sam101.com|Sales, Advertising and Marketing

You may find that some of these tips are easier than others. Challenge yourself. Make it a point to practice them. In time they’ll all become second nature to you.

Networking Tips: networking is also personal marketing. Master networking and you’ll have a dynamic marketing method at your fingers tips!

Networking Tips: always start with a positive attitude. Your goal is to
establish relationships – no one wants to spend time with a whiner or negative attitude.

Networking Tips: have a prepared introduction. This is referred to as your “commercial”. It should contain a brief 2 or 3 sentences outlining what you do and your name.

Networking Tips: be interesting. A strategy – know what the current topics are for the day and in your area. Ask open-ended questions that cause the other person to interact in the conversation.

Networking Tips: be on time. Hold your head up. Make eye contact. If crowds make you nervous find someone standing alone and start a conversation.

Networking Tips: your handshake should be firm, that goes for both sexes, not bone breaking! Hold your drink, plate or anything else in your left hand so your right hand is always free, dry and ready!

Networking Tips: when in a conversation “LISTEN” to what is being said and react to it. Pay attention.

Networking Tips: when in a conversation make eye contact, look at the person the majority of the time.

Networking Tips: when in a conversation stand still, don’t fidget, rock back and forth or play with hair or clothes.

Networking Tips: when in a conversation be aware of your posture, sitting up straight or even leaning toward the speaker.  No slouching.

Networking Tips: when in a conversation the most important thing in communication is to hear what isn’t being said.

Networking Tips: when in a conversation, how do you do?  How can you improve?

Networking Tips: you must be genuinely interested in others. Listen, acknowledge what has been said and make eye contact.

Networking Tips: the point isn’t just to introduce yourself, give out business card, and leave. The point is to make personal connections with others.

Networking Tips: work the room. Mingle. Don’t stay with the same person or group all night. Make plans to follow up with them and circulate. Challenge yourself to meet between 3 to 5 new people.

Networking Tips: give and get a business card to everyone you meet. Offer your card and ask for one if it isn’t offered.

Networking Tips: be sure to make notes on the back of each business card to remind yourself of what you discussed, hobbies, travel, interests, nicknames etc.

Networking Tips: be sure to follow up on any promises you made. Also be sure to follow up with everyone you meet within 24 hours of the event.

Networking Tips: networking is about being authentic, building trust and relationships, and seeing how you can help others. Not just seeing how they can help you.

Networking Tips: set objectives for each networking event. Have a plan. Are you there to learn, volunteer or is it strictly making business connections.

Networking Tips: visit multiple networking groups that spark your interest. Before joining ask: Is the group leadership effective?  Are the members supportive? Professional?

Networking Tips: once you join a group volunteer for a position to stay visible. This will help you become known as a powerful resource.

Networking Tips: establish yourself as a strong resource (expert) and people will turn to you for suggestions, ideas, names of other people, etc.

Networking Tips: by establish yourself as an expert everyone knows you and every one wants to know you…you create your own buzz.

Networking Tips: in order to get referrals, you must first have a clear understanding of what you and articulate it to others.

Networking Tips: be able to articulate what you are looking for and how others may help you.

Networking Tips: follow through quickly and efficiently on referrals you are given.

Networking Tips: when you’re given referrals, your actions are a reflection on the person giving it. Respect and honor that and your referrals will grow. Disrespect it and they dry up.

Increasing Your Sales: – In this economy almost salesperson can feel defeated. Don’t! Success doesn’t just happen you must plan for it!

Increasing Your Sales: “Get a plan – write down your goals.” Those are words from my mentor Jackie B. Cooper (The Automotive Sales Superstar!)

Increasing Your Sales: Not everyone is cut out for sales, if your not, hire an expert – your business depends on it!

Increasing Your Sales: If your doing your own sales define your process – know the steps needed during each phase. If a step isn’t working tweak it!

Increasing Your Sales: Information is important so manage your data.

Increasing Your Sales: You must know your market to grow it! Who? Where? How? When?

Increasing Your Sales: Know your benefits and features – How are you different from your competition? Does your market know the difference? Tell them!

Increasing Your Sales: Stay in front of your market.  Don’t let them forget you when it is time to buy.

Increasing Your Sales: Look at your web site, marketing materials, company brand, message etc – would you buy from you? If not, change it now!

Increasing Your Sales: You can tell your client but when your clients tell your clients – BAM! Ask for testimonials they are gold to your market.

Increasing Your Sales: Get out there and network, network, network. Did I say, “get out there and network” – GO!

Increasing Your Sales: Be proactive, make a sales call, network, offer to speak to a local civic group. How can you get out there? Do it!

Increasing Your Sales: Become an expert by publishing a blog, write articles, let others post your articles to create buzz. Release press releases. Work it baby.

Increasing Your Sales: Define your sales goals. Be realistic. Don’t defeat yourself. As your sales skills grow let your goals grow. Stay with it.

Increasing Your Sales: Reward yourself so you get to know the feeling of winning, you’ll need to recall that feeling when you’re having a dry spell.

Increasing Your Sales: Review your progress. Review your plans. What worked last month might not work this month. Change what’s not working.

Increasing Your Sales: Start on your plan right now so you can take control over your sales success!

Increasing Your Sales: Outsourced what you can. It’s hard to do everything in the office and focus on sales too.

Increasing Your Sales: Before you hire a full-time salesperson consider – straight commission, a draw against commission or a salary plus bonus.

Increasing Your Sales: Just getting started in business, don’t have the ability to hire an experienced professional – think intern.

Increasing Your Sales: Contact the local college students often work for free a few hours a week in exchange for the ability to list the experience on their resume.

Increasing Your Sales: Define your sales call objectives. Know what the objectives are for each phone call, meeting, or written communication.

7 UP, “The Uncola”
AT&T, “Reach out and touch someone”
Aflac, “Ask about it at work”
Alka-Seltzer, “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing”
Allstate Insurance, “You’re in good hands with Allstate”
Apple Computer, “Think outside the box”
Bic, “Flick my Bic”
Bissell, “Life’s messy. Clean it up! ”
Burger King, “Have it your way”
Brylcreem, “A little dab’ll do ya”

Read the full list at A Brand Identity

Atlanta, Ga. — February 9, 2009 — Sam101.com today announced the beta launch of A Brand Identity offering unbelievable benefits for entrepreneurs and small businesses to help stretch their purchasing power and marketing budget. A Brand Identity, or “aBi,” stretches marketing budgets by offering sensible flat rate designs.

“We offer flat fee menu pricing on most of the startup marketing pieces a new business needs. We also offer bundling options with a menu of product choices at discounted prices, allowing clients the freedom to create their own custom bundle of products while saving up to fifty percent or more off street prices,” said Diane Carter, founder of A Brand Identity and sam101.com. “Working closely with entrepreneurs and small business owners, we can deliver creative designs that convey their company’s character and personality to help gain immediate recognition in the marketplace.”

For the first time, aBi gives entrepreneurs and small business owners the opportunity to interact directly with designer and not through a third party. They define the process so there is no guessing or surprises. Client Nick Perry, owner of Georgia Insurance Options sums up his interaction and new brand design with aBi, “You hit a home run with this logo! I am absurdly thrilled.”

A company’s brand is one of the most important tools in the marketing arsenal, used in creating and sustaining a dynamic impression of their business in the market. With A Brand Identity’s sensible priced flat rate designs there is no more wondering what the final design cost will be or having to deal with last minute surprises. A company knows what the cost is, how the process works, what aBi’s roll is and how the roll they play in creating their final design.

A brand from aBi will help communicate your company image, promote company awareness and create client loyalty. “Humans are visually driven. Be sure you offer your target market a dynamic brand that stimulates to drive and build your business around,” said Diane.

About A Brand Identity
Building on years of experience A Brand Identity creates dynamic brands with a designer who has specialized in logo design for 27 years, you’ll get a high quality brand design every time and in your budget. For more information, visit abrandidentity.com.

About Sam101.com
Sam101.com is a renowned sales and marketing knowledge based studio located in Metro Atlanta, Georgia. With more than twenty-seven years of experience, Diane Carter has spent 19 years of her career as an entrepreneur in sales, advertising, marketing and branding. She understands the needs and budget restrictions of entrepreneurs and small businesses alike. For more information, visit sam101.com.

Diane Carter

PR Contact
Sam101
PO Box 333
Marietta, GA 30061
770-499-0127

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