5 tips for taking your business to the top in 2012

January 12, 2012 4 Comments

2011 Is over.

Did 2011 end on a good note for your business? What did you not get accomplish? Not as many customers as you wanted, not enough recruits for your team, Not as much money as you wanted.

What will you do different for your business in 2012?

~Here are 5 tips to get your business to soar in 2012~

1-Set attainable goals

Do not make the mistake of setting goals that you will not attain.

Analyze your lifestyle and your habits and determine what goals will be attainable.

Instead of a goal of getting 10 new customers each month, change it to : Introduce your business to a new person each week. Why is that a better and more attainable goal? Psychology. Getting one customer rather than 10 customers is easier, less stressful; less overwhelming than getting 10 and you will put the plans in motion to achieve that goal. Why? The goal is within your reach.

2-Surround yourself with positive and successful people within your business circles

Are you surrounded by folks who have no confidence in you or in what you are doing as a business? Is your success and confidence being corroded by negative people and nay-sayers who surround you daily. Get away from the these people!

Put yourself in the position to learn from positive and successful business people who will to teach you the habits of being successful in your field and who will propel you to action.

Find a team player/ friend / sponsor within your business  who is successful that you can be accountable to so you can get the support to achieve your goals.

3-Allign yourself with a business partner who will refer business to you

Find a business partner in a complimentary business who will refer you and reciprocate referrals to this partner. If you sell gift baskets, connect with a real estate agent you trust to get business for you. Make a welcome gift basket for this real estate agent as a welcome to your new home for her new closing client. And in return whenever you hear someone is looking for a real estate agent refer that person to your partner.

Find your referral partner who will commit to referring you. All you need is 2 really great referrers and you will get new business. And don’t forget to delight your customers with over the top customer service so you will always be referred and get more customers.

4-Network, Network, Network

Whether you network online or in person, take 30 minutes to 1hour per day to network your business. Introduce your business to a new person everyday (determine how much time you can spend depending on your lifestyle).

Use the tools that will help you network and reach new people. Social media like facebook, linkedin, forums, blogs as well as business networking groups online and offline are wonderful tools to help you propel your business to successful heights. Be careful not to bombard with ads regarding your business but rather engage your potential customers with conversations and show them the real side of you.

This is what networking is … building relationships. When you meet someone on facebook for instance, visit their page. Tell them hello and see what they are all about. Find something you have in common and speak about that topic. Do not discuss your business; just get to know the person. Building relationships takes some time so don’t expect a business deal overnight.

Start building relationships online and offline and you will see what a difference it will make for you and your business.

5-Promote the problem solving side of your product

Find the problem your product solves for your customers and .

When someone asks you what is your business, say: I sell hangbags, a product that every woman loves, uses and needs but my handbags are unique because they save you time, closet-space and money.

If you sell candles that are safe, your mantra should be. I sell candles that are safe for your home, around your children and pets and to top it off we off 50 different scents.

Once your customers see that your product solves a problem, they will have a different approach to what you have to offer them.

6-Bonus Tip & Gift: Offer Real Incentives for your customers to keep them coming back to you

Offer loyal customer bonuses and rewards to your customers. Doing this not only tells your customer you appreciate their business, but keep them as a repeat customer.

Think of small and big ways you can offer rewards:

a)      A giveaway that coincides with a particular season like a valentine giveaway

b)      A discount for referring business

c)       A gift for loyal customers on their birthdays

d)      A gift/birthday card and shout-out on their children’s birthdays

e)      Shoppers club discounts

I am sure you can think of ways to reward and incent your customers that you may not have thought of before. Be creative and think outside of the box and see how rewarding these incentives can be for your business.

Thank you for stopping by and reading today’s blog post, here is a free gift from us to you for your business in 2012: A free ebook that will help you to gain customers for your business. Get it HERE

To Your Continued Success,

Alba and Maureen

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Blog Post compiled and submitted by Blog Author, Maureen Daniels, work at home mom and entrepreneur. With a passion and dream to help other stay at home parents stay home with their children and build sustainable income at home, Maureen has created a business network,  Online Shopping Mall; and blogs, like Just Make Money From Home and Online Shopping Mall Is My Blogs Name. These sites offer business resources and tools that foster success and empowerment for small business owners.

And Blog Author, Alba Henderson, CEO and Founder of Alba’s Exclusive Events, an event management company bridging business, beauty/fashion and wedding industry experts through various networking, educational, fundraising and showcasing events. Aspiring entrepreneurs to follow their passions and to align themselves for achievement and prosperity.

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