects of what happens when that beautiful dozen roses arrives at their job or place of business!

And of course, your deliver person (also) hands them twenty (special VIP) 25% off new customer only discount cards to pass around as well!

And of course let’s not forget that at least one day per week, you will also include a free five foot teddy bear to be delivered with one of the deliveries too!

Entrepreneur? Of the two advertising methods, which one do you think will have the best long term effect on your valued customer base? Yep!

You get more tweets and thumbs on FB as well!

Hopefully, this type of long term strategic thinking, is starting to spark some new marketing possibilities in your mind!

As always, if you got any value out of this post, please Digg or tweet this. Thanks!

And be sure you grab your explosive free 22 step small business marketing idea kit series, because it will help you increase your profits by at least 25% in the next 90 days or less.

And help you master your effective communication in marketing skills.(No matter what your particular niche market is.)
It’s a $97 dollar value and it’s free!

 

Social Share Buttons and Icons powered by Ultimatelysocial