Diva Sales Tips

My 15 year old sassy niece and I are headed to New York in a few months.  We’re both so excited! (She is especially pumped about the clothes shopping!)

Part of the deal was that she also had to save up some money for the trip.  She’s been working diligently for a year doing odd jobs, babysitting etc.

We were chatting the other day about NY and she was chewing her lip.

I asked “Hey – what’s up? Got something on your mind?”

She looked at me with a frown and said “Auntie – I want to make some quick cash for our trip.  Do you need your car cleaned?”

I laughed and said “I’m sure we can arrange something!”

My niece’s comments tied in directly with all of the email I’ve been receiving lately.

Here’s some examples:

• “Kim – I’ve just lost a major contract – it’s caught me off guard – what do I do??”
• “I think I need a paper bag to breathe into…my sales are slower this month than I thought!”
• “Kim – help! I’ve had to reduce staff but I need to increase our daily sales – any ideas?”

and last but not least….

“Sales Diva -Do you have ideas on how my company can make some quick cash?  There are some opportunities I’d like to jump on but need extra cash flow.”

I do have an idea for you so hang on everyone!

Do You Desperately Need Some Quick Cash?

I don’t care what size of company you are – everyone needs cash flow.

Maybe you’ve been hit recently by something that has your cash reserves dangerously tight.  (They feel like last year’s bathing suit)

Or maybe there are some cool things you’d like to do with your company but you need extra cash flow FIRST.

No matter what the situation do the following:

Step 1:  Breathe.  You can handle this.

Step 2:  Step away from your computer and get a notepad.

Step 3:  Start scribbling your ideas after you’ve read the rest of my email.

If You Need Money – Go For The Low-Hanging Fruit

My niece thought of the quickest and easiest way to make money (cleaning my car) mainly because she isn’t in business.

If she was – she would have tried too hard to think of some outrageous, difficult, expensive way to make money. (Ever done THAT before?)

Lady -I want you to go for the low-hanging fruit instead.  And remember this is a strategy that uses what you already have…and you can use it at ANY TIME of the year.

Often the fruit that is on the lowest branches of a tree gets overlooked.  Everyone is looking at eye-level or higher.

What affordably priced products, services do you have that you can:

• Bundle together for a Special Limited Time Offer?
• Have a “Blow-out Price” for your best customers?
• Offer a special gift/discount to your best customers that they can also send to their friends?

Go have a cup of tea.  Write down all of the products and services that you have to work with.  And sell some low-hanging fruit to your customers!

So there.

P.S, I’d love to hear what you come up with…and also any ideas about what we should see in New York!

Love from Your Sales Diva,

Kim

P.S. I’m devoted to helping as many women entrepreneurs and women in sales as I can.  If you know of someone who would love to learn HOW TO SELL THE RIGHT WAY, then please encourage them to sign up at www.salesdivas.com and we’ll get them on the track to success!

Tell us where to send it, and we’ll send you the number one success book of all time.

My friends Vic and Lisa Johnson are doing this crazy marketing test where they’re giving away Napoleon Hill’s “Think & Grow Rich.”

I’m helping them with their big giveaway and wanted to make sure you got your copy before they take this offer down.

Get the details here: www.FreeTGRbook.com/SalesDivas

Feel free to pass this on to friends. They can get one too if they act right away.

This is one of my favorite books. I know you’ll love it!

Love From Your Sales Diva,

Kim

P.S. Vic and Lisa are actually shipping these so you need to give them your address before they run out. Details here: www.FreeTGRbook.com/SalesDivas

I have a SECRET to share with you.

We’ve been working behind the scenes in the Sales Diva Studios making LOADS of new products and services that will be announced over the next few months. (Hint: New website, new Diva pics, new products/services and SOMETHING HUGE that will launch next year)

My team says we need TO MAKE ROOM for all this stuff we’re producing – so I’m holding a FALL COMBO SALE on 2 of my HOTTEST PRODUCTS.

You receive my best-selling book Tickled Pink – The 12 Secrets of Attracting Delightful Customers AND the 2-hour – 2 Audio CD set that matches the book!

I love learning in different ways….read in front of the fire and then have me in the car with you too (you knowwwwwwwwww I’m all about the sass on my audio CDs as well!)

Want to increase your sales? Then invest only $50 (you’re saving 25% right off the bat!) AND for the FIRST 100 ORDERS – you get FREE SHIPPING.

Yep. I’m a generous Sales Diva.

So get cracking and order some for your team or fellow women entrepreneurs – you KNOW they need me!

Click Here:

http://tinyurl.com/TickledPinkPackage

P.S. Remember you save 25% PLUS you get FREE SHIPPING (in North America only)

Once again, here’s your opportunity to not only send a sales and marketing related question to me BUT TO ALSO leave your opinion or suggestion, helpful hint or resource for other people who have posted a question!

This week’s question is from Erica Widdup. She asks:

“How can you quickly establish credibility with clients who are unfamiliar
with your company when you have a line of products that are more personal
(like skin care and cosmetics)?“

Have your say! How can Erica connect with clients?
Share your thoughts and advice in the comment section.

Help us Help You!

We’re running low on questions, so send your own Dazzle This Diva question to:
info@salesdivas.com and don’t forget to include a link to your website! A website will allow people to find out more about your company and better answer your question. And, hey, it’s free advertising!

My cutie pie niece recently celebrated her 11th birthday.

And of course, one of the traditions for a birthday is to get the Royal Bumps as well as “A Pinch to Grow An Inch!”

If you’ve never heard of that line before or don’t know what it means – is you give the birthday person a little pinch and say ” A Pinch To Grow An Inch!”

Maybe it’s just a weird Canadian thing – let me know!

So I Was Thinking….You Probably Need A Pinch To Grow An Inch!

There certainly has been lots of complaining going on lately. 

And something I’ve also noticed is that most people like to blame others for what is going wrong with their biz. (and their lives)

The recession.  Their customers.  Their banker.  Their husband.  Blah, blah BORING!

 Hey – Did You Just Feel That???

I just gave you a PINCH TO GROW AN INCH!

I think its time for you to SNAP OUT OF IT.  (That’s my mom’s phrase by the way!)

I want you to grow this year….and you know what? It doesn’t matter what is happening with the economy. 

Hate to break it to you cupcake but this isn’t the first recession and it certainly won’t be the last.

However – there are millions of business owners who are proactively growing their businesses and making money RIGHT NOW (I’m one of them!) because they know THIS IS THE PERFECT TIME TO GROW.

Why? 

They realize this recession is the perfect PINCH TO GROW AN INCH motivator!  Yes – some companies will fall by the wayside. 

 However in a capitalist marketplace (and thank goodness for that) :

• The strong survive. 
• The flexible survive.
• The people who know how to build a community of customers will survive.

I Diva Dare You to decide TODAY that you’re not going to be angry and whiny about your situation.  Really – you’re boring everyone to tears.

Instead – GIVE YOURSELF a pinch to grow an inch and you’ll be delightfully surprised at the opportunites that are currently around you.

 So there.

Think about ALL of your clients for one moment.

Then think of ALL your suppliers.

Which clients and suppliers make you CRINGE each and every time you think about them?

 YOU KNOW THE ONES I’M TALKING ABOUT

In fact, because I have Sales Diva ESP, I know as you were reading this – SOMEONE or SOMETHING that makes you CRINGE just popped into your head.

Told you!

A word of Sales Diva advice? They’ve GOT TO GO!!

Listen Lady.

You’ve put too much money, energy, sweat, tears, hard work and sleepless nights to work with anyone who makes you cringe.

So find an alternative.

Get creative. 

You’re NOT TRAPPED in any way, shape or form.

 So there.

Love from your Bossy Sales Diva,

Kim

As many of you are aware, Cidnee Stephen and I are finalists to be part of a new national television show on the W Network in 2009.   

They have “wittled us” down from over 400 to 20 and now the top 6 will make the cut!   

                                But we can’t do this without you.  

Our second and final video was just launched this morning, so we would sure love to get our rating back up to 5 stars! 

Please click below to vote and also leave us a quick comment too!   http://experts.wnetwork.com/FinalistBio.aspx?ID=13    

Thanks for ALL Your Support!!   

I’m a big Yo-Yo Ma fan. Check out his site at www.yo-yoma.com

I’m also a big Starbucks fan.

So imagine my delight when I noticed a box of cards at Starbucks (and you take one for free) which has a code on the back.  This code takes you to www.itunes.ca  (Canadian)

And I love this!  The code allows you to listen to a Pick of The Week – and this week it was Yo-Yo Ma with Alison Krauss.

 So why do I love this idea?

1. Well – it makes people love Starbucks EVEN MORE as they get a free gift. 

2. It also has customers looking for the Pick of The Week card for artists that they may have never heard of before!

3. And on www.itunes.ca – it creates new users…and of course the artists are thrilled as it is another form of exposure and promotion for them…which usually leads to more sales!

3 companies – Starbucks, itunes and the artist – all giving a sample – which helps each other.

 So my Diva Dare to you is….

How could you use this idea in YOUR BUSINESS? 

How could you align with 2 other businesses (and don’t be giving cheesy 10% off coupons either – GAG)

Something to think about lady.

Your Bossy Sales Diva,

Kim

     Wow – what a week!

 I recently was in Dallas, speaking at a massive conference for http://www.ewomennetwork.com/ and it was absolutely incredible.  There were SO MANY fabulous women there who are interested in growing their business.  (If you’re not a member already – you should definitely join!)

And because I’m the Sales Diva – I love watching how people sell.

Some are good…and wellllllll…some are NOT so good!

You get to see sooooo many different types of salespeople and business owners in action.  What they are doing right as well as where they are struggling.

There was something I noticed that many women were slipping up on.

Timing.

What were they doing? Trying to close the deal 2 seconds after they had met you. 

EGAD.

 So why does this hurt you in the long run?

 There is ZERO RELATIONSHIP. 

And you come across as pushy and amateurish.  I call it “being a cheeseball”

However – you can be a GOOD cheeseball if you know how to let people try you out vs going for the KILL.

What Should You Do Instead?  Be Spreadable!

• Let Them Sample You.  How can they try your product or service? Either immediately or after the conference?
• Give Them Something So They’ll Sign Up For Free Tips!  A free report, a CD, something right there at the conference etc will encourage people to sign up for your database….which is worth MORE than a quick and little sale!
• Get Them Talking About You! If you and your service are a WOW – then people will start spreading the word about you! How spreadable are you?

I’m all about ASKING FOR THE SALE but TIMING is everything LADY.

If you’re speaking to people when they are rushed, surrounded by people and not really listening to what you’re saying – you’re going to get hit with tons of rejection.

And that’s just cheesy!

As a speaker, and a sales professional, one thing I know for sure is that NOT every one is going to like me or my style.

That’s OK by me.

They’re not supposed to!  In fact – as a speaker and author – if everyone loves you – you’ve got a problem as you haven’t challenged your audience enough.

And in sales – the same philosophy applies.

Don’t Die A Slow “Vanilla” Death

One of the biggest mistakes sales people make is to want to be loved by everyone. 

They want to be vanilla – loved by 98% of North Americans.

But that doesn’t work in business.  And so of course, when you’re rejected for someone else…it hurts. That’s because you had the expectation that everyone should adore you and your product or service.

Nope.

 You Need To Attract AND Repel Customers!

I’m not kidding here.

I know for sure there are definitely people who don’t like my writing style, or my speaking style, or what I have to say. 

The great thing is – they aren’t my target audience so I don’t really give a hot damn.   My brand, who I am and what I have to say are DESIGNED to attract and repel.  I don’t WANT EVERYONE as my customer.  And everything I do is designed around that fact.

Plus – the people who don’t like me represent a teeny-weeny percentage.  The customers and potential customers that I am the right fit for are the reason I love what I do. I love helping women entrepreneurs and women in sales make more money without ever making a cheesy phone cold call!

 Lady -Quit Trying To Please Everyone!

If you just accept that not everyone is going to get you – WOW – all of a sudden life gets easier!

 BE GRATEFUL they don’t connect with you. 

Just think – if you ended up getting them as a customer – they usually end up being a SERIOUS pain- in -the- you- know-what because THEY WERE NEVER THE RIGHT FIT in the first place.

So there.