We’re pleased to feature a new article
to help keep you in the “learning
process”. You’ll find information on
every aspect of your organizing
business pop up!
10 Tips for Growing Your Business the
Organized Way
by Maria Gracia
Growing a business is similar to tending a vegetable garden.
Knowledge, careful planning, organized systems, use of proper
tools, continuous care, and dedication give you the very best
chance of producing a beautiful and abundant garden that brings
forth fresh veggies for years to come.
The same is true when it comes to growing your business. By
following a specific sequence of steps, just like growing a garden,
you can succeed. Neither can be accomplished with a haphazard
approach.:
1. PROSPECTING. For most services and products, it is
imperative to first generate qualified prospects. Only then do you
work on converting those prospects into first-time buyers, repeat
customers, and finally, life-time customers. If you’re trying to
generate an immediate sale, chances are, you’re going to be
disappointed with the results. You will make most of your sales by
following up with your prospects repeatedly.
2. WHAT IS A PROSPECT? A person is a prospect only if they:
a) have a genuine interest in the particular service or product you
provide
AND
b) have responded to one of your offers
AND
c) they have provided you with contact information (name, e-mail,
etc.)
AND
d) they have the authority to buy your service/product and can
afford it.
Everyone else is a stranger. Not a prospect.
3. TARGET. You can’t try to market to everybody. When you do,
you’re marketing to nobody. Pick a niche market and focus on
your main audience. Target them in all of your marketing
materials.
4. OFFERS. To get people to respond to your marketing, develop
an enticing offer and get it in front of as many people in your
target market as you can. Perhaps, a free tips report, free e-zine,
or free sample. The best offers are generally the FREE offers.
5. GETTING THE WORD OUT. There are a multitude of ways to
get the word out about your offer. You can try traditional
marketing, such as direct mail, press releases, networking, ads,
etc. Or, you can use the internet, such as online networking,
joining in discussion forums, submitting to search engines, link
exchanges, affiliate programs and so on. Whatever you choose,
schedule time each day to market your business. Write it on your
calendar. When it’s written down, it is more concrete, and there is
a better chance that you will do it.
6. FOLLOW-UP. Once you begin to generate prospects, it is
imperative that you get their contact information (i.e., name, e-
mail address, and any other pertinent information) into an
organized database. Why all the work? Because follow-up is the
key to successful marketing. Once you have contact information,
you can continue to make enticing offers for your product and/or
service (discounts, gift certificates, 2 for 1 deals, etc.)
7. ONE SERVICE/PRODUCT. Choose ONE product or service
to market at a time, or you’re liable to confuse your prospects.
You can have more than one product listed on your website.
However, when you contact your prospects, it’s best to focus on
one product at a time.
8. GUARANTEE. Guarantee your products or services. Offer, at
minimum, a 100% Money-Back Guarantee. When it is clear that
you stand behind your services/products, you will have
accomplished a trust-factor. This is called risk-reversal.
9. PROACTIVE. Don’t use the Passive Marketing technique.
That’s when you distribute general information, verbal and
written, about your company, and then just sit around waiting for
the phone to ring, or for your e-mail inbox to fill up with orders. In
the real world, it doesn’t work that way. You have to be proactive.
10. TRACK. Track. Track. I can’t say this enough. Keeping
accurate numbers will help you make good marketing decisions.
If you don’t know what’s working, you’re going to waste a lot of
time and money. However, if you do know exactly what’s working
for you, you’re practically guaranteed to reach your goals.
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By Maria Gracia - Get Organized Now!™
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