Score More Sales

What is IN for 2009?

Lori Richardson — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:22:24 +0000

Lists are fun to create, and predictions always interesting.

Here is what Nancy Juetten, of Main Street Media Savvy collected from her own thoughts and those of a few others - myself included - Forecasting What is “OUT” and “IN” for 2009.…………………..

Deer in the Headlights?

Lori Richardson — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 04:25:12 +0000

Scene in the backyard - one of four to visit today as I write. There is a funny story in my family about how I brought a baby black bear to our campsite when I was young… now a baby deer… with mom not too far away… reminding me of times gone by. Snowed in, but enjoying it.

Need More Sales? Great new e-book compliments of SalesShebang

Lori Richardson — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:22:17 +0000

In a recession, every good strategy should be highlighted for increasing sales. I’m thrilled to be a part of the latest endevor of SalesShebang - a new, no-cost ebook to help you increase sales in this tougher economy. Download it here, and send this post to anyone you know who could be helped by it!

SalesShebang, founded by Jill Konrath, is a website, a community of sellers, an annual event, and now actual products to help you sell. Take a look at how to Keep Your Sales Up with this short but helpful book.

Holiday Season Networking

Lori Richardson — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 03:48:05 +0000

The end of year holidays are a great time to follow up with acquaintences, prospective customers, clients, and alliance partners - and there are several ways to do it.

I mentioned how you can write a letter about your business. I did that, just the other day, and was pleased with the results. I put a nice border around it through Microsoft Word, and sent it to my strategic alliance partners.

You can also send out greeting cards - electronic or real. It is not too late. Start with the 20 most valuable people for your business success, then build from there.

Gayle Hallgren-Rezac - one of the creators of Positive Networking wrote a great article that I have mentioned before at this time of year. Take a look at her seven tips for networking during the holidays. Then get out there and do it!

Rejection

Lori Richardson — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 21:08:47 +0000

One of the most important things someone in sales or head of your own business can do is to learn to NOT take rejection PERSONALLY. Is it easy to learn how not to take rejection so hard? No, but it is simple.

Go on a “rejection drive” - you know, like a food drive, or toy drive - you are going to intentionally work to hear more “no’s” than you normally do.

1. Ask for MORE business and opportunities than you already are doing. Strech out of your comfort zone, knowing that you are working to get a “no” - however, if you DO get a “yes” - accept it! Example: contact someone you normally would think to be more of an expert than yourself - someone more busy and perhaps more financially succesful. Propose something that could be a “win” for both of you - knowing that you’re stretching out of your normal zone, so if they say “no” - you can chalk it up to your “rejection campaign”. However, if you get a yes, well then, woo hoo! All the better.

2. When someone says, “nope, we are not interested at this time…” ask if you can re-visit the idea or proposal later down the road, or ask them if there is anything that could be changed about it for them to want to participate. Thank them for their time, regardless of the outcome.

3. Eventually a switch will “flip” inside your brain - and you will realize that people say no for many reasons - the timing is not right, they don’t have funds available, they don’t understand the value, or for several other reasons.

4. If necessary, put the words, “It’s not about me” somewhere at your desk.

You are wasting valuable opportunities by drowning in self-doubt and self-pity if you think that you have been rejected. Get over that,and find real reasons then resolve them and win that business.