Phone Sales Considered

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AppId is over the quota

Some might condemn phone sales, but I assure you they are by far the smartest form of creating and initiating business transactions. Think of it this way, they are green in that no one is driving around and spewing carbon into the air, creating traffic, or wasting energy. Additionally, if someone isn't interested they simply explain this and the call ends and it's noted, saving everyone a lot of time, effort, and money, thus more profit for all parties concerned.

Phone sales are also completely efficient in every regard, and the interactive process of asking questions, giving details, and explaining products and services gets to the essence of basic communication. It is for this reason that phone sales especially business to business make sense all the way around, thus, I am a proponent. Indeed, while running my company we sent out marketing and sales teams to every city we set up a franchise in, some 450 cities we served in all, so that's a lot of leg work, and the phone was a key element in making that happen for our franchisees.

Now then, there are some challenges with telemarketing and teleselling, just as there is with junk mail and SPAM as well. So, I am not about to defend nonsensical sales practices, in fact, critique them pretty hard when asked about the topic. If you are into sales, you need a constant supply of reading material to keep your mind 100% in the game to win. Perhaps, get a hold of some books or eBooks on the topic, fast-paced books which are quick, simple, and easy to read.

Why? Because a sales person must stay in the flow of techniques and strategies to move the sales process forward. Anyone can gab away on the telephone, but that's not enough to make you a good phone salesperson. Indeed, being able to hold a conversation, or capture someone's attention for a long period of time might be great to make new Facebook friends, but when it comes to business and productivity - time is money and wasting your time and the other party's time - well, that's just not funny, nor is it a noble cause.

Lastly, you do not need to use super tricky tactics to get someone to buy, nor should you EVER tell a falsehood, rather you should listen to their needs, wants, desires, and determine if you can legitimately solve their problems, if you can explain how, and then kindly ask for the order. Yes, there is more to it than that, but, then again this article is only the beginning of your journey into the world of teleselling isn't it?

Lance Winslow has launched a new provocative series of eBooks on Sales and Selling. Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank; http://www.worldthinktank.net/

Is Asking Permission to Call Someone - The New Norm for Social Business Networking?

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AppId is over the quota

The other day, I was talking on an Internet forum which was a discussion group attached to one of those social business networking websites. After talking to one individual back and forth, I went on to a different category to have another conversation about something else. As I was finishing up that conversation, the individual from the first exchange of information called me on the phone to talk to me in person.

Apparently he had looked up my information online, and took it upon himself to call me right then and there. The reality is, I really didn't feel like talking to him on the phone, and I thought it was fairly forward of him to assume that I wanted to, okay so let's talk about this for second shall we? What is the proper etiquette and protocol for contacting someone by phone after talking to them online on a social network? Remember, things have changed a lot.

Just because you are talking to someone doesn't mean they want to be your friend, or even care to talk to you ever again. Perhaps the reason they are engaging in this type of communication online is so that they can have someone to kick their ideas around with, but they aren't necessarily looking for a business connection, new friend, or wanting to take that conversation to another level.

In fact, I would submit to you that most people who participate in online forums wish to express their opinion, set the record straight for someone else's opinion, learn new information about an industry or topic, answer questions, and ask questions. However, they may not be looking for someone to physically connect with, and really a phone call is one step away from a personal meeting.

Likewise, far too many salesmen use these Internet forums to attempt to find potential buyers for their products and services, or worse, they are trying to sell you on a multilevel marketing scheme. Therefore, often they are taken aback if you call them up without asking permission first. Indeed, it seems to be the new norm that if you are talking to someone online, and want to talk to them further, that you invite them to call you, or you suggest that maybe in the future at some point that you initiate a telephone conversation.

Taking it one step further without such understanding is akin to impeding on someone's personal space was standing behind them at the ATM. Folks must understand that talking online with someone is not the same as talking on the phone, or meeting someone in person. And they should also understand that some people communicate online for a reason, and that's as far is they are willing to take it. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.

Lance Winslow has launched a new provocative series of eBooks on Sales Concepts. Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank; http://www.worldthinktank.net/