What’s the Objective of Your 1st Sales Appointment?

Sales are a tough industry. If you're not sure how to get the job done, you're going to find yourself falling far behind the competition. One of the best ways to solidify your lead and put you in position for success is by doing your research on what makes a winning sales conversation and creating an effective first meeting with a prospect.

One of the key factors to sales success is the first meeting. Although it may be difficult to understand how important this meeting is, it's a vital part of your sales process. This initial interaction can set the tone for the future of a relationship and it will serve as an indicator of how well you present yourself and your company. With so many factors to consider, you should take into account every option at your disposal so you know what to expect when meeting with your prospect for the first time.

First Meeting: The Objective

Before you have your first meeting with a prospect, you need to make sure it's done in a way that will put you and your business in the best position possible to succeed. Although each sales situation is going to vary, there are certain things you can do or avoid doing to ensure the results and outcomes lead you in the right direction.

Your objective for this initial meeting is simple. You want to construct an environment where your prospect feels comfortable getting to know more about your company. One of the easiest ways of crafting this type of relationship is by starting out with an idea that already has their interest.

An easy way to start is by facilitating an introduction of your prospect to a client you've worked with in the past. This can be more advantageous than it sounds, as the prospect may have questions regarding the interactions they had with the client and will most likely want to ask your opinion on how it went.

There are also a few other ways you can get your prospects attention and demonstrate value right away. One good example is by giving them an advice sheet that has been specifically designed for their industry. This will create an easy opportunity for them to ask you questions and get you involved in their thinking process.

Asking Questions

The most important part of this initial meeting is asking questions. You want to get your prospect engaged and interested, so use open-ended questions to generate an interactive conversation.

Once you have the prospect talking, it is a good idea to listen and make sure they are gaining value from the meeting. You can accomplish this by asking them questions relating to their goals or any situations your or your business has been in that may be similar to what they are going through.

The biggest mistake most sales people make is being too aggressive with their questioning and wanting to get across as much information as possible on why their products stand out over the competition. You don't want them to feel like your entire presentation was about you. Be balanced and build a partnership with the prospect that is equal in terms of communication.

Your goal is to get your prospect interested enough that they'll want to talk with you again. By practicing some of the tips above, you can have an initial meeting that lays the foundation for a long-term relationship with a valuable client.

If you'd like more information on sales techniques, or other marketing trends and developments, please feel free to visit http://www.ultimateadviceforbusinesssuccess.com . If you'd like to schedule a coaching session via Skype or phone, fill out the simple form on my site and I'll get back to ASAP!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nina_J._Horton

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Title: How Has Digital Marketing Changed the Way You Do Business?

MORE INDUSTRIES ARE incorporating digital marketing into their overarching marketing strategy and understanding exactly how to use it to benefit their production, communication, and promotion of goods and services. The reason for this is simple—the internet has drastically changed the way that consumers find and consume goods and services. As a result of these changes, new strategies are required in order to successfully market a business in the digital age. Traditionally, businesses that wanted to reach out to customers would use print marketing techniques like television, radio, billboards and newspaper ads. While these marketing methods still exist, digital marketing has become a powerful force in the marketplace.

Most businesses that use digital marketing techniques are doing so to create a positive brand image. When people see your company's name or logo online, they will begin to associate it with your business. Many businesses want to become popular and well-known through online exposure. According to The Online Marketing Institute, 72 percent of companies using digital media for their marketing saw an increase in profits .

Digital marketing is also a great way for businesses to instantly reach out to potential customers and establish a relationship before meeting them face-to-face. Through social media channels like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, you can introduce yourself directly to potential customers without having physical interaction . This is an easy way for companies to create a brand and gain followers.

A 2012 study of 5,000 respondents by Adobe found that 72 percent of people have made digital purchases based on social media recommendations, with other studies finding that digital marketing actually gives consumers more time to think about the options available to them. The most common reason people give for using digital marketing is the ability to access it on demand. In addition, digital marketing gives businesses a chance to bring new products and services directly to consumers without having a face-to-face meeting first.

I n general, there are many advantages to incorporating digital marketing into your strategy. However, most companies see the drawbacks as well. One of the main complaints about digital marketing is the amount of time that it requires from a business' employees . While you may be able to automate much of your marketing, personal interaction is still required in order to interact with your customers. Also, not all companies have the resources available to invest in digital marketing.  However, for those who are able to implement the right digital strategies and use these tools effectively, digital marketing can drastically change their business' marketing efforts and bring them closer to their goals. Now that we have discussed how digital marketing has changed the way we do business...

Conclusion

If you'd like more information on sales techniques, or other marketing trends and developments, please feel free to visit http://www.ultimateadviceforbusinesssuccess.com . If you'd like to schedule a coaching session via Skype or phone, fill out the simple form on my site and I'll get back to ASAP!

How Has Digital Marketing Changed the Way You Do Business? http://www.ultimaterdgnews.