A website is a key sales tool for any marketeer. Following up with people who have visited your website is one of the most important ways to close deals. But, how well have you been doing this? Here are several key points for you to find out!
A Lead Capturing Mechanism
Before you even start thinking of following up, find out what kind of a ‘lead capturing mechanism’ is available there on your website. If you don’t have a lead capturing mechanism, may be you are missing out a lot of prospects you get to the website. Regardless of whatever the marketing campaigns you’d do, whether it is social media, press, radio or TV, you’d have to have a mechanism to capture people who are visiting the website. Now, this could be presented in many ways; you can have a special promotion running, you can offer a free trial or you can offer a newsletter subscription on the website. Our researches show that, offers or promotions have better conversions than the standard ‘newsletter subscription’ on the website.
Follow-up
One of the primary things you’d have to have is a ‘Follow-up Marketing Platform.’ If you only have ten or fifteen leads with you, you can even write that down on your notebook and start the follow-up process, but when the list builds up to fifty or hundred, this would be an impossible task to do manually. With knowing that none of these leads will become customers at the initial discussion, it would be the sales person’s responsibility to start following up until they step in to do business with you. Industry experts say that you have to have at least 7 contacts with the lead to convert him to a customer. It doesn’t mean that the follow-up should stop there; a customer can again be a repeat-customer. Having follow-up sequences in place is one of the best ways to get the prospects converted to sales!
Now you’d have to think back and ask yourself, what kind of a ‘Lead Capturing Mechanism’ you have with a ‘Follow-up Marketing Platform.’ A website is not just some information with a few pages, there’s much more to it.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Peer-to-Peer Marketplace for Investors and Borrowers
Prosper Loans Marketplace is a leading online destination for borrowing money and investing in loans. It pioneered peer-to-peer lending and Open Market loans, which allow people to invest in each other in a way that is socially and financially rewarding. Additionally, Prosper’s auction model provides an open and transparent way to get a personal loan or invest in loans on terms that are favorable to everyone involved in the transaction.
The way Prosper works is intuitive to anyone who has used an online auction. Instead of listing and bidding on items, people and institutions list and bid on loans using Prosper's online auction platform.
Individuals and financial institutions (banks, finance companies, etc.) can list loans for between $1,000 and $25,000 (or more, for Open Market loans) on Prosper with loan durations anywhere from six months to three years. Individual borrowers or financial organizations selling loans set the maximum rate they are willing to pay an investor for the loan.
If you just started your business or willing to start a business, Prosper could be the next place to find your funding!
The way Prosper works is intuitive to anyone who has used an online auction. Instead of listing and bidding on items, people and institutions list and bid on loans using Prosper's online auction platform.
Individuals and financial institutions (banks, finance companies, etc.) can list loans for between $1,000 and $25,000 (or more, for Open Market loans) on Prosper with loan durations anywhere from six months to three years. Individual borrowers or financial organizations selling loans set the maximum rate they are willing to pay an investor for the loan.
If you just started your business or willing to start a business, Prosper could be the next place to find your funding!
Three Great Ways to Market Your Business on the Internet
While marketers spend hours identifying their niche market, these could be ways you might have never thought of to get your business name out. Entrepreneurs have invested a lot of time and money on social media and internet media making their business to work on both online and offline. But how many of them have really gained their return on the investment? Before you try out any other ‘Pay-per-Click’ campaign or ‘Search Engine Optimizing’ Campaign, see what kind of a return you would get from these ‘Business Networking’ and ‘Professional Networking’ websites discussed below.
Merchant Circle
As the internet gains popularity, the traditional advertising systems like Newspapers or cable have become very costly and ineffective. Merchant Circle provides you with a class platform to list your services with the company information and contract details. Its local business social networking website will build connections with other businesses in your area or a region you specify (this does not restrict marketing your services to any place else) and grow your network based on the activity and the popularity of the business. Again, it’s strictly up to you to become active on the website and work on the things you need to do become active. Your business profile on Merchant Circle helps you to enhance the band awareness. It also works great for SEO too.
Fast Pitch Professional Networking
Searching professionals and businesses has made easy with Fast Pitch Networking. It gives you more control on how you network with people and it even allows you to communicate with people on your network, real-time. You can network with professionals on the internet based on experiences, shared educational types, location, affiliations, etc. Fat Pitch allows you to distribute content directly to the members using blogs, press releases, video, email marketing and event announcements. Check it out for yourself here.
Linked-in Professional Networking
Linked-in is may be by far the most popular professional networking platform out there. Linked in has over 43 million members so far covering over 200 countries. According to Linked-in almost all the fortune 500 company executives are on Linked-in. ‘Relationships Matter!’ they say and yes, it has many features embedded to the platform to build the relationship between you as a professional with your potential client or the vendor.
These there websites too have paid subscriptions, but try it out for yourself with the free memberships these websites have.
Merchant Circle
As the internet gains popularity, the traditional advertising systems like Newspapers or cable have become very costly and ineffective. Merchant Circle provides you with a class platform to list your services with the company information and contract details. Its local business social networking website will build connections with other businesses in your area or a region you specify (this does not restrict marketing your services to any place else) and grow your network based on the activity and the popularity of the business. Again, it’s strictly up to you to become active on the website and work on the things you need to do become active. Your business profile on Merchant Circle helps you to enhance the band awareness. It also works great for SEO too.
Fast Pitch Professional Networking
Searching professionals and businesses has made easy with Fast Pitch Networking. It gives you more control on how you network with people and it even allows you to communicate with people on your network, real-time. You can network with professionals on the internet based on experiences, shared educational types, location, affiliations, etc. Fat Pitch allows you to distribute content directly to the members using blogs, press releases, video, email marketing and event announcements. Check it out for yourself here.
Linked-in Professional Networking
Linked-in is may be by far the most popular professional networking platform out there. Linked in has over 43 million members so far covering over 200 countries. According to Linked-in almost all the fortune 500 company executives are on Linked-in. ‘Relationships Matter!’ they say and yes, it has many features embedded to the platform to build the relationship between you as a professional with your potential client or the vendor.
These there websites too have paid subscriptions, but try it out for yourself with the free memberships these websites have.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Before you start building your website..
Whether you want to build your first website or enhance the existing website you have, the cost factor is likely to be on your mind on top. The website could be few text pages or something far more complex, but defining what you really need before hand would keep the costs down. Before you look for a web development firm, always define the purpose and the scope of the website. Here are few guidelines for you to follow.
Relax, take a pencil and a paper and try to answer these questions yourself.
1. Who are the primary users (ex: retail customers) of the website and why should they come to your website than your competitor?
2. What purpose the website will serve? Ex: lead generation, brand awareness, e-commerce, etc.
3. What media do you like to have? Ex: flash, audio, video, quality graphics, virtual tours, etc.
4. What are the similar websites you like?
5. What would you have your competition would not have?
6. How many pages you will like to have?
7. How would you market your website and what budget do you have?
8. Who will do the updates of the website?
9. Who will do the content writing (copy)
10. How will you measure the success of your website?
11. What's the time frame you have for the project?
12. Social Media?
13. Contribution you can provide for the marketing aspects
14. What would be the maximum price you can afford?
Having answered these is likely to keep your costs down and will avoid unexpected expenses. At the same time, it would give your website consultant information to understand your concept/thought better to make it a reality.
Relax, take a pencil and a paper and try to answer these questions yourself.
1. Who are the primary users (ex: retail customers) of the website and why should they come to your website than your competitor?
2. What purpose the website will serve? Ex: lead generation, brand awareness, e-commerce, etc.
3. What media do you like to have? Ex: flash, audio, video, quality graphics, virtual tours, etc.
4. What are the similar websites you like?
5. What would you have your competition would not have?
6. How many pages you will like to have?
7. How would you market your website and what budget do you have?
8. Who will do the updates of the website?
9. Who will do the content writing (copy)
10. How will you measure the success of your website?
11. What's the time frame you have for the project?
12. Social Media?
13. Contribution you can provide for the marketing aspects
14. What would be the maximum price you can afford?
Having answered these is likely to keep your costs down and will avoid unexpected expenses. At the same time, it would give your website consultant information to understand your concept/thought better to make it a reality.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Boonex Dolphin to Create World-Class Social Networking Websites
We have been testing several Social Networking platforms to build websites upon for few of our clients and finally ended up with Boonex-Dolphin. Dolphin is a proud Australian Open-Source product and has been in operation since 2004; it has powered a number of social networking websites since.
Dolphin is one of five products that Boonex offer, including:
- Orca - An Ajax-based Forum script that is either standalone or built into Dolphin
- Ray - A community widget suite, including A/V messaging, MP3 player and more in a web interface
- Shark - An enterprise community platform
- Barracuda - A collaborative directory software script (no longer distributed or recommended)
YouTube, MySpace, Odeo, Flickr, Match and Facebook - all in one, customizable and under your full control. You're limited only by your imagination - not by the software. Dolphin Smart Community Builder is a universal, free, open source software that allows you to build any kind of online community. With a huge variety of features & options, you can quickly launch your own very unique and successful website.Centuryware has successfully implemented several Dolphin-based websites including Swingerspider, Starsmallbusiness, etc. If you are looking for a Social Networking website, please read the 'Social Networking Websites' section on the website.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Ten Characteristics of a Successful Sales Person
This article was posted on Business Know How and was selected as one of the Top Ten articles of the year. We thought it would help any of the sales persons! Credit goes to Kelly Robertson at Robertson Training Group. She can be contacted at kelley@robertsontraininggroup.com
What separates successful sales people from everyone else? I believe that most successful sales people, in virtually any industry, possess the following characteristics:
1. They are persistent. Selling or running a business for a living requires a tremendous amount of persistence. Obstacles loom in front of us on a regular basis. But it’s what you do when faced with these barriers that will determine your level of success. I believe it was Brian Tracy who once said that a person will face the most challenging obstacle just before they achieve their goal. The most successful people in any industry have learned to face the obstacles that get in their way. They look for new solutions. They are tenacious. They refuse to give up.
2. Successful sales people are avid goal setters. They know what they want to accomplish and they plan their approach. They make sure their goals are specific, motivational, achievable yet challenging, relevant to their personal situation, and time-framed. They visualize their target, determine how they will achieve their goal, and take action on a daily basis.
3. Great sales people ask quality questions. The best sales people ask their clients and prospects plenty of quality questions to fully determine their situation and buying needs. They know that the most effective way to present their product or service is to uncover their customer's goals, objectives, concerns and hesitations. This allows them to effectively discuss the features and benefits of their product and service that most relate to each customer.
4. Successful sales people listen. Most sales people will ask a question then give their customer the answer, or continue to talk afterwards instead of waiting for their response. Great sales people know that customers will tell them everything they need to know if given the right opportunity. They ask questions and listen carefully to the responses, often taking notes and summarizing their understanding of the customers' comments. They have learned that silence is golden.
5. Successful sales people are passionate. They love their company and they exude this pride when talking about their products and services. The more passionate you are about your career, the greater the chance you will succeed. The reason for this is simple—when you love what you do you are going to put more effort into your work. When you are passionate about the products or services you sell, your enthusiasm will shine brightly in every conversation. If you aren’t genuinely excited about selling your particular product or service, give serious consideration to making a change. You are not doing yourself, your company or your customers any favors by continuing to represent something you can’t get excited about.
6. Successful sales people are enthusiastic. They are always in a positive mood - even during difficult times - and their enthusiasm is contagious. They seldom talk poorly of the company or the business. When faced with unpleasant or negative situations, they choose to focus on the positive elements instead of allowing themselves to be dragged down.
7. Successful sales people take responsibility for their results. They do not blame internal problems, the economy, tough competitors, or anything else if they fail to meet their sales quotas. They know that their actions alone will determine their results and they do what is necessary.
8. Successful sales people work hard. Most people want to be successful but they aren’t prepared to work hard to achieve it. Sales superstars don’ t wait for business to come to them; they go after it. They usually start work earlier than their coworkers and stay later than everyone else. They make more calls, prospect more consistently, talk to more people, and give more sales presentations than their coworkers.
9. Successful sales people keep in touch with their clients. They know that constant contact helps keep clients so they use a variety of approaches to accomplish this. They send thank-you, birthday, and anniversary cards. They make phone calls and schedule regular ‘keep in touch’ breakfast and lunch meetings. They send articles of value to their customers and send an email newsletter. They are constantly on the lookout for new and creative ways to keep their name in their customers’ minds.
10. Successful sales people show value. Today’s business world is more competitive than ever before and most sales people think that price is the only motivating buying factor. Successful sales people recognize that price is a factor in every sale but it is seldom the primary reason someone chooses a particular product or supplier. They know that a well-informed buyer will usually base much of her decision on the value proposition presented by the sales person. They know how to create this value with each customer, prospect, or buyer they encounter.
We all have what it takes to become successful. Are you ready to make it happen?
Technorati Tags: sales, marketing, tips, how to, proceed sales, personal, charactor
What separates successful sales people from everyone else? I believe that most successful sales people, in virtually any industry, possess the following characteristics:
1. They are persistent. Selling or running a business for a living requires a tremendous amount of persistence. Obstacles loom in front of us on a regular basis. But it’s what you do when faced with these barriers that will determine your level of success. I believe it was Brian Tracy who once said that a person will face the most challenging obstacle just before they achieve their goal. The most successful people in any industry have learned to face the obstacles that get in their way. They look for new solutions. They are tenacious. They refuse to give up.
2. Successful sales people are avid goal setters. They know what they want to accomplish and they plan their approach. They make sure their goals are specific, motivational, achievable yet challenging, relevant to their personal situation, and time-framed. They visualize their target, determine how they will achieve their goal, and take action on a daily basis.
3. Great sales people ask quality questions. The best sales people ask their clients and prospects plenty of quality questions to fully determine their situation and buying needs. They know that the most effective way to present their product or service is to uncover their customer's goals, objectives, concerns and hesitations. This allows them to effectively discuss the features and benefits of their product and service that most relate to each customer.
4. Successful sales people listen. Most sales people will ask a question then give their customer the answer, or continue to talk afterwards instead of waiting for their response. Great sales people know that customers will tell them everything they need to know if given the right opportunity. They ask questions and listen carefully to the responses, often taking notes and summarizing their understanding of the customers' comments. They have learned that silence is golden.
5. Successful sales people are passionate. They love their company and they exude this pride when talking about their products and services. The more passionate you are about your career, the greater the chance you will succeed. The reason for this is simple—when you love what you do you are going to put more effort into your work. When you are passionate about the products or services you sell, your enthusiasm will shine brightly in every conversation. If you aren’t genuinely excited about selling your particular product or service, give serious consideration to making a change. You are not doing yourself, your company or your customers any favors by continuing to represent something you can’t get excited about.
6. Successful sales people are enthusiastic. They are always in a positive mood - even during difficult times - and their enthusiasm is contagious. They seldom talk poorly of the company or the business. When faced with unpleasant or negative situations, they choose to focus on the positive elements instead of allowing themselves to be dragged down.
7. Successful sales people take responsibility for their results. They do not blame internal problems, the economy, tough competitors, or anything else if they fail to meet their sales quotas. They know that their actions alone will determine their results and they do what is necessary.
8. Successful sales people work hard. Most people want to be successful but they aren’t prepared to work hard to achieve it. Sales superstars don’ t wait for business to come to them; they go after it. They usually start work earlier than their coworkers and stay later than everyone else. They make more calls, prospect more consistently, talk to more people, and give more sales presentations than their coworkers.
9. Successful sales people keep in touch with their clients. They know that constant contact helps keep clients so they use a variety of approaches to accomplish this. They send thank-you, birthday, and anniversary cards. They make phone calls and schedule regular ‘keep in touch’ breakfast and lunch meetings. They send articles of value to their customers and send an email newsletter. They are constantly on the lookout for new and creative ways to keep their name in their customers’ minds.
10. Successful sales people show value. Today’s business world is more competitive than ever before and most sales people think that price is the only motivating buying factor. Successful sales people recognize that price is a factor in every sale but it is seldom the primary reason someone chooses a particular product or supplier. They know that a well-informed buyer will usually base much of her decision on the value proposition presented by the sales person. They know how to create this value with each customer, prospect, or buyer they encounter.
We all have what it takes to become successful. Are you ready to make it happen?
Technorati Tags: sales, marketing, tips, how to, proceed sales, personal, charactor
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