A marketing plan will help you close more sales.
Successful marketing starts with a plan, according to Entrepreneur magazine. The first step in creating that plan happens when you begin to come up with marketing ideas. As an independent sales professional, there are some basic ideas you can implement to get your products in front of as many targeted people as possible.
Network with Local Business Owners
Network with local business owners to determine how you can work together. Networking isn't about building one-sided relationships. It's about determining how you can help one another. Attend business association meetings, introduce yourself while patronizing local establishments and attend community events to come in contact with the people you need to meet. Think of ways you can help one another. For example, a business owner may need your products, and you can offer them a deal and personalized service in exchange for buying from you. Perhaps their customers could use your product and you could offer them a referral fee or other benefit for letting you introduce your product to their client base.
Have a Professional Website
It's important to have a website and your own domain. According to the IncTechnology website, your domain should be a dot-com that's easy to spell. You don't have to run an ecommerce website, just something that can serve as your online brochure. The website should explain who you are, what you sell and how you can help your customers, as well as providing your contact information. If you have a way to offer online ordering, that is an added benefit, but it's not required. Make sure to put your URL, or Web address, on your business cards, email signature and any other marketing materials.
Attend Events
Expos, fairs and bazaars are a great way to get your products in front of your target audience. Exhibiting at large expos can be expensive, but in many cases, the return on investment is worth it. If you are on a limited budget, look for fairs and expos at your local high school or church. The attendance may not be as high, but you can make some valuable contacts and meet potential customers.
Track Your Efforts
Track all marketing efforts to see what is effective, and have tangible results in mind. According to Inc. magazine, measuring your results helps you understand if you are spending your money well. Keep a list of how many valuable connections you have made from networking. Put a Web analytics program on your website to see how many people are visiting your site. When people call, ask how they found you. Make a note of how many sales you make at expos and fairs. If you aren't making sales, track how many potential customers' contact information you've been able to obtain. Be patient, though. Results will not happen overnight.
Tags: your products, contact information, help another, Network with, offer them, potential customers, products front