Everybody’s Buying! But Nobody’s Selling

I could go into some lengthy explanation about what I mean with “Sell Stuff Online” but the truth of the matter is, it’s as simple as it sounds. Doesn’t it make sense that if the goal of the building blocks is to double your sales then I would encourage you to find as many ways as possible to make those sales? Of course it does.

I am going to get into a few details, though. Selling stuff online can be as easy or complex as you want to make it. For the sake of doubling your sales, we’re going to focus on the complex methods. However…and this is really important…complex does not mean confusing or difficult. It simply means that there are several aspects of online sales, and I want you to incorporate as many of them as you can.

Everybody’s Buying! But Nobody’s Selling 

Look, if you are in the business to make money,  you need to make it. Online sales are a great source of capital. There is money sitting out there, waiting to be made…on the Internet.

 Since 2006 online shopping has increased by 50 %!

In 2006 alone, over $100 billion worth of e-commerce sales took place. That is an outrageous amount of money. But maybe it doesn’t sound so outrageous once you discover that over 50 million consumers shop online. That’s 50 million people waiting for the opportunity to spend their money through the Internet. Consider how much range that gives you.

Some studies show that online shopping has increased by as much as  50% over the last year.
The growth is phenomenal, and the reach of customers is absolutely amazing. Every day there are millions of consumers on the Internet ready to make a purchase if they find something worthwhile. So, what is the small business owner doing? Sitting on their mainstream sales tactics apparently.

Despite the possibilities for online sales, only 3% of small businesses are currently selling  their products and services online. 3 percent! Where is your competition? What are they doing? If they’re selling online, they’re laughing at you for not selling online. If they’re not, they’re providing you with the best opportunity for sales domination that you have ever been handed in your life!

It’s a nice thought, isn’t it? Nice to think that you might be the only one branching out and capitalizing on the online consumer community. That is why you need to get in and get selling online--right now!

Currently, you are ahead of the competition. The same study that determined only 3% of small businesses sell online, also determined that 42% of small businesses believe e-commerce would have no impact on their business. Advantages don’t get any more clear than that. This is one of the few areas you can stop asking, “What is my competition doing?” and start reacting because you KNOW your competitors are not selling online.

Because of the simplicity and convenience of the Internet, the online consumer community is expected to increase--perhaps until everything is done online.

Consumers want convenience. They want speed. That’s why they are going to shop online. They want to search for, price out, and compare products through the Internet. Which works very well to your advantage. If there is nothing else for them to compare to, you are the default product. Congratulations to you for learning to use the Internet as a small business tool.

 © 2008 By Clate Mask

WOW! Them with Relationship Selling so Let’s wrap it up

Adding an instantaneous up-sell is an easy process. The cross sell is as simple as knowing what your customers want. And recurring revenue continues to provide you with more income without having to continuously sell and resell. But there is one more aspect of “Flip Your Funnel” that we must consider to maximize the value of this building block.

You must always be giving your customer a reason WHY they should be buying from you. And why they need to keep buying from you. This is where you employ the targeted, marketing campaigns again.

Robert Allen, famed real estate investor said, “No matter what your product is, you are ultimately
in the education business. Your customers need to be constantly educated about the many
advantages of doing business with you, trained to use your products more effectively, and taught
how to make never ending improvements in their lives.”

Let’s wrap it up!

Selling should continue indefinitely. View every selling situation with a goal to maximize the results. Zig Ziglar said, “Timid salespeople have skinny children.” Be bold. The worst outcome is your customers saying no.

When you flip your funnel, you’re flipping the cash machine. You have an entire funnel of people that are waiting for you to make them a cherished customer so they can give you their hard earned money.

And I am going to show you more ways to get that money in the next chapter!

 © 2008 By Clate Mask

The Rewards of Recurring Revenue

Here’s another idea for you to consider. If you truly want a customer for life, you need to “sign them up” for life. Create a monthly subscription, membership, club, or any number of other possible revenue sources. Once you have a “monthly product”…sell your customers on the idea.

If you’ve successfully converted your customers into raving fans, they’ll jump at the chance to be one of your exclusive customers. They’ll gladly agree to pay for future products or services.
Because they know you’ll deliver! And you’ll get a regular payment. So, why not do the job of
selling once, and reap the benefits of consistent, repeated income?

With recurring revenue opportunities--you are on the right side of human behavior. After all, no matter how much your customers love you, no one wants to be sold to. And, by providing a recurring revenue possibility, the selling is done. They said yes once, but that “yes” is going to pay you over and over again. And, you don’t have to be constantly asking for another sale.

At this point, you’re probably thinking, “Well that’s a great plan for magazines and utility companies. But, I own a Laundromat. How can I generate recurring revenue?”

There is always a way to set up a routine service or product. If you’re a Laundromat, begin offering weekly, or biweekly pick-up services (that your customers pay for-even on weeks they have nothing to give you.)

Sell your newsletter. Start a “members-only” blog or forum. Put together a value-embedded DVD or CD each month. (You’ve heard of the “Fruit of the Month” club, right?) Just don’t miss your chance to build your bank account on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis. 

 © 2008 By Clate Mask

The Subliminal Logic of the Upsell let me explain for you

It’s impossible to go to a fast food restaurant without having someone ask you if you would like to “Supersize That.” Once that happens, it’s like an invisible force is speaking to the irrational side of our brains. We have a brief moment of logic as we figure out--59 cents more, for double the food, is a great value. But that is the full extent of our logical power. Afterwards, irrationality steps in and rather than consider if we can even eat double the food, we pat ourselves on the back for being a smart consumer.
This is the very purpose behind coupon distribution. If you are standing in front of the canned beans in a grocery store, and there is a coupon attached to each can, how many cans of beans are you going to buy? You only needed one. But there’s that consumer logic at work again. “30 cents off is a great bargain! I’m
buying five cans!” And you go home with more beans than you could possibly need, but a receipt that shows your “savings.” What a deal!
 
Too many times small business owners tell me they don’t up-sell because they don’t want to anger their customers. I cringe when I hear that. You always have to put yourself in the consumer’s shoes. If, after buying a product, someone suggests you upgrade, do you get angry?
No. Now, if you pester the person until they run away from you screaming, then you have a problem. But if you ask and cater to that “bargain” mentality, they’ll either tell you no or they’ll upgrade and thank you for such a wonderful deal.

Think of how many places you see the up-sell attempt. Fast food restaurants want you to supersize. Retailers want you to purchase extended warranty protection. Car rental companies give you your choice of a dozen upgraded insurance options. And no one gets mad.

 © 2008 By Clate Mask

Cross Selling Simplicity in your online business

Chances are good that you have more than one product or service. Those that are wise, take the time to promote their other products. In “Win Lifelong Customers” we talked about sending out targeted marketing campaigns. What if in that campaign you said something along these lines:

Dear Customer,
Recently you purchased product X. Product X is a phenomenal product. But you know, it’s not the only thing that can fill your needs and wants. I think product Y is a good match for you, also.

If you’ve ever been a Netflix customer, you’ve seen this idea in action. When browsing through
the selection of movies, there is a sidebar that says, “Customers who choose this movie also
enjoyed…” Bam! Suddenly there are a dozen more movies for the customer to consider. The consumer adds one or two movies to their wish list until, in an effort to get to them all, they choose to have three movies sent at one time instead of two.

This same technique is used on Amazon, Columbia House, and a million other places. But it’s not just online where this technique is successfully employed. Cross selling can be done by anyone in any situation.

By keeping a customer database, as discussed in previous chapters, you will be able to simply,
and effectively cross sell to your customers. Because you know what they’ll buy. You know what
interests them, and you know what they won’t be able to resist. Dangle M&Ms in the face of a
chocolate lover, and they’ll respond. Offer them carrots, and they may not even turn their heads.
But they will thank you profusely for giving them the chance to eat M&M’s.

Are you the type of company that thanks customers for their purchase,
crosses your fingers, and hope they’ll come back again? Small businesses
do not have the luxury of hoping. If you’ve built a relationship with a customer,
they’ll want to buy from you again. All you need to do is give them a
push in the right direction.

 © 2008 By Clate Mask