Imagine picking up 2 competing product catalogs with 2 different messages on cover.

The first one says: "Let us tell you how much our products cost."

The other one says: "Let us TEACH you most effective ways to be attractive to opposite sex."

If you automatically decide you'll read second one and throw other into trash, then you would've proven one of best business strategies to be true: In order to become a successful seller, you have to be a teacher, too.

Good Morning, Clients! ----------------------

Whether you sell a product or provide a service, it pays to view yourself in role of "teacher" rather than "haggler" when dealing with existing & potential clients.

"Teachers" maintain an attitude of sincerely wanting to help people achieve best results possible, and clients invariably pick up on this attitude.

And although "teaching clients" may take a little more time than cutting to chase and directly talking about specs & prices, it actually brings in 3 MAJOR BENEFITS that affect your business in longer term:

* Benefit 1: More Clients Will Trust You

Teaching clients about ins and outs of your product and industry gives them impression that you're an authority in your field -- and this could be most advantageous position you could ever have.

Being an authority means (in your clients' minds) that you'll provide them with best service, that you'll be worth every penny of your price, and that you'll make an excellent recommendation to their associates & friends.

In business world this is called "trust," and once you earn that, a satisfying relationship ALWAYS follows.

* Benefit 2: More Clients Will Approach You

In process of educating clients, you might encounter people who ask questions that aren't directly related to your products, but still have a lot to do with your industry in general.

Although this signals that client is still "shopping for services," don't ignore this important opportunity.

The fact that your prospect chose to ask YOU instead of someone else already puts you in a unique position to demonstrate how you (and your products) can become even more worthy of their trust -- and ultimately of their purchases & investments.

* Benefit 3: Potential Clients Become COMMITTED Clients

Because by time they are ready to use your services, all your teaching would have prepared them enough that they now know EXACTLY what they want and need.

These are no longer kind of prospects who would ask you to "fax them a quote and set an appointment to discuss it."

Instead, these are ones who say "this is what we need, tell us how much, so we can write you check."

There's less talking and more buying -- all because you chose to be "the teacher that sells."

Teaching Styles = Selling Strategies ------------------------------------

So how do you become an effective "teacher" to your clients, while running your business successfully on web? Here are 4 of MOST EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES that you can use today:

1) Articles On your Website

You've seen them before, and you'll see them over and over again. Mainly because they actually WORK!

It ís never too early to start saying thanks to your clients, vendors and referral sources for what they contribute to your business. Everyone loves to be appreciated and acknowledged, so start now and do something every month.

Keep in contact with your clients and vendors by sending articles you have written or that would be of interest to them. Add a little "How are you?" note to these people and keep lines of communication open. Include current information about any new value-added products or services, such as a newsletter, or tele-class you will be presenting.

Marketing doesnít have to be expensive. You just have to do it.

Communication and relationship are keys to marketing. Attending numerous networking meetings may be worthwhile to some, but that strategy doesn't work for everyone because, as a mentor once told me, people who love you will always refer business to you.

The people who are your advocates or supporters are ones who require nurturing. Send them an e-mail, e-zine, note, or article at least once a month.

Gather your internal and external management teams in an informal meeting such as breakfast or lunch. Advise them of your upcoming plans, get feedback and give acknowledgement for all their support and advice.