Tuesday, March 11, 2008
SkyQuestCom's Success Blog: Common Business Mistake - Sending Information to Cold Lists
A “cold list” is a list of people who have shown absolutely NO interest in your offer. Blasting such people with more mail will get only get you frustrated and demoralised. Warm leads on the other hand will ask for more specific information.
5 ways to get those warm leads:
1. Place a well targeted ad about your business opportunity in the correct section of a major newspaper.
A well placed ad in the correct section (for example,the upper section of the page) increases awareness of your product or service from your target audience. A major publication also has the advantages of an increased daily readership.
Logically, more readers equals higher chances of making a sale - provided you know your target audience. Doing business without knowing what your target market is and a poorly placed ad will prevent you from reaching your objectives: increased sales, market share or brand awareness.
For example, would a fashion company leave an ad advertising a sale at the bottom of the business section?
Well, they could, but they won't optimize their ad campaign by limiting awareness to people who might not even be interested in what they're selling.
If they were smart, they would advertise to those who may already be in the market for trendy apparel; readers of the lifestyle section etc.
2. Work with your partners on shared projects to leverage on each other’s strengths
This method of partnership is called an "affiliate program". You build long lasting business relationships and increase your credibility by teaming up with other reputable, branded businesses or partners.
By building profitable alliances with them, you can also send your ad to huge, targeted email lists at no cost, build your customer or opt-in list for free and get highly credible endorsements and testimonials from other experts.
Affiliate programs are the smart way to do business. At first glance, it may seem like you make less profit, but in reality, you make more money due to the increase of resources available.
As the adage goes, "two heads (some say three) are better than one".
3. Mail postcards or lead generating letters to a targeted list of names. Know your market and be specific about your target group.
Knowing your customers increases sales. The more you know your customers, the more effective your communication will be. Then you can customize your sales copy to suit their moods, tastes and needs.
You will also be able to see which customers are profitable and which need more effort. And customer profiling helps you find new business - better knowledge leads to increased sales.
4. Do you have a loyal customer base who keep coming back to you for offers and discounts?
Take the chance to build closer business relationships with your customers. Do your follow-up,think about how to improve customer service and your product. Provide value-added services to build customer loyalty.
Loyal customers are cheaper to retain than non-loyal ones.In fact, a loyal customer is willing to pay more than a non-loyal one would for the same product or service.
Moreover, the loyal customer has a higher overall value to the organization due to the value of possible repeat business and referrals.
5. Capitalize on festive seasons when consumer spending is at its peak.
Holiday and festive seasons serve as a huge opportunities for both consumers and companies. If you have a product that is likely to generate more sales for you during holiday/festive periods, do your marketing at least 1 month in advance.
For example, if you sell Christmas products and you know your customers are most likely to buy them in December, don't assume they will do shopping last minute.
Many people need time to prepare,do early shopping and soak in the joyous mood - leverage this excitement, put up tantalising discounts and innovative product offers. When your customers are in the "mood", boy, are they in the "mood"!
To spend,that is.
Remember, in business,an opportunity cost is lost for even a mere second of a non-sale. So you must be eager to make a sale and plan your next marketing campaign in advance.
Watch video clips of the world's best business experts at learning.SkyQuestCom.com to learn even more sales techniques to tap into customers' hidden wants to win their trust, and their business!
With over 200,000 subscribers around the world, SkyQuestCom is Asia's largest multimedia e-learning company. SkyQuestCom offers online video seminars of the world's best personal development experts and business gurus including Anthony Robbins (Unleash The Power Within), Robert Kiyosaki (Rich Dad, Poor Dad), Brian Tracy (The Psychology of Selling), T. Harv Eker (Secrets of the Millionaire Mind), John Gray (Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus), Jay Abraham (Getting Everything You Can Out of All You've Got), Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and many more.
5 ways to get those warm leads:
1. Place a well targeted ad about your business opportunity in the correct section of a major newspaper.
A well placed ad in the correct section (for example,the upper section of the page) increases awareness of your product or service from your target audience. A major publication also has the advantages of an increased daily readership.
Logically, more readers equals higher chances of making a sale - provided you know your target audience. Doing business without knowing what your target market is and a poorly placed ad will prevent you from reaching your objectives: increased sales, market share or brand awareness.
For example, would a fashion company leave an ad advertising a sale at the bottom of the business section?
Well, they could, but they won't optimize their ad campaign by limiting awareness to people who might not even be interested in what they're selling.
If they were smart, they would advertise to those who may already be in the market for trendy apparel; readers of the lifestyle section etc.
2. Work with your partners on shared projects to leverage on each other’s strengths
This method of partnership is called an "affiliate program". You build long lasting business relationships and increase your credibility by teaming up with other reputable, branded businesses or partners.
By building profitable alliances with them, you can also send your ad to huge, targeted email lists at no cost, build your customer or opt-in list for free and get highly credible endorsements and testimonials from other experts.
Affiliate programs are the smart way to do business. At first glance, it may seem like you make less profit, but in reality, you make more money due to the increase of resources available.
As the adage goes, "two heads (some say three) are better than one".
3. Mail postcards or lead generating letters to a targeted list of names. Know your market and be specific about your target group.
Knowing your customers increases sales. The more you know your customers, the more effective your communication will be. Then you can customize your sales copy to suit their moods, tastes and needs.
You will also be able to see which customers are profitable and which need more effort. And customer profiling helps you find new business - better knowledge leads to increased sales.
4. Do you have a loyal customer base who keep coming back to you for offers and discounts?
Take the chance to build closer business relationships with your customers. Do your follow-up,think about how to improve customer service and your product. Provide value-added services to build customer loyalty.
Loyal customers are cheaper to retain than non-loyal ones.In fact, a loyal customer is willing to pay more than a non-loyal one would for the same product or service.
Moreover, the loyal customer has a higher overall value to the organization due to the value of possible repeat business and referrals.
5. Capitalize on festive seasons when consumer spending is at its peak.
Holiday and festive seasons serve as a huge opportunities for both consumers and companies. If you have a product that is likely to generate more sales for you during holiday/festive periods, do your marketing at least 1 month in advance.
For example, if you sell Christmas products and you know your customers are most likely to buy them in December, don't assume they will do shopping last minute.
Many people need time to prepare,do early shopping and soak in the joyous mood - leverage this excitement, put up tantalising discounts and innovative product offers. When your customers are in the "mood", boy, are they in the "mood"!
To spend,that is.
Remember, in business,an opportunity cost is lost for even a mere second of a non-sale. So you must be eager to make a sale and plan your next marketing campaign in advance.
Watch video clips of the world's best business experts at learning.SkyQuestCom.com to learn even more sales techniques to tap into customers' hidden wants to win their trust, and their business!
With over 200,000 subscribers around the world, SkyQuestCom is Asia's largest multimedia e-learning company. SkyQuestCom offers online video seminars of the world's best personal development experts and business gurus including Anthony Robbins (Unleash The Power Within), Robert Kiyosaki (Rich Dad, Poor Dad), Brian Tracy (The Psychology of Selling), T. Harv Eker (Secrets of the Millionaire Mind), John Gray (Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus), Jay Abraham (Getting Everything You Can Out of All You've Got), Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and many more.
Labels: Business, Business Marketing, Business Tips, Personal Development, Personal Growth, Sales, Sales Techniques, self-help, Success Blog
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