It came like clockwork.
Every Friday an envelope would arrive addressed to me and written in familiar handwriting. It was from my mom. Inside could be anything from a comic strip to an article, carefully cut out and lovingly mailed.
We used to tease mom and dad about this habit and it even came up in my dad’s eulogy. Both of them were givers. Both of them spent their 92 years giving to others. This sales tip will be released just after the one-year anniversary of my moms passing. Naturally, I miss her terribly. But never is that more apparent than when I go and get the Friday mail.
Recently, I saw a funny comic strip in the Wall Street Journal. I took a picture of it and texted it to each one of my girls adding, “I am my parents’ son.” Ribbing responses ensued.
As you’ve heard me say before, everyone needs to have a prospecting process. This step one, step two, step three, step four plan for repeated contact can include a number of different activities. But no matter what you include in yours, the most important aspect is the first impression. As they say, you only get one chance.
You could email.
You could stop by.
You could call.
You could send an introductory letter or even samples.
Or, you could take a lesson from Priscilla Farquharson.
The stuff that mom sent me, my siblings, the priest at our church, and countless friends and family was by no means random. She’d see something that she knew we were interested in and snip, snip, snip, fold, insert, seal and mail. Off it went. For us, it was a reminder that we were on her mind.
But what a great first impression to make on someone! Are you making a sales call on a college or university? Find an article in the Wall Street Journal. Send the link or pull out your scissors. Are you in the label business? There's plenty of information about the growth of craft breweries. Health care? There is an abundance of content out there that would serve as a great introduction.
I could do worse than to emulate the caring and serving nature of John and Priscilla Farquharson. You, too, can learn from their sales techniques.
Need sales?
Bill Farquharson can drive your new business sales momentum. See his training programs at AspireFor.com or call Bill at 781-934-7036. His email address is bill@aspirefor.com
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Bill Farquharson is a respected industry expert and highly sought after speaker known for his energetic and entertaining presentations. Bill engages his audiences with wit and wisdom earned as a 40-year print sales veteran while teaching new ideas for solving classic sales challenges. Email him at bill@salesvault.pro or call (781) 934-7036. Bill’s two books, The 25 Best Print Sales Tips Ever and Who’s Making Money at Digital/Inkjet Printing…and How? as well as information on his new subscription-based website, The Sales Vault, are available at salesvault.pro.