Tag Archive for 'sales'

4 Ways to Increase Sales Through Teleseminars

Published
by
Gail Geronimos
on July 15, 2009
in General
. 4 Comments

Teleseminars are a cost effective way to stimulate sales and improve business communications. Teleseminars connect multiple participants to one phone call, allowing you to contact dozens if not hundreds of prospects.

Here’s what you can achieve…

I interviewed a client of mine during a teleseminar in March. We were flooded with callers but we didn’t get the technology quite right. The technology actually shut people out. AAAAGH! My client came up with a low priced product ($97) and within 24 hours he made $7,470 in sales and got great leads.

What’s a teleseminar?

It’s a call moderated by your company, maybe by the marketing director, where an ‘expert’ is interviewed or makes comment on topical issues that concern your prospects.
You can run a teleseminar where the participants do not actively participate or you can have your audience participate. If there are hundreds on the call then it is not practical to have audience participation.

These phone based seminars are cost effective because they don’t require extra equipment and can be managed from just about anywhere, anytime. There is no need for travel to a specific location.

The host simply plans the seminar, sets up the number and password, and waits for others to dial in and begin the conference. Most people prefer to keep the teleseminar to an hour in length, but this can vary according to the needs of your business.

There are a number of companies that you can use that offer teleseminar services. Look at www.GoToMeeting.com and www.teleconference.com.au.

A Couple of Tips…
•    Promote the teleseminar by email
•    Include the benefits from participating
•    Ask prospects to register so that you know how your numbers are going
•    If it is free make sure you say it is free. That alone will increase your sign ups but your drop out rates will also increase. You need to test pay vs free and monitor registrations vs actual participants
•    Test the system a day before you go live
•    Keep the content moving otherwise it will get boring.

Here are 4 ways to use teleseminars in order to boost your sales and get a jump on the competition.

1.    Relationship Building
Use the time to build relationships with the callers. In a teleseminar you are given the opportunity to offer relevant and topical content that your prospects want to hear about. You have 2 choices:
•    You can have someone from your company deliver the content with a moderator asking questions
•    You can invite in an ‘expert’ to be interviewed by someone from your company.

Because you are providing current information that is useful to your prospects you become ‘real’ to them and not just an impersonal force trying to sell something.

2.    Interview a Client
Use the teleseminar to highlight details about your product or service that goes beyond an ad or written presentation. People react differently to information presented in teleseminar format.

You could interview a client and ask how their company used your products/services and what they achieved as a result. This is a form of testimonial but make sure it is not just a disguised ‘sell’.

3.    Present a Panel Discussion
I have participated on a panel during a teleseminar and I was surprised how effective it really was. I’d stay with no more than 3 panelists and make sure that your moderator can control the discussion. With 4 people on the call it will easily get out of control if you are not careful.

4.    Reward Participants
Use the teleseminar ending to your full advantage. Since you have direct contact with prospects, reward their participation with a bonus or special offer. Your chance of making sales from the conference has just increased. Sweeten the deal by making it worth their while to make a purchase within a certain time frame. Additionally, you may want to consider offering a perk for each caller who connects a friend to the conference.

CALL TO ACTION
Here are some considerations to make when getting started with teleseminars.

  1. Be yourself and allow listeners a chance to get to know you on the call. Keep it casual and informal.
  2. Put a mirror by the phone and a note that says “SMILE” - your listeners will hear that smile in your voice!  Also, be enthusiastic.
  3. Practice your closing before each teleseminar.  It is at the end of your call that you offer a reward to the callers or incentive for making a purchase – so you definitely want to have your closing polished and ready to go.
  4. NOW RUN A TELESEMINAR!

With some planning and a bit of creativity, teleseminars can give your sales the boost you’re seeking.

How to Use Joint Ventures to Increase your Sales

Published
by
Gail Geronimos
on June 24, 2009
in General
. 2 Comments

Here are 3 scenarios where a joint ventures may increase your sales.

1.    You have just developed a new product and it is ready for exposure. While you know your product is fits a market need, you can’t seem to get it off the ground. People just aren’t paying attention.

2.    Your product still needs some testing, but you don’t have the capital needed for that or the forthcoming production. Your new product is sitting on your desk collecting dust instead of rave reviews.

3.    Your business offers a ‘one of a kind service’. No one can handle these details like you can, but for some reason you just can’t seem to connect with the right people who are in need of your service. You’re spinning your wheels, but you know if you can find more help and the right contacts, your business will flourish.

The Solution
These three people are faced with the same problem. They need help to start making sales. They need exposure, resources, and money, but where are they going to find those things?

What they need to find is a Joint Venture Partner (JVP). A JVP can offer assistance in finances, but they can also help with research and development and marketing. They might have the resources or the exposure potential to help get a new product or service into the market.

The Process
While it is helpful to know what you need, where are you going to find a JVP to help make your journey a bit easier? The key is to do your research and make sure that those you contact are reputable and trustworthy.

Know what you are willing to offer your JVP in exchange for their help. Ask around, has your prospective JVP done this before and what return did they expect? Before you contact anyone, make sure you know exactly what you need and the potential of your business.

Finding the right JVP for your business might take some time, but it is time well spent. In some instances, finding a JVP may cost you money in location/membership fees. Again, consider this money well spent if it saves you time.

Read, Read, Read
Know your industry. Read newsletters, journals, articles, and forums that may have information about the advances and product developments. Watch for the names that appear, time and again, as the leaders in your field. While these people may seem out of reach, the important thing is gaining knowledge so that when you have the chance to act, you can act quickly and with confidence.

Head of the Class
Look for people who run successful forums, web sites and newsletters related to your product or service. These people will be able to offer you a large contact base if they choose to support your business. Some of these people will have mailing lists and readerships that reach in the thousands. That is exactly what you are looking for to promote your business and increase sales.

Online Services
There are services online that match up potential JVPs. Some of these are free, but some may charge a fee. Since they are doing all the leg work for you in making the matches, it just might be worth your time and money to consider this an option.

Networking
Nothing beats getting to know the people in your product or service field. Word of mouth has made many businesses successful and it can also lead you directly to the right person to help your business grow.

Consider joining and being involved in any organizations that will aid you in meeting successful people that would be interested in your business. For some larger organizations a membership fee may be charged, but it may be worth the fee to get in closer to people with shared interests.

CALL TO ACTION
How to approach people about joint venture partnerships

1. Consider what you need from a joint venture partnership.  Is it funding that you’re after?  Exposure to new potential customers?  The reason for contacting people about joint venture partnerships will facilitate the type of arrangement you set up.

2. You must make the joint venture partnership attractive to the people you approach.  Think about their businesses and what they need that you might be able to offer in exchange for their help.  Perhaps an ongoing referral program with businesses that have similar target market customers.

3. Join mailing lists and newsletter programs online of leaders in your industry. Keep up with what they’re doing and watch for opportunities to contact them about your idea for a joint venture.

Till next time.

Day 1 of our Internet Marketing Workshop in Brisbane

Published
by
Christian Bowman
on April 3, 2008
in Events
. 2 Comments

Achaeus Internet Marketing Workshop Brisbane

Yesterday was Day 1 of our 2-day Internet marketing workshop at the Bardon Conference Centre in Brisbane.

In a packed house, we had our guest speakers presented to the delegates some new ways of getting the Internet and their websites to generate leads, get traffic and convert to sales. We have delegates from the SME, Government and Non-Profit sectors and in multiple industries.

We had Gail Geronimos Introduce the event, Andrew and Daryl Grant were our Keynote speakers and talked about how the transition from traditional marketing to Internet Marketing has helped them. Sue Gardiner talked about copywriting for Internet Marketing. We had Matt and Amanda Clarkson who has developed an eBay business share their story. Barnaby De Palma from Alive online talked about Blogging, Social networks and SEO.

I’ll be speaking today (Day 2) about technology, automation, SPAM and metrics  along with Monte Huebsch from AussieWeb Conversion who will be talking about Google Adwords, Meyrick Adams from Gen3 Media talk about his Email marketing solution. West Loh will be introducing online outsourcing options. Then Andrew and Daryl Grant will discuss Internet Strategy to be concluded with Gail Geronimos on “Putting it all together”

I’ve been rehearsing my talk, I’m covering quite a bit and when it comes to technology, it’s important to be succinct as possible. My job is to help the delegates understand how technology can help instead of confusing them with jargon and detail.

If you are at the workshop today, I’d love your comments, not only on my talk, but also my fellow speakers.