You have a choice!
You can make the next period one of achievement. You can decide that you will look back at the end of the next few months and be proud at what you have done.
Or you can do nothing. You can look back after a few months and find that you have just carried on as normal. By the way, this also means that your sales will have probably declined.
If you want to achieve more sales, you need to set some goals
First decide what it is that you want to achieve. Be specific. Make your goal measurable. Make sure you know how you will have achieved it.
Here’s an example:
I will win three new accounts with a projected annual turnover of $30,000 each by the end of the next four months.
This type of goal means that you know exactly what you have to do to achieve success.
I have just set myself a target to win new mentoring clients and business. I have also set myself a target to win new clients who want me to write content, e-mails and Web copy for them.
Make sure you write down your goals
Research shows you are likely to be 80% more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down. Put them up by your computer screen. Or stick them on your fridge. This way you will be constantly reminded of what you have set out to do.
Set out the steps you have to take to make your goal to be successful
One big goal can sometimes seem like an impossible mountain to climb. So the next step is to break your goal down into small, achievable chunks.
To win your three clients you may need to:
- Create the right sale message
- Find the right prospects
- Create pre-sales e-mail and direct mail
- Set the right weekly targets for contacting new prospects
- Set the right weekly target for the number of calls or meetings
These are just some of the mini tasks that you may need to achieve. But each of them can be easily carried out and completed. However, you may need help with this. Here’s where the next step comes in.
Find an accountability partner
It is important to make sure that you are on track at all times with your sales project. There are two parts to this. The first is to make sure that you carry out the actions that you have set out to do. The second is to review whether these actions have created the right results.
An accountability partner can help with both of these issues. They can keep you up to the mark in carrying out your sales activities. They can also discuss if you are creating the right results.
Set out a new sales goal today
You have just been given a practical strategy for making sure that you create a sales goal that works and is achievable. Add a comment below and let me know what you are going to achieve in the coming months!
P.S.: Find out more ideas on how to increase sales with today’s buyers: download my free e-book “Ten Common Print Selling Errors and What To Do About Them.” You’ll also receive my regular “Views from the print buyer” bulletin, full of ideas on how to sell print effectively.
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- Business Management - Marketing/Sales
Many printing companies are frustrated how hard it is to engage buyers in today’s world. That’s where Matthew Parker can help. He is a gamekeeper turned poacher. Parker has bought print for more than 20 years and received over 1,400 print sales pitches. He now uses his buyer’s point of view to give practical advice to printers. He helps them engage with prospects and customers to create profitable relationships.
Download his free e-book, "Ten Common Print Selling Errors And What To Do About Them" and check out his recently launched book, "How To Succeed At Print Sales: Setting targets, planning the right activities and making sure goals are met."