Entrepreneurship and social media have brought the new thought process of community driven business into being. In particular, the online communities are all about sharing, discovering and implementing new ideas and techniques for all to benefit.
My favorite learned saying is, “We are all teachers and we are all mentors.” By inviting an open environment whereby we teach and learn together we all grow together. And while striving to lift up the people behind us, we build a loyal following and clientele. In this manner, everyone has an easier time achieving success.
Encouraging questions from your followers online will alert you to what your public needs to know. Answering these questions will deliver responses directly to you that will clue you into your next step. You may recognize the very next product that should be developed or future services to be implemented. Dialogue is the basis for all new ideas and is a win for all concerned. Freely sharing advice through tweets, posts, blogs, articles, videos and conversation will attract attention to you and your business. By doing so you put an excellent branding strategy into play to attract a significant following while helping others.
Every once in a while, we all need to be reminded of the basics. The following suggestions will help you be steady in making sales, increase your confidence and grow business:
- Believe in yourself and remain true to your ideals
- Build your brand accordingly and convey it to everyone
- Build relationships prior to ever attempting to sell
- Ask why the other party wanted to meet with you; understanding is the key to unlocking their needs, wants and deep down desires
- Listening and observation are your best sales tools
- Encourage the other party to speak first in order to position what you have to offer to their interests
- Rather than viewing prospects as a vehicle for making money, speak to them as coming from a place of service
The grounding effect for business is what I refer to as your Business Tripod. A far off vision or unreachable star should be in the forefront of your mind as you build outward. Create a workable plan backwards from the star to where you are today noting milestones to be reached in your journey. Once your plan for achievement is in place, proceed with belief in your forthcoming success. You may still experience ups and downs, but the belief, vision and plan will help serve to get you through the tough times.
When the tough times do hit such as a down economy, this becomes the time to revisit your priorities, deep down desires and what you wish to achieve next. It is also a time to recognize the educational piece you may be missing and spend the time learning. By the time your rough spot ends, you will be well positioned to move forward at a faster pace.
One note of caution, when others say, “that’s a bad idea” but you truly believe it is what you want to do, my advice is to “go for it”. You will never know whether it was a bad or good idea unless you try. By trying, you will have no regrets later on.
Lastly, seriously consider community service s a part of your business plan. By helping others in your area of expertise, the people you help will hold you in high esteem and promote you as a leader. In our combined effort, teamwork, community and greater good turn into a win for all concerned. It truly becomes a Smooth Sale!
