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If you’re looking for ways to get more customers and collect a little extra cash (or just pay the rent), then you need to ask yourself one question:
“What can I sell TODAY?”
Plus, there’s a few things you should avoid. These are things NOT to do. Then we’ll cover what you CAN do.
It’s funny, odd, sad, interesting or curious - take your pick - when a business or individual wants more money that they engage in, or start to do, any of the following:
Borrowing Money
You can’t borrow to add to your bottom line. You can’t borrow you’re way out of debt either. You can SELL your way to success however. If you have an existing customer base, go back to them with a new offer (not necessarily a discount!) with a bonus or extended benefit.
Spending Money
I’ve always viewed spending as something discretionary but not essential. It’s usually an emotionlly based, implusive and incremental improvement, like a slightly better printer or the latest cell phone model, and often done just to make you ‘feel’ better.
While investing is a decisive, objective action taken to reach a specific outcome. You invest in an item, event or service that has a highly probable chance of bringing you an immediate Return on Investment (ROI) - preferably immediately!
Starting New Marketing
Starting a new, especially an expensive marketing campaign that is unproven can be lethal. Display advertising and high risk activities like Live Events can be big flops if you’ve not used them before and know what you’re doing.
Don’t get me wrong on this one. I LOVE new marketing tactics. I’m just suggesting you use proven, low-cost and no cost methods (like our Free Marketing Tips at www.CustomerCatcher.com) that involve less risk and less of your precious capital or credit.
A great example of more immediateablly measurable results is using direct mail, postcards or letters, that drive prospects to a web site with an irresistable offer. Another is the combined use of classified ads listing a toll free 800 line with an audio text message, again inviting people to get online or better yet - to call you!
Thinking ”The Internet” Can Save You
While the Internet is the most amazing, revolutionary and evolutionary media, it is really “just another medium” to use for your marketing. It should be integrated into your existing strategies and used to increase productivity, like sharing a map to your business, perhaps delivering digital products or providing downloadable intake surveys.
It’s the reliance on the web I’m talking about. It’s a false belief to think of your web site(s) like an employee - you know, like a human - that can lovingly handle prospects and customers. There is nothing BETTER than an interactive human, no matter how ‘interactive’ your web master says your site is. Solution > first thing on top of your Home Page is your toll free number.
Looking for “Investors”
One of my clients spent six months and probably close to $50,000 putting together materials and research to find investors. He sold absolutely nothing during this time. He failed to find an investor that didn’t want to own more than what he viewed as a fair share of his company. He also waisted half a year that could have been spent selling to his existing clients, reactivating old customers, and networking with associates that knew him already and would refer him.
Planning, Meeting, Planning, Meeting
Have you ever phoned somewhere to buy something and been asked to leave a message by the receptionist because “Everyone is in a sales meeting?” Get it… “IN A SALES MEETING?” Arrrrgggghhh. I was a hot prospect, taking an action to connect and turned away - never to return by the way.
It’s the old wisdom of “Ready. Fire. Aim.” If you’re constantly in meetings, planning and debating how best to proceed to save your business then YOU are only in ‘Aim’ mode and your competition is eating your lunch. (Ok I dare you to fit more cliches into your blog posts. Sorry ’bout that but I think it still works here.
Stay Tuned
While the above are presented to make you think, they’re aren’t what you need to do.
Think about your answers to the question, “What can I sell today?” and how you can take action now. Share your feedback and comments here. Post your best ideas too!
Then keep an eye out for my next blog post, I’ll share a few ideas and solutions to help you “Sell today!”