Archive for Pricing

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.

9 Sales Myths You Have To Ignore!

Like any industry or profession – there are certain stereotypes and assumptions.  Jocks aren’t too bright, accountants are dull, programmers are nerds,actresses are bimbos and doctors are benevolent.  There can be a kernel of truth; let’s face it these misconceptions start somewhere.

Salespeople and the sales and marketing industry are no different.   I’ve identified 9 “myths” or misconceptions about sales/selling and salespeople that you should ignore.

1. Selling is about tricking someone to buy something they don’t want or need. No.  Call that behavior what it is.  Deception or coercion.  Selling is ALL about meeting the needs or wants of a customer with a solution or product.  I know it sounds too simple; but that’s really it.

2.  Sales people have to be outgoing and chatty.  Well, no.  There’s no such thing as a “sales” personality.  That’s like saying someone is a natural born janitor.

3.  Sales/Selling is hard. Well, it can be if you don’t understand how to attract clients who want what you offer, but the actual tactical steps are easier than lots of things – like programming or geometry or giving someone an injection.  We assume that other professionals train to be good at what they do – but that selling should come naturally.  Why?

4. Sales people only care about making money. We all want to be compensated for our work – and sales people are no different.  A good sales person (or business owners who sells) cares about the client first because they know sales will naturally follow.

5.  Everyone is a potential customer. This leads many who attempt sales to frustration.  Targeting your market is critical to sales success.   Lot’s of small business owners are so eager for business they attempt to scatter their sales message to anyone who will listen.  Get your message in front of people who are in your target market and your chance for success will increase dramatically.

6.  Sales in a numbers game.  If you knock on enough doors (who really wants to do that anymore?) you’ll make it big.  Unfortunately no.  Unless you’re a girl-scout selling cookies, you’re likely to be ignored and if you just waltz into someones place of business – it’s doubtful you’ll get past the front desk.  Spend some time developing a strategy to get in front of those who need you – and respectfully connect with them.

7.  You have to be a people person.  Whatever that means.  These days many people market online from their kitchen table.  It’s not that they don’t like people, but you don’t have to do the face to face thing.

8.  Online marketers are spammy and can’t be trusted. Like anything – there are some who are less than ethical or just downright rip-offs.  But many work very hard to build rapport, trust and over deliver to gain the confidence of loyal clients.

9.  Selling is only about price. It’s about value.  If price were the only consideration, no one would pay $200 for jeans or $1600 for a purse or $18,000 for a motorcycle.   Make your product or services more valuable to me and I’ll pay extra.  We all do it.  There’s no reason it won’t work in your business.

Don’t let these myths or misconceptions prevent you from having sales success.   Take the time to understand your market, and get your message in front of the right people.  For more tips and specific steps, sign up for my e-newsletter – it’s full of easy-to-do actions that you can implement right now.

Sales Rx: When You Don’t Know What To Do

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What To Do When Bad Things Happen
Owning a business means you’re juggling lots of things. There are so many challenges and priorities, it’s often hard to see when things get slightly off track. Sometimes, things aren’t broken or in need of repair so much as a cry for attention.
Then IT happens. A competitor lands the account or gets the great partnership that you wanted. Or you find out that someone with less experience is charging 3 times what you charge.  It’s enough to make you want to scream and then find someone or something to blame. Before you do anything drastic hold up and let’s think this through.

You will be okay.
Small business owners tend to live and breathe work. If you lose a deal, or find out that the newbie got your well deserved recognition, it’s critical to your sanity that you don’t take it personally. It doesn’t mean you aren’t liked or that people hate you. It may mean they don’t know you as well as they should, or that you aren’t highlighting your success for all the world to see.
Life isn’t always fair.   Now is the time to focus on what you can control.  Ready to tackle this, feel better and move on? Great! Grab a pen and paper to make some old school notes and get going.

Rx: Profile, Pricing or Performance
Profile: Are you and your business or organization the best kept secret around? Are you doing amazing work or have the best product but only a handful know how awesome you are? Take time to evaluate the way you communicate to current customers and prospects as well. Make sure you regularly update your info to reflect the great accomplishments for your company and most importantly for your customers.

Pricing: Does your price structure represent the value you offer? There’s a psychology regarding pricing that is based on our need to assign value – and reward those who deliver it. The fact is that we value the $200. pair of jeans over the $20. pair even though the raw materials are similar. Should you improve your value or offer and increase your pricing? Higher margins can mean better relationships with a smaller number of clients while seeing a rise in revenue.

Performance is the great equalizer. If you deliver and you know you bring amazing value to your clients, then it’s also your responsibility to let those who need what you offer know about it. It’s also expected that you charge for it, based on the value your clients can expect to receive. If you know you over deliver, it’s also your mission to make sure that becomes part of your message.

Action is the magic pill!
If you are delivering great value to your customers without the expected results in revenue, apply attention to your “problem” area. The magic is in the action! Clarify your target market and identify irresistible benefits that you are uniquely positioned to offer. It really can be that easy. Let me know what you come up with – or how I can help. What obstacles get in the way?