Are you still wearing that stiff persona?

Relax and be real! People buy from people they can relate to and people they like. The more real you are - the more people want to be around you.

Let’s just think about this for a moment. When you look at your personal life and those you associate with are the people “real” around you or “fake?”

Hopefully they are real - if not it may be time to associate yourself with some different peers.

What do I mean by being real? It means being authenticate, being you and being true. Your prospects are more intuitive than you think and they can see right through your BS.

Don’t be afraid to share your personal side, your authentic self - just be you~! You will find more people are drawn to you when they see that you are not “perfect” even though every time they see you - you are buttoned up and put-together in your 3-piece suit.

Now, obviously mind your manners but don’t be afraid to share who you really are. Not only will you see your sales increase but you will also see how much easier your job gets.

Tell us your story about being real in the comments section

An important part of selling is your commitment to who you are selling to. Are you really interested in them? Are you interested in their success with your products or services?

If not, why should they buy from you?

It’s important when you are in sells to under promise and over deliver - we all know that. The one thing we miss is to be committed to the prospective buyer. Be there when you say you will, call when you say you will and do what you said you will do.

Show that you are not only committed to them, but you are committed to what it is that makes them successful. When you show that you care and that you are committed - you will sell with ease.

Think about it, people buy from those that they like. This is sometimes true when they don’t even need the product or service, they just want to be associated with the person selling.

Are you so energetically committed that you draw in the sales?

If not perhaps it’s time to evaluate how you can tune more into prospective buyers - I think you will see that you push less of them away and attract more of them to you.

Vow to be committed today and see the difference!

It is a well-known fact that prospects and clients are harder to get in touch between the vacations, kids being out of school and other summer activities, which can cause your business to slow down.  And, if you’re livelihood depends on that business, you may not be too happy about that.  So what’s a business gal to do when it feels like some days you are the only one in the office still working? (Trust me–the TwoSalesGirls are probably working right along with you, so you’re not alone, quit feeling sorry for yourself!!)

Here are a few tips that we suggest as the lazy days of summer sets in to keep your career red-hot!

1. Keep a positive mindset! Stop your stinkin’ thinkin’ and feeling sorry for yourself! Manifest that your hot prospects are going to answer your calls or they’re going to call you back! See yourself booking new appointments and closing new deals.  What you think about you bring about, so if you continue to tell yourself you can’t reach out to your prospects and clients, then you’re right!
2. Research new ways and new people to fill your pipeline! Take some time this summer to research new reach out methods and new segments or markets to fill your pipeline.
3. Brush up on your sales and relationship skills! Have a little free time each day in your schedule? Think about investing in yourself and your career with personal and professional development.  Utilize more of the features on TwoSalesGirls.com, read professional development books or take a speaking course.  Do something to make yourself better and sharper so when your prospects and clients get back to work, you’ll be ready to close the deals with your new and improved self!
4. Get involved in your community! You may not be able to book as many sales appointments, so think about getting involved in a community organization.  Remember, you have to give to get, so spend some time giving back and watch what comes your way.
5. Get into Social Media if you’re not already or brush up your skills! Yes, to be a successful career woman in today’s world, you need to have an online presence–either for yourself or your company, or both! Get your Facebook page and Twitter account up and running.  There are some great books out about how to use these tools effectively to see your personal brand grow and your business, so learn how to really use these tools before you log on.

Bottom line, you create each day of your life, at work and at play.  So, why not use some of your time this summer to prepare yourself for the great things that lie ahead for you and continue to grow your fabulous career?

We’re wishing you a wonderful summer with a mix of great fun with friends and family and fabulous success in your career!

Laura and Jamie

Let’s face it, our time is money and time is valuable, we can’t waste it! Well, guess what, so is YOUR time! If you are reading this today and you are a networking queen, you attend every function imaginable, no matter what group it is, who it’s with, you’re there. While Laura and I are big proponents of being well networked within your industry and community, we recommend you set aside some time between your events and meetings and really evaluate where you spend your time. Are all of these groups and associations even relevant to your business or what your selling? Or, are they important to your values and beliefs (chartible organizations, etc)? If can’t remember why you joined a group or how it relates to you and your business, it may be time to think about cutting ties. After all, you need time to actually “sell” too!

Which brings me to my second point, be purposeful and open with your networking! Once you’ve determined which groups and associations are actually worth your time, go to each event with a plan, a focus for the day. Try to get to know atleast 3 new people at each event, don’t just run to your same table of friends. If you go to a networking event without a plan, you’re wasting your time. Also, be open to the possibilities that arise out of networking. You never know who you may meet that you may be able to form a mutually beneficial relationship with, but put yourself out there. Be open to asking people questions about what they do and actually listen! Think of ways you can help them, before you ever ask them to help you.

If you are someone who runs from any networking opportunity, you’re missing the boat! You cannot be in sales and/or running a business without doing some form of networking. So think about your business structure, the nature of your product or services? Who can you network with and where are they? Maybe they are online or at a local industry organization. But, regardless, you’re going to have to get out there and do it!

For either the networking queen or the novice networker, I highly recommend you listen to our podcast on “Sales is a Party, Why are you in the Corner?” It’s a fun take on the world of networking and how you can really get out there, make more meaningful connections and take your business and your sales quota to the next level!

To Your Success!
Jamie

Last night, while watching Brothers and Sisters, the oldest sister, Sarah was struggling balancing her plate. She’s the CEO of a start-up internet company and a single mother. The story goes that her company exhibits at a trade show and she blunders by telling an audience of “techies” that she doesn’t have a Facebook page and has no clue what Twitter is. YIKES! You then follow her character as she states that she “isn’t relevant” anymore in her career, she’s out of touch with the new technology and social media outlets.

We can all relate to this feeling at some level. It can be hard, going through your day to day routine, plus adding in your non-work related responsibilities to the mix, to stay up on all the latest technology, social media and trends in networking. However, it can be vital to your career that you stay “in the loop”. That’s where TwoSalesGirls.com comes in! That’s our job, to stay on top of the latest trends in networking, marketing and social media for sales gals and entrepreneurs. Join us today and let us be that one stop shop for you to check in and stay relevant in your career. We make it quick, easy and fun for you to get your weekly jolt of girl power and stay on top of your game and your industry.

We look forward to seeing you on the members’ page soon!

To Your Success,
Jamie

If you have not yet explored your options in terms of social media and how you can use it to promote your business or yourself, now is the time to get started! Don’t miss out on the opportunities that are available to you. Any savvy businesswoman needs to establish herself in social media circles, it’s not only great for your business or your current job position, but it’s great for your career. I say that with a caveat, watch what you put out there! Monitor what pictures, comments, posts, etc you put out into the social media web, they can come back to haunt you and they live forever, so be careful.

Here’s a few social media outlets that Laura and I use on a daily basis to promote our businesses: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blogs and online forums (ThinkBig Revolution, Kansas City Online Community, just to name a few). Look into your area and your industry to find specific online forums and communities that you can create profiles and network on.

Like I mentioned before, Laura is the real “Queen” of social and interactive marketing! She will be following up with a blog on her thoughts and tips on the topic, so be sure to check back later this month. Also, TSG members can head over to our online forum for an in-depth discussion on the topic and ask any questions you may have.

Be sure to check out TwoSalesGirls.com on Facebook and join our fan page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=43011871830 (or search in “Groups” for “TwoSalesGirls.com”)

TwosalesGirls.com is also on the ThinkBig Revolution at www.thinkbigrevolution.com. Become a ThinkBig Revolutionary and join our “Girl Power” Revolution for lively discussion and networking opportunities.

To Your Social Media Success in 2009!
Jamie

So really put some thought into these goals. Make them big, get out of your comfort zone! You will never reach “the next level” whatever that might be for you, if you don’t STRETCH yourself. We have set some very big goals for ourselves as well. We have big audacious goals for our business and where we want to be in three months, six months and at this time next year. We have also both sat down and taken a look at where we want to be personally with our Jeff’s (yes, we both are engaged/married to men named “Jeff” talk about confusing!) and outlined our plans for 2009, what we want to accomplish and we’ve stretched ourselves there as well!

Keep in mind that you will only get back what you put out into the world and this applies to your goals. If you don’t have goals, it’s like taking off on a road trip without an end destination in mind or a map! Also, think about finding an “accountability partner” once you’ve set your goals. Maybe it’s your boss, manager or a co-worker for your professional goals and your significant other or best friend for your personal goals. But do this together and have fun with it!

We cannot wait to hear some of the goals of our members and share in our successes together. Here’s to a truly FABULOUS 2009 for all those truly FABULOUS sales girls out there!

To Your Success,

Laura and Jamie

Let me share my morning with you. Today is my first official day back from holiday vacation, along with the majority of others in the workforce. The way the holidays fell this year made it perfect to take a two week break, and the majority of us did just that. So, for many people today is already a Monday and it’s the first day in the office after the holidays. Double whammy! At 8:05am my phone rings, it’s a sales call! I was in shock that someone would be calling me at this time for a sales call. Then again, at 8:15am my phone rings with yet another sales call. These were not the computerized random solicitations either. These were people would I had spoken with once before, just wanting to “follow-up” and see if I had “looked over their media kit yet”. Excuse me?

In sales, we all have to be self-motivated, willing to work harder and longer than the average person and I truly admire a go-getter. But seriously, you have to be smart even if you are a hard worker. Be courteous and respectful of people’s time when making your calls. Just because you’re in the office and really need to hit your sales quota this week, does not always mean it’s a good time to call someone.

Typically, I recommend to avoid making sales calls first thing Monday morning and later in the day on Fridays, unless absolutely necessary. And, avoid calling someone first thing in the morning the day after a national holiday weekend or when you know they’ve been out of the office, they won’t be ready to talk to you anyway. A little forethought and planning of your week can go a very long way to avoiding a situation like the one I encountered this morning; both those salespeople annoyed and turned me off this morning. Don’t be a saleswoman that turns off your prospects, show a little respect with your calls and really think before you decide to pick up that receiver.

To Your Success!

After my humble sales beginnings in elementary school, I remember taking a telemarketing job while in high school. For some reason I did better at it than most my co-workers - but then one day I returned to work to find that place had closed down - I think it had something to do with a fraud investigation.

I carried on, I took a job at a large retail chain and became the customer service manager, that’s right I was the youngest to run the front desk. I handled the returns, the complaints and answering the telephone. This wasn’t necessarily a sales job, but I definitely learned the skill of getting into the customers head.

Now, I’ll stop rambling and tell you why I think women are more equipped to handle a sales career and explain to you why I think any woman can be good in sales.

• Women are better at relationships. Think about it - we have the ability to nurture, maintain and build relationships. It’s a natural for us. We also actually enjoy relationships with other people. Men tend to have a more difficult time, they can meet people but it takes extra effort for them to build and develop the relationships that are necessary when it comes to being great at sales.
• We are better listeners. We know when to shut up and listen to the needs of our clients and customers. Men tend to ramble too much and forget the importance of the listening ear.
• We know how to solution-base sell. When it comes to selling for women it’s not just about “business” we actually sell based on the input that we receive from the customer or client.
• We aren’t covered in the “stench” that sometimes follows a bad sales experience. Men tend to have a history in sales that follows them. You know the “car sales man” that always rips you off or the vacuum cleaner sales man that really scammed you into buying a vacuum. We still carry a “clean” sales record and because of this we often gain the trust of clients and customers a little easier than men. Sorry fellas!
• Buzz follows a successful woman. It’s true there are still some stereotypes that make people think that women can’t sell, so when they come in contact with a woman who is successful in sales they want to be around her, talk about her and learn from her. We are buzz worthy!

Embrace these qualities, fine tune them and listen to your intuition. Know that you have what takes to be successful and let the feminine qualities you were born with drive straight towards that success mark - after all I’ve just proven to you we are in fact better in sales.

When you have a fabulous experience, you’re going to tell some of your friends and family members to go there and if you hear someone talking about finding a great hairstylist, dentist, etc and you love yours, you’ll jump on the opportunity to refer. Now, if you have a terrible experience, you’re going to tell EVERYONE you know to avoid that store, that office, that person. Several customers that have bad experiences can ruin alot of business. Likewise, several satisfied customers can lead to an increase in business.

We all love to work with referrals and we seek them out. For many, it can become the lifeblood of your business. So, the next time you’re at a networking event or talking with clients about who they can refer to you, think abou the level of customer service you provide them. What kind of experiences have they had with you? Have you had any clients who’ve had a bad experience with you? What would be your overall “score” for the customer service you provide to all your clients? If you are looking for more referrals or wondering why you’re not getting those referrals, the first step is evaluating the level of customer service you provide to your current clients.

Do everything in your power to make sure your clients are happy. Granted you cannot make everyone happy all the time, but in general, if your clients know you are trying very hard to solve their problem, or make a bad situation right, the sincerity of your actions will speak volumes to your commitment to your clients and the service you provide them.