Diva Sales Tips

Dazzle This Diva - July 1st Edition

kimduke — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:00:28 +0000

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 weeks question is courtesy of Catherine Trueman:

Dear Kim,

I recently discovered your website and e-newsletter after reading an article in an Ellevate Women in Business e-newsletter I receive. Your tips are fantastic! Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas.

A challenge I am facing right now with my direct sales jewellery business is getting people to book parties. Prior to our economic downturn, my party calendar was full. Now, people keep telling me they are watching their pennies, don’t have extra money to spend, and don’t feel comfortable asking their friends to spend money when they know their friends are also watching their pennies. People are wanting to wait to hold their parties until they and their friends are feeling more financially secure. Any suggestions? I need parties now, not later!

Thanks in advance for any help you may impart.

Best Regards,

Catherine

Catherine Trueman, Star Stylist
Stella & Dot
http://www.stelladot.com/ctrueman

How are you handling changes in the economy? What’s worked for you? Share your advice with Catherine (and me!) in the comments of this post

We can always use more questions so send in one. Wouldn’t you love to benefit from free advice from fabulous women all over the world? (and one certain Sales Diva)

Send your own Dazzle This Diva question to:info@salesdivas.com and don’t forget to include a link to your website!

Dazzle This Diva - June 17th Edition

kimduke — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:00:58 +0000

This weeks question comes from Catherine Christensen of Leagal Nurses of Canada :

Hi Kim,

I am launching a service that is relatively new to Canada. It is legal nurse consulting which provides expertise to lawyers who do medical liability, product liability, personal injury, Workers’ Compensation and other types of claims related to medical cases.

My question is this: how do I get past the “dragon at the gate” so that the lawyer knows of my service as well as why I am THE nurse expert who will help make the case a winner?

Thanks for your help!

Catherine Christensen RN MA
Legal Nurse Consultant
http://www.legalnursesofcanada.com

I can’t wait to hear my reader advice on how you take that first step to get your foot in the door and make a name for yourself. Share your thoughts with Catherine (and me!) in the comments of this post

We can always use more questions so send in one. Wouldn’t you love to benefit from free advice from fabulous women all over the world? (and one certain Sales Diva)

Send your own Dazzle This Diva question to:info@salesdivas.com and don’t forget to include a link to your website!

The Sales Diva interviews Jim Haynes

kimduke — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:46:05 +0000

This is my interview with Jim Haynes, Host of “Sunday Dinners” in Paris. He’s been holding these dinners for almost as long as I’ve been on the planet!

It’s a noisy background so please listen closely. Jim was humble and said he’s been interviewed by a few journalists….check out his site and you’ll see what types of journalists have covered him (I was impressed!)

Check out his website at www.jim-haynes.com

Dazzle This Diva - June 3rd Edition

kimduke — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:00:24 +0000

This weeks question comes from Andreea Ayers of Tees For Change :

Hi Kim,

I subscribe to your newsletter and absolutely love it. I saw that you’re taking questions, so here’s mine:

What’s the best way to build a contact list? Let’s say for example that I would like to target gift shop buyers at golf resorts, but I don’t have any contacts in that industry. Do I go to golf conferences, do I read golf magazines, do I buy a list (if so, from where), do I get a golf resorts directory (if so, from where) and find out who the gift shop buyer is, etc. What’s your take on this?

Thanks so much in advance,
Andreea
http://www.teesforchange.com

I can’t wait to hear my reader advice on how you built your lists and made your contacts. Share your thoughts with Andreea (and me!) in the comments of this post

We can always use more questions so send in one. Wouldn’t you love to benefit from free advice from fabulous women all over the world? (and one certain Sales Diva)

Send your own Dazzle This Diva question to:info@salesdivas.com and don’t forget to include a link to your website!

Dazzle This Diva - May 13th Edition

kimduke — Wed, 13 May 2009 11:00:39 +0000

This week’s question is from Nicole Geisen. She asks:

“I have had several customers who had made purchases for 4-6 months and then quit. What is the best way to keep in touch with these people without nagging them about making a purchase?”

Nicole Geisen
Herbalife Independent Distributor
http://www.nicoleshealthyherbs.com

Have your say! How do you keep in touch with your clients? Leave your thoughts in the comments of this post.

Don’t forget, we can always use more questions so send in one. Wouldn’t you love to benefit from free advice from fabulous women all over the world? (and one certain Sales Diva)

Send your own Dazzle This Diva question to:info@salesdivas.com and don’t forget to include a link to your website!

Dazzle This Diva - April 29th Edition

kimduke — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:31:17 +0000

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!

Sales Training for Women in Dallas! Time Sensitive

kimduke — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:06:30 +0000

So I hear you want to meet The Sales Diva and get extraordinary sales training (designed for women of course) from ME direct?

Well lady - then you’d better book off June 17 and 18th for the High Speed Sales Stiletto Camp which I’m bringing to Dallas!

Before you register, make sure to read all of the amazing and “sneaky” sales tips and secrets I’ll be sharing with you.

One year from now, you’ll be looking back and thanking your lucky stars that you signed up for the event. You’ll be so proud of yourself!

Check it out:

http://www.salesdivas.com/HHSC_Live.php

Hugs,

Kim

P.S. Make sure to bring a pile of business cards with you as the connections you’ll make at the event are priceless!

Dazzle This Diva - April 15th Edition

kimduke — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:00:25 +0000

This week’s question is from Dawn Attebery of Dawn Michelle Photo:

Hello!
I am very frustrated about marketing. It seems like everything I try does not work and I can’t figure out why. I am an on-location photographer, which means I go to people’s homes or meet them at a local park or other indoor or outdoor place. I have good relationships with my customers and work very hard to ensure timely delivery as well as a beautiful product. I’m very happy with the quality of my portraits and my clients are happy, too.

I re-structured my prices last year with the help of a photographer in another market.

My problem is that it has been so difficult (and expensive) to get the kind of customer I want: someone who values good photography and hires a photographer every year to get family or children’s portraits made.

I do public speaking and faithfully publish a monthly e-newsletter teaching people how to take better photos (almost 2 years now). I am trying a referral contests with really great prizes (photo sesions and portraits). I donate to local auctions. I’ve tried some print advertising but am now advertising on a mom community type website. I have a big sticker on my back window advertising my business. I attend a lot of networking meetings, read books, visit with marketing consultants. Yes, my business grows a little every year, but it is not steady at all - more like feast or famine - and not where I want it to be.

I am coming up on my 5th year. It seems I spend an inordinate amount of time and energy thinking of ways to make my business better but few of these things have worked well at all. Really, my marketing efforts feel like I’m blindfolded and throwing a dart at a dartboard. Can someone help?

Thank you!

Dawn Attebery
www.DawnMichellePhoto.com

So leave a comment with your answers! We’ll show my response as well as yours, in my ezine NEXT WEEK. And don’t forget to send in a question too.

If you want to see your question featured here, send it to us at: info@salesdivas.com

Dazzle This Diva! April 1st Edition

kimduke — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:00:51 +0000

This week’s question is from Sue Piotrowski of Small Business Support:

Kim,

I hope you and your readers can really help me out here.I had a referral from a local businesswoman to several local marketing and sales companies and after each meeting; each and every one turned me down!

While all agreed the software suite I have is better than what is out there, it seemed a consensus that since I was a woman trying to break into a male dominated, died in the wool, keep things as they are market, it was going to be very very hard to do and not worth their time! I have done cold calling myself and gone out on appointments. I have even gotten as far as the manager agreeing that my software was better, but… they don’t want to change right now, their current vendor is giving money back for using their software, the parent company won’t spend the money right now…How do I get these sales closed? Recently the software has been upgraded to include even more functionality, so I am revising the tri-fold brochures and my business cards. I am planning to start the calling and scheduling appointments again. I want to make Sales!!!! This time around though, what can I do differently?!

Thank you for any and all suggestions you can give me. Your e-notes have already helped me revise how I approach potential clients. I know I am great at computers and software, but selling is definitely new to me. Hopefully I can now just get over this last hurdle!

Sincerely,

Sue Piotrowski
Small Business Support
Crestwood, KY

So leave a comment with your answers! We’ll show my response as well as yours, in my ezine NEXT WEEK. And don’t forget to send in a question too.

If you want to see your question featured here, send it to us at: info@salesdivas.com

Dazzle This Diva! March 18th Edition

kimduke — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:00:49 +0000

This week’s question is from Kevin May of May Flowers & Gifts:

HiKim

I’m so excited & want to double my weddings this year. I have a florist shop in Dallas, Texas. I’ve been in the floral business for 30 years & have been very lucky in booking brides, but this year is showing a change. They don’t know what they want. At the bridal show several brides just had a ring. No date, place etc. This is different from previous years & several vendors mentioned the same thing. Crazy!

My questions are:How do I get the bride to commit to my flowers instead of shopping around? They just want to look at pictures but they don’t know what they want.

I don’t see the bride until she has the bridesmaid’s dresses or at least the color & the location for wedding& reception booked. This has cut out the shoppers.I tried charging a $100 consultation fee if they don’t have a referral but that isn’t working. They just cancel.

I want to stand out from the rest because I do beautiful work & am more about customer service than most of the other florist. Tomorrow I am spending all day away from the shop visiting Hotel reception sites, wedding chapels, dress shops & anyone I’ve worked with in the past, just to keep my face out there.

I appreciate your feed back & always learn something from your emails. I’ve been told I’m the best salesperson but times, they are a changing. Thirty years in the floral business gives me an edge, but I need help. If daddy didn’t have a savings set aside for his little girls wedding, he used to be able to go to the bank & get a loan. Not anymore.

Thank you,
Kevin May

May Flowers & Gifts

Addison, Texas

So leave a comment with your answers! We’ll show my response as well as yours NEXT WEEK. And don’t forget to send in a question too. Thanks Ladies!!

If you want to see your question featured here, send it to us at: info@salesdivas.com