Posts Tagged ‘sales’
Making an income selling digital scrapbooking kits is a popular home-based business.How possible is this for someone like you? You can, but you will need specific skills. And the skills cross over into a couple of areas: artistic skills and marketing skills.
Some people who have tried to market digital and computer scrapbooking items don’t make much. This is often because of the many competitors and the lower prices of the products such as digital kits. Another reason is that they are either good at marketing but not so great at designing or the reverse is true.
What can set your work apart – the more unique and professional your comptuer scrapbooking techniques and design are, the more chance you have of selling them. You will also need to learn better marketing techniques and practices. Many good products are never sold because they are rarely seen. The following tips cover some of the things required to make it in this business.
10 Tips for earning an income in the digital scrapbooking market:
- Be realistic about your skills and designs – are they good, can they be better? Try to find ways to create more unique designs than what is being sold by your competitors.
- Be the best you can be at design: Think about improving what you know about design, color, and gain better software skills
- Be the best you can be at marketing: Have you done the best marketing of your products – or have you done ANY marketing? If you are selling products online, there are many ways to get customers and website traffic that are taught about. Are you researching these?
- Help customers see what you sell: Are you displaying your products in the best way possible? How easy to view are the products and are all your product viewable?
- Promotional tip: Are you listed in any directories or online stores (and are these the best places for you to be listed)?
- Be social: Do you use social networks or videos to promote yourself online? These tactics can enable your to find and reach more buyers.
- Be price concious: Compare your prices to your competitors – are they in line with the current prices?
- Know the competition: Find out what kind of advertising or marketing is used by the competition (the ones you think are really good). Find out the secrets to your competitors’ success and implement the tactics they use. (Keep your friends close and your competition closer!)
- Know the customer: Are you selling what people are buying? Get familiar with what other online sellers list as their best sellers.
- Know the prices: Check out online auction sites and see what kind of things sell well and watch the prices of the sales.
The more familiar you become with any information you can about the online digital scrapbooking market, the better able you will be to survive in any kind of business of or sales of digital scrapbooks designs and kits.
One of the top sales management trainers is Jon Berghoff. Jon is founder of Global Empowerment Coaching and has a record of teaching leadership, creating sales, and causing entrepreneurial success through ‘harmonic influence,’ which gives you control over yourself, your business, and the world in general. Jon Berghoff is speaker and bestselling author of the “Cutting Edge Sales Book.”
First it was the false rumor about Steve Job’s health… Apple’s stock nose-dived, millions of dollars out the window.
Now, Steve Jobs -for real, not a rumor – pulls out of his perennial role as keynote speaker at the high profile Macworld trade show.
Again, Apple’s stock plummeted as much as 5.5% during after-hours trading.
What does this show? An unfortunate reality or a symbolic reminder of what true leadership is.
While Apple may not have the problem I’m about describe, the above scenario serves as a great wake-up call.
When a leader’s worth is so high that her lack of presense translates to instant panic, it says something about the kind of leadership at hand – where personality, rather than process, drive a profitable business.
I’m not saying personality isn’t important, but the order of priority is worth looking at.
I meet thousands of managers, leaders, and sales professionals each year, and I see this regularly: a person leads with personality and with charisma at the top of the priority list.
The issue?
Personality is not always replicable, teachable and reliable.
So what is?
Process.
In any leadership role, the manager/executive/leader should be focused on getting processes in place, before relying on personality to drive the business. Processes can be thought out, documented, taught, practiced, retaught, and ultimately duplicated. Personality, often can not.
Personality can create energy, attraction, and excitement, while the processes can leave a legacy.
What do you see in your business that can be duplicated, automated, and put into a repeatable process, that will help leverage your ability as a leader?
One of the top sales presentation coaches is an entrepeneur friend named Jon Berghoff. Jon is founder of Global Empowerment Coaching and has a history of creating sales, building leadership, and causing entrepreneurial success through ‘harmonic influence,’ which gives you control over yourself, your customers, and the world in general. Jon Berghoff is speaker and bestselling author of the “Cutting Edge Sales Book.”
Here is an excerpt taken from Jon Berghoff’s website that will help you with your next sales presentation.
QUESTION: “Jon, our region has always prided ourselves on how well we “pre-frame objections” in our presentations, yet after the call, I began realizing that we can be more deliberate with our preparation going into our presentations. My question is this: do you have any advice on how to make sure we are removing the correct objections, the ones that will matter to the customer, being that every client is different?”
Jon Berghoff’s SOLUTION:
Great question. While every customer is different, you will find that their objections will 99% of the time fit into 3-5 basic categories. You know what those are in your market. Your job is to know which of the few objections will be the one that your next prospect really cares about.
First of all, do as much homework as possible before any and every presentation. By making sure you enter the customers world first, both in your mentality, and in your presentation (as discussed during the teleseminar) you are already ahead of most of other sales people.
To take it up a notch, be ready with some powerful questions to extract, on your own terms and timing, the information that will tell you what their possible objections will be. Ask your prospects at the start of the presentation; how critical is cost, who is involved in the decision making, what do they like and dislike about their current provider, what is on their mind (fears, insecurities, confusion, concerns, etc.) that they want to take care of before beginning?
These may not be the exact questions, but you get the idea. Put some thought into how you can learn what is going on inside your prospect’s head and you’ll remove the objection and be way ahead of the game.
One of the master business networking coaches is an entrepeneur named Jon Berghoff. Jon is founder of Global Empowerment Coaching and has a record of creating sales, building leadership, and causing business success through ‘harmonic influence,’ which gives you control over yourself, your business, and the world in general. Jon Berghoff is speaker and bestselling author of the “Cutting Edge Sales Book.”
This article is a response to a question that came in from Mike in Fredericksburg, VA, after listening to the telephone seminar, “Becoming Wealthy During Turbulent Economic Times”. To listen to the MP3 of the call, go to www.geconnection.com/turbulance.html.
To get the FREE gifts that are offered during the teleseminar, go to www.geconnection.com/testimonial.
How can I use your method of “farming” to breakthrough my current plateau of sales in my field?
“I really learned a lot from your perspective on hunting vs. farming as a way of attracting new prospects and business. I’m really stuck though because I always have believed in the concept of giving value first, asking for business second, yet my annual sales revenue has stagnated and I can’t seem to break through to the next level. My question is, how can I use this “universal” or “spiritual” principle to really grow my sales again, not just to feel good about what I’m doing?”
Mike B. CPA, Fredericksburg, VA
ANSWER: Jon Berghoff
Mike, you are completely correct in searching for a way to use this spiritual principle to increase your success.
Most critical is knowing that it takes creativity, proactive effort, and old-fashioned hard work to provide value for others. It can’t simply be a feeling or an attitude. The emotion, or attitude is required, but only effective when backed up with action. You might remember in the teleseminar that I mentioned the importance of behaviors, not just thinking, to elevate results.
I would pose this question:
What are some ways that you could be adding value that are easy to do, that you have allowed to become easy not to do?
This is a good starting point. If this triggers anything, than put it to work. You might take the three areas from the call: problem solving, distributing information, and gift giving, and ask yourself; what are the fastest, easiest ways you could apply these secrets. I use the words “fast” and “easy” because most people over-think the process of farming (giving value first, asking for business second).
It might be as little as making sure your assistant answers each phone call in a positive and uplifting way, vs. an unmonitored non-emotion-inducing approach.
It could be the difference between sending out a packet of free, applicable info to your prospects before you meet them for a sales presentation, so they are trained from the start to see you as an authority or expert.
Maybe it means hosting a teleseminar for everybody in your sphere of influence, showing them 4-7 ways to save money during tax season, or the 5 most common mistakes made by others in their field.
One of the master sales presentation trainers is a business friend named Jon Berghoff. Jon is founder of Global Empowerment Coaching and has a history of creating sales, building leadership, and causing entrepreneurial success through ‘harmonic influence,’ which gives you control over yourself, your business relationships, and the world in general. Jon Berghoff is speaker and bestselling author of the “Cutting Edge Sales Book.”
Here is a sample taken from Jon Berghoff’s blog that will help you with your future sales presentations.
QUESTION: “Jon, our region has always prided ourselves on how well we “pre-frame objections” in our presentations, yet after the call, I began realizing that we can be more calculated with our preparation going into our presentations. My question is this: do you have any advice on how to make sure we are removing the right objections, the ones that will matter to the customer, being that every client is different?”
Jon Berghoff’s SOLUTION:
Great question. While every client is different, you will find that their objections will almost always fit into 3-5 basic categories. You know what those are in your market. Your job is to know which of the few objections will be the one that your next prospect really cares about.
First of all, do as much study as possible before any and every presentation. By making sure you enter the customers world first, both in your mind, and in your presentation (as discussed during the teleseminar) you are already ahead of the majority of your competition.
To take it up a notch, be ready with some powerful questions to extract, on your own terms and timing, the information that will tell you what their possible objections will be. Ask your prospects at the beginning of each presentation; how important is budget, who is involved in the decision making, what do they know and don’t know about their current provider, what is on their mind (concerns, fears, insecurities, confusion, etc.) that they want to take care of before beginning?
These may not be the specific questions, but you get the point. Put some thought into how you can figure out what is going on inside your prospect’s brain and you’ll eliminate the objection and be way ahead of the curve.
So you want to become a better sales person as you are convinced it will do your career prospects a power of good but you are not entirely sure as to what makes a good salesman. In this article I will be writing about the characteristics that I believe are essential if a person is going to become a great salesman.
When attempting to sell something whether it be a cheaper calls to mobiles service, insurance, a debt management plan or a stuttering therapy product, to name just a few, then you need to do so with passion.
This is an essential element of all of the great salesmen, an ability to talk with a belief and positivity about the products that they are selling.
How many times has somebody attempted to sell you something but have done so with absolutely no “gusto” at all? It is as if they have real belief in the product themselves. It is like the sales people who attempt to convince you to switch utilty supplier:
“Can I speak to the person who deals with your electricity bills please?”
This is there usual starting point but they say it with such a negativity and boredom. Why not start with a much more passionate and positive stance:
“Good afternoon, I am not sure if you have heard of myself, my name is John Staples (example name) and I work for business cost cutting specialists, specialising in lowering people’s electricity bills, am I seaking to the right person about this subject?”
There are not that many easy ways to make money that do not require hard work and a determination to do the right things.
Positivity, passion, belief, honesty and an ability to listen to your customers/clients are the essential characteristics of a successful salesman.
I hope this article helps its readers to further their career and to also become top rate sales people.
Have you considered starting an Ebay Business? In the United States more than 430,000 people are working full or part time on Ebay. It may be easier to start an Ebay business than you may think.
Maybe you feel as if Ebay is just a low value trinket type outlet or one that only sells novelty items, you will want to take another look. Anything from trinkets to antiques and automobiles, can be sold on an Ebay business. The five highest categories were automobiles and auto supplies, consumer electronics, computers, clothes and accessories, books, movies and music.
Ebay was started in 1995 and has become the worlds largest online auction place selling every kind or product and service you can imagine. There is about 1,000 dollars in sales every second.In 32 countries there are 135 million registered users. You can see your Ebay business will have a large audience and exposure.
Before you start with an Ebay business you should consider if you want to be a full time business or just a part time hobby. Do you want to work from your home or set up an outside office to work from? Do you want to work on your own or do you want to have employees? Do you want to become a Trade Assistant or a Power Seller?
Practicing a little bit is a good idea before officially opening your Ebay business. You can try different headlines and descriptions on a smaller scale. Practice taking pictures and try different listing formats. To get comfortable and confident,first try to sell one or two items at a time. When you decide to take your Ebay business to the next level this will greatly improve your chances of success.
Getting set up with an Ebay business just takes a few minutes. You will need to supply them with your name, address, telephone number, a credit card and or a checking account. This is used for identification and payment of fees purposes. You should also consider opening up a PayPal account when setting up your Ebay business. This service is owned by Ebay and allows people to use credit cards or their checking accounts to make payments. Having a costly merchant account is also eliminated.
When you set up your Ebay business remember to set up your “About Me” page, which is a free ebay technique that gives you the ability to to promote your business and yourself.
When you begin your Ebay business you may want to register with Federal, State, and local tax authorities. You also may want to form a corporation or LLC to protect yourself from any legal liability.
Your Ebay business now requires something to sell. This can be the most difficult challenge you will face with your Ebay business. You need to pick something that you know about, has a profit potential, and is not difficult to photograph or ship. Before you offer merchandise up for sale take a look at what similar items sold for and ask yourself, can I make money with this? A key point to remember what ever it is you offer is that it will fill a need.
Your chances of success in you Ebay business are greater if it is convenient for you to buy. This means your Ebay business should sell similar products. If you sell CD’s then having CD racks or players would be an excellent combination. The more compatible items you have on sale the better your chances of success. People would much rather purchase what is needed at one store.
Remember try not to get complacent after you have gotten comfortable with all the auction formats, and other aspects of your Ebay business. You will want to read about any new features, keep in touch with your customers, and also be aware of what your competitors are doing. If you are not growing and adapting your not taking your Ebay business to its full capacityand maximizing you’re earning potential. You will not only be more successful with your Ebay business but you will have more fun. Now get to it.
Want to learn how to turn yourself into a Ebay Power Seller?This is a wonderful resource. Go to this website now at: 90daypowerseller.com
Lead generation is a key factor in any successful company. If your company is operated online, you may not be making telephone calls or having face to face meetings with people, you might be doing web office meetings instead. But since today’s entrepreneurial business world is so driven by the Internet one way or another, you’ll probably need to know some of the key ways to use the Internet to get yourself leads.
Lead generation in and of itself is not much help to you as you attempt to grow your business. Now, you might be asking how this is possible? It is because you don’t want to have just any old leads—you want to have qualified leads. Non-qualified leads cost you too much money and time to generate only for you to be let down at least 95% of the time.
A qualified lead is an individual who has the potential of being motivated to do business with you after they have some kind of contact or interaction with you. While it is true that not all qualified leads will become a new customer, the majority of them will. People who don’t do business with you today, may do business with you at some point in the future—so, when you have built up a collection of leads who haven’t done business with you now, you may get them in the months to come.
Now, how do you go about using lead generation techniques to get the qualified leads that you desire?
1. A qualified lead is somebody who you truly can help and who has interest in you and your company. You must make your site and your marketing methods clear and well-defined. Spell out exactly what you are all about and how you help your clients. Those who can use you will want to find out more, while the rest will be on their merry way and not waste your time.
2. You can always buy leads using pay-per-click ads to get qualified leads generated to your site. Pay-per-click ads don’t have to be paid for unless somebody clicks through one of them to your site. Internet at websites, blogs, search engine results pages, and within people’s e-mail accounts are where PPC ads appear and are based on the key words you use matching up with key words at those sites, the people who click on your ads are reading about and want more information on something relating to your business.
3. Place articles and videos anywhere you can find related sites that allow free publishing of content. Show off your expertise and give information that demonstrates you to be generous in what you do; people who are interested will come to your site pre-qualified as potential leads.
4. Make frequent posts in forums or on social networking groups that have relevance to your business. These will work in a similar fashion to the articles and videos. When posting, seek to help someone with your post, as opposed to a hard sell or sales pitch posting.
Lead generation is not too difficult as long as you only go after qualified leads—and as long as you are willing to be persistent until you get business flowing.
The advantages far outweigh the drawbacks during a downturn when viewed from an online marketing perspective.
Every dollar spent on marketing whether online or offline give you much more during a recession if you apply your resources in the right way, like your ability to get the maximum from you publisher with your negotiating skills. If you take it positively, this is a god-sent opportunity for a marketer to get more return on your investment on marketing and advertising of your products.
Actually, businesses benefit more during a downturn provided you continue investing in marketing and advertising. This can be confirmed from various studies conducted by highly-acclaimed researchers. f you compare the statistics, you will notice that those businesses that promoted aggressively their products always gained 4% to 5% in market share when compared with their competitors who did not hike their spending on marketing/advertising during a downturn.
The key factors that you should take into account when marketing and advertising during a downturn are:
Customers: You know very well that in any business, customer is the king. It is highly recommended to provide all benefits to your customers like discounts and gifts and extra facilities like free downloads and free tools to help the customers to get more value from their online experience. This will ensure your customers will come back again and again to your business and thereby generate more sales.
Flexibility: For you to be flexible, you should be alert and oriented of your customers search behavior pattern. In other words, monitor your customers for what actually they are searching for, and then change your marketing/advertising strategies accordingly. Any rigid approach on your marketing strategy will backfire on you.
Cost-Affective Targeting: Please note that not everybody will succeed in cost-affective targeting. For any business to succeed, you should have certain key elements like well-known brand name, multiple products, targeted advertising, after-sales service, and support. These key elements are vital for any business to succeed. Any missing elements will have an adverse effect on your cost-affective targeting.
If you have studied recession or downturn long enough, you will find that this phenomenon does not last longer than 11 months or a year. Take recession positively, study it well, and apply your marketing and advertising strategies accordingly without compromising or downgrading your marketing and advertising costs. The key elements like well-known brand name, multiple products, targeted advertising, after-sales service, and support are to be incorporated into your business if you want to succeed.