Don’t you love it when you read a super-cheesy title like that?
Hmm. You’re right. I don’t, either…but that was fun anyway.
This isn’t really a “sales formula” insofar as it’s good salesmanship at its most effective. Since we’re online as a key part of business, having an idea of how to make sales without being a slimeball about it will mean a career versus a sale here and there.
Of course we all could use a sale here and there – but you want an income that would be career-worthy, or at least a nice supplemental income, right?
Which leads many to scratch their heads and wonder:
What is the “secret” to making sales?
Is there one?
Yes, I believe there is – and there are books and college seminars that focus on the “secret to sales,” mind you this is a blog post so I’ll be brief.
I’ve mentioned this in a post before, and mentioned it again, and want to drive it home…one of the secrets to making sales, if you can call it that, is:
Trust
Be trustworthy.
I don’t buy my cars from the guy hawking the stolen Tahoe with missing tags and missing serial numbers or whatever they’re called on cars.
I don’t go to the dentist in a back alley someplace behind a bar with a shingle hanging lopsided off of a broken mailbox with the words, “Cheap Dentist, Pay Cash” scribbled on it.
If there is one thing to sales that you can take home to the bank, it’s trust.
Earn it.
Lose it and you won’t make another sale to the same person again, or you’ll face a mountain of refunds.
Online, trust is built easily as it is offline – in relationships. Having a blog with interaction, being involved in the communities in your niche markets, giving away great killer content for free…
…or for a reasonable price…This is all a way to build trust. Being available for your readers and actually taking their questions – this is another way to build trust.
How do you lose your reader’s trust?
1. Sell junk products
What Pat sells on Smart Passive Income from time to time are products and services he believes in (Internet Business Mastery Academy, Aweber and Unique Article Wizard) – he uses them and none are “junk.”
2. Hype
What more can I say? Just be real, leave the fakeness for mannequins and used car lots.
3. Over-promise, under-deliver…
…in other words, lie. If you break your word or make promises that are pie in the sky, you devalue your “trust equity” to put it another way.
Trust is the biggie, but there are some others to consider for the secret of making sales.
Know Your Audience and Their Problems. Solve Them.
If your audience has a problem with cavities, for example – sell a better toothbrush.
But before you get there, you need to do this:
You have to know their problems! Otherwise, you end up trying to sell ice cubes to Eskimos, or air plane tickets to bald eagles. They just don’t need what you’re selling – so find out who does.
Or…just sell what your audience is already buying.
Know your market and their big problems before trying to sell a product or service they may not need. It means research (Market Samurai is great for this, so is Alexa).
Be You. Be Passionate.
Selling is a natural process. Don’t believe me?
When was the last time you went on a vacation and told your friends and family what a great time you had?
When was the last time you had a great meal out, and couldn’t help but rave over the creme brulee or filet mignon, etc.? We naturally get excited and talk about what moves us…
It’s the same online. Season your posts with what gets you excited about this product or that service you have on offer.
Your excitement – and genuineness – will be contagious and will close more sales.
Marketing Takeaway
If the promise of making a living online seems like it’s something you’d like to do, it’s more than possible, it’s a reality for many!
Yes, it will take some work.
Do your research and learn about the people who come to your website. Take a poll or three, learn them, then gain their trust.
Be trustworthy, truthful – and be natural.
Selling doesn’t have to be “salesish.” It’s just a conversation about something you’re excited about – now tell your audience why.
If you have something of value and are speaking to the right market, then you’ll make sales – but only once you’ve gained and earned their trust.
Twitter: techwork_dk
says:
Hi Ana
I prefer to buy from someone know and that I trust when it comes to online sales. When I sometimes buy stuff online, I do a little research to check up what other people says about the company. If many people complain about the site or company I will find another company to buy from. That is why trust is so important when it comes to online sales.
Nice to see you posting here at Comluv. I think we have the same requirements for our dentists
Thomas´s recent blog post ..Twitter Guide For Dummies part2
Hello Thomas
I do the same thing
. However, I don’t let one or two complaints sway me. Instead, I assess what exactly they are complaining about most and consider how it will affect me if I buy the product or service. All the best!
Ana | Traffic Generation´s recent blog post ..Free SEO Report- Much Ado About Nothing
Twitter: smartboydesigns
says:
I certainly enjoy purchasing things from people whom I trust, and can rely on in almost any circumstance or situation. When people or businesses put in that extra time to be trustworthy, I really respect and appreciate that. They bring a lot to the table, and I’m grateful!
smartboydesigns´s recent blog post ..Spring Cleaning For Your Blog
I could not agree more…
Ana | Traffic Generation´s recent blog post ..MarketMeSuite- My Best Hands Free Link Building Strategy Revealed
Twitter: WebTrafficCafe
says:
I sooo agree, Thomas – obviously.
Which reminds me: I need to find a new dentist…
Ana
Ana´s recent blog post ..Free SEO Report- Much Ado About Nothing
The thing about selling over the internet is how it is possible to look like a large ‘trustworthy’ company even of you are a small individual working from home. With a simple template and dropshipping arranged with the manufacturer anybody can look lie a reputable, established supplier – which is great for the person selling but a bit difficult for the purchaser. After all, you can fake it with a website but it is a bit more complicated to try to fake a ‘real’ retail establishment on the high street.
creamboy´s recent blog post ..Cream Chargers
Creamboy – proper research can get rid of any illusions. If the company is not legit, they will get bad publicity soon enough and buyers can find it easily. Due diligence is needed.
Ana | Traffic Generation´s recent blog post ..Is Your Blog Traffic Going to Last Forever No!
Twitter: selfishyayun
says:
trust is paramount in establishing a relationship, if we can make others believe in us it is a great thing, and if we can still maintain the belief that more powerful. It’s just very hard to do
selfishyayun´s recent blog post ..Norman Kamaru – The New Comer From Gorontalo
I don’t think it is as difficult to do, but I think it takes a lot of time to build that reputation.
Twitter: DennisEdell
says:
If you lose it you’re through. All you have online is your good name.
Dennis Edell@Direct Sales Marketing’s recent blog post..100 Down Thousands to Go!
You’re quite right, there, Dennis!
Ana | Traffic Generation´s recent blog post ..Is Your Blog Traffic Going to Last Forever No!
Twitter: christinebiz
says:
I definitely agree with being trustworthy. And it helps to sell the products that work for you on a professional or personal basis. Because you have the first hand knowledge that it works!
Christine´s recent blog post ..Even Bloggers Need a Strategic Business Plan
Yes, Christine – I agree 100%. You have to be congruent. If you sell something that you don’t use, you lose credibility right away.
Ana | Traffic Generation´s recent blog post ..Friday’s Tips for Keeps- How to Increase Search Engine Rankings with CommentLuv on YOUR Blog
Twitter: laforge129
says:
It is basically just word of mouth advertising as they say. I will not recommend something that I don’t believe in. That is the only way to keep your articles believable.
Paul Sylvester´s recent blog post ..Your Chance to win a Free Pair of Glasses!
Yes, that’s exactly right, Paul. Thanks for stopping by.
Ana | Traffic Generation´s recent blog post ..MarketMeSuite- My Best Hands Free Link Building Strategy Revealed