Archive for Action

Maslow on Sales and Connecting

Have you ever had what I call the “connected universe” experience?

You think of or dream about a friend, family member or person from your past and then the next day they call or you run into them? Well, it’s been happening to me so much I’m starting to think it’s a sign I’ve been neglecting some of the important people in my life.

That means you.

I’ve missed you here on the blog, and on twitter and Facebook. It isn’t that you’re forgotten, just that I’ve been away doing some other things. I’m back and ready to re-connect and hope you are too. For some of you, the absence has probably gone unnoticed since we only touch base every now and then, but for others – you’ve reached out to let me know you’ve missed me and I appreciate that!

 

All of this got me thinking about connecting.

I learned about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in high school sociology class. I find it amazing and reassuring that regardless of our sophistication and perceived progress, the need to connect – to belong – ranks just above basic needs for nourishment and physical safety.

Maslow's Hierachy of Needs

What do this have to do with sales?

I’m glad you asked!
Everything really.
Your list, subscribers and readers are people.
They are searching for solutions, help, education and entertainment.

To connect.
To know and be known.
To be heard and to hear.
To be supported and offer support.
The chance to make a friend and be a friend.

It’s so simple really.

Being a real, approachable person who will listen and is the foundation of success.
Joining forces, knowing we’re not alone is how simple steps yield incremental results.

How do you keep connected to those who inspire and motivate you?

Share in the comments and thanks for being part of my connections!

What You Do Today Matters SoundAdvice Sound Bite

There Is No Someday:

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Today’s Sound Bite is inspired by a conversation I had with Sandi Amorim of Deva Coaching. Today is my someday!

More Sales More Money More Options

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I love my new SoundBite image don’t you?

I was lucky to win the services of Jason and he created this image for me.  I love the retro look!
Check out his work here!

Looking for help with your daily sales activities? Leave a comment (or email for privacy) and I’ll answer each one!

SoundAdvice SoundBite Sales Mind Shift

Take a listen to today’s SoundBite. It’s a quick sales mind shift that will change the way you look at making your offer!

SoundBiteMindShift

I’d love your feedback and questions!

The Sales Number And Your Marketing Happily Ever After

You can’t sell your products and services to everyone.

As a solopreneur there is a limit to how many people you can reach, sell to and serve.
If you offer services this is especially true.
Your time and creative ability are limited.
You can hire others to help and automate steps to make things more efficient.
You can package services to streamline your offerings.
Creating an information product, book or reproductions are also a great way to add revenue and sell what you do to more people.

It’s critical to know your numbers.

I know you’re creative and big picture and spreadsheets aren’t your thing.
Which is why it’s even more important to understand this concept.
Here’s a way to start.
Get some paper and a sharpie and a calculator.

Write down how much you’d like to make each month.

Is it more than what you make now?
Maybe it’s a lot more.
How much do you charge per hour or per piece of art, or web design or per page of copy written?
Your current rate.
Is it physically possible to work the number of hours each month? (for now just assume the customers will be there)
Could you actually do it?
If you’re like most, the answer is no.
Now what? Raise your rates? Contract out? Add additional revenue sources?
Maybe all of the above.

Put a plan in place and start implementing.

You won’t get to that number you just wrote down without a game plan.
Let’s get back to the whole idea that you can’t sell to everyone.
The fastest, easiest way to get to your number is by knowing who is looking for what you do and marketing to them.
A bunch!
With options.
Multiple ways for them to hire you, or buy what you have.

But it means you have to decide exactly who those people are.

Your marketing will get so much better when you talk to just those people.
Don’t be afraid to be specific.
Do you have lots of designers or doctors in your client list now?
Start there.
Talk to them – address the issues their industry faces in particular.

Here’s an example: Let’s say you design websites.
You’ve worked with a few financial planners and people who work with high wealth individuals.
They have tons of regulations about what they can and cannot say.
You learned this from your previous clients.
You can address their fear about compliance, keeping things legal and still being unique and original.

You talk their language.

You understand the restrictions about what they can and cannot do.
Your marketing talks about how to attract high wealth individuals with design.
You offer a free resource that tells people in the financial industry how to brand themselves starting with great web design.
You have relevant social proof in your portfolio and client testimonials.

See how that works?

Now deciding how to write and talk about what you do is easier.
Finding the people who understand what you’re talking about is easier.
Learning where to reach your audience becomes so much clearer and less time is wasted broadcasting to the those who aren’t going to “get” you.

I promise if you start here and get really clear about who you want to work with – really understand this part, the other steps will become so much easier to take! You’ll be hitting your goal in no time!

What about this works for you?  What doesn’t?  I’m here to help.

It’s time to hit your number! Schedule your one hour session to jump start your sales.

Do The Work Your Follow Friday SoundAdvice

Do The Work
by Steven Pressfield



Get a copy of the book today.
Right now.
It’s been made available at no cost to you. (see below)
You have no excuse.
Anyone who has struggled to get things done – big things – your dream things – will find your internal weapon to resistance.

Find out how to start, how to finish and how to just keep the hell going!

“a child has no trouble believing the unbelieveable, nor does the genius or madman…it’s only you and I, with our big brains and tiny hearts, who doubt and overthink and hesitate.” Listen to your dream, and work hard to beat “resistance” and “rational thought.,” that inner voice that chatters with all the reasons why you can’t.

With chapters titled: Start Before You’re Ready; Stay Primitive; and Swing for the Seats – this isn’t just an intellectual exercise, but a map for getting your stuff – your work – done.

A way to push past all the reasons why not and the method to cling to the reason why.

The book is an easy read. I followed the suggestion in the forward and read it through, stopping just once.  I went back and read it again – this time, noting things that really resonated with me.  I suspect this is the type of book that I will read again when I’m in a different place in my life and I’ll glean other bits of wisdom that make sense to me just then.

The kindle version of the book is available at no cost thanks to GE.
No kindle? No problem.
Download the free Kindle for PC and then claim your free copy of the book.
Or go old school and buy a copy.

Steven Pressfield’s book Do The Work is part of the Domino Project. Created by Seth Godin and “powered by Amazon”. The concept is simple. The name is from the idea of the domino effect; that powerful ideas spread quickly and easily from one person to another.

Follow Steven on Twitter

What part of the book speaks to you?

How To Show Your Sales Confidence

SoundAdvice Sound Bite

Click to hear the audio – 2:20

SalesConfidence

Text Version

Today’s SoundAdvice Sound Bite is about Sales Confidence.


This is an issue that solopreners and business owners bring up when we’re talking about sales results or the lack of results.

Being confident in what you’re offering is key if you want people to opt in, hire you, buy your thing.
If you’re not sure about what you’re offering – how can your customer be sure?
Let your confidence come from a place of service and value.
I’ll explain.
This is what I like to call quiet confidence.

It’s not about being arrogant or pushy.

Quite confidence is about being helpful – offering hope – offering solutions.
Because it comes from a place of value and service.
If you know you deliver value, your products and services deliver and clients will feel better, look younger, be happier, lose weight, see real results – Then it isn’t just a good idea to share that – it is part of your mission – to make sure that those who need what you have can find you – get access – and get results.
When you are selling from a place of service – the focus and emphasis is always on the customer.
What will they receive?  how will they feel? what will they learn?
What results can they expect?

Remember, people buy results.

Have that conversation – and give them the chance to say YES!
When you sell with this kind of confidence, your customers will be confident about working with you or buying from you as well.
That’s todays SoundBite – let me know in the comments if you have any questions or thoughts about your sales confidence.

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Thanks for listening  and have a great day!