What’s the worse thing about going to the mall? I mean, think about it, what’s the most irritating thing about walking through a mall?
Well for me it’s being pestered by someone I don’t even know about trying their products and you know who I’m talking about. The one’s that have some products made from ingredients from some far away land or country.
They start out with likes like “Can I ask you a question”, or “I got something I want to show you.”, or “Let me show you something”. And if you agree to go along with them, they ask you a variety of four to five questions to see how they can sell you.
I do have to admit though, I do admire they’re persistence and will power in trying to sell their products. Plus they got the part right about asking questions since selling is the art of solving problems through asking questions and listening.
But the one thing I was trying to figure out is how can they make their approach better in order to pique more interests… hmmm?
Well one strategy I learned from reading sales and marketing books and listening in on trainings is by giving something of value away and not expecting anything in return. Sounds cheesy?
Well, before you come to any conclusions I like for you to check out this article by Robert Strong entitled How To Get Your Prospects To “Steal” Your Advertising – And Travel Around The World With It!
This is a pretty nifty strategy isn’t it? It’s non threatening and the majority of people you market to will not instantaneously put up their defenses. Now Imagine if those same people in the mall use the same strategy. Do you think they will get more sales????
If you found this information helpful please share it with others that may benefit from it by clicking on one of the links below “Please Share” in the left margin.
If you’re looking to take your business to the next level or are looking to start a home business, the best thing to do is to educate yourself. The problem is most people like to jump into an opportunity without being educated on the business or their compensation plan. This can result in years and years of frustration and failure. If you’re having problems growing your business and you are a serious entrepreneur then I can help you.
For more information, click on one of the links below to get familiar with what I do. Also you will find a free ebook that you can download called “Success In 10 Steps” which is a great blueprint to follow for your success!!!
To Your Success,
Sherman Smith
Mentoring For Free
MLM Is About You!!
34 comments
Comments feed for this article
July 16, 2010 at 4:37 am
steve shoemaker
Sherman nothing cheesy about it. It’s called leading with value first building trust with people and then when they are ready to go into business they will think of you first or definitely as one of the first they would want to partner with.
Steve Shoemaker
July 16, 2010 at 2:56 pm
sksmith
Thats for sure Steve! Thanks for the comment!!
July 16, 2010 at 11:07 am
Oliver Tausend
Hi Sherman,
I agree with Steve that there’s nothing cheesy about it – it’s about giving away the farm as someone said. Great article, and you are right when saying that sales is the art of solving problems through asking questions and listening.
Take care
Oliver
July 16, 2010 at 2:57 pm
sksmith
Thanks Oliver! I really appreciate your comment!
July 16, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Fred Williams
Hey Sherman,
I used to be a real estate agent and one of the marketing strategies we were taught was to pass out things like pens and calenders to prospects. It’s a great way to keep your face and business information in front of them. Why not apply that same strategy to your internet business? Definitely made sense to me. Great article.
Fred
July 16, 2010 at 2:58 pm
sksmith
Yes, It makes a lot of sense when you think about it Fred. Thanks for your comment!!
July 16, 2010 at 10:15 pm
Fred Williams Jr.
That is great Sherman, because my business revolve around passing out free samples of healthier coffee and has created many diamond distributors in the the process and will continue to create many more!
Thanks,
Great concept
Fred Williams Jr.
July 17, 2010 at 12:05 am
sksmith
That’s great Fred! I remember you mentioning that when we chatted. Thanks for commenting!!
July 17, 2010 at 12:27 am
Charlie Holles
Yes that is right on Sherman, giving first. It’s interesting that one meaning of the word to sell in old English was to give.
July 17, 2010 at 6:08 am
sksmith
I never knew that Charlie. Thanks for sharing and thanks for the comment!!
July 18, 2010 at 6:21 am
Marcus Baker
Great post and I enjoyed the article. Attraction marketing is based on the fundamental truth that you have to give first without condition to receive back. Give more to receive more works and when we it apply it to business the rewards are staggering. Thanks for sharing Sherman.
~Marcus
July 18, 2010 at 5:33 pm
sksmith
Most definitely Marcus! The best way to win people over is to give something of value that they can use. Especially if its for free. This is similar to the teachings of Dale Carnegie!! Thanks for your comment!
July 18, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Peter R Fuller
Hello Sherman
I could not agree more so I am now leaving my pens wherever I go 🙂
I like to go to Costco once a month. They give away free food samples and I cannot tell you how many times I purchased the product I would have just passed by were it not for those free giveaways.
Thanks for the value you provide Sherman.
July 18, 2010 at 5:30 pm
sksmith
Thanks for your comment Peter! This is a great easy way to market your products.
July 19, 2010 at 7:46 pm
Jacqueline McGinnis
Hi Sherman,
I have used pens in my business before I started internet marketing. They work. Because of your post, I’m thinking of doing it again.
JacquelineMcGinnis.com
July 19, 2010 at 9:03 pm
Sherman Smith
Cool Jacqueline! Thanks for your comment!
July 21, 2010 at 11:52 pm
Ilka Flood
Hi Sherman,
Give people something of value and they will remember you. The more you give the more they remember. Always keep ‘top of mind’ with them. That’s why blogs are so great. You keep giving value on a consistent basis. Then, when people have a need for your product or service they will come find you 🙂
Just keep giving!
Ilka
July 22, 2010 at 12:01 am
Sherman Smith
You hit it right now the name Ilka!! Thanks for your comment!
July 22, 2010 at 12:57 am
Ana | Traffic Generation Cafe
You know I think it’s a sign of a great marketer, Sherman – to identify a problem (even if it’s not yours) and see if you can find solution.
That’s what online marketing is all about these days: whoever finds the best solution, wins.
Great way to use Robert’s post!
Ana Hoffman
July 26, 2010 at 7:02 am
Sherman Smith
thanks Ana for your comment! it’s much appreciated! Finding problems and their solutions is what network/online marketing is all about!
July 22, 2010 at 4:42 am
Karen Newman
Sherman (and Robert), this is great reminder of the diverse and creative marketing methods at our disposal. From time to time we just need to “step outside the box”. Cheers!
July 22, 2010 at 4:52 pm
sksmith
Most definitely Karen! It’s all a part of being a great leader. Thanks for your comment!!
July 22, 2010 at 10:02 am
kiaran
Well communicated Sherman- that said direct marketing is almost a necessary evil in building predictable and scaleable results. i absolutely hate being telemarketed-you know just when dinners on! But like you said i can appreciate the tenacity of the callers-
Curiously though I subcontract to a company that pays $500 to lead generating companies for a RAW lead. Crazy? Well not really as the average profit per sale is $30k and you can purchase 100 leads in a week (if you don’t go broke first!) whilst attraction marketing might take a year or more to achieve the same results.
Thats the challenge us Im ers have weighing up the cost of slow leveraged business versus quick and financially risky paid marketing
Thanks for sharing – great topic -Cheers kiaran
July 22, 2010 at 4:51 pm
sksmith
Wow! In that case, paying for leads to get 30k for one sale would be worth it. Other than that attraction marketing is the way to go. Thanks for your insight and comment Kiaran!!
July 22, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Michael B Wilbraham
It’s all part of the marketing mix. Selling skills are not cast in stone, nor should they be. One needs to adapt to every situation – every potential customer is different.
You’ve kinda got to be a chameleon!
Interesting post with some thought provoking comments.
July 22, 2010 at 4:45 pm
Sherman Smith
Thanks for your comment Michael!!
July 23, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Mavis Nong
Great post, Sherman! I loved Robert’s cool marketing strategy.
Oh, I remember those days when I used to bug strangers and annoy my friends and family 😦
Well, that’s in the past now, thanks to the modern-day marketing strategies.
Thanks for reminding everyone about leading with value – very important. The results are just amazing when you do that.
All the best,
Mavis Nong
July 23, 2010 at 3:20 pm
Sherman Smith
I guess we all have a dark past of bugging our friends and family lol … Thank you for your comment. It’s much appreciated!!!
July 24, 2010 at 8:49 am
Maria Eves
Attraction Marketing is the way to go Sherman.
KEEP ROCKIN!!
~Maria Eves~
July 24, 2010 at 2:07 pm
Sherman Smith
thanks for your comment Maria! Attraction Marketing is a great way to get qualified people. Take care!!
July 26, 2010 at 3:26 am
Charlene
Very neat, creative, & inexpensive idea!! Thanks Sherman for sharing this 🙂
July 26, 2010 at 7:03 am
Sherman Smith
Thanks Charlene for your comment! It’s another great and simple idea to market your business.
September 20, 2010 at 12:58 am
Erika Jones
Great tip, Sherman! Hands down…promo products work! People grab them, hold on to them for months, then one day they take a good look at that pen they borrowed and say, hmmmm….what is XYZ Company that John Doe is promoting. Let me google! 🙂
September 20, 2010 at 4:46 am
sksmith
Hey Erika,
You got that right! These is another great tip I found to market your business online. Thanks for stopping by to comment!