-
Have you thought about crafting a small business personality?
Mike Consol, a consultant in California focused on public speaking, presentation and business writing support, shot a video blog post recently that prompted me to start thinking in ways I hadn’t before. As I reflected on his brilliant branding idea of anthropomorphizing your small business, I realized that my business personality was different than mine…
-
Small business selling is done best when you’re having fun
Perhaps the single most critical issue in spurring small business selling success is the enjoyment factor. If you, your prospects and clients don’t like the experience, you’ll have a tough time creating a sustainable venture. The great thing about fun is it’s contagious. If you’re enjoying yourself and what you’re creating through your business, your…
-
Forget about features and benefits – offer small business selling solutions
Yogi Berra quipped “It’s like dĂ©jĂ vu all over again.” Feeling reminiscent when some self-proclaimed guru offers the latest and greatest “new” technique for effective small business selling? Whether you come from the pyramid selling “proof” days or today’s internet “expert” arena, the truth hasn’t changed – attracting new clients is best done by solving…
-
Assemble a team for fun small business selling
I know, I know – you don’t have the money or aren’t ready to let go and delegate. Fear not. This post isn’t necessarily about that. Think about this – is there something your clients need that you can’t do? Ah ha – that’s where your loose team of go-to people can make you shine.…
-
More isn’t better with small business selling
Whether it’s what you’re selling or how you’re communicating, quantity does not trump quality. The “experts” (curious, this moniker that used to be earned is now self-appointed) would have you believing more products and more noise offer the key to more money. Sometimes this works, but it’s not a good way to build a loyal…
-
I hate selling – save me from this small business torture!
Do you hate selling? Done the way so many profess, it’s no wonder. That pound them until they’re sure to relent strategy is painful for both the perpetrator and the victim. Think sending dozens of e-mail message during the course of a week – or day – is much different than old-school manipulative selling? Sure,…
-
Small business success & cell phone cocktail?
“Samson killed a thousand men with the jaw bone of an ass. That many sales are killed every day with the same weapon.” — Anonymous I recently did something I won’t do again. Granted, I tend to accept “modern conveniences” grudgingly, but being plugged in seems to create a modern expectation of 24/7 attention –…
-
Online small business marketing done right
There are some that do an outstanding job selling without selling. Or at least are so subtle it implies a very rare set gets to enjoy their wares. Those doing online small business marketing well incorporate simple strategies artfully. With humor, ingenuity, fun, useful information and consistency, it’s no wonder some folks have amassed a…
-
Know anyone too loud to be heard?
Not you, of course, but maybe someone else using one of these touted small business marketing tactics? Selling with every blog post? Pushing people to company wares with every social media appearance? Sending lists dozens of messages to count down till deadline? Doing all of the talking and none of the listening? Delivering a multitude…
-
Buyers know being real is better than bragging
“Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.” James Baldwin That old adage do what I say (not what I do) doesn’t work very well for kids, nor adults. People, whether young or old, are generally smart enough to realize that what you do…