One of the most important factors that decide the success of your business is sales. Sales lead generation has always received a lot of emphasis and attention. In fact, every company focuses on marketing and advertising strategies to improve its sales. Apart from marketing, there are other factors too like customer service, quality of product and service, after care service and so on.
Many of these factors are secondary and come into existence only after a sale is processed. However, the pre-sales factors like identifying a prospective buyer and converting the prospect into a customer plays a very important role. The first step for marketing is to identify the target audience. Once the target audience or a niche market is identified, the next step is sales lead generation.
There are many tools and techniques for generating leads. In this article, we shall discuss the role of print media in increasing sales and improving your business. Print is the oldest medium of communication. In fact, it is a tried and tested method of advertising. It is an effective channel of direct communication with the prospective customer.
The print media has a wide reach and helps you publish your product or service through an appropriate platform. For instance, a New York magazine will be perfect to list your product or service meant for prospective buyers from the same geographic area. You can get leads in your area and can target a specific audience. Here are some ways in which this print medium can help you with sales lead generation.
Role Of Print Media
Directory Services: You can improve your business with directory services by listing your company details with a magazine or newsletter publication company.
B2B: B2B leads are a perfect way of generating sales. These types of leads are generated through trade shows, direct marketing, advertising, internet marketing, annual conferences, cold calling, reference, networking and other similar techniques. It gives you valuable customer data and assists in generating sales.
Advertisements: Advertisements are a sure fire way to build brand awareness. If you want the target audience to identify your brand name then newspaper advertisement, magazine advertisements, banners, posters, flyers, etc. would be a perfect option.
Media Conferences: News about media conferences can be published in print for additional coverage. It helps in creating awareness among customers. Moreover, it is a subtle way of sales lead generation.
Business Resources: Print media offers many business resources to expand your business.
Promoting through print is an ongoing process since you have to remind your customers about the product or service. It is not a one-time activity and requires regular publishing. However, this task can be handled successfully by maintaining an event calendar. It is easier to keep a track of the published advertisements through this tool.
Publishing your advertisements in a magazine would enable you to attract quality customers. You can also initiate interaction with customers by using a little imagination and creativity. Sales lead generation can be achieved due to the large number of readers. Once the lead is generated, the other factors like converting the lead into a customer will become important.
Longe Magazine has Sales leads that target your clients. Sales lead generation Company customers has to pay per leads. For more information visit the given link.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Claire_Hoffman
السبت، 10 يوليو 2010
The Secret to Success in Sales
Do you want to know a secret? Want to know how to make your sales numbers almost jump right off the page? It's a simple idea really, but most sales professionals don't know it, and when they find it out, they keep the idea under lock and key. But I've never been one to keep secrets, especially if they can help others get ahead in business.
So, are you ready? Here is it, the big secret: make connections. Take the time to contact as many quality people as you can in a given week. Plant some seeds, as if it were in fertile ground. It really is that simple. But remember, just like plants need time and nurturing to bear fruit, your potential sales leads can only become sales customers with the right mixture of time and effort on your part.
One of my favorite books is by a man named Frank Bettger. In 'How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success In Sales' he provides a wealth of information, and some extremely valuable insights. Here are a few of the ones that still offer a new look or inspiration every time I read them:
"You can't collect your commission until you make the sale; you can't make the sale 'till you write the order; you can't write the order 'til you have an interview; and you can't have an interview 'til you make the call!"
As Mr. Bettger points out, very directly, it all begins with the call. Yes, sometimes you will be rejected, but other times you won't be. You simply won't know until you pick up the phone or send that email. Don't think of the potential risk, which is really rather small. Rather, think of the potential reward.
Here's another one of my favorites:
"Selling is the easiest job in the world if you work it hard - but the hardest job in the world if you try to work it easy."
More than any other activity in the world, selling is about preparation and consistency. It takes effort and time to bring in potential clients; sometimes a good sales person will spend a month or two on one client, learning their needs, their wants, their various habits, all to make sure that the sales presentation and product will meet the client's needs without question. A good sales person realizes that this business is not a get rich quick scheme. It's about making money over the long term so that you and your family can be provided for.
So what are you waiting for? Make that call!
Visit http://www.theprospectingexpert.com and get my Free Special Report, 7 Steps to Become a Top Sales Pro, and watch your sales increase!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Kloyda
So, are you ready? Here is it, the big secret: make connections. Take the time to contact as many quality people as you can in a given week. Plant some seeds, as if it were in fertile ground. It really is that simple. But remember, just like plants need time and nurturing to bear fruit, your potential sales leads can only become sales customers with the right mixture of time and effort on your part.
One of my favorite books is by a man named Frank Bettger. In 'How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success In Sales' he provides a wealth of information, and some extremely valuable insights. Here are a few of the ones that still offer a new look or inspiration every time I read them:
"You can't collect your commission until you make the sale; you can't make the sale 'till you write the order; you can't write the order 'til you have an interview; and you can't have an interview 'til you make the call!"
As Mr. Bettger points out, very directly, it all begins with the call. Yes, sometimes you will be rejected, but other times you won't be. You simply won't know until you pick up the phone or send that email. Don't think of the potential risk, which is really rather small. Rather, think of the potential reward.
Here's another one of my favorites:
"Selling is the easiest job in the world if you work it hard - but the hardest job in the world if you try to work it easy."
More than any other activity in the world, selling is about preparation and consistency. It takes effort and time to bring in potential clients; sometimes a good sales person will spend a month or two on one client, learning their needs, their wants, their various habits, all to make sure that the sales presentation and product will meet the client's needs without question. A good sales person realizes that this business is not a get rich quick scheme. It's about making money over the long term so that you and your family can be provided for.
So what are you waiting for? Make that call!
Visit http://www.theprospectingexpert.com and get my Free Special Report, 7 Steps to Become a Top Sales Pro, and watch your sales increase!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Kloyda
3 Creativity Tricks to Get Your Small Business Moving
As a small business owner you probably work 70 hours a week, and still have trouble keeping up with paying your bills and finding time to spend with your family. If this is the case for you, then you probably think spending a couple hours in a creativity session is the last thing in the world you have time for. I am here to tell you that 2 hour creativity session is an investment in you and your business that you NEED. There are full scale creativity session exercises that I will address at a later time, but for now take a look at these 3 Creativity Tricks that will help you get your small business moving.
1. Reverse Assumptions - This is my personal favorite. When you are stuck in the problem solving process, try reversing your assumptions. For example, you may want to get to work faster, but there is always traffic. You are assuming there is always traffic. Reverse that assumption. What if there was never traffic? Now how could that be accomplished? You may be able to come up with a novel idea for traffic management software that decreases wait times without building additional infrastructure. Try reversing one of your assumptions for a big problem that your business faces and then brainstorm on how you could accomplish the reversed assumption. You may just reach a breakthrough.
2. Connecting Ideas - Another creativity trick to employ next time your small business faces a challenge is the process of connecting previously unrelated ideas. Let's say that you need to advertise for your new highly technical book about software used to support solar power generation, and you also need to hire 5 new software engineers. Try connecting these two separate ideas and what can you come up with? How about offering to be a guest lecturer for the computer science department at various universities in your area? You will be able to meet with potential new software engineers and promote your book to the students and more importantly the department staff. You may just enable yourself to sell a couple hundred copies of your book to the university for a class, and snatch up some of the area's best talent all at once.
3. Attribute Listing - Take your product or service and dissect it into the smallest divisible attributes. For instance, maybe you own your own consulting business. What are the attributes of your service? The initial meeting, the contract for services, the communication during the project, the completed deliverable, the billing of your consulting fee, and the post contract customer service. If you want to know how to make your business better look at one specific item and learn how to make that small piece of your business better. This should be a continual exercise, which constantly allows you to improve your service. Never be satisfied with the status quo in your small business.
If you are interested in learning about dozens of similar creativity tricks read Thinkertoys by Michael Michalko. This is my favorite creativity book which can be purchased for under $12 on Amazon.com. The key is to start thinking creatively all the time not just during a special session. You can train yourself to think this way though. Creativity is not just a God-given ability, you can learn to be creative too.
If you are interested in more advice about small business and entrepreneurship please visit my blog at http://www.theexecutiveplan.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Hoeksema
1. Reverse Assumptions - This is my personal favorite. When you are stuck in the problem solving process, try reversing your assumptions. For example, you may want to get to work faster, but there is always traffic. You are assuming there is always traffic. Reverse that assumption. What if there was never traffic? Now how could that be accomplished? You may be able to come up with a novel idea for traffic management software that decreases wait times without building additional infrastructure. Try reversing one of your assumptions for a big problem that your business faces and then brainstorm on how you could accomplish the reversed assumption. You may just reach a breakthrough.
2. Connecting Ideas - Another creativity trick to employ next time your small business faces a challenge is the process of connecting previously unrelated ideas. Let's say that you need to advertise for your new highly technical book about software used to support solar power generation, and you also need to hire 5 new software engineers. Try connecting these two separate ideas and what can you come up with? How about offering to be a guest lecturer for the computer science department at various universities in your area? You will be able to meet with potential new software engineers and promote your book to the students and more importantly the department staff. You may just enable yourself to sell a couple hundred copies of your book to the university for a class, and snatch up some of the area's best talent all at once.
3. Attribute Listing - Take your product or service and dissect it into the smallest divisible attributes. For instance, maybe you own your own consulting business. What are the attributes of your service? The initial meeting, the contract for services, the communication during the project, the completed deliverable, the billing of your consulting fee, and the post contract customer service. If you want to know how to make your business better look at one specific item and learn how to make that small piece of your business better. This should be a continual exercise, which constantly allows you to improve your service. Never be satisfied with the status quo in your small business.
If you are interested in learning about dozens of similar creativity tricks read Thinkertoys by Michael Michalko. This is my favorite creativity book which can be purchased for under $12 on Amazon.com. The key is to start thinking creatively all the time not just during a special session. You can train yourself to think this way though. Creativity is not just a God-given ability, you can learn to be creative too.
If you are interested in more advice about small business and entrepreneurship please visit my blog at http://www.theexecutiveplan.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Hoeksema
الجمعة، 9 يوليو 2010
How Outdoor Banners Will Help You to Promote Your Business in Smarter Way
Quite often, the big outdoor banners awestruck us while we drive or walk causally on the streets.
Quite often, the big outdoor banners awestruck us while we drive or walk causally on the streets. These banner signs effortlessly capture the attention of passerby as it enables greater visibility. You find yourself turn your head and try to register the messages even while you drive at a high speed. This is one reason why a greater part of business firms opt for outdoor banner signs for their advertising campaign.
What makes outdoor banners affordable and beneficial for business owners?
Promoting a business requires all sort of advertising gimmicks. Opting for outdoor banners is one of the smartest ways. The banners can be used both in indoors and outdoors. For those who possess small business units can make the most of it as it is economical and helps the business to climb up the ladder. It’s less expensive ways make it an affordable outdoor promotional device to the small scale business owners.
Just look at the indoor vinyl banners, party vinyl banners or school banners. They have the unique quality of grabbing the attention because it ensures greater visibility even from far off places. A small business unit needs such advertising campaign that well suits their budget. The outdoor banners are made with durable materials. If it is attached in proper way and given appropriate care, they can last long up to 8 months to one year.
Outdoor vinyl banners are so popular because a good number of digital printers use heavy 13 oz material for outdoor banners. The ink used is water proof and UV cured. The material will last at least for eight months as they are durable. These outdoor vinyl banners use in different ways such as billboards, temporary signage, outdoor and indoor displays, building wraps, parade banners, trade show signage, flags, sale advertisements and event advertisements.
The outdoor banner signs are applied in different ways. There are grommets which can be tied down or bolted down to any surface or structure, then it is sleeves which typically hang from stands and poles vertically. If the requirement is larger, then hems are the best bet. The pieces can be hemmed together easily which enables better finishing. Most of the time, a double switched hem proves the best bargain for an outdoor vinyl banners.
You can opt for any sizes. In normal case, the height and weight combination is 16’ x 150’. The total cost depends on the square foot of material utilized. The prices also vary depending on the quality of designs, printer and the sizes. If you look for an affordable means of advertising device, this is the most favorable option available to you.
Outdoor Banners could convey a message at low cost with a very good effect. You can Vinyl Banners that will create an impact to your target market for a long time. You can think about Banners & it will give you best solution.
Article source: http://www.articleszoom.com/how-outdoor-banners-will-help-you-to-promote-your-business-in-smarter-way/
Quite often, the big outdoor banners awestruck us while we drive or walk causally on the streets. These banner signs effortlessly capture the attention of passerby as it enables greater visibility. You find yourself turn your head and try to register the messages even while you drive at a high speed. This is one reason why a greater part of business firms opt for outdoor banner signs for their advertising campaign.
What makes outdoor banners affordable and beneficial for business owners?
Promoting a business requires all sort of advertising gimmicks. Opting for outdoor banners is one of the smartest ways. The banners can be used both in indoors and outdoors. For those who possess small business units can make the most of it as it is economical and helps the business to climb up the ladder. It’s less expensive ways make it an affordable outdoor promotional device to the small scale business owners.
Just look at the indoor vinyl banners, party vinyl banners or school banners. They have the unique quality of grabbing the attention because it ensures greater visibility even from far off places. A small business unit needs such advertising campaign that well suits their budget. The outdoor banners are made with durable materials. If it is attached in proper way and given appropriate care, they can last long up to 8 months to one year.
Outdoor vinyl banners are so popular because a good number of digital printers use heavy 13 oz material for outdoor banners. The ink used is water proof and UV cured. The material will last at least for eight months as they are durable. These outdoor vinyl banners use in different ways such as billboards, temporary signage, outdoor and indoor displays, building wraps, parade banners, trade show signage, flags, sale advertisements and event advertisements.
The outdoor banner signs are applied in different ways. There are grommets which can be tied down or bolted down to any surface or structure, then it is sleeves which typically hang from stands and poles vertically. If the requirement is larger, then hems are the best bet. The pieces can be hemmed together easily which enables better finishing. Most of the time, a double switched hem proves the best bargain for an outdoor vinyl banners.
You can opt for any sizes. In normal case, the height and weight combination is 16’ x 150’. The total cost depends on the square foot of material utilized. The prices also vary depending on the quality of designs, printer and the sizes. If you look for an affordable means of advertising device, this is the most favorable option available to you.
Outdoor Banners could convey a message at low cost with a very good effect. You can Vinyl Banners that will create an impact to your target market for a long time. You can think about Banners & it will give you best solution.
Article source: http://www.articleszoom.com/how-outdoor-banners-will-help-you-to-promote-your-business-in-smarter-way/
The 3 Rules for Writing Great Articles!
You can write just about any article, even an eBook, for fun and profit if you know the "The 3 Rules for Writing Great Articles". These are the basic rules used by broadcast journalists to construct short, information-packed, articles.
Writing articles is nothing more than common sense coupled with a spell-checker program and a little imagination plus the 3 Rules I am about to share with you. First, though, let me tell you about how a high school dropout learned how to write by copying former CBS News Anchor, Walter Cronkite and by using his local newspaper. All he did was apply the "The 3 Rules for WritingGreat Articles".
I know you want to know the rules right now, right? Let me say, these are not my rules. These are rules known by all good writers. I did not invent them. They were taught to me and I simply use them every day.
Here they are:
Rule #1 - "Tell them what you are going to tell them". This, of course, is your headline, like my headline - "3 Rules for Writing Articles".
Rule #2 - "Tell them". I am already doing that, right? I started with the first sentence at the beginning of this article and I am telling you right now!
Rule #3 - "Tell them what you told them". This is the summary, a sentence or sentences that bring the whole point of the article into focus to give you something to remember. This Rule is applied at the end.
Back to our high school dropout.
He simply took a cheap tape recorder, recorded Mr. Cronkite's newscast every evening, played it back and typed exactly what Mr. Cronkite said. He studied it to see how the three rules applied. He did this over and over and over until he could write his own version of the story. When he felt confident, he showed his work to his wife and best friends for critique. He even recorded himself saying the stories into that little recorder, over and over and over. His dream was to be a radio newsman.
Our high school dropout also took the daily newspaper and re-wrote lots and lots of stories, reorganizing the facts, creating his own catchy headlines. Most important? He applied the "3 Rules" to every article. When he had articles he had some confidence in, he showed them to his wife and best friends for critique. He followed the 3 Rules for several months, working on his writing after getting home from his regular factory job in the evenings. He did this for hours and hours and hours. Practice, practice, practice!
So, where did all this hard work get him? You will be amazed!
Our high school dropout landed a part time job on Sunday mornings as an on-air newsman at a local radio station! His writing and passable radio voice got him that job. His fellow factory workers laughed at him. Made jokes. "You? Come on, get real!". But, did he quit there? No! He kept working on his writing and voice delivery. Hours and hours and hours!
Within 3 months he was full time on the graveyard shift. He quit the factory job and sold cars during the day to make up the difference in income between the factory and Radio.
About 3 months later he was on days, Monday through Friday, in prime afternoon drive-time! He quit selling cars because he was earning more than the factory job. Within 2 years he was a local TV News Anchorman! Two years later he was Anchorman and News Director!
Now, I must point out another key factor in his success. Many professional broadcasters and writers helped him grow along the way. He was never afraid to ask for help with how to improve his writing and delivery on-air. Pride never got in his way. The pro's were more than willing to offer advice and valuable tips! It was better than a college education.
Now, you may be thinking, "Jim, you made this guy up. This story is unbelievable".
Well, friend, that high school dropout is me!
My broadcast news career spanned more than 15 years. I won several national, state, and local reporting awards. I was a paid stringer for Associated Press and United Press International.
Need proof? On my main blog (see Author Box), you will find a photo of me posing with Walter Cronkite in a promotional session for my news program. Imagine that! I actually got to meet and have dinner with my idol who was then my peer!
I also have promotional photos with Mike Wallace, Dan Rather, Diane Sawyer and photos with many other famous people. I have interviewed every type of news maker from Presidents of the United States to killers. I have rubbed elbows with movie stars, the rich and famous, and with folks at the Soup Kitchen. It has been a great life!
Am I bragging? Maybe. But, the point is, the "The 3 Rules for Writing Great Articles" plus determination and practice helped me to become a successful writer and news reporter. They will help you, too! I have given you the starting point. You can find other writing guides on my main blog that will help you become an accomplished writer as well. And, in case you have not guessed, I have just completed the "Tell them what you told them" rule!
Writing articles is nothing more than common sense coupled with a spell-checker program and a little imagination plus the 3 Rules I am about to share with you. First, though, let me tell you about how a high school dropout learned how to write by copying former CBS News Anchor, Walter Cronkite and by using his local newspaper. All he did was apply the "The 3 Rules for WritingGreat Articles".
I know you want to know the rules right now, right? Let me say, these are not my rules. These are rules known by all good writers. I did not invent them. They were taught to me and I simply use them every day.
Here they are:
Rule #1 - "Tell them what you are going to tell them". This, of course, is your headline, like my headline - "3 Rules for Writing Articles".
Rule #2 - "Tell them". I am already doing that, right? I started with the first sentence at the beginning of this article and I am telling you right now!
Rule #3 - "Tell them what you told them". This is the summary, a sentence or sentences that bring the whole point of the article into focus to give you something to remember. This Rule is applied at the end.
Back to our high school dropout.
He simply took a cheap tape recorder, recorded Mr. Cronkite's newscast every evening, played it back and typed exactly what Mr. Cronkite said. He studied it to see how the three rules applied. He did this over and over and over until he could write his own version of the story. When he felt confident, he showed his work to his wife and best friends for critique. He even recorded himself saying the stories into that little recorder, over and over and over. His dream was to be a radio newsman.
Our high school dropout also took the daily newspaper and re-wrote lots and lots of stories, reorganizing the facts, creating his own catchy headlines. Most important? He applied the "3 Rules" to every article. When he had articles he had some confidence in, he showed them to his wife and best friends for critique. He followed the 3 Rules for several months, working on his writing after getting home from his regular factory job in the evenings. He did this for hours and hours and hours. Practice, practice, practice!
So, where did all this hard work get him? You will be amazed!
Our high school dropout landed a part time job on Sunday mornings as an on-air newsman at a local radio station! His writing and passable radio voice got him that job. His fellow factory workers laughed at him. Made jokes. "You? Come on, get real!". But, did he quit there? No! He kept working on his writing and voice delivery. Hours and hours and hours!
Within 3 months he was full time on the graveyard shift. He quit the factory job and sold cars during the day to make up the difference in income between the factory and Radio.
About 3 months later he was on days, Monday through Friday, in prime afternoon drive-time! He quit selling cars because he was earning more than the factory job. Within 2 years he was a local TV News Anchorman! Two years later he was Anchorman and News Director!
Now, I must point out another key factor in his success. Many professional broadcasters and writers helped him grow along the way. He was never afraid to ask for help with how to improve his writing and delivery on-air. Pride never got in his way. The pro's were more than willing to offer advice and valuable tips! It was better than a college education.
Now, you may be thinking, "Jim, you made this guy up. This story is unbelievable".
Well, friend, that high school dropout is me!
My broadcast news career spanned more than 15 years. I won several national, state, and local reporting awards. I was a paid stringer for Associated Press and United Press International.
Need proof? On my main blog (see Author Box), you will find a photo of me posing with Walter Cronkite in a promotional session for my news program. Imagine that! I actually got to meet and have dinner with my idol who was then my peer!
I also have promotional photos with Mike Wallace, Dan Rather, Diane Sawyer and photos with many other famous people. I have interviewed every type of news maker from Presidents of the United States to killers. I have rubbed elbows with movie stars, the rich and famous, and with folks at the Soup Kitchen. It has been a great life!
Am I bragging? Maybe. But, the point is, the "The 3 Rules for Writing Great Articles" plus determination and practice helped me to become a successful writer and news reporter. They will help you, too! I have given you the starting point. You can find other writing guides on my main blog that will help you become an accomplished writer as well. And, in case you have not guessed, I have just completed the "Tell them what you told them" rule!
الخميس، 8 يوليو 2010
What Are Immediate Annuities And What Do They Offer?
What Are Immediate Annuities And What Do They Offer?
An annuity is an investment product that offers an individual a type of pension plan. A person invests into the annuity and in return receives guaranteed payments for the rest of their life. There are two types of annuities available on the market: immediate and deferred.
Immediate annuities are just what the name states. They are a type of annuity that, once the investment is made, begins to make payments to the annuity holder immediately. This type of annuity can offer disbursements in a monthly, quarterly or yearly pay out to the holder.
A differed annuity is an annuity plan that one invests into and receives payment from at a later date. Many differed annuities are selected by younger people for their retirement. This allows the fund to build a considerable amount of wealth over the years before payments begin.
Annuities must be purchased from a life insurance company. Contrary to other forms of investments, annuities are a life insurance policy. The insurance company takes the money you invest into the annuity and invests it in their preferred method and in return makes payments to you for the remainder of your life.
Recently a new product has emerged in the annuity market. It is referred to as a variable annuity or a variable immediate annuity. This type of investment product guarantees a payment for the rest of your life like the original annuity program, but the payment amounts are based on the performance of the investment. With this type of immediate annuity you are not guaranteed specific amounts each pay. If this is your only form of income you may have troubles when the stock market does not perform well. A with any other type of investment product it is best to seek the counsel of a financial advisor prior to making any commitments.
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