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6 Steps to More Sales

Guest post by: Stephen Blakesley

Article Overview: Entrepreneurs are often sales challenged. Here is a sales system for entrepreneurs that actually works. Learn how to replicate sales without being directly involved through the development of a sales system.

6 Steps to More Sales

I have been involved with 4 separate startup businesses. Three of my own. Three succeeded. One thing I learned; Sales are essential and more often than not, difficult to get.

Through those startup ventures I learned a lot about sales. The most important thing I learned was that if sales were not good for long periods of time, my business could fail. Not wanting to fail and not being very good at the selling process myself, I decided that I needed to develop a selling system that could leverage my weaker abilities and could be taught to others. I will share, with you, what I learned, but first, I want to tell you why what I learned is particularly important to Entrepreneurs.

Sales and selling is strategically important to every business but even more so to an entrepreneur. It is the life blood to any business, but especially to new businesses and "here's the kicker," often sales and selling are not the "strong suit" of innovative people or entrepreneurs and people that start new businesses. Surprise! Surprise!

During my second of my four entrepreneurial ventures, I was compelled to develop a system that, hopefully would address faltering sales and resulting revenues. Being a realist, with limited resources, I realized that I, personally, could not be all things to all people and keep a business on track and be the sales guy for the organization. I knew what to do but did not like doing it. I figured I could find someone much better at sales than me, but I believed that my organization could benefit by a structured process.

I began to develop a sales system, not just any sales system, but one that worked when I was present or away. I wanted sales that were not just average but sales that would "Blow Me and Others Away." I believed that people love to "buy things," but hated to "be sold" things. With that in mind, I approached the development of this sales process as scientifically as possible, but always with the customer in mind. Here is what I came up with and have continually perfect through the years:

# 1. "Blow Me Away" sales begins with a clear definition of the customer.

# 2. Develop a keen understanding of what "problem" your product or service solves.

# 3. Gather detailed information about the number, location and preferences of people who have that "problem" (creating a pipeline).

# 4. Build a system or process to touch those people in an economical and effective manner.

# 5. Make it easy to buy, give the people in your pipeline options on what and how to purchase.

# 6. Know what makes good sales people and hire the best to run your "sales machine."

The "proof is in the pudding," as they say. Implementing and maintaining this system of sales, not only created a "sales machine," it created the #1 sales machine and because it was so good it was also very profitable.

Bottom line: As an Entrepreneur or business startup, spend time developing a sales process that can run successfully, without you.

For those Entrepreneurs who may find themselves in a similar position, i.e. needing sales but not being so good at it, Here is an article we recommend, packed with great ideas: "How To Get Clients 24/7: 3 Simple Strategies For Systematic And Automatic Pipeline-Building!"

http://www.aceofclientattraction.com/getclients247/

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Article Tags: entrepreneurs, more sales, sales, sales pipeline, sales process, sales system



Related Forum Posts
Online Sales and Marketing vs Traditional - Hi Evan, I am noticing that many of the posts in the Sales/Marketing section deal with online marketing, SEM and and SEO and Affiliates. I was wondering if it might be a good idea to separate that section into two; 1) Online Sales and Marketing; 2) Traditional Sales and Marketing
Re: Online Sales and Marketing vs Traditional - [quote="ltrahan":31w9r2iz]Hi Evan, I am noticing that many of the posts in the Sales/Marketing section deal with online marketing, SEM and and SEO and Affiliates. I was wondering if it might be a good idea to separate that section into two; 1) Online Sales and Marketing; 2) Traditional Sales and Marketing[/quote:31w9r2iz] I second the request...
Re: Drop out Billionaire - I reveived Bill Bartmann's DVD "9 Steps To Achieve Any Goal" as part of my monthly pack from Success University a few months back. It is a great presentation. I've watched it several times but not for a while so I'll view it again in the coming week. He is one of the greats. Like the best success mentors, he speaks with authority because he has come through much tribulation. His program sounds like a great bargain at $100 a year.
Hello From Marietta GA! - Hello All! My name is Tim Naylor and I am in Direct Sales! I am glad I have found EC's sites and I hope to learn and share a lot!
New Guy Here - Automobile Industry - Hi Everyone, My name is Ray and I work as a sales trainer in the automobile industry. I have just completed a new training curriculum for automobile salespeople in the industry. It is called The Baby Steps of Selling Automobiles. I am beginning my marketing efforts through press releases and seminar formats. I joined the community due to my continued desire to work independently creating my own happiness and growth. Thank you for having me and I look forward to more correspondence in the future.


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