In recent months, I have spoken to a number of business owners in the printing industry who have told me they still “don’t get” the social media aspect of sales and why it matters. And, some of these even have tools on their Website but they are not very active.
What does this mean? My observation is some people simply do not see the value of spending time in social media. Why? First, I believe they see such activities as wasting time and not an investment of time. Why? I think social selling conjures up images of a person updating their personal Facebook account not as a methodology of growing sales. Why? The printing industry as a whole (please note there are exceptions to this) does not like change and is slow to adapt to change. Why? Many business owners, in this industry, like to do things the way they have always done it.
If you have not been paying close attention to the world around you then please take time to do so. #PayAttention
The world has changed in a dramatic manner and will continue to move and change faster in the coming years. There is more information available, at our fingertips, than in the history of mankind. Your choice then is simply what to do with it.
You see, embracing a social selling mindset means that you understand that you or your company must be engaged to be “in on the conversation” that is taking place and hearing what people are saying and sharing...and thus be in on the “sales game.” If you do not do this then, yes, you are on the sidelines.
Finally, an investment by a company or an individual into building their social brand on the Web is an absolute must and an investment, not a time waster. My colleague, Eric Qualman, has created this video that is a must see.
- Categories:
- Business Management - Marketing/Sales

Ryan T. Sauers has spent 25 years leading and/or consulting with printing, graphics, promotional and visual communications related organizations. Ryan is President of the independent consulting firm, Sauers Consulting Strategies, founded in 2010.
Key areas of focus of the firm include: sales training, marketing strategy, personal branding, leadership development and organizational change.
Sauers is a frequent national speaker and columnist. He has been recognized as one of the top 80 CMOs in the world and achieved the top designation of Certified Marketing Executive through Sales and Marketing Executives International.
Sauers is an adjunct university professor teaching leadership and communication courses to current and aspiring leaders. He is a Certified Myers Briggs, DiSC and Emotional Intelligence Practitioner (one of few in US to achieve all 3 rigorous certifications related to human communications, personality & behavior).
Sauers is working on his Doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership and hosts a radio show in Atlanta (Marketing Matters). He is author of the best-selling books Everyone is in Sales and Would You Buy from You? More info at: RyanSauers.com