You can't have a successful business without selling. Find out what it takes to be successful in sales, get powerful hints for low cost marketing, and learn how to add that 'marketing magic' to your sales efforts. And remember, you don't need to do it all on your own. Peter Switzer will show you how to learn from the marketing success of others to give your start-up business the best chance of success.
The views presented in these articles are not Optus' views. This article contains general information only and is not intended to be relied on as legal, financial or professional advice. Readers should seek their own advice based on their specific business needs.
Like any medium that captures the public imagination, Twitter brings a myriad of opportunities to strengthen customer relationships and build brands and businesses. But not all tweets are equal - and because Twitter allows users to choose whether to
You've got the buyer hook, line and sinker. But how do you close the deal? Most will admit it's the toughest part of the entire sales process. But there are ways to make sure you get the sale over the line. Here are 10 tips to seal the deal.
It's that time of the year again - with only so many sleeps until Christmas, it's time for online retailers to start panicking about their key selling period.
When John and Ros Moriarty took their hair brain idea to Qantas to paint a plane red with an aboriginal motif they knew they were pushing the envelope. How they pitched it and pulled it off could easily be put under the category of guts marketing.
Coming up with a great new marketing idea for your business that doesn't cost the earth need not be a pipe dream.
The recession has thrown the sales and marketing strategies of entrepreneurs into disarray.
Thinking outside the square is important when coming up with a marketing strategy that will set your business aside from the rest.
To have a winning business, leadership and great staff are crucial. I remember the time that a local paper held its annual small business awards. It was a packed house, with hundreds not able to get a booking for the event.
Marketing your business properly is crucial to getting customers and clients through the front door.
One of the most fascinating and successful businesses in Australia is Working Dog, the company that has produced such great movies as The Castle and The Dish. The team behind it became famous during the '90s as 'The D-Generation'.
Ever thought about podcasting and how you could benefit from it in your business? It could be a new way of communicating with your customers.
The great business builders are champions at communicating and reaching their audience. And just about all of them used that Communications 101 technique of public relations to get the business noticed and growing.
Can you learn by reading about other's success? The whole point of reading about successful small business operators is simple - you want to be told something you don't know.
Money Talks. Being an effective salesperson comes naturally to some people and the experts argue there are several key characteristics of the top sellers.
Let's look at a common question many SMEs ask themselves: how much time, money and most importantly energy do I have to expend on networking to achieve rewards for my effort?
So you want to be an entrepreneur? Years ago, the word 'entrepreneur' fell into disuse because of the negative connotations attached to it. But hard working business owners have in more recent times resuscitated the word.
Effective marketing is integral to any new business. By thinking outside the square, developing a marketing strategy that will not blow the budget is possible.
Your business is special to you, but customers need to be convinced that it is special to them too.
When a person opens up their shop or becomes a consultant for the first time, they can be surprised that they're actually in sales. Those who work as professionals (doctors, lawyers, etc) often don't realise the sales side of their business.
There's no doubt about it, marketing is a popular buzzword for people in business. As a business owner you know you should be doing it, but do you really understand what marketing is? And how can you go about it without it costing you a fortune?
For those working from home, marketing can be a daunting task. Marketing experts advise home-based and other micro-businesses to be very realistic about their operations.
A referral is the greatest complement a customer or a supplier can give to you and your business. It is a clear indication that you have done something right.
Winning customers and keeping them is the number one strategy for businesses determined to have an impressive and long track record -- but there are some important lessons we all must learn or remember.
There is more to building your brand than customers or clients simply recognising your logo or catchphrase.
Marketing your business well is important in achieving your business goal.
Advertising is important for any business, but what constitutes good advertising?
Getting people talking and excited about your business is one of the best ways to market it.
Clever marketing is crucial to boosting the image of your business.
It's important for your business to be on top of sales. Here are some tips to improve you sales skills.
During tough times, cutting back on certain parts of your business may be detrimental.
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Most business owners need more time in their day. Here are a few timesaving techniques that will let you concentrate on growing your business.
During tough times, cutting back on certain parts of your business may be detrimental.
This will help you create winning goods and services: "Quality in a service or product is not what you put into it. It is what the client or customer gets out of it." (The business guru, Peter Drucker)
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