Need some sales inspiration? A new twist on an old sales idea you'd like to do again? A quick sales jump-start this week? We're pulling from a post originally published in November of 2008 - the ideas still stand, and there are LOTS more. The idea is to get inspired to take action. Which one does it for you? What are you already doing that IS working for you every day to be excited about contacting potential buyers?
Remember the movie, Moonstruck, when Nicholas Cage's character tells Cher's character that he loves her, so she slaps him, and says, "Snap out of it!" - I love that slap - it represents to me a call to action.
What could you slap your business or even yourself for.... figuratively speaking, that is?
Here are the first 50 of a list of 101 ways to "snap out of it" and score more sales:
- read a recommended sales book
- bookmark a sales blog and read regularly
- sign up for RSS feeds for sales sites, blogs, or podcasts
- hire a prospecting coach
- hire a presentation skills coach
- subscribe to Selling Power or Sales & Marketing Management
- attend a sales conference
- attend a sales skills workshop
- hire a sales activity coach
- improve your time management
- learn the basic tenets of successful selling
- learn about your own style and traits
- learn about others' character traits
- list out your selling "areas to work on"
- set aside weekly prospecting time
- keep track of all sales opportunities
- update your sales opportunities daily
- find a mentor you admire
- review your physical image and style
- hire an image coach
- review your mental mountains and valleys
- find 3 ways to make your more likable
- read, Love is the Killer App
- review Proficiencies for Masterful Sellers
- read a book on creativity
- go somewhere creative
- block time in your calendar - weekly - for proactive selling
- create a list of "biggest gain" to do's
- mentor someone else in sales
- call 50 people or meet 50 people and hone your intro (or value proposition)
- get feedback on your listening skills
- make a list of 10 places to get new biz
- work on your value proposition - it's about others, not about you
- re-invent yourself
- find a new audience for your product or service
- learn 20 new power phrases
- analyze what you say that is negative
- target 10 companies you want to work with
- create a plan of action for those 10 companies
- set an activity goal to book 20 meetings
- think of stories that you can use to better connect with prospects
- analyze what past customers or clients have bought from you
- offer a new service which your market wants
- attend a Toastmasters group or Dale Carnegie
- learn more about your prospective clients' business to help solve problems
- say "yes, and" rather than "no, but" - in the spirit of improv
- create urgency with an offer
- become more proactive with customer service
- ask for referrals
- obtain letters of reference, on letterhead, showing measurable value, from 10 clients
What tips do YOU use? Post them as comments - top ones will win a coffee card (North American readers)
Lori Richardson is recognized as one of the "Top 25 Sales Influencers for 2013" and one of "20 Women to Watch in Sales Lead Management for 2013". Lori speaks, writes, trains, and consults with inside and outbound sellers in technology and services companies. Subscribe to the award-winning blog and the “Sales Ideas In A Minute" newsletter for sales strategies, tactics, and tips in selling. Increase Opportunities. Expand Your Pipeline. Close More Deals.
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