« Why e-mail open rates don't matter | Main
Trying to sell on the Internet
You can hear it in his question; he's stalled out, frustrated, and doesn't know where to get started. He's in the same place as many, looking at the Internet as sales salvation. It's easier to get started than you think ...
Image via Wikipedia
"I have been over 2 years trying to get to sell on line, and I still have no idea on what to do or how to build a site. I also have no idea how to build a list or write a blog." -- John B., Bristol, UK
You begin with who you are and what you already have to offer. But don't fall in love to much with your product. Your key focus needs to be ...
What problems can you already solve for which specific buyer? There is something you've done in your life to this point that's of value to a specific buyer who has money to spend. Perhaps it's something you're passionate about, a profession where you have skill, or something you're already selling.
For me I focus on business development, including copy writing and marketing for technical services businesses because I've sold for and worked with these firms for over a decade professionally.
Experience can come through others. My dad worked 22 years for a welding supply company that had some of the same challenges, or interacted with firm in the technical services field. During a few summers I did work in these types of businesses. I know what problems decision makers face in this category of work.
You choose what's right for you. If you're just trying to make money, then you can get a better job or work more hours. What are you motives, What do you want your business to do for you?
In my contracting experiences I've hired the types of firms I advise in marketing, as well as done business development for them. More importantly, the services I provide are what my clients want to buy.
Finding buyers is more important than anything. For success selling in any channel you need to make a habit of studying your customers desires. Focus on what you can do for someone specific -- if they are on-line, determine what they want to buy on-line first before trying to sell anything on the Internet.
It's also useful to look at the products you've already bought. Some of these materials are utter crap, but others have helped create sure-fire profits in their business.
If you're just getting started, I can help you better knowing what you've tried for the last 2 years and what was the result. You are likely to have had a few successes?
Persistence has it's place, but it's more important to move toward a specific objective following a series of tests. Too many dream about riches on the Internet. Have you modelled what you use off-line to sell on Internet channels?
Sure I've created more questions than answers, the key is to begin where you are and question what you've done to this point.
© 2011 B2B Website Profits, All rights reserved.
Justin Hitt helps business-to-business technical services firms create and keep profitable customers across every sales channel. For practical solutions for increasing sales, completely done for you, visit http://www.HittPublishingDirect.com/
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.jwhco.com/mt5/mt-tb.cgi/894
About
The previous post in this blog was Why e-mail open rates don't matter.
Many more can be found on the main index page or by looking through the archives.