I’m happy to say that recently a number of past clients have contacted and hired me again to help them with this very question, to get down pat the skills, strategies, motivations and action plans needed to make it happen. That’s always a wonderful sign and feeling.

I like to help my clients set up a system that involves online and offline networking, getting exposure as an expert in their field, and using various client attraction methods to really put the fun back into marketing and sales.

I recommend people find ways to engage past, current and future clients in ways that really resonate with them as individuals and appeal to their target client. Provide lots of helpful info – create newsletters or teleclasses, speak at events, organize networking gatherings, use Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Meetup, partner up with others that share the same target audience, and join a “leads” group.

Connect and build relationships based on mutual interests and joint benefits. It’s all there for the taking, and it can be a very enjoyable and rewarding experience!

If you would like more info on any of these ideas, please feel free to ask me. I’d be happy to help.

All the best,
Jason
Jason@DistinctiveCoaching.com 
773.829.1276

Helpful links:
http://bit.ly/dcsnsr – Social Networking Special Report
http://www.AchieveYourIdealBusiness.com – 5 Easy Steps to Grow Your Business

“I don’t know about the rest of you but I have decided to stop boring my prospects and wasting their time. Before my next sales call I will have at least 12 reserve question topics to use when the prospect gets silent. What I am doing currently is wait until things get silent the start showing brochures and product dumping…”

This is an interesting question, and I know a lot of entrepreneurs feel this way when they are making lead generation calls, having coffee while networking or giving sales presentations.

Here was my reply and advice on this question:

Hi,

Kudos on the idea for preparing 12 questions for your next sales call.

What I would recommend instead of waiting to use them for when the prospect gets silent, is to start with them.

This is what I work on with my own clients to greatly increase their sales effectiveness and close rates. Also, from a personal stand-point, I hate it when someone is trying to sell me something and assumes that I have no background or clue about what they’re talking about. They take 10 – 15 minutes of my time to “educate me” on stuff I already know or don’t take the time to find out my previous experiences or perceptions. This is a big turn-off, and even if I really have some interest, they probably have already blown the sale with me.

As a sales pro, you want to ask lots of questions, get them talking. Have them talk about their pains, their desires, their wants, their needs. Ask them about problems they’ve had and experiences they want to top.

Ideally, they should be talking 80% of the time. After they have given you all the info they can think of and relate to, and qualifying and pre-selling themselves in the process, then it’s your turn talk and be the answer to all their prayers.

Just make sure you are being truthful and can deliver on all you promise.

Good luck on the next call! And please let me know if I can answer any questions or ever be of assistance in any way.

All the best, and no more Zzzzzzzzzzzzz…..’s :)

Jason
http://www.AchieveYourIdealBusiness.com

First, I would like to say ’Congrats’ on the new business! That’s great that you want to use your gift of mathematical skills to help others.

There are lots of options to drum-up leads for home-based businesses and convert those to sales.

Where are you located, and who do you want to tutor? Those might influence some of what you choose to do. You can have a good mix of in-person, on the phone and online activities such as social networking.

Speaking to classes and providing math and homework tips to students that are your potential clients might be a couple of easy-to-do and effective strategies.

Here is a list of ways that I help my small business clients to market themselves, create marketing and lead-generation systems. Some of these might work for you:

o _____  Networking Events / Meetings / Organizations
o _____  Lead Capturing from your Website
o _____  Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Meetup
o _____  Articles / Newsletters – in hard copy
o _____  Ezine / Blog
o _____  Co-Registration List Building
o _____  Joint Ventures, Affiliate Programs
o _____  Teleclasses
o _____  Email Campaigns
o _____  Speaking Engagements, Workshops
o _____  Referrals
o _____  Media Exposure
o _____  Cold Calling
o _____  Paid/Barter Advertising

I recommend you pick three to five methods that you enjoy the most, come up with a strategy and system for each, and then be very persistent with executing them. You can tweak your strategies as you find what works best for you.

For more in-depth on the Social Networking strategies, here is a step-by-step guide for Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Meetup:
http://www.distinctivecoaching.com/social-networking-special-report/

I hope these ideas help!

All the best,
Jason

http://www.DistinctiveCoaching.com/Social-Networking-Special-Report

Here’s what some people are saying about it…

“Jason, I love this report! I have been having a hard time figuring out Twitter and your report has done wonders for me. Thank you. Is it ok for me to share the link with others?
Continue the wonderful work!”
- Sheila E.

“I just read your report on social networking. I could relate to some of the same frustrations! lol Enjoyed reading the tips. Thanks!”
- Nancy B.

 ”Thanks for sharing the link. One of the better summaries on using social media/networks for business owners.”
- Brett T.

“Hi Jason,  This guide seems really interesting and goes right along with the training topic we just had. Why don’t you also post this info to the group? I think that audience would really benefit from this too.
Thanks!”
- Frankie G.

“Nice! I can definitely use some of these ideas. This makes a lot of sense for marketing. I can tell my sales are really going to take off now!”
- Shawn T.

“Jason, great report – sure opened my eyes. I could use this help.”
- Jim W.

“Jason, Hope you don’t mind…I posted your Special Report to my wall, encouraging all to forward it to their business friends who don’t yet ‘get’ the importance of social media… ’Pass this article along to your business friends not yet on FB, Twitter, et al – Thanks to Jason Rosado’ ”
- Geoff M.

“Wow… Thanks for sharing this!”
- Susan M.

http://www.DistinctiveCoaching.com/Social-Networking-Special-Report

I am a huge believer in networking and “mutually beneficial marketing”! I write articles, give teleclasses and live seminars. These are all forms of marketing and gaining exposure, but the goal isn’t to sell someone on something, but rather to provide useful, insightful info from my own experiences.

And now I am benefitting from the social networking arena – mostly Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Meetup and Ning – where they can all come together. So here is my take:

Successful online networking is not much different than in-person networking: Build your personal and business brand into a cohesive message and attractive experience.

The key to great networking is to develop relationships by:
• Connecting
• Finding common ground
• Being service oriented
• Providing great value – resources, content, ideas or connections

By doing all these, people can get to know you and at the same time enhance themselves and their business, while you expect nothing in return.

And the key to turning people off right away and therefore NEVER being able to make a sale:
• Beat them over the head with your sales pitch

People need to know, like and trust you.

Helping others without expectation is the easiest way to get that accomplished. Plus, others will be drawn to you as you truly are, not as some marketing guru wrote webpage copy to “spin” the real you. This starts off the relationship on the right foot, as people will know what to expect from you.

These are my philosophies, and they have worked very well. Here are two recent articles about online and offline networking strategies and skills here:

“10 Holiday Networking Tips”
www.tinyurl.com/Networking10Tips

“How can I use Twitter to draw business to my website?”
www.tinyurl.com/7dpqrm

Good luck, and please feel free to connect so we can help each other. :)

All the best,
Jason

P.S. If you ever want to check out what free teleclasses and workshops I have coming up on these topics, just go to www.DistinctiveCoaching.com/events.htm

Jason E. Rosado
Business Coach

Helping self-directed and self-managed professionals achieve your ideal business in 12 months or less. Ready to start? Sign up for your FREE “Business Success E-Series”!

773.829.1276
Jason@DistinctiveCoaching.com

Website: http://www.AchieveYourIdealBusiness.com
Blog: http://blog.DistinctiveCoaching.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BizCoachJason
Facebook Group: http://groups.to/IdealBusinessCommunity