Archive for measurement

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!

Show Me Yours?

www.toothpastefordinner.com

1st Quarter Results 

  Can you believe it?  We’re already through 25% of 2010.   It made me start thinking about how things are going so far.  Like many, I started this year with some well intentioned resolutions, goals and dreams.  I had a plan.  I made lists.  I bought office supplies.  I spent some time getting ready.  I spent more time getting things done.  Taking action. 

Going Public

 Public corporations with shareholders have to publish quarterly reports.  They are required to let those who have a stake know how they did.  What if you had to do that?  Yikes!   What if you had to publish your sales and revenue numbers?  Or the number of new clients?  What about just accounting for your time spent on a project or connections made,  partnerships formed?  What if you had to demonstrate your return on investment? 

 As a small business owner, I am intimately aware of revenue and cash flow.  I have a good bead on my clients and prospects.  I keep track of my sales pipeline – those things are easy for me.   I’ll confess that I didn’t hit my projections for Q1.  I sure don’t want to have to publish my results. 

Size Matters Measurement Matters

  Being accountable, even just to yourself or include your spouse/partner or trusted friend will impact results.  What you measure matters.  If the thought of spreadsheets and bar graphs freak you out, do it your way.  But measure, track and report – even if it’s just for you.  Especially if it’s just for you. 

 Rx: Suggestions for Q2

 Post your revenue goal on your desk or calendar or iphone.  Anywhere you’ll see it every day.  
 Break it down, so you know how much you need to sell each day, or by units sold or number of clients registered.  What works   in your business?
Pick one or two next steps and commit to making them happen in Q2.  Break it into 12 steps – 1 for each week of the quarter.
Ask someone to be your accountability partner.  Report to them weekly with your progress. 

Do you have another way to track your progress? 
Do you publish your own quarterly report?  I’d love to hear how it works for you. 
How can I help you stay on track?