THE SWEET TASTE OF SUCCESSWritten by Greg Beckemeier
Picture this. You make a sales call on an important prospect yet are unable to see decision maker. Being an innovator, you leave a box of donuts to show that you care, AND leave them in an attractive, DESIGNER donut box with your business card prominently displayed at top of box.Later, decision maker walks into room for a refill and WHAM, compelling aroma of fresh donuts hangs in air like sweet smell of success. The boss is drawn to box. But this is no ordinary box. Instead of some name brand donut chain, or any donut shop name for that matter, covering box there is a huge smiley face saying "Have a great day". Almost as being pulled by an unseen force she moves to donut box and what does she see? Looking up at her is chocolate covered donut of her dreams. Without hesitation, she is boss after all, she reaches in and takes a bite. Oh yeah. It's good to be boss. She's relaxed and enjoying unexpected treat but still massively curious about box. A smily face? She takes a look and first thing she notices is your business card. As fate would have it, just product she is going to spec out tomorrow. "I'm remembering this" she says and notes down your name and number. The next day you get a call from their purchasing department, not only for pricing but that Boss requited that they call you. THERE IS NO COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE GREATER THAN "THE BOSS TOLD ME TO CALL YOU"
| | Getting the Word Out...OfflineWritten by Jackie Ulmer
You've taken your business to Internet, developed a web site that SELLS and you've automated your sales process. So, where is all of traffic? How come your hit counter isn't going through roof, and where are sales?Now, it's time to really focus on attracting traffic. And, key here is "targeted traffic." You are going to get a crash course in attracting that target market where they spend most of their time.... offline. That's right, no matter how many people are online, they still spend majority of their time offline, and part of your marketing campaign should be spent finding that offline traffic and getting them to your web site! The Internet is hot, getting hotter, and same person that may not pick up phone to call you about your business, can't wait to check out your web site and see what you are offering. Here are some proven offline ways to spread word - Word of Mouth - This is still best form of advertising. Tell everyone you know about your new website and ask them to take a look and give you feedback. Over holidays, when you send out greeting cards, gifts, etc., include a blurb about your new web site and your new Internet business. Have some postcards printed and send them to everyone. Flyers - This is a low cost way to get traffic to your site and to test effectiveness of your advertising. Play around with content on flyers, and then pass these out everywhere. Check on cost to run a flyer insert in a local, neighborhood paper. Make sure you have a proven, effective flyer first, though. Networking Events - Check with your local Chamber of Commerce and your newspaper for regular Networking events where business professionals come together. This is a great way to meet some people, advertise your business and get some other ideas. The people that attend these meetings come with a business mindset. Have a thirty second "elevator speech" prepared, designed to tell people what you do, and bring plenty of business cards and flyers.
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