Last
updated August, 2004
Make
the best of the remaining summer season:
Recapture
fond summer memories:
- Sit outside
at night to listen to the crickets
- Catch fireflies
- Host a summer
barbecue
Even at
work, make most of the rest of the summer time:
- Finalize business
marketing and public relations plans for the next year.
- Study new trends
and any changes in social consciousness.
- Gear up sales
and marketing efforts for better fourth quarter business!
Every company must
sell their products, services or concept(s). Sales is a
business basic that must be done by sales people in addition
to most all other employees. Whenever an employee meets
someone new, there is a possible opportunity to “market” your
business.
Sales opportunities
can occur everywhere. From a business social to a casual
party, everyone can utilize basic sales techniques to attract
new customers.
Even non-sales
staff can use the following sales tips to build rapport
and connect.
- Introduce yourself
and share a succinct 21 word introduction about your
business. Pay special attention to names.
Offer a steady handshake, pleasant greeting.
- Ask questions
to prospect without ulterior motives.
Be genuinely interested in your potential client.
Learn about the prospect yet do not talk too much about yourself.
- Relax and be
yourself.
Talk with a potential customer, as you would a colleague or friend, not as
a “prospective client.”
Find out what the customer wants, who they do business with and what their
goals are. Concentrate on ways to assist your potential customer solve a
challenge or improve their business.
- Avoid trying
to “persuade” them to purchase your product
or services and concentrate more on their needs. Authentic
problem solving and assistance will help you build trust
with prospects. When you become a valued ally sales will
follow.
- Listen carefully
and be aware of non verbal communication. If the person
seems stressed, rushed or upset, be aware of their needs
and make appropriate changes. Do not get lost in a “sales
pitch” or trying to convince them on the spot to
do business with your company.
Sales is a process and can be built with authentic interest in a win-win
situation. Getting attention and making a connection are a couple of the
first few steps in the sales process.
Everyone can represent
their company favorably using a few of the sales tips…it's
well known that the first impression is important and become
the beginning of a successful relationship.
What's
a blog?
The following are a couple definitions of this internet craze:
A Blog is
an easy-to-use web page, where you can quickly post thoughts,
interact with people, and more.
A Blog (noun)
is a shared on-line journal where people can post diary
entries about their personal experiences, areas of expertise
and hobbies. A blog is basically a journal that is available
on the web. People can publish thoughts, get feedback,
find people with same interests and more. Blogs are usually
updated daily using software that allows people with little
or no technical background to update and maintain the blog.
Postings
on a blog are almost always arranged in chronological
order with the most recent additions featured most prominently.
As with all forms
of communication, businesses have taken this trend to utilize
as a form of business communication; B-Blog is known as
a “business blog.”
Businesses can
share their expertise via a B-blog sharing information
that positions them as an expert in their field. If readers
subscribe to a particular blog (via downloadable software
called newsreader or aggregator) they can be notified when
the a B-blog is updated on your site.
Many businesses
may want to consider incorporating a blog to their website…search
engines seek sites that are updated with fresh information
most recently. In essence, hosting a blog on your site
may help raise your site search ranking.
Another benefit
of creating a B-Blog on your website is to provide updated
information. The blog page can be updated a number of times
per week. No technical training is needed to use a blog;
it is easy to use and timely. Writing on the blog can be
as simple as providing short tips and links to helpful
sites.
One of the most
popular types of blogs is a news blog. There are several
individuals throughout the country that gain access to
information and are able to publish it before any of the
newspapers or cable news channels have the chance to air
the information. Most news bloggers are focused on nitch
markets such as technology or marketing. British blogger
Nick Denton has made some of the biggest waves in the world
of blogging. He is responsible for gossip blogs Gawker.com and Wonkette.com and
the gadget blog Gizmodo.com,
as well as others.
The tightening
of spam filters can make it an increasing challenge to
ensure all marketing e-mails (not spam) make it to all
subscriber’s inbox. Blogs are an additional avenue
of communication that if used correctly, can only add to
your marketing strategies.
