Home Wealth Project
Extensive Research On How To Build Wealth From The Comfort Of Your Own Home.
If Your Product is Really Good, It Should Sell Itself
Jan 28th
How true is this? In response to an article on how to promote your business without being pushy, David Morgan threw the statement, “If your product or service is really good, it should sell itself” out there. So is it true?
If your product or service is really good, will it sell itself? And if so, when?
We want passive income, passive work and pay checks that come like clockwork—I know I do. But how passive can we be in the sales process?
Do products or services really sell themselves?
I see it like this: marketing is exposure. But the sales part of the process is closure. It’s the point that we decide to act on this “thing” that we now want, need and can no longer live without. And ultimately, in order for us to make the most of our customer’s experience we do have to be extremely active in both the marketing and the sales—or at least active in the plan behind the sales and marketing.
But David brings up an interesting point:
“If you produce a product or service which exceeds your customers expectations while fulfilling their needs and wants, it will basically sell itself (within reason).”
While I don’t believe that anything ever sells itself, I agree with the idea that a quality product or service can be much easier to sell. But every part of the process needs the best that we have to give.
As Gregory Berns, Psychiatrist and Author of Iconoclast: A Neuroscientist Reveals How To Think Differently says:
“A person can have the greatest idea in the world…but if that person can’t convince enough other people, it doesn’t matter.’’
It’s also true of products because convincing “enough other people” is the marketing process. We just need to consider product development as the first part of the marketing process. Better products, better marketing, a better sales process leads to a better business.
So what do you think? I would love to know what you’ve learned from your own business. In the meantime, here is a quick “2-part,-I-almost-don’t-need-to-say-it,-but-I-will” marketing process/summary (and thanks, David, for your comments).
A Simple “2-Part,-I-Almost-Don’t-Need-to-Say-it,-But-I-Will” Marketing Process
Your marketing budget may be slashed, forcing you to use non-traditional but more cost effective mediums. That’s ok, you can still get your name out there. You just have to:
- understand your options;
- learn how to effectively use what you have;
- design a plan and implement it with everything that you got.
Simple Website Strategy
You need a website home that is more than just a brochure online. Have an about page that sounds like there are real people behind the business. Use a blog to have personal engagement with some of your visitors.
You can also use social media to connect and have a conversation. Act like you are talking to real people—because you are. And then give them some place to go when they finish talking to you on social media. That “some place” should be your information filled website that completely relates to your product or service and your audience.
Simple Product Strategy
Create one heck of a product or service that solves a real problem. And make it simple, or as simple as possible. When developing or upgrading the product, think like the client. Feel their frustration and work to alleviate it.
If you have a hard time role playing, then talk to real clients and find out what they really hate. In this economy money is spent daily, but only when necessary. And oftentimes necessary just means irresistible. So design an irresistible product for your target audience and then market it like it matters.
Sales Photo via Shutterstock
If Your Product is Really Good, It Should Sell Itself
View full post on Small Business News, Tips, Advice – Small Business Trends
How To Sell Beats Online Like A Pro
Jan 26th
High Conversions, Huge New Market Of Hungry Beat Makers Looking To Sell Their Music Online. Complete Course For Beat Makers And Producers On Getting Traffic And Selling Their Beats Online. Super Cheap Traffic For This Niche.
How To Sell Beats Online Like A Pro
How to Sell Anything Using Social Media
Jan 5th
How to Sell Anything Using Social Media
This content from: Duct Tape Marketing
One of my predictions for 2012 is that more people will come to understand that you can indeed do business using social networks and, frankly, I’m already seeing it.
There are couple reasons this.
First off, people are getting more comfortable with social media and social behavior and the “social media is a pure engagement temple mentality” of some early adopters has faded.
More importantly, however, is that smart marketers are testing, tweaking and trying lots of things and figuring out how to build know, like and trust – the path to selling anything, anywhere – on social networks.
In my own experimenting I can tell you that generating and converting leads using social media takes a more patient approach, but once you find the right path, it’s actually a better way to sell in any environment.
The reason I see many people’s social media marketing efforts fail is that they are still simply broadcasting sales messages. This approach still works to some degree in an advertising setting because people often stumble upon your ads with a buying intent. It still works to some degree in email marketing efforts because people have asked to get your messages and you can easily earn the right to sell in that relationship.
However, most people don’t participate in social networks to shop so any sales message can feel sort of harsh and in the snack sized, feverish world of tweets, shares and likes any and all messages are very easy to ignore.
If you want to sell using social media, here’s one path:
Test your message
Using 140 characters or less to basically write an ad that makes people want to retweet and click isn’t something most people can muster in real time – and yet, that’s what most try to do.
I’ve had tremendous success using Google AdWords to test very compact messages. Once I find a message that draws clicks there, I know I’ve got a winner that will get action in the form of a tweet or share.
This somewhat scientific approach is one of the most overlooked aspects of marketing in social media and it’s the primary reason people that contend you can’t sell there say so.
Target your message
Here’s another proven technique that seems lost on many marketers. Just because there are 800 million people on Facebook doesn’t mean you need to appeal to all of them.
The quickest way to get the right kind of attention is to announce “hey you 437 people that need to get better at X” I’m talking to you.
If you want to learn more about the impact of using data to form your social media messages look no further than the work Dan Zarrella is doing.
Prove your worth
It’s nearly impossible to get someone ready to buy simply by crafting a mouth-watering tweet. There’s just not enough information to develop trust.
You must make your initial relationship building all about valuable content. Give something away that you know your targeted prospect wants and needs. Move the free line to the point where your free stuff is better than most other people’s paid stuff and watch how enamored people get.
Here again, there’s nothing new about this. For years, smart marketers made tiny little inexpensive classified ads in the back of magazines like Popular Mechanics pay off nicely using this exact approach.
Engage
Now, here’s a step that just might be unique to social media and online marketing in general and it’s a very powerful one.
In the process of giving away all that great information ask your prospects to tell you things, share things, rate things and help you make the world a better place for all who inhabit it.
Seriously, create feedback forms and make that part of the deal for why you are giving away such great stuff. Socialize your content and make it easy to email, tweet and like. Send a series of emails during your content sharing phase that reinforces the important takeaways from the content and offers more engagement like email support or live Q and A sessions.
Ask for the order
Once you’ve done all this work and logically and authentically led a prospect to the place where they do indeed have some level of trust, it’s time to tell them where this journey is ultimately headed.
Paint the picture you know exists in their “current reality”, remind them of the incredible glimpse you’ve shared and then illustrate what the picture could look like.
Don’t make the mistake of assuming they will connect the dots – show them how to get the value you know you have to offer and be extremely clear about it. One of the benefits of this approach is that, if you do it right and they still don’t buy, you’ll earn the right to ask why and they’ll gladly help you understand how to get it right.
There’s nothing that magical about this approach really. Marketers have been using some form of these elements for years, but it’s the total package, including patience and hard work, that makes it pay off in the world of social media.
View full post on Small Business Marketing Blog from Duct Tape Marketing
Cbengine Find CB Products That Sell
Dec 31st
CB Marketplace Product Finder. Analytics And Trends Software For Online Marketing. Plus, Free Storefront Software.
Cbengine Find CB Products That Sell
Sell Android Themes
Dec 21st
If You Know About Mobile, You’ve Heard About The Android. On The Android Market You Can Whip Up A Theme For Android Phones In Five Minutes And Put It On The Google App Market For Sale. This Site Shows You How To Do This.
Sell Android Themes
Will 2012 Be the Year to Sell Your Small Business?
Dec 19th
For a few years now, small business owners have been waiting for the long-discussed economic recovery to finally happen. While these owners certainly look forward to the uptick in business, stronger top-line revenues and improved profitability could also spur them to finally consider selling their businesses. The fact remains that many proprietors still see their business’s current value as too low to plan a financially successful exit.
We’ve seen some slight improvements in the business-for-sale market recently, but not enough to cause a significant jump in the number of businesses for sale. Many sellers who’ve been waiting for the right time to exit have weathered the downturn and are now ready to sell.
Will 2012 be the year to do it?
The short answer is “perhaps.” BizBuySell’s quarterly insights data continues to show year-over-year increases in the number of closed transactions reported (although these are still down 30 to 40 percent compared to the boom in late 2007 and early 2008). Banks continue to slowly improve lending options, and both sellers and buyers are more aware of financing solutions to help close a deal. So with some optimism ahead, what should potential sellers be doing to prepare?
Start Planning Now
Business buyers are going to do their research before signing off on a sale. That means as the seller, you need to prove your business is valued correctly. First on the list is to review and set straight all your financial records. Be able to provide at least three years of documents, including tax returns, expense records and key data like customer lists and lease agreements. These will not only support your asking price, but also help bolster the buyer’s confidence that you, the current owner, have operated a well-managed business. Eliminating any ongoing business concerns will also help build this confidence. Issues like short-term leases, a reliance on one or a few key customers, and pending legal issues can endanger the sale; they should be resolved before listing your business for sale.
Remember to keep up the physical elements of your business as well. When a potential buyer visits, the physical appearance of your building or equipment will make a big impression. If it appears that the business assets need updating, the buyer will likely use that as a reason to lower the offer. So make sure to clean up, upgrade inside and out, and invest in any building or equipment improvements you’ve been considering. The less work a new buyer has to put in, the more you can expect from your final selling price.
Research the Market
Knowing where your business stands in the market will be the key to setting an effective asking price. No one wants to undervalue their business and end up netting less money than it is really worth. On the other hand, being too confident and asking for a price well above the actual value (or the value of comparable businesses) will result in a long, drawn out sales process. The economy is showing signs of improvement, a 0.4 percent decrease in unemployment for November 2011, and business values are beginning to rise, but don’t make the mistake of asking pre-recession prices. Buyers will often have no problem paying for a strong business, but they will still scoff at overvalued listings.
So how do you find the right price? The best way is to simply compare your business to others. Do some research for similar businesses for sale. Business-for-sale marketplaces allow you to search businesses by industry, size and location. Finding what comparable business are listed and have sold for recently will be a good starting point in setting the price of your business. You can also purchase a low-cost valuation report from BizBuySell (Disclosure: I am the Group General Manager of BizBuySell) which will allow you to see the results (selling price and multiples of cash flow and revenue that the businesses sold for) of recently sold businesses in your industry and location. These can provide great insight into the best estimated value of your small business.
Bottom line, be honest with yourself. Go over financials and determine what buyers will notice. If revenue or profits are down, take that into consideration. Your overall pricing goal should be to attract multiple buyers, creating maximum demand and an auction-like atmosphere. Overpricing your business will kill any chances of that happening.
Spread the Word
After you determine a fair listing price, the next step is to find potential buyers. As the economy improves, this will prove even more essential. With more business owners looking to sell and more buyers on the market due to ongoing high unemployment and increased bank lending, grabbing the attention of potential buyers will be tougher than ever. Business owners who can show buyers that their business is superior to the competition should enjoy a successful sales process and outcome.
The best way to do that is to hire an experienced business broker to help you market the business. Check references to make sure the broker is accomplished in selling businesses in the area and in your industry. Also, make sure to investigate references outside of the ones he or she provides.
If you choose not to hire a broker, be aggressive with your marketing plans. Post your listing on websites to reach buyers actively searching for businesses to buy. Also utilize your trade association and appropriate trade publications who might run the information. And finally, don’t forget to reach out to your network of family, friends and work contacts who might know of interested buyers. If maintaining confidentiality about your potential business sale is important to you, then a business broker may be your best option to successfully market your business while keeping the sale under wraps.
Expect to Offer Financing
We’ve noted that the economy is improving but banks still almost always require seller financing as part of any deal they fund. This means you won’t simply be handed a large check and be done with the sale. Most likely, you’ll get some portion of the sale amount upfront and the rest (likely 20 to 40 percent) will be paid over time, with interest. The upshot is that you will remain connected to your business after sale helping to ensure a smooth transition. This is usually a three- to 12-month period where you effectively transition the operations to the new owner and help train him or her how to be successful managing the business. Potential buyers will also be encouraged to hear you’re willing to stay on. They’ll be more likely to make an offer, and you’ll be able to make sure the buyer continues to turn a profit, ensuring they can make the long-term payments.
If you’ve been considering a sale in 2012, take your time and do it right. Plan ahead, research your market and stand out from the competition. Knowing the sales process is half the battle. With proper preparation, you can ensure a stress free transition and a financially successful exit from your business.
Image from Andy Dean Photography/Shutterstock
Will 2012 Be the Year to Sell Your Small Business?
View full post on Small Business News, Tips, Advice – Small Business Trends
Top Racing Product – High Converter – Easy Sell.
Dec 19th
Winning Trainers By Matt Bisogno: Top Converting, Professionally Researched, Horse Racing System Based On Statistical Analysis Of Trainer Patterns For UK Racing. High Sales Rate, Very Low Refund Rate.
Top Racing Product – High Converter – Easy Sell.
Sell Live Satellite Tv On PC Software – Watch Free Television
Dec 12th
Satellite Tv For Pc! Internet Tv, Stream Direct Software. Join Over 6,578 Affiliates & Make Easy Money, Sick Conversions, Content Loaded Members Area, Sign Up Here: Http://www.stoppayingcablebills.com/jvinvite.html
Sell Live Satellite Tv On PC Software – Watch Free Television
How to Use Instagram to Tell and Sell Your Marketing Story
Dec 5th
How to Use Instagram to Tell and Sell Your Marketing Story
This content from: Duct Tape Marketing
Marketing is about telling stories and few things tell a story faster than a picture. In fact, images are growing faster than any other form of shared content online due in large part to the tremendous growth of camera equipped smart phones.
Facebook is the world’s largest photo sharing site, but others sites such as Pinterest and, the popular iPhone app, Instagram have also attracted large followings based primarily on the ease of photo sharing.
Reclaimed rock quarry in Curritiba Brazil from my Instagram feed
Instagram is a photo-sharing site that’s a bit of a Flickr meets Twitter. iPhone users download the Instagram app and then share images after applying a range of effects and filters.
Other Instagram users can “like” and comment on images and follow users to view their images in their own feed. Users can also easily post the images they upload to Instagram on Twitter, Facebook and Flickr if they choose.
As with many social networks, personal use has spawned most of the growth. With heavy adoption however, businesses are now starting to take note of ways to use the Instagram tools and network to promote their business.
Naturally image heavy businesses such as hair salons, graphic designers, and remodelers have obvious uses for the photo sharing site, but any business can find ways to use the network and the growing set of tools supporting it to supplement their marketing efforts.
Below is a list of some Instagram applications that can help turn Instagram into a marketing tool for your business.
iDarkroom – This isn’t really an Instagram related tool, but it’s a great tool to use to enhance your images before you upload them to Instagram
Webstagram – This tool helps you search, sort, tag, follow and comment on photos shared by other users. One of the ways to make Instagram pay off is to build a following and part of that is done by finding and following relevant users and adding your comments to their images.
Instagram is a simple tool and lacks many of these basic tools so Webstragram makes using Instagram much easier.
Postagram – This might be my favorite application. Postagram allows you to turn any Instagram image into a postcard with the push of a button. Then Postgram sends your postcard for less than dollar. Think about how you could send product images to customers or showcase a project you’re working.
What if you took client images at an event and turned them into personal postcards? This little tool could produce tons of good will and buzz in the right hands.
Printstagram – This tool takes your Instagram images and allows you to turn them into posters, mini prints, and mini books.
Again, I’m thinking of some pretty cool ways to create project and client story books and present them as visual reminders of the relationship.
StickyGram – This app takes your custom Instrgram shots and turns them into magnets. It’s like having your own little promotional products creator right in your phone, but potentially much cooler.
Think about the artistic and relevant community shots, event shots, and product shots you could turn into a library of giveaways.
Canvas Pop – If you want to take up a notch Canvas Pop will take your Instagram images and print them on canvas frames.
Think about the artsy ways you could showcase your work, your staff or your customers with this tool.
View full post on Small Business Marketing Blog from Duct Tape Marketing
Sell Used Books Online
Dec 4th
You Can Easily Make $500 Or More A Month Selling Common, Everyday Books.
Sell Used Books Online
