Every business man or woman knows that in business you have to sell, sell, sell; no matter what kind of business it is or what kind of product or service is being offered, or even if it is an online or off-line business. But if business is slow and sales are slower, what can you do to improve things and speed those sales up?
Tip 1: Stay Positive
You can’t expect prospective customers or clients to feel positive about your company – or you – if you have a negative attitude when you are dealing with them.
Tip 2: Be Confident in Your product or Service
Even if you really aren’t all that confident in your product, try to put it across that you think it’s the best thing since sliced bread. You don’t have to go overboard here, but convince yourself, and at the same time you’ll convince those customers.
Tip 3: Advertise, Advertise, and Advertise
Did I mention that you need to advertise? You do. A lot! You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make sure people know about your product or service.
Tip 4: Hire More Staff / Assistants
If you’re finding it difficult coping with the demands that your business is bringing you, then think about hiring an extra pair of hands.
Tip 5: Get to Know Your Customer
If you don’t know your customer then you can’t know what he or she wants from you or your business.
Tip 6: Emphasize your Product or Service
Make sure when you are talking to a prospective customer that you emphasize your product and why it will be better for them than your competitor’s product.
Tip 7: Improve Customer Service
Make sure that your Customer Service is spot on. Hopefully, you won’t get any complaints, but if you do, act on them.
Tip 8: Be Prepared to Compromise
At the end of the day the customer is paying for the work, so reaching a compromise might be the only solution to having a happy customer – and getting paid.
Tip 9: Offer Upgrades
Everyone loves to get something for nothing, and your customers are no exception. If you are in a position to offer an upgrade to a service or product you supply, then do it.
Tip 10: Write an Effective Sales Letter
Sales letters are important, and they can generate a lot of interest and potential custom, but only if they are written effectively.
Tip 11: News Letters / Emails
Newsletters and emails are a great way to keep in touch with your existing customers, and entice new ones to do business with you.
Tip 12: Listen to your Customers
Keep an ear to the ground and listen to what customers want or would like to see in your business.
Tip 13: Know your Market
If you’re in the buying or selling game, then know what’s what in the modern market. If you’re selling music players then hopefully you’ll already know that cassette players are not really wanted anymore and you’re selling CD players or MP3’s.
Tip 14: Build Trust with Staff
Be honest with your staff and build up some trust with them. Show them some respect and let them know exactly what’s going on in your business.
Tip 15: Build Trust with Customers
It’s important to be honest with customers too. If you don’t have a particular item in stock, or can’t carry out a job until next week then tell them that.
Tip 16: Listen and Communicate
That means to your staff as well as your customers. If someone has any concerns, ideas or merely suggestions then listen to them.
Tip 17: Be Flexible in Methods of Communication
Don’t rely on just one method of communication because you could be cutting out a whole group of prospective customers if you do.
Tip 18: Make a Web Site
OK, so some of you might not have a clue when it comes to building a website, but there are plenty of people out there who do and it might be worth hiring someone to do it for you.
Tip 19: Motivate your Staff and Yourself
Don’t become complacent about your business, your staff or yourself. Learn to stay motivated, and make sure everyone else does too.
Tip 20: Build relationships with Customers / Clients
Once you’ve made a sale, don’t just take a customers money and then forget about them. Ask them if they’d like to receive a regular newsletter and keep a note of their details – what they bought etc..
