Because you know your product/service inside out. You can recite features at a drop of a hat. In fact, you've read & memorized so much technical data that support staff asks you questions.

You've even remembered to state a feature and then add it's benefit too. As in, and here's what that means to you, Mrs Customer...

You know so much about your offer that you can talk about it until your suspect/prospect ears bleed. Talk. Talk. Talk.

Is this you?

You've got product/service info down cold. You even talk feature then benefit. You may even handle most common objections during your *presentation*.

But you still Hate to sell?

You can't look'em in eye and ask'em if they're ready to get started enjoying benefit, benefit now?

Then shut up and wait until you get their answer?

If that describes you, great!

*You are only two steps away from being a Sales SuperStar*

The reason you're afraid to look'em in eye and ask'em if they'll ready to get started enjoying benefits they expressed most interest in -- and then keep it zipped until they answer -- is because you're afraid they won't buy!

The reason you have a hard time asking questions and waiting for a complete answer is -- you're afraid that you didn't do a super, super job with your presentation -- Again you're afraid they won't buy!

Many sites, such as ours, are now geared up to act as an affiliate networking point for developers, programmers and designers to locate freelance work or contracts for their companies. It's become a highly competitive marketplace where a client can offer a project to entire world. Interested parties bid and compete against each other to gain projects. Details of these types of services later in this article.

Not all would-be clients are aware of these services. Some don't even have an Internet connection, let alone a web site. How do you reach these people? As much I hate to admit it, best solution is to use your feet (physical exercise...hmm, now there's a concept!). This is one exercise where "walking" through telephone directory just won't cut it....

As I stroll around Central Business District of Adelaide (capital of South Australia), I am still surprised at number of businesses that don't have an online presence; especially ones directly involved in Information Technologies. I have called several computer stores asking for their web address, only to be told that it is "currently under development" which tends to mean "we haven't had time to even start on a web site" - or I've visited their sites only to find that they haven't been updated since 1999.

It would be well worth effort to research stores in your home town to ascertain which businesses do have web sites, and those that do - perhaps they need updating?

With your list of businesses, you could then research them further by investigating products and services they sell - getting to know them as intimately as possible. Then find appropriate contacts within those businesses and introduce yourself via a professional letter, telephone conversation or meeting. During your initial communication, relay fact that you have knowledge of their product line. Don't go too much for hard sell. Basically state who you are, your background and what you offer. Too much technobabble may frighten prospective clients off and too much hype will probably have same effect. A well worded letter may not see you with a torrent of contract and project offers initially, which is probably a good thing.But you would have sown seeds for future work. Businesses that grow too quickly face as many problems as those that don't grow.

Here is a sample of an initial contact letter:

Dear ,

I visited your store today, and was impressed by your product range. I mainly purchase via Internet and was surprised to find that your business did not yet have an Internet presence - especially since products/services business> would prove to be very popular in such an environment.

I am a web developer of x years experience, and am proprietor of ; specialising in assisting businesses such as yours in establishing a financially viable Internet presence. My experience covers many sectors including: industry experience, both web based and non-web - as any work history does count in these situations as it is relevant industry experience>

We work closely with our clients, helping them to avoid traps and pitfalls that are associated with taking a business online and have a number of referees who would be happy to attest to that.

The Internet is an excellent medium by which a business such as business again> can increase it's profitability. Many other reputable businesses in your industry are enjoying a greater market share through an international audience; such as: