5 Tips To Close More Business & Grow Your 2015 Sales

5 Tips to Close More Business In 2015

It starts with setting a goal. Like any other thing you decide to accomplish, the chances of you succeeding in growing your business is automatically increased when you put it down on paper and commit to achieving something more grand. Just like that 10 pounds you want to lose in time for the holidays, the more people who know what you are trying to do, the more people who will be encouraging you to get there. If you keep your sales goal to yourself, you will likely not achieve it. So here are some tips to grow your business by setting new goals and achieving them.

1. Review your lists. Sales starts with connections and you need to start from somewhere. First review your customer list and see when you were last in touch. Then review your lead list and see if you followed up. Then lo0k at your family friends list and consider this, no one sells you better than your family and friends. This is why social media helps businesses.  Fact: A kind word from those who are your raving fans goes a long way.  Also add lists of professionals and past work connections who can testify to your integrity and help to connect you with others. Don’t forget your clubs,  professional affiliation or religious organizations who can also give you and your company some growth.
2. Put your list to work.  These days in addition to having a contact, it really helps to have their email address. With that you can start to reach out to them in Email Marketing, Social Media platforms, you can even get them to see your ads regularly on social media where you can upload their emails and make sure when they login, they see you.  In addition, at the cost of a postage stamp, Email contacts is much more cost effective and immediate. Consider using online tools that provide stats and show you who is interested like an online toolkit. Contact liz@adteamla.com for a list of tools.
3. Create a communication strategy.  The average person needs to see your company or your business 7-9 times in order to overcome the hurdle of trust, which is the first step to hiring you or trying your product. What is your plan to reach them this many times? If they come into your store and then you follow-up with an Email, you still have to reach them a whole lot more to get an action.  That is why we suggest media mixing your traditional media and ads with online social media tools and Email Marketing—it keeps you on top of their thoughts.
4. Check in with your sales team. Some of the best ideas on growing your business will come from those that are fighting to get you sales. They already know your company’s strengths & weaknesses. So why should they discuss this with you? Because you can learn from them and help them be more successful selling. Or  you can create an environment where your customers and your sales team are afraid to let you know when your services are less than promised. Create an environment that is helpful for your team to talk to you. Make individual appointments with them to discuss their most current prospects and what is standing in the way of a sales. Give them tools to help close those deals. Also use surveys and polls to see how customers see your business before and after a sale. They may help you see other opportunities for more business in the process. At the least they will help you keep your reputation strong so your shortcomings won’t be found on an internet review.
5. Review your profitability.  Sometimes the problem with your sales is your price. It can be too high or too low, but it also must be profitable. If you have not factored in sales costs, material charges, shipping, tax, overhead, rent, you may find that you need to raise your price in order to make money. Remember that your clients want you to be around, so do what you have to do to be profitable. It ensures your employees an income and if your product is good quality, the customers will pay a fair price for it. You can also package the product with something else to make the price increase seem like a better value.

Want to learn more? Schedule an appointment to review your marketing or sales strategy with Liz Harsch for a 2.5 hour consultation to review your strategy and get some tips on what to do next to grow your sales. You can also attend one of her workshops or classes on marketing strategies for small businesses and network with other business owners while you are there. Visit her website at http://tailormadeadvertising.com.

Liz Harsch, has been helping small and medium sized businesses make the most of their marketing investments since 1988.  Her company, Tailor-Made Advertising, is an Authorized SCORE & SBDC workshop presenter and an awarded Constant Contact Email Marketer and Authorized Local Expert presenting Workshops for Constant Contact, SCORE, SBDC, Metropolitan Water District, multiple Chambers of Commerce, The City of Los Angeles and other Organizations. If you are interested in getting help for your marketing plan or your marketing projects, Email us at tmade.mkt@verizon.net.  

For more information about Liz or Tailor-Made Advertising, visit tailormadeadvertising.com. To schedule Liz Harsch as a speaker on Traditional and Online Marketing, Social Media, Analytics or Email Marketing for your organization, Email us at tmade.mkt@verizon.net or call us at 310-791-6300.