Archive for Marketing

Salesconx Fails to Connect

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

CB058292So I just partially listened to about the most boring presentation EVER from Evan over at Salesconx. If the meat came after the self-serving preening then I missed it. The call wasn’t boring because Evan isn’t talented or because he cannot communicate his message well, but boring because it was nothing more than a pitch – a feature dump – offering pretty much no value to me. The buyer. Ah, the wasted potential.

Maybe Evan didn’t realize that the webinar came off sounding like the cheezy sales pitch that it was. Thing is that Evan is the real deal. I love the concept of his business model. It’s a referral driven marketplace that has big potential. I enjoyed his interview with Fast Company Magazine and think you might too.

But back to that darn webinar…

Driving Sales Revenue Using a Virtual Team was the topic that caught my eye. I signed up. I carved out 45 minutes of now non-billable time to listen in. The session didn’t live up to its name. A little creativity could have gone a long way.

I’m a small business owner. Educate me on industry best practices. Show me how using a virtual team actually drives the intended results. Give me some pointers on the questions I ask during the RFP process with a virtual sales company. Tell me how the right virtual team skyrockets my sales. Share a nugget with me that I can put into action now. Then you become my hero forever.

Capture my interest. Show me value. Then you have earned the right to talk about yourself.

Comments (1)

Sure People Know What You Do?

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

More than once, I’ve been surprised to learn that people who have known me for a long time don’t actually know what I do. My first thought is seriously? What the heck? How many times have we talked about it?question

Ever happened to you?

I’m betting that every business owner – at least once – has faced this dilemma.

It’s been awhile, so I don’t remember anymore where I first heard this piece of communication wisdom, but I do remember that it goes something like this…”If the “receiver” of your communication doesn’t get it, the responsibility for the mishap falls on your shoulders.” Ouch.

Colleague and branding expert, David Cohen at Equation Arts would probably not be surprised to hear that people are often confused by our messages. It is a common malady. That’s why he is such a great resource and worth every mega dollar he charges! Make sure you tell him I said so!

Since April 2009, I have had the privilege of being part of a peer advisory group that is facilitated by Bill McIlwaine of Executive Forums. These quarterly meetings are long, intense, insightful and thought provoking. The meeting two weeks ago helped me to realize that I am viewed as a credible evangelist, even the first person that my colleagues think of when the topic turns to social media, but beyond that these executives were not completely clear on the WHAT of my service offering. Did I say ouch?

That realization led to this post and the subsequent rework of the Talent Builders website. The website refresh is not quite complete, but I hope even at this moment you have a clearer picture of the value you receive when you work with our team. If not, I’m counting on you to let me know.

Comments (1)

Instant Really Isn’t

Friday, October 9th, 2009

Instantaneous: occurring with no delay; “relief was instantaneous”; “instant gratification”

hereandnowIt is sooo tempting to want instant. Instant success, instant love, instant cash flow, instant sales, instant weight loss…basically, instant results. It’s human I suppose. We feel pain and then want something – anything – to give us instant relief.

Instant is a myth, except perhaps in just one thing. We can instantly decide to change ourselves, our thinking, or our approach if things are not working the way we want them too.

But instant sells.

The problem with wanting – and naively expecting instant – is that it can only lead to more frustration. I don’t know about you, but I have never found that anything actually worth achieving just sort of happened…uh, instantaneously. Though using the word might make for an enticing marketing promotion or book title, the truth is that anyone trying to sell you instant anything is only perpetuating a lie.

Using social media and social networking to boost your sales efforts is no different. You can absolutely “speed up” your success, but it does not happen in an instant. You must determine your purpose, shape your brand, help others, participate often, be persistent, cultivate a following, invest in delivering value to others and be patient. There are no over night successes here. But it will happen IF you decide to…

  • Stop going for cheap. Your success requires an investment in time & money to learn from people with proven experience.
  • Make time every day - YES, every day! – to participate in the online space…this is part of your sales process NOT an add on!
  • Forget the notion of “instant”. Sweat equity is required if you want to create a strong brand presence on AND offline that leads to sales.
  • Reset your expectations. I’ve been in sales 30 years and using technology for almost as many…do you really think sitting through a 1/2 day social media class gets you to my level in an instant? It takes time!
  • Do your darn homework. If someone says, “I can teach you to get 200 Twitter followers daily.” – you must make sure they are doing it for themselves. It might be important to know if they use the system and tweet themselves. Duh.
  • Slow down. Stop being desperate. Be in it for the long term. Think about the message you want to communicate to potential buyers (or employers) who have not met you yet. Craft compelling profiles. Share valuable information. Get help if you need it!

Finally, give up on instant! Decide what you want, believe you can have it, take the massive action required to get there, and you will achieve results! But sorry…it will not happen in an instant.

Comments (1)

Instant Really Isn't

Friday, October 9th, 2009

Instantaneous: occurring with no delay; “relief was instantaneous”; “instant gratification”

hereandnowIt is sooo tempting to want instant. Instant success, instant love, instant cash flow, instant sales, instant weight loss…basically, instant results. It’s human I suppose. We feel pain and then want something – anything – to give us instant relief.

Instant is a myth, except perhaps in just one thing. We can instantly decide to change ourselves, our thinking, or our approach if things are not working the way we want them too.

But instant sells.

The problem with wanting – and naively expecting instant – is that it can only lead to more frustration. I don’t know about you, but I have never found that anything actually worth achieving just sort of happened…uh, instantaneously. Though using the word might make for an enticing marketing promotion or book title, the truth is that anyone trying to sell you instant anything is only perpetuating a lie.

Using social media and social networking to boost your sales efforts is no different. You can absolutely “speed up” your success, but it does not happen in an instant. You must determine your purpose, shape your brand, help others, participate often, be persistent, cultivate a following, invest in delivering value to others and be patient. There are no over night successes here. But it will happen IF you decide to…

  • Stop going for cheap. Your success requires an investment in time & money to learn from people with proven experience.
  • Make time every day - YES, every day! – to participate in the online space…this is part of your sales process NOT an add on!
  • Forget the notion of “instant”. Sweat equity is required if you want to create a strong brand presence on AND offline that leads to sales.
  • Reset your expectations. I’ve been in sales 30 years and using technology for almost as many…do you really think sitting through a 1/2 day social media class gets you to my level in an instant? It takes time!
  • Do your darn homework. If someone says, “I can teach you to get 200 Twitter followers daily.” – you must make sure they are doing it for themselves. It might be important to know if they use the system and tweet themselves. Duh.
  • Slow down. Stop being desperate. Be in it for the long term. Think about the message you want to communicate to potential buyers (or employers) who have not met you yet. Craft compelling profiles. Share valuable information. Get help if you need it!

Finally, give up on instant! Decide what you want, believe you can have it, take the massive action required to get there, and you will achieve results! But sorry…it will not happen in an instant.

Comments (1)