Archive for Goals

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.

Sales Rx – Monday Morning Sales Meetings That Aren’t A Waste Of Time

  I spent about 16 years in corporate sales and I loved it.  I had wonderful clients, worked for a great company that let me do what I love.  My way.  I was evaluated and measured by my results at the end of each month.  It was perfect for me.   As the company grew, so did the structure and sales meetings that had been quarterly events were now weekly. 

Why Mondays? 

Conventional thinking is no one schedules Monday AM appointments and it is a good way to start the week.  Right?  It’s still done in all kinds of sales organizations so it’s kind of the chicken and the egg thing now.  No appointments because of the meeting or the meeting time is set when clients aren’t available?  I think it’s the former.   If you want to know the best time for your meetings, how about 4ish on Fridays?  No one has a legit appointment then,(oh, I know you’re the exception)  plus it’ll curb the long winded tendencies of those people who just can’t stop talking.  I’d try to never attend one of those meetings – I’d have a 2:00 that ran really, really long!  But I’m getting off track a bit. 

Hold Non-Sucky Meetings

I’m not saying meetings aren’t helpful or worthwhile - because they can be, but getting everyone together should yield results – not just be a place where everyone gives their progress reports.  That can be done in an email that the micromanaging types can read whenever they want.  Plus it’ll be in writing.  Proof that something was done or will be done or might happen.  If it already happened, then yay you but move on already.  Last week’s sales don’t mean diddly this week. 

If you are the lucky person responsible for meetings then make it worth your time and at least go for interesting and even a bit edgy.  If nothing else, you’re likley to see progress because you’ll snap everyone out of sleepwalking mode.  (Disclaimer: I did have to run these meetings when managing a group of sales folks and I wasn’t always good at it.  Most times, I just wanted to get it overwith like everyone else and then, you know, actually get something done!)

Here’s What I’d Do Now

Talk Big Picture – Lots of companies do this once a year when the bank requires a business plan – and it gets shoved in a drawer never to be seen until it’s time to update it.  Dust that thing off – or if it was crap - talk about Q4.  And remember, this should be interactive – have a real brainstorming session. 

  • List 10 big accounts you want to land by year end.  Then develop a plan to actually DO it!
    Discuss how you can add value to a current service. And add it.
    List ideas for engaging with current clients in a better way.  You can start by asking them.
    Figure out a better way to say ThanksMerryChristmasHappyHolidaysHappyHanukkahHappyNewYear than the usual card and calendar you’ve done lately.  I’m thinking brownies from Sugardaddies.   
    Update your sales literature.  If this sounds overwhelming, start small with one piece.
    Seriously in this day of print on demand, having anything that is out of date in any way just screams lazy and/or cheap.  If your company is pretty traditional – shake things up with a top 10 list, or a clever twist on your FAQ’s.   (Great sales copy is an art, so if your team has good ideas, but no one with sharp writing skills, get an outline together and let me know - I can help – doing it badly is worse than not doing it at all)

If you are in the middle Tennessee area, and would like me to lead a sales meeting, I’m available.  If you’re somewhere near a beach I can work something out! If you’d like to have a planning session so you can amaze and enlighten your salesforce, email me!

I’d love to know how your meetings go – or if you even do such a thing – let’s get more ideas going in the comments.  If you work at home or don’t have a team yet, sign up here for weekly updates.   If you have a big team, you can sign up too!

Coming Soon: Back to Business Boot Camp

  

I mentioned in another post that I’m in an exercise class that’s “boot-camp” style.  The goal is to really push yourself physically, and see results quickly.  It’s also meant to be diverse and mix things up so you are always working different muscles, balance, flexibility and core strength all at once.  

  It’s hard.  But I love it. 

  The best part is that I just show up.  Yes, once I’m there I do the work – but I don’t have to plan it, or figure it out or keep track of upper body/lower body/strength training/cardio… you get the idea.  Someone else does.  They provide the plan of action and I execute – as best I can. 

   I’ve decided to put my sales training modules into a concentrated “Back to Business Boot Camp” that will start in a few weeks.  Let me know if you’d like info.  I’m excited to put everything together and I know you’ll love the step by step instructions that you can implement for your own quick results.

Is Selling Time On Your Calendar Or Just On Your To Do List?

SoundAdvice Sales Rx:

I often use time on Sunday’s to look forward to the week ahead. You know, plan ahead and make sure I have things like paying bills and sending invoices all done. One thing that I also schedule is sales time.

Income Producing Activity. It’s easy to get busy doing lots of other things. Important things too. It’s not like you’re spending all day sitting on the sofa eating bon bons. But you know how things happen. You really mean to make the phone calls or follow up on your proposals and then you get busy, and then it’s time for lunch and the next thing you know, Monday is pretty much over so you decide to do it the next day. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

So – take the time. Now. Put some sales time on your calendar for whatever your income producing activity is. When you get a new client, or make a sale/sales, you’ll be glad you made time for it.

I’d love to know how you plan your week. It’s nice to share.

Bootcamp Life Lessons

 

 I just started a workout program this past week.  It’s a high intensity bootcamp style class with an instructor who really makes me push myself.  For those of you who don’t know me well, I am in serious need of this type of fitness instruction.  On a fitness scale of 1 to 10 I’d rate myself a 3.  I can jog slowly for a mile or so and I’m coordinated enough to not fall over or trip on the stairs, but that’s about it. 

  It wasn’t always this way, but that really doesn’t matter now.  What matters is what I decide to do today. 

  In the class - they are at 5 AM, did I mention that part?  Just getting up and being there on time is a big win for me – there are others who are in much better shape, older, younger, men and women. 

  After class on Friday a nice guy I that I met the day before came up and said he was glad to see I came back (I think I looked really pathetic at the end of class on Thursday)  He began to relay his story.  He started working out 9 months ago and has lost over 100 pounds.  Looking at this super fit guy you’d never guess he’d been heavy. 

  The best part was that he wanted to encourage me.  He gave me some advice about what worked for him.  He told me not to worry about what I couldn’t do in the class (and there’s alot) and not to compare myself to others.  He also said I can do more than I think I can.  Like so many things in life, results come with persistence and a willingness to put in the time to master new skills. 

  So what do you want to master?  Where can you push yourself?  What have you mastered lately?  It’s nice to share!

What’s Your One Thing?

 I’ve been juggling lots of things lately and sometimes I feel like I’m not really getting as  much done as I should.  It’s not lack of effort, but a lack of focus.  I came across some notes that I took at a seminar that helped me get back on track and I thought I’d share it with you.   (I don’t recall whose seminar it was – and the notes aren’t dated.  I apologize that I can’t credit the person who shared this idea with me originally.)

Sometimes the simplest thing is what works.   I like to think I’m pretty smart, and can handle more than one thing at a time.  I’m sure you do too.  But for the next few days I’m going to try this.  Pick the ONE thing that will help me move forward and make progress on a lengthy to do list and DO IT.  Not start it, or spend some time on it but make it my focus for the day. 

Now the tricky part.  What is the one thing?  I’m betting you know what yours is.  I know what mine is.  Making changes to this site.  I was lucky enough to get some great advice from Catherine Caine of www.BeAwesomeOnline.com and Teresa Cleveland of www.TeresaCleveland.com  almost 2 weeks ago.  That’s my one thing for tomorrow.  And the next day and the next until it’s done. 

What’s Your One Thing?  Please share and let me know – we can all encourage each other!

Lessons From My Mentor(s)

 

 I’ve been thinking about former friends and co-workers today.   I’ve also been thinking about how everyday kind of things can end up making an impact that isn’t always expected.  Some of the lessons I learned were like that.    There’s a long, long story about my mentors that I want to write someday, but for today – here are a few things that I learned that have served me well and help me all the time.

Do It Yourself  – Or at least be willing to.  One of the owners of a company I worked for taught me this.  He was a self-made man who worked harder than anyone I knew.  He taught me how to do many things by showing me how he did it himself. 

Take Responsibility Alone – Share the Credit -  This was something I saw another owner do many times.  A big deal was lost?  He stood up and said, “My bad – I didn’t position us correctly, but we’ll learn from it and win the next one.”  A big deal landed?  “Everyone was helpful and deserved part of the credit”.   Selling is competitive and somewhat individual, but if you are a sales leader – this must be part of your leadership method.

Work Hard and Have Fun – They don’t have to be exclusive.  People who are passionate about thier work don’t always understand that a break here and there will help you and your staff blow off some steam and come back recharged.  Don’t be afraid to step back and have a good time.

Learning Never Ends – Again, in my early sales career, the owners of the company knew that regular training was critical to the success and development of the sales staff.  They encouraged it and led by example by regularly attending training and development seminars themselves. 

There are other lessons I learned along the way as well but these simple concepts have helped me to succeed.  Sometimes the most basic rules can be the foundation for guiding you through your decisions. 

What basic lessons do you refer to? 
How did you learn them?
Do you teach them at your company?