And ohhhhh boyyyy – I had some amazing customers!  (In fact, some of them were GIGANTIC)

In my first few years of selling …I was STOKED by these HUGE clients and I spent most of my time on them.  I was lunching with big-time advertising agencies and loving every minute of it.

(This of course, led me to make the BIGGEST MISTAKE I ever made in selling…it was like I was about to collapse in a hole and DIDN’T KNOW IT)

My Biggest Mistake?

I forgot about the “littler guys.”

The smaller companies/people who had significant money to spend but they weren’t as sexy and glamorous as the BIG MONEY I was making from the large corporations and ad agencies.

In fact, the “old boys club” really encouraged you to DROP the “little guys” and only focus on the biggest accounts.

Until of course…..something happened to one or MORE of those big accounts ie/ They switched to a new network, your connection was fired or jumped ship, they shut down a division, they went bankrupt etc.

You get the picture.  And pretty soon my BIG CLIENTS shriveled and sizzled down to nothing and I was in full-scale panic mode!

Because when you were in straight commission sales as I was….no money means no food on the table.  Eeek!

Are You Making One of These 2 BIG Mistakes?

I learned a hard lesson all those years ago and from that moment on – I always made sure to have different levels of customers in my “pipeline”. (Remember -in order to make a turkey sandwich – you need some bread and butter and NOT just the turkey!)

I’d bet you’re either focusing all your efforts on:

• A few, big-scale customers. (You don’t have ANY “littler guys”)
• Many, too-small customers (who put together wouldn’t give you enough money to buy a sandwich.)

What can I say? DON’T DO IT.

Relying on just a few large accounts makes you very vulnerable.

Relying on too-small customers who can barely pay anything makes you exhausted.

You need a mixture of large and medium (A medium is a “littler guy” to me)

Remember – “littler companies” have a tendency to ALSO GROW into bigger companies too!

My Diva Dare Question For You?

Are you well-positioned with your customer base or are you on “shaky ground?” with only a few heavy-weights or a kazillion puny customers?

Time to figure it out lady.

So there.

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!

When I was a kid – my mom didn’t buy my sister and me 2 boxes of Smarties.

Oh no.

She’d buy ONE BOX and say…

“Share it.”

(I think it was her sneaky way to improve our counting skills.)

And when little kids sit down at the table to split something like a box of Smarties they say…

“ONE for you.

And ONE for me.”

Are You A Smartie At Negotiating?

I’ve observed something over the years.

Most women SUCK at negotiating.

Whether it’s buying from someone or selling something of your own…negotiating probably makes you feel a little “cheesy.”

You probably fall into one of 2 categories:

1. ALL MINE. You aren’t going to give up ANYTHING to get the deal.  Not one inch. (And P.S…you’ve lost some big opportunities because of it.)
2. TAKE ALL OF MINE. You don’t want to LOSE the deal so you give away everything hoping they’ll choose you.  (The problem lady-is that you’re left with nothing.)

The BEST Negotiating Phrase EVER?

Remember – the number one rule of negotiating is that BOTH parties should feel satisfied.

The SECOND rule of negotiating?  In order to give a little – you have a get a little back.

Are You Ready For The BEST Negotiating Phrase?

It’s simple.

The customer you’d love to have (remember we never negotiate with people we don’t want) asks:

“I want /need____________.”

You say:

“We/I can provide (REPEAT WHAT CUSTOMER ASKED FOR) ,

HOWEVER, this is what we/I would need from you in order to make that happen:

Ie/ Specific number of units sold

Guaranteed contract over x amount of months

If the customer is asking for something too crazy for you to consider – you say:

“I’d love to help you with ________________, HOWEVER we can best help you with __________________.”

Get the picture?

In negotiating you have to split the Smarties.  You can get what you want and so can the customer.

Negotiating requires a plan.

So don’t be too rigid or too easy the next time you need to negotiate.

Remember – SMARTIE sales women know to eat the red ones last.

And make sure to send me a comment and tell of one of your negotiation success stories (or flops)!

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!

I laughed out loud (OK – I think I actually SNORTED) and the guy beside me looked at me with a smile and a raised eyebrow.

With a smirk I said…

“You’ve got to be a woman to really appreciate this advertisement!”

Muffin Top

The dreaded spillage caused from wearing too tight pants.

It’s your basic nightmare.

But being the strange sales coach that I am…I immediately thought…

“Hmmmm….most women are experiencing MUFFIN TOP SALES!”

So What The Heck Are Muffin Top Sales??

Well cupcake…just as we’re responsible for creating muffin-tops in our jeans – you’re also responsible for creating Muffin Top Sales.

They occur when you’re trying to make sales:

• Wearing rates that are too tight
• Accepting too many clients that pay the tight rate
• Seeing spillage because there isn’t any room in your business ie/not enough time, money or even room for new and better customers.

How Do You BANISH Muffin Top Sales?

You know me as your bossy Sales Diva.

Well my clients know me as the..

“Super-Bossy-Sales-Manager-Who-Made-Me-Increase-My-Rates-
And-Drop-Bad-Customers”

You’ve got to push away from the table lady.

Whether you work for yourself or for someone else – you can still have Muffin Top Sales.

You’re overloading yourself with clients who don’t pay enough.  (And you let them.)

The only growth you’ll see from these customers will be the increased demands on your time.

Will You Accept My Sales Diva Dare Sales Tip?

It’s time to get rid of the Muffin Top.

Go through your client list and identify your Bottom 20%.

You know.  The clients who pay the least, expect the most and who take up the bulk of your time.  They’re costing you money in a big, big way.

The clients who aren’t going to grow WITH you.

And make sure you drop me a line letting me know how you DROPPED your Muffin Top Sales!

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!

She’d call the house around 9 am (that’s as LATE as we were allowed to sleep in) and she’d say…

“Your “Cinderellies List” is waiting for you and your sister.
Make sure to have it all done by the time I’m home at noon.”

So for those of you who didn’t have a “Cinderellies List” as I did…here’s what I’m talking about.

My mom would have a BIG piece of paper waiting on the kitchen table which said…

“Good Morning Cinderellies!” (Her twisted version of Cinderella)

“Here’s the list of what has to be done today – if you FIGHT – you ALSO have to mow the grass and wash the car:”

• Make a pan of brownies
• Vacuum
• Dust
• Clean bathrooms
• Wash 2 loads of laundry
• Take the garbage out
• Have lunch ready

Love, Mom

Yikes.  We VERY QUICKLY chose the list that was less work.

So what can my MOM teach YOU about selling?

Compare Something BIG to Something Smaller

I’d bet when a customer asks you about YOUR pricing you start with the LOWEST amount and then offer a range ie/ We have packages STARTING at $99

Uh oh.  You need a lesson from my mom.  Because remember – what your customer (or your kids) will remember – is what you SAY FIRST.  My mom positioned washing the car and mowing the lawn IMMEDIATELY as the big comparison – it made the rest of the list LOOK EASY!

You ALWAYS position your products or services in COMPARISON to something else. (Sometimes even what a competitor is usually charging)

Show the VALUE of what you normally charge.  Show what you’d normally charge per hour.  Show what the retail value is.

Your Diva Assignment this week is to review your rates and pricing.  Are you positioning expensive products without COMPARING it to something EVEN MORE expensive? Or you’re having a sale but you don’t compare it to anything?

Fix it.

So there.

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!

Good Day Bossy Diva

Must say I am a HUGE fan of your weekly emails.

I actually just started over a month ago a new business venture. So far with much success. I basically am helping women from the bedroom to the bank literally. I do in home parties for many occasions which fits right in with my party planning passion I have.

I have had a couple of my own parties at my home. but was wondering what the best method would be to attract my potential clients and consultants? I want to grow my business not maintain it.

I have heard people doing the trade shows. Are they effective? I have heard yes and no.Or networking myself in the community and handing out my business cards everywhere I go.

I am just trying to reach my level 2. I need to get outside my comfort zone in order to achieve this level I am aware of that and have little fear about it, but I am worried about wasting my time and money on things that don’t work.

Please any advice on what you think may be the most successful route for me to take on this one would be so appreciated.

Your Party Gal
Pamela Goyette
www.mypassiondream.com

Share your advice with Pamela (and ME!!) in the comments. I’d love to hear your thoughts on whether trade shows work for you.

I’ll be speaking at Gratitude Stationers ‘Glamour & Great Things’,  in Edmonton.  It will be an evening of extraordinary sales training that will transform your entire business. Get ready to be inspired and left spinning with great tips and secrets.

Check it out.

P.S. Come prepared with tons of business cards – you just never know the connections you will make!

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!

Boys who happen to love the cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants.

I have to tell you – I can’t stand SpongeBob SquarePants.
(Too much yelling)

However, the power of TV being what it is…as I was visiting with my friend, the other part of my brain was also randomly listening to dear SpongeBob.

And on one of his adventures he blurted out…

“I smell the smelly smell of something that smells smelly!!”

As a writer – I LOVE that line!

And as your bossy Sales Diva – I love it even more.

Do You Smell The Smelly Smell Of Something That Smells Smelly?

I can smell it from here actually.

There’s currently something in your business and sales that is…..

…OFF. Like something in your vegetable crisper that now resembles SOUP.

Maybe you know what it is.

You probably don’t.

But what you do know is that lately you’ve been smelling and feeling that there’s a

“Smelly Smell of Something That Smells Smelly!” in your business.

And lady – you’ve got to dig it out and find out what’s bothering you. You can’t avoid it any longer.

Success in selling isn’t just about attracting customers and selling them stuff.

A huge chunk of selling is STAYING FOCUSED and cleaning out what no longer works for you. (Because it’s starting to rot!)

Perhaps you need to…

• Focus on attracting some NEW clients
• Find a new supplier as your current one is dropping the ball
• Release a client who no longer fits your business (and they’re driving you nuts)
• Drop a product/service line or add a new one.
• Adjust your rates – as in INCREASE THEM
• Freshen your marketing strategy (please don’t say “What marketing strategy?”)
• Open the doors to new networking and promotional opportunities
• Attract some new powerful, strategic alliances
• Send to the garbage dump those OLD BELIEFS about selling

Listen. Something is STALE, SMELLY and STINKY and deep down you probably know what it is.

If you want 2010 to be the KICK BUTT year I know you want it to be, then you need to be willing to KICK OUT what “smells” in your business.

SpongeBob and I want to hear what you KNOW smells in your biz right now – send us a note on my blog!

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!

What are your thoughts on social networking advertising (Facebook etc)? and what are the best ways to take advantage of these types of sites?

Thanks

Sylvia
ScrapbookingOasis.com – www.scrapbookingoasis.com
Independent Rep for Lovable Labels – sylvia.lovablelabels.ca

Share your advice with Sylvia (and ME!!) in the comments!

Your question could be featured here! Send your sales and marketing questions to me now at info@salesdivas.com. Make sure you you include your name AND website!

Three years ago I started cross country skiing. It’s an incredible work-out, the scenery is stunning and the hot tub afterward is pure heaven! (Plus I look really cute in my outfit)

A few weeks ago I skied 8 kilometres. (5 miles)  My boyfriend who is Super Athlete said “OK – we rocked the 8 km – next week let’s do 16 km.”

Stubborn, competitive fool that I can sometimes be, I said with a smile…

“You got it!”

Sunday rolled in with turquoise skies and the trees were covered with white frosting (it looked like something from Chronicles of Narnia).

As I was gliding along for the first 8 km, I thought with an evil grin …

“Hmmpf – this is a piece of cake!”

Then something happened.

At 10 km I started to feel a little grumpy. “How much longer?”

• 11 km.  I started to grumble. “Who cares about stupid frosting on trees anyway?”
• 12 km.  An old man with an apple-doll face whipped past me.  “My ass hurts!”
• 13 km.  “Cross country skiing is man’s worst invention.”
• 14 km.  “I hate my boy-friend and he’s going to pay for suggesting this!”
• 15 km.  “I’ve officially hit the wall.  But I WILL NOT QUIT. Besides who’s going to drag me out of the frozen back-country?” My bottom lip wants to quiver.
• 16 km.  I slowly skied over to the parking lot where my beloved was waiting.  I was a huffing, puffing, red-faced, sweaty disaster and definitely NOT feeling cute.

“You did it Kim!!”

I held up one grouchy finger and said “You can’t talk to me for 10 minutes.”

Why?

I was writing this article in my head of course!

Have YOU Hit The Wall?

I’ve been in sales for over 20 years.  I’ve sold millions and one thing I know for sure is that there WILL be times when you HIT THE WALL.

You’ll feel stuck.

You’ll feel broke.

You’ll feel indecisive.

You’ll wonder why NOTHING is working.

You’ll wonder why customers aren’t buying.

You’ll also wonder why you’re not making the money you deserve.

You will want to quit.

You will want to run.

You will want to back-out.

My Bossy Sales Diva Advice?

Keep going.  Try a new approach.  Ask for help.  Invest in yourself. PRESS ON.

Success is closer than you think.

Later I was relaxing in the hot tub with a beer and Clamato juice (that’s a Canadian mixture for you), once again enjoying my “frosted trees.”  My 16 km misery seemed soooooo far behind me.  Then a BIG SMILE crossed my face.

I realized I had pushed myself 100% further.  A 100% increase in distance in 2 hours.

Was it painful? Yes.

Was it easy? No.

Was it worth it? Absolutely.

Of course you know what’s coming next.

I’m pushing for 20 km this week! (And look out apple-doll man!)

My Diva Dare To You?

What are you going to push yourself to do so you can GET OVER THE WALL that currently has you blocked?

Send me a note on my blog – I’d love to hear what you’ve done!

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!