Sales Tips for the
Home Based Business
Working
out of the home as a small business often means juggling multiple tasks from
sales to production while wearing many hats. But look out. When there is so
much to do that there is little time left over for sales and marketing
activity, sales can dry up and often do. Here are some ways to avoid that.
1. Monthly Focus – Each month, grab your calendar and see which
holidays are coming up. Then focus some type of activity around them. At
least minimally, setup a direct mail campaign through the U.S. Post Office
site (usps.com) in these quick steps:
Choose one of their postcards.
With their online tools, edit the back with a quick note, sale of some type
& referral request.
Load an Excel document of addresses, pay and send.
2. Ad Campaign - Plan ahead with advertising representatives by
gathering their media kits and asking about special deals or rates they may
have for you. Then follow up and plan a 12- to 16-month campaign, even if
it’s just a small classified that runs regularly. That way you’ll always be
covered whether you’re too busy to care or not. You can always supplement
with cross-promotional pieces. But at least, set up a foundation to get you
through the year.
For inexpensive ads to run throughout the year, check out neighborhood
newspapers and free or cheap magazines and papers that are placed inside
public libraries, large grocery stores and country-type restaurants.
PennySavers and Thrifty Ads are other sources.
3. Regular Income Stream - Don’t just have all large projects. Set up
a few (or several, depending upon your budget needs) smaller, regular
income-producing projects to generate weekly / monthly income. And maintain
a steady flow as much as possible. In other words, if five regular, smaller
jobs pay the day-to-day bills, once one of them quits or runs out of work
for you, replace it as soon as possible so that you maintain your steady
‘five’ as much as possible.
Some people setup affiliate programs in this manner; selling something for
someone else and earning a percentage or profit for selling. They target so
much income from one source of revenue stream to cover a certain portion of
expenses. And if this runs out of steam, they beef up promotions or switch
to another affiliate program.
So when you juggle, remember to mix in SOME type of regular sales and income
generating opportunities. You don’t drop the ball!
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