Sales, Marketing, and Networking Ideas for Contractors
Tail Gate Selling
Tail Gate Selling
Dust In The Wind
It has been a while since the last time I added to the blog. It's been one of those things. I know you understand: a day becomes a week, which becomes a month, then 2 months, and so on.
It's the paradox of time. We all have the same amount of it. Yet some can seem to get so much done, and it seems as though you haven't accomplished a thing. You put something off and soon time has become a Kansas song "Dust in the Wind".
Has this ever happened to you? I don't think I'm the only one.
The ...<< MORE >>
What Changes Have You Made to Sell in the New Economy?
Just as the title asks, what changes have you made to sell in the new economy?
It's
no surprise that what worked in the past is not working today. As I
travel I find many are struggling, and many are doing very well. All
in the contracting business, and no most are not due to price. That is
one of the first things I ask is are you doing it by dropping your
shorts.
If you're still in business, then you have obviously
changes something. It could be your marketing, branding message, even
your sales technique or tools. Maybe networking or ...<< MORE >>
10 Quick Networking Tips
Networking is not rocket science, however many people make it seem that way. I hear from many people that they aren't outgoing, or that they're just not that type of person. All that may be true, but you can avoid an anxiety attack next time you attend a networking function.
The following are 10 easy tips to make in face networking easier and more rewarding.<< MORE >>
The following are 10 easy tips to make in face networking easier and more rewarding.<< MORE >>
Door Hangers
I know, you're thinking door hangers? Why would I want to use a door hanger? Why do I want to hang something on a person's door to get thrown out like the pizza guy, the maid service, and the Chinese take out menu? Has he gone mad? Maybe, but hear me out.
Their not sexy or original in any way, but the door hanger has been an essential in the contractors marketing arsenal for a long time. Most manufacturers in the contracting world make a generic door hanger that you can self stamp your contact information on. The draw back ...<< MORE >>
Their not sexy or original in any way, but the door hanger has been an essential in the contractors marketing arsenal for a long time. Most manufacturers in the contracting world make a generic door hanger that you can self stamp your contact information on. The draw back ...<< MORE >>
Don't Get Stiffed - 4 Simple Steps to Help Get Paid
As a business person collecting past due accounts was not what I put on my list as a "pro" for going to work for myself. I assume you didn't have it on your list either. However, collecting from clients has become a hardship for many contractors over the past year. We all know the tough toll the economy is taking on our business. We don't need to be adding the weight of reduced cash flow because of slow or non paying clients.
Let's face it, it's hard enough to get a job today let alone not knowing if you will ...<< MORE >>
Let's face it, it's hard enough to get a job today let alone not knowing if you will ...<< MORE >>
New Blog Logo
Over the past week I have had a logo contest company developing a logo for my blog. It's a great service, you get many different designers submit ideas for you to choose. There are currently 58 different entries.
I have picked the 5 that I like, and thought it would be a great thing to have you pick the logo that I use.
Keep in mind that the logo will be used for this blog (which I am planning on changing so it doesn't really need to match this format), and for print material that I have been developing.
The Click on ...<< MORE >>
I have picked the 5 that I like, and thought it would be a great thing to have you pick the logo that I use.
Keep in mind that the logo will be used for this blog (which I am planning on changing so it doesn't really need to match this format), and for print material that I have been developing.
The Click on ...<< MORE >>
7 Habits Of The Successful Entrepreneur
I recently was "tweeted" a blog post by Dave @themarketmaker (if any of you use twitter, then you understand this part).
The post is a story of spending time with a successful entrepreneur he met in London. Now these 7 habits I have heard all before, but as most I have forgotten them or they are pushed so far back into my mind that I don't think of them.
We sometimes have to be reminded of the basics. Getting back to the basics is what keeps us grounded and focused.
Here are his 7 Habits of The Successful Entrepreneur (in the short form):
I hope you enjoy it!
...<< MORE >>
The post is a story of spending time with a successful entrepreneur he met in London. Now these 7 habits I have heard all before, but as most I have forgotten them or they are pushed so far back into my mind that I don't think of them.
We sometimes have to be reminded of the basics. Getting back to the basics is what keeps us grounded and focused.
Here are his 7 Habits of The Successful Entrepreneur (in the short form):
- Don’t let anyone tell you it can’t be done. Find that out for yourself.
- Believe in yourself or no one else will
- Everyone will not be your friend.
- Enjoy the struggle, it won’t last.
- Never give up – adjust your motivation.
- Do something now.
- Talk to everyone
I hope you enjoy it!
...<< MORE >>
Treat Every Customer Like It's Fathers Day
This past Father's Day was a great one. My 5 year old daughter went out of her way, all day, to make sure it was a great day. She accomplished her goal. I did not want for anything.
In the morning, she had coffee and a bagel ready for me on the back deck. It was a perfect morning, little sun and cool. She read several books to me while we all sat on the deck and enjoyed the beautiful morning. I told her that I needed to mow the lawn. Next thing she was pushing the mower around the corner. Of course I was the one that mowed and she helped push. When I finished with a few other little things with my son, I walked into the house and there she was making me lunch.
As I sat down to watch the US Open, she climbed behind me and gave me the best back massage a 5 year old could. Later there was dinner and a great sunday for dessert. All along mom was helping her, but she was the one making sure dad was as pampered as can be.
...<< MORE >>
In the morning, she had coffee and a bagel ready for me on the back deck. It was a perfect morning, little sun and cool. She read several books to me while we all sat on the deck and enjoyed the beautiful morning. I told her that I needed to mow the lawn. Next thing she was pushing the mower around the corner. Of course I was the one that mowed and she helped push. When I finished with a few other little things with my son, I walked into the house and there she was making me lunch.
As I sat down to watch the US Open, she climbed behind me and gave me the best back massage a 5 year old could. Later there was dinner and a great sunday for dessert. All along mom was helping her, but she was the one making sure dad was as pampered as can be.
...<< MORE >>
Delivering Value That Sells
Everyone in sales, whether you work for a Fortune 500 company or Amway, must differentiate themselves from the pack. This differentiation, or separation, is your value proposition, a term widely used in the professional sales world. The more compelling the better.
Wikipedia defines the value proposition as: consisting of the sum total of benefits which a vendor promises that a customer will receive in return for the customer's associated payment (or other value-transfer). Put simply, the value proposition is what the customer gets for his money.
...<< MORE >>
Wikipedia defines the value proposition as: consisting of the sum total of benefits which a vendor promises that a customer will receive in return for the customer's associated payment (or other value-transfer). Put simply, the value proposition is what the customer gets for his money.
...<< MORE >>
Lessons to Learn from the Economy
Found a great article at Industrial Distribution that gives 6 lessons to learn from the recession.
I like the Solutions Pitch idea. I will expand more on that later.
Want to read the article? Click Here
Have a great weekend.
- Cutting prices can kill business.
- Figure out that tough is normal.
- Get the right vision.
- Give customers a reason to have confidence in you.
- Give the customer a solution pitch.
- Improve customer experience.
I like the Solutions Pitch idea. I will expand more on that later.
Want to read the article? Click Here
Have a great weekend.