Thursday, April 22, 2010

Do Your Homework Before Your Next Sales Call

Doing your homework before you make a sales call has never been easier. And the good news is, the bigger the account, the more information you can uncover. Making assumptions is second only to procrastination in undermining your effort to win more business and make more money. Why make assumptions, when you can get answers to specific questions.
For example learn about the company:

  • What business are they in?
  • What are their sales and profits?
  • What are their strategies?
  • Who are their competitors?
  • What's being said and written about them?
  • Who are their key players?
  • Plus so much more.

Sure you can go to Google.com, Yahoo.com, Ask.com or one of the many search engines available and hunt for information. But there's something else you can do, that will provide you a steady stream of information without having to lift a finger. It also creates a competitive advantage for you.

Most search engines have programs that will e-mail you updates of the latest relevant web and news stories based on your query, topic, company name, or a person's name.

Imagine getting an e-mail every time something is written about your customers, prospects, and yes, even your competitors. It's your way of keeping tabs on what's important. Just set up an Alert or RSS feed. This is a sales tip that will keep on giving.

Set up alerts or RSS feeds for the following:
  • Your biggest customers
  • Your biggest prospects
  • Your biggest competitors
  • Your smallest competitors
  • Your own company
  • Your own name

Don't be too busy to be smart. This is a clever way to be well-informed. Using the alert feature enables you to focus on what's important and what's new and changing. And, you won't have to spend a penny.

Doing your homework isn't optional and has never been easier. You now have a system in place to give you an edge over your competitors.

Source: Jim Meisenheimer earned the designation CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) from the National Speakers Association. He is a charter member of Master Speakers International and has authored seven books including 57 Ways To Take Control Of Your Time And Your Life

Sign-A-Rama - Kearny Mesa in San Diego
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Yard Signs Help Contractors Grow Their Business

Many people depend on contractors to help them handle day to day activities. From yard work and maintenance to home improvements and appliance repair hiring a contractor can be the best way to get a job done correctly. With the busy day to day life that many people lead it is very helpful to be able to hire an individual to do a great job. Yard signs are a good way for contractors to showcase their name within their community during and after the project.

Whatever you call them: political signs, yard signs, screen printed signs, bandit signs, plastic signs or "signs stuck on wires that stick in the ground" signs, corrugated plastic signs offer durability and are a great advertising value.

Landscaping companies make their living by cutting yards, planting flowers and making their customer’s yards look beautiful. One of the best ways for them to let potential nearby customers know that they are responsible for the beautiful yard is to use yard signs with their specific company information on it. People like to see examples of contractor’s work, and yard signs make that possible. Many contractors also do professional landscaping for companies and sometimes companies like to use designs that are based on certain themes or other ideas. Contractors should always use yard signs for jobs such as this so that they can showcase their versatility as well as their overall talent.

Building contractors can also use yard signs to showcase the buildings that they have constructed. This is especially true for those who are building special homes or other places where consumers are known to frequent. Some contractors specialize in certain building materials or type of architecture so it is important that they showcase these talents. Many people get ideas by looking at buildings for inspiration so it important for builders to proudly display signs that showcase their great work.

So whether you are a landscaper, sprinkler specialist, plumber, home improvements or other type of service specialist, considering advertising your business by adding an onsite yard lawn during and after your next contract. Let passersby know who you are and most importantly, let them see your work.

Sign-A-Rama - Kearny Mesa in San Diego
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Custom Business Signs Give Your Business a Visual Identity

By Kara Klein
We live in a highly competitive age. With the economy drooping like eyelids on New Year's day, people are scrambling to find employment and do business wherever they can. One industry that is doing well is the advertising industry - people are investing what money they have in getting themselves noticed in this day of uncertainty. A smart way of using your advertising budget is by creating an original, eye grabbing custom business sign. Custom business signs can actually make a brand of your business by giving it visual markers that people will remember. With the right use of graphics, typeface, and colors, you can create an image for your business that will infiltrate people's memories and make your business the first one they think of when they need your service.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of competition out there. And since everyone is using their budgets on advertising for the same reasons, a lot of professionals are also designing amazing custom business signs. But that's okay! Your business sign's goal is to get people to notice and remember you. Once they're in the door, your outstanding service will bring them back!


Yes, Your Custom Business Sign Can Stand Out Amidst the Competition Take one industry that's not doing as well as advertising right now - real estate. Not only are homes not selling, there are a ton of real estate companies out there. Sign companies do a lot of business with real estate agents, as they need multiple custom signs for their business. We can tell you the custom sign designs for just about every real estate business in the area! And they all are pretty good. Think for yourself - name three real estate companies and visualize their business signs. You probably imagined their signs before you even thought of their names!

Even with the vast number of real estate companies out there, each company has a unique sign that represents their company alone. From bright blue signs with white lettering, to black and gold custom signs, to red, white and blue custom signs, the colors these companies have chosen for their signs definitely stand out. Not only are their colors instantly recognizable, but they have graphics that make them one-of-a-kind as well. Hot air balloons. A giant rock. A letter 'C'. These have all become iconic images associated with the custom business signs of certain real estate companies.


These tricks of good advertising aren't limited to the national companies, either. A local real estate company has made its mark with its distinguished custom real estate sign. The sign, featuring an aqua colored graphic of the shape of South Carolina, combined with text in the same color on a white background, has successfully set itself apart from many others in the field. First of all, the state graphic lets clients and potential clients know that the business is local - which is important to a lot of people. Secondly, the aqua color of the imaging invites an association with the water – also relevant, since this company is on the coast. So even though this company's business sign isn't as recognizable nationally as the others may be, it gets a lot of local attention, which is the goal of the business owners.

So even if you're worried that your business sign will get lost among all of the others, if you design a strong sign, it will still get you noticed. And then the hard part of keeping your business is up to you!

Use Your Custom Business Sign in Multiple Places for Multiple Name Recognition Let's stay with the example of real estate agents. Are the only custom signs you see belonging to real estate companies the ones in people's front yards? Speaking for myself, I know that I see real estate signs everywhere - from yard signs to magnetic car signs to business cards and collared shirts, their images are almost impossible to ignore.

So once you design your custom business sign, don't limit its exposure to the buying public! Invest in a full marketing campaign and display your custom business sign wherever you anticipate high traffic, and soon your sign will be as memorable as the local real estate company's.

Give Your Business a Good Custom Sign, and Give Your Business a Brand Don't be dissuaded by the competition. If you believe in your business, the first step is to let others know why you believe in it. And the best way to let them know is by ordering and displaying a truly distinct custom business sign.

Sign-A-Rama - Kearny Mesa in San Diego
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5 Good Habits

By Tracey C. Velt
Are you still following your New Year's resolutions? If not,
spring is a great time to let go of bad habits and start fresh.

1. Exercise.
Feeling stressed? When nothing seems to be going right, try to squeeze in a workout, suggests sales coach John D. Mayfield, of Farmington, Mo. Going for a walk, run, bike ride, swim, or other exercise is an excellent way to feel better. Exercise can improve your mood because it releases endorphins in your brain, a hormone that can even trigger feelings of euphoria, he says. Physical exertion can add a wide variety of benefits to your life and is excellent for relieving stress. Of course, be sure to consult your physician before starting any major new exercise program.

2. Read and study more.
Become better educated on market conditions and trends locally, regionally, and nationally. Unfortunately, too few of us study, analyze, and use the wealth of information that is easily available to us, says sales coach Dirk Zeller.

3. Eat your big fish first.
When faced with a mounting obstacle, don’t blow it off until later, Mayfield says. Confront it first thing that day. You might be tempted to put off the problem and tackle the easier, smaller stuff first. But this usually winds up prolonging and intensifying the stressful situation.

4. Use checklists.
When you take on a listing, do you have a checklist that you follow as you work with your client? If not, try creating such a system so that you can put your business on autopilot, Mayfield says. Rather than trying to perform your marketing functions from memory, even if you’ve been in the business for years, institute a formal plan of action items you normally complete for each listing; it will help you streamline your day and make you more productive. Also, delegating tasks will be easier than ever, Mayfield says.

5. Ask for feedback.
Make a habit of surveying past customers about their experience with you, Mayfield says. Surveys can fuel ideas for new service offerings and help you fix problems you didn’t even know existed. You can use a Web-based survey provider such as Constant Contact, Survey Monkey or send it via mail along with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Consider some type of small incentive for completing it promptly. When you discover that customers have a gripe, look at it as an opportunity to follow up and remedy the situation before they tell others about their bad experience.

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