4 Techniques You Can Implement Today To Increase Sales Tomorrow

In business, nothing matters more than selling your products or services. It doesn’t matter how cool your Web site is or how great your products or services are if your staff doesn’t have the ability to sell. Here are four techniques you can implement today to get more sales tomorrow:

Technique No. 1: Give It Away

That’s right, give it away! No, not the farm: the experience. Right now, your customers are concerned about the economy. So, you have to let them know why your products and services are the best choice for them. Use the experience your salon provides as proof of why you are different from the competition and you’ll rise to the top.

Technique No. 2: Get Referrals

Nothing is as great as a referral. Why? Because referred customers are nearly 80-percent sold on your salon already, thanks to your current customer base. Converting them the remaining 20 percent of the way is a no-brainer. However, most salespeople rarely get this opportunity because they never take the time to ask for referrals. Don’t make that mistake; ask your clients if they know someone who would enjoy your products and services. Chances are they do and would be happy to bring them in—especially if you offer an incentive for their efforts.

Technique No. 3: Introduce Yourself With Influence

The first step to meeting a new client is making a quality introduction. You must introduce yourself as an expert in the industry and tell the person why he or she should want to spend money at your salon. Also tell the customer why he or she should do business with you instead of your competition.

Technique No. 4: Practice To Make Your Pitch Perfect

There’s that romantic notion that you can get in front of a customer and “fake it ‘til you make it.” It doesn’t work. Instead, you should practice your sales spiel until you know it backwards and forwards. Rank your points in order of importance; when you present them to a prospective client, start with the important items and work towards the very important ones.

But before you communicate the most important point that drives homes the idea that you are the customer’s best choice, tell them something negative about your salon. For example, maybe you’re more expensive than the competition. If so, tell the potential customer up front. Why? Because you will come across as a trustworthy and credible resource, which will make the customer feel more comfortable with you. Then, you can turn around and hit them with your best feature—the one that makes your salon worth the greater expense.

Regardless of how you’ve performed when selling in past, these four sales techniques will help you achieve more success and make more sales.

Sam Palazzolo is the author of “The Influential Leader: 10 Critical Skills You MUST Possess For Success.” As president and chief influence officer at Pathos Leadership Group LLC, Sam conducts keynotes, workshops, webinars, and one-on-one coaching. Discover more by visiting www.PathosLeadershipGroup.com, e-mailing sp@pathosleadershipgroup.com or calling 817.605.1942.