"Listen Your Way to Sales Success"

There are many factors and variables that affect our sales on any given day. There is however, one key skill that will increase help you increase your sales immediately.

Listen to your customer!

That's it! That's all it takes to close more sales. Sounds simple doesn't it? Unfortunately, majority of salespeople fail to do this.

In countless sales transactions I watch, I notice that most salespeople don't ask their customers enough questions. Sure, they generally uncover a few basic needs that customer has. They know what they're looking for in a product with regard to features, specifications, color, and price.

What they don't do is probe to uncover additional information about customer. They don't ask them why they want that specific product, or why they're considering our store. They don't learn where customer has been shopping or what they've seen. They don't ask what they like and/or dislike about other stores they've been in to. They don't find out what their hot buttons are or what makes them tick or what will motivate them to buy. They fail to gather enough information!

Many small businesses fail because their owners don't pay enough attention to sales copy. Especially Online.

The biggest mistake? Sales copy that doesn't serve needs and desires of your site's visitor.

Ask yourself these questions: "What does my Web site say about me? Does its messages take my readers by collar and convince them to read more? Do my words inspire my readers? Will they learn what they need to know in order to arrive at an informed decision to buy? Will they be eager to contact me?

Here are 6 ways to make your web copy sell products and services:

1. Create a Web page with words that convince your potential clients to keep reading, to gain trust, and to take action. Think about headlines you have placed on your home page. Are they so powerful and convincing they force your client to click to your sales letter? Do they describe benefits your potential client can see, hear and feel? Or are they wishy-washy saying something like: "Welcome to my site. My bio is at ..., or "click here" to subscribe to my fabulous ezine?

2. Make it easy for your Web site's visitors to buy. Some people hate to buy Online because they fear for security of their credit card information. Give them several options, including a coupon they can print and either send by regular mail or fax to your free 800 number.

3. Model your Web pages after a successful coach's pages. If something out there seems to be working, why re-invent wheel? Visit other Web sites and critically observe what they do well and what they do poorly. Then, compare those analyses to your own site.