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Atricle Dump - How Exhibitors Can Move More Attendees Closer to Buying
What Colors Make Your Services Most Attractive? ds, their
average pause-to-scan time in such conditions. Really! Try it and you’ll become a
believer in brevity for more selling power.This information is based on the principles of Laws of Attraction, Law of Allowing and Law of Deliberate Creation. And the Universal Laws of Energy (like attract likes) proven by Quantum Physics. What colors attract people to you? Visual presentation and appeal, whether in your marketing materials or what you wear, can turn on or turn off what people you attract. It does not matter if it’s on paper matter, the Internet, like a web site, or in a presentation. If you do any kind of speaking, writing, or design type of work, this article is for you. I'm not just talking about visual color, I'm also talking to you about audio and writing or language color. Each affect our relationships -- friends, family, prospects, clients or customers. It is a fact that companies with large budgets spend billions on color market research -- usually in product or packaging development. Solopreneurs pockets aren't as deep, thus, they need to use the results of the research of the deep pocket-ers. Colors tell someone if you are approachable. In the same way they will affect whether someone will continue clicking through your web site. Colors will determine if someone will start reading your article in a magazine or posted on your web site. Color also helps to keep people involved on your web site (it’s not just about the content) and how long they stay. Colors also influences how people will respond and behave. A black background on your web site now represents s*x-type of web sites. It is important that if that isn't your focus that you don't use a black background. Let’s take a few minutes and play with this concept. The next time you go into a fast-food restaurant, look closely at the colors. Do they decorate with vivid reds and oranges because they encourage diners to eat and leave quickly like many 13. Display your main point and supportive points on the booth above the heads of the booth staff and attendees, so attendees' views are not blocked. 14. Booth visuals and words should guide attendees' eyes down a "path" from one message to the next. 15. Again, this is controversial except to those who’ve given up these unhelpful habits. Avoid opening references to weather, "Having fun?", freebies, drawings, or other non-benefit-related topics that distract and dilute your relationship with your prospect. 16. Verbally and visually make a "Conference Offer": more information; a time- limited or bundled product order price; consultation; or other vivid benefit to move them closer to a sale. 17. An attendee's attention span is shortened if you wear patterned or very detailed clothing or accessories (pin, necklace, tie, earrings) or other busy "body signage," especially on the upper half of your body. 18. For those who know your product (and you know that they are familiar with it): a. Hand the person a gift (preferably one that does not prominently display your company or product name), while asking them: "May I give you this small gift for taking the time to answer two questions for me?" b. Then ask, "What do you like best about our product or (service)?" Whatever is said aloud is then believed more deeply by the speaker. c. Be a complete and supportive listener as they explain. Give uninterrupted eye contact, nod, or offer other responsive gestures that are natural for you. d. When they have finished, ask, "Tell me more about that." As they elaborate, they move the topic closer to the top of their minds and they also become more: - articu How To Get Newspaper Advertising Cheaper Than Your Competition Q. What's the single, biggest change exhibitors can make to move more prospects
closer to a buying?Several weeks ago I had an absolutely fascinating conversation with a newspaper advertising expert.In our meeting, he laid out some of the best newspaper ad tips I'd ever heard. There were tips that can save anyone money and make things go a lot more smoothly when dealing with newspapers and other publications.And one of the best secrets he told me -- which sounds really obvious, but is still a secret to most people -- is when you are looking at buying newspaper advertising, one of the things you should do is form a relationship with a representative.In other words, deal with one person and get to know them. Let them know you and what you are doing, and try to have a real business relationship with the person. It seems such a simple concept but you would be surprised that it actually requires planning as well as good "people skills" when forming the relationship.Ideally, this person should be a supervisor or manager of the department. But either way, that representative that you have a relationship with is going to be your best ally and will assist you in getting some great pricing. Additionally, he or she will keep you abreast of anything that may help you out such as current or upcoming specials on advertising that you may want to take advantage of.Now, if you can't seem to get along with the first person you deal with, you should literally ask, "Who else can I work with? I want to spend some money with you. Who can I work with?" If they won't help you with that, go above their head and talk to their boss.Really, the higher up you can go in the advertising department chain the better. They will be more likely to be able to get you better deals, or make exceptions for you. Especially if you are a good customer and are spending money with them on a regular basis.So the bottom line is this:If you do newspaper adve A. Exhibiting firms can make their most credible, "main differentiating benefit" the most obvious, prominent (aka BIG) message in everything they display, give away, or discuss. Problem: Exhibiting staff rarely get to have a pivotal role in creating their exhibit, “uniform” clothing or collateral material. If you are reading this article, you may be facing this situation. Read on and you'll find some ways to overcome the inadvertent barriers put in the way of your sales success. First, consider these points: 1. Are you giving your prospects the single most important piece of information they most need to know to buy? How easy is it for them to see that information, and how credibly is it stated. 2. Exactly how can you help attendees make an informed choice and act sooner? 3. How many steps do even "warm" buyers take to complete the sale, from signing to delivery through possible training on the use of the product or service? How can you reduce that number? 4. Specifically, how do you help your buyers become obvious heroes to their significant decision makers at their work place, from their boss to the people they sell to and/or serve? Don't bury the key reason to buy. After walking through over 100 trade shows prior to speaking to exhibitors, I've discovered that the exhibitors' message is rarely the key headline prospective buyers most need to know. That essential message is the main differentiating benefit between an exhibitor's product or service and that of the top two or three alternative vendors, as the prospect most probably views their options. Instead, exhibits and promotional materials usually give more prominence to the name of the product and/or the company. Attendees rarely see or hear about an exhibitor's main benefit first. Benefits rarely "jump out" at attendees from the booth or collateral messages or the staff's explanation. Thus, exhibitors inadvertently hide their biggest benefit. In most cases, features (how a product is constructed or its "capacity" or how it is operated) are still promoted more heavily than benefits (what the product does for the customer). This is not customer-centered, thoughtful marketing. The prospect has to do more work to make a fair comparison. Exhibitors can offer succinct, specific, and easy-to-follow comparison sheets that do not insult the competition. One comparison sheet might "headline" the major benefits. Other back-up sheets can provide more detailed comparisons. Put a "human face" on the facts by providing customers' situational examples to illustrate the benefits. Plus, exhibitors often attempt to build traffic to their booth with contests, drawings, or giveaway gadgets that don't relate to their main, differentiating benefit or even their product, so they don't get closer to their hottest prospects. Further, staff's icebreaker comments are often general and not relevant to the reason to buy ("Having a good time?" "Want a free..?"). Unfortunately, those who staff an exhibit seldom get to be involved in the design of their exhibit or promotional materials - or even what they wear. They must accept the setting in which they sell, attempting to engage prospects as they pass with involving comments that state the main benefits verbally to attendees in a brief, involving way to pull them in rather than turn them off. When companies don't make their main benefit easy to see and hear quickly, attendees must be deeply motivated to look and ask for the essential information they want. Credible benefit statements increase the chances for a sale. A credible brand name then reinforces the reason to buy, not the other way around. Good benefit statements are vivid and specific examples, facts, and comparisons. Passersby are in one of three buying modes: 1. Seeking information to buy a certain kind of product for the first time and trying to select the best product 2. Considering changing vendors if they find a better product 3. "Trolling": a. not buying now but seeing what is new for future reference b. or without the budget or need and will never buy Serious buyers most want to see and hear information regarding: a. the main reason to buy at all and, if they do buy b. the main reason they should buy from you over your closest competitors, as they see them. 26 Ways to Attract Serious Buyers to Your Booth … and Move Them Closer to Buying (Don’t forget to see the last two tips, now made possible by new and free technology) 1. Draft and memorize a one-to-two-sentence top "differentiating benefit" statement, relative to your two closest competitors and without denigrating the competition. When you can weave it into conversation, you have created a shorter path to their buying process. Get tips on how by reading “Grab Their Attention” http://www.sayitbetter.com/articles/wrt_grab_attention.html 2. Start with the specific benefit rather than building up to it with general background, so the listener will listen sooner and longer. The specific detail ("Product with the fewest parts that need replacement") proves the general benefit. The general statement ("We are the people who care") is less credible and less memorable. 3. Multiply attendees' positive exposures to your benefit in everything you say, display, point at, stand near, or offer. 4. Condense further to intensify attention. Be able to reduce that benefit to its essence in one vivid phrase, motto, slogan, or sentence. Get more ideas by reading “Speak English Like it Tastes Good” http://www.sayitbetter.com/articles/sib_speak_english_tst.html 5. Make your phrase sufficiently interesting and brief so they feel they're in charge. They'll be more likely to stay and ask you enough questions so you can recognize their main interests, level of knowledge, hot buttons, and decision-making process. 6. Offer "real life" situational examples. Cite relevant and diverse customers' experiences. Tell them what your customers actually said and did with your product or service that helped them, how. 7. Give no more than three supportive benefits. 8. Express each supportive benefit like a headline, a "billboard message" of no more than five to eight words. 9. Use everyday, non-jargon, and non-industry-specific language, even if the attendees might know the jargon. Could and would the disinterested spouse of the attendee or conference hall maintenance staff understand it? 10. The most credible proof of your benefits are third-party endorsements of three diverse customers who have little else in common other than their adoration of your product and their similarity with your prospect. 11. Display a satisfied client's quotes under each benefit on the booth and in promotional material -- preferably each in a different color and type face. When endorsements relate to a specific situation, change, vivid contrast, or improvement, their words are most credible and will be most memorable. 12. Yes! Remove all graphics and words and materials in the booth that do not relate to either the main benefit and (not more than three) supportive benefits, so attendees will be able to take in the information within 12-15 seconds, their average pause-to-scan time in such conditions. Really! Try it and you’ll become a believer in brevity for more selling power. 13. Display your main point and supportive points on the booth above the heads of the booth staff and attendees, so attendees' views are not blocked. 14. Booth visuals and words should guide attendees' eyes down a "path" from one message to the next. 15. Again, this is controversial except to those who’ve given up these unhelpful habits. Avoid opening references to weather, "Having fun?", freebies, drawings, or other non-benefit-related topics that distract and dilute your relationship with your prospect. 16. Verbally and visually make a "Conference Offer": more information; a time- limited or bundled product order price; consultation; or other vivid benefit to move them closer to a sale. 17. An attendee's attention span is shortened if you wear patterned or very detailed clothing or accessories (pin, necklace, tie, earrings) or other busy "body signage," especially on the upper half of your body. 18. For those who know your product (and you know that they are familiar with it): a. Hand the person a gift (preferably one that does not prominently display your company or product name), while asking them: "May I give you this small gift for taking the time to answer two questions for me?" b. Then ask, "What do you like best about our product or (service)?" Whatever is said aloud is then believed more deeply by the speaker. c. Be a complete and supportive listener as they explain. Give uninterrupted eye contact, nod, or offer other responsive gestures that are natural for you. d. When they have finished, ask, "Tell me more about that." As they elaborate, they move the topic closer to the top of their minds and they also become more: - articul Ebay - a Godsend or the Devil? /p>Ebay – You either love it or hate it. Count me in the latter group. Ebay is the devil! My experience with Ebay was most unfortunate. I’m assuming it isn’t the norm or else Ebay would not be as popular as it is world-wide.How did I become an Ebay hater? Simple. I tried to sell a diamond ring on their site. I signed up for a one time deal. I believe it was for a month and I was led to believe that if the ring didn’t sell after a month, that was it, no more obligation to me.Somehow I also got duped into listing the ring in two categories, not just for a diamond. I believe it was their suggestion that I could sell it more easily and quickly if I listed it in another category. So I did. I also paid the extra money for the extra listing.Imagine my surprise when a month later they started billing me for $16.00 per month. For what? The ring didn’t sell. I had already paid them their upfront fees.Have you ever tried contacting Ebay to complain about their service? I found this to be impossible. Each time I tried to close my Ebay account I would receive an email on how to delete my PayPal account. Say what? I want my PayPal account, I need my PayPal account. What I don’t want is an Ebay account.I emailed Ebay many times during the course of about six weeks. I would never get a personal response to my problem, just the usual how to delete my PayPal account.I finally contacted my credit card company, explained the problem to them and they put the gears in motion to get me divorced from them! The credit card company did give me the telephone number to contact Ebay in the meantime. Finally, success! I will be able to speak to a real live person and explain the dilemma and get extricated from this whole mess.So I called the phone number for Ebay that my credit card company gave me. Tremulously, I waited on the line a Attendees rarely see or hear about an exhibitor's main benefit first. Benefits rarely "jump out" at attendees from the booth or collateral messages or the staff's explanation. Thus, exhibitors inadvertently hide their biggest benefit. In most cases, features (how a product is constructed or its "capacity" or how it is operated) are still promoted more heavily than benefits (what the product does for the customer). This is not customer-centered, thoughtful marketing. The prospect has to do more work to make a fair comparison. Exhibitors can offer succinct, specific, and easy-to-follow comparison sheets that do not insult the competition. One comparison sheet might "headline" the major benefits. Other back-up sheets can provide more detailed comparisons. Put a "human face" on the facts by providing customers' situational examples to illustrate the benefits. Plus, exhibitors often attempt to build traffic to their booth with contests, drawings, or giveaway gadgets that don't relate to their main, differentiating benefit or even their product, so they don't get closer to their hottest prospects. Further, staff's icebreaker comments are often general and not relevant to the reason to buy ("Having a good time?" "Want a free..?"). Unfortunately, those who staff an exhibit seldom get to be involved in the design of their exhibit or promotional materials - or even what they wear. They must accept the setting in which they sell, attempting to engage prospects as they pass with involving comments that state the main benefits verbally to attendees in a brief, involving way to pull them in rather than turn them off. When companies don't make their main benefit easy to see and hear quickly, attendees must be deeply motivated to look and ask for the essential information they want. Credible benefit statements increase the chances for a sale. A credible brand name then reinforces the reason to buy, not the other way around. Good benefit statements are vivid and specific examples, facts, and comparisons. Passersby are in one of three buying modes: 1. Seeking information to buy a certain kind of product for the first time and trying to select the best product 2. Considering changing vendors if they find a better product 3. "Trolling": a. not buying now but seeing what is new for future reference b. or without the budget or need and will never buy Serious buyers most want to see and hear information regarding: a. the main reason to buy at all and, if they do buy b. the main reason they should buy from you over your closest competitors, as they see them. 26 Ways to Attract Serious Buyers to Your Booth … and Move Them Closer to Buying (Don’t forget to see the last two tips, now made possible by new and free technology) 1. Draft and memorize a one-to-two-sentence top "differentiating benefit" statement, relative to your two closest competitors and without denigrating the competition. When you can weave it into conversation, you have created a shorter path to their buying process. Get tips on how by reading “Grab Their Attention” http://www.sayitbetter.com/articles/wrt_grab_attention.html 2. Start with the specific benefit rather than building up to it with general background, so the listener will listen sooner and longer. The specific detail ("Product with the fewest parts that need replacement") proves the general benefit. The general statement ("We are the people who care") is less credible and less memorable. 3. Multiply attendees' positive exposures to your benefit in everything you say, display, point at, stand near, or offer. 4. Condense further to intensify attention. Be able to reduce that benefit to its essence in one vivid phrase, motto, slogan, or sentence. Get more ideas by reading “Speak English Like it Tastes Good” http://www.sayitbetter.com/articles/sib_speak_english_tst.html 5. Make your phrase sufficiently interesting and brief so they feel they're in charge. They'll be more likely to stay and ask you enough questions so you can recognize their main interests, level of knowledge, hot buttons, and decision-making process. 6. Offer "real life" situational examples. Cite relevant and diverse customers' experiences. Tell them what your customers actually said and did with your product or service that helped them, how. 7. Give no more than three supportive benefits. 8. Express each supportive benefit like a headline, a "billboard message" of no more than five to eight words. 9. Use everyday, non-jargon, and non-industry-specific language, even if the attendees might know the jargon. Could and would the disinterested spouse of the attendee or conference hall maintenance staff understand it? 10. The most credible proof of your benefits are third-party endorsements of three diverse customers who have little else in common other than their adoration of your product and their similarity with your prospect. 11. Display a satisfied client's quotes under each benefit on the booth and in promotional material -- preferably each in a different color and type face. When endorsements relate to a specific situation, change, vivid contrast, or improvement, their words are most credible and will be most memorable. 12. Yes! Remove all graphics and words and materials in the booth that do not relate to either the main benefit and (not more than three) supportive benefits, so attendees will be able to take in the information within 12-15 seconds, their average pause-to-scan time in such conditions. Really! Try it and you’ll become a believer in brevity for more selling power. 13. Display your main point and supportive points on the booth above the heads of the booth staff and attendees, so attendees' views are not blocked. 14. Booth visuals and words should guide attendees' eyes down a "path" from one message to the next. 15. Again, this is controversial except to those who’ve given up these unhelpful habits. Avoid opening references to weather, "Having fun?", freebies, drawings, or other non-benefit-related topics that distract and dilute your relationship with your prospect. 16. Verbally and visually make a "Conference Offer": more information; a time- limited or bundled product order price; consultation; or other vivid benefit to move them closer to a sale. 17. An attendee's attention span is shortened if you wear patterned or very detailed clothing or accessories (pin, necklace, tie, earrings) or other busy "body signage," especially on the upper half of your body. 18. For those who know your product (and you know that they are familiar with it): a. Hand the person a gift (preferably one that does not prominently display your company or product name), while asking them: "May I give you this small gift for taking the time to answer two questions for me?" b. Then ask, "What do you like best about our product or (service)?" Whatever is said aloud is then believed more deeply by the speaker. c. Be a complete and supportive listener as they explain. Give uninterrupted eye contact, nod, or offer other responsive gestures that are natural for you. d. When they have finished, ask, "Tell me more about that." As they elaborate, they move the topic closer to the top of their minds and they also become more: - articu WARNING. Easy Journey Ahead efit statements increase the chances for a sale. A credible brand name
then reinforces the reason to buy, not the other way around. Good benefit
statements are vivid and specific examples, facts, and comparisons. Passersby are in
one of three buying modes:I am on my way to the quarterly status update with my Sales Manager. The last quarter has been terribly bad. We reached nowhere near the Sales target. Naturally, I am moving ahead with a great resistance and a palpitation rate of the highest order. I have no idea of what will turn out for me in the meeting.Fifteen minutes later, I come out of the room. There is a sigh of relief on my face; a similar _expression can be seen on my Sales Manager's face. As soon as I come to my cubicle - out of my Sales Manager's sight, this "sigh of relief" explodes into an _expression of joy - I DID IT, AND I DID IT AGAIN !!!I could convince him easily about why the sales couldn't happen this time, why I had absolutely nothing to do with the figures not being met, and why it would be a cake-walk in the next quarter. He is absolutely convinced about it. I am safe. At least for the next 3 months!Is it that I am more skillful at providing execuses than meeting sales figures? May be.MAY BE NOT.May be, I just didn't apply myself enough at meeting the sales figures.May be, I didnt feel enough "ownership" of that problem. May be, I didnt come up with a good enough strategy. May be, the sales projections were impossible to reach.May be .... May be .... May be ....I will never know. NOBODY WILL EVER KNOW !!!However, the fact that I could come up with a solid execuse to protect my job, is proof enough that I could have possibly come up with a similarly solid strategy to meet the sales figures ...THE "HUMAN" SIDE OF PROBLEM-SOLVINGWhether it is a second-order differential equation, a programming problem, a sales target to be met or an HR problem - we cannot separate the problem from the problem-solver; we cannot separate the process of innovation from the innovator.Any problem-solving occurs 1. Seeking information to buy a certain kind of product for the first time and trying to select the best product 2. Considering changing vendors if they find a better product 3. "Trolling": a. not buying now but seeing what is new for future reference b. or without the budget or need and will never buy Serious buyers most want to see and hear information regarding: a. the main reason to buy at all and, if they do buy b. the main reason they should buy from you over your closest competitors, as they see them. 26 Ways to Attract Serious Buyers to Your Booth … and Move Them Closer to Buying (Don’t forget to see the last two tips, now made possible by new and free technology) 1. Draft and memorize a one-to-two-sentence top "differentiating benefit" statement, relative to your two closest competitors and without denigrating the competition. When you can weave it into conversation, you have created a shorter path to their buying process. Get tips on how by reading “Grab Their Attention” http://www.sayitbetter.com/articles/wrt_grab_attention.html 2. Start with the specific benefit rather than building up to it with general background, so the listener will listen sooner and longer. The specific detail ("Product with the fewest parts that need replacement") proves the general benefit. The general statement ("We are the people who care") is less credible and less memorable. 3. Multiply attendees' positive exposures to your benefit in everything you say, display, point at, stand near, or offer. 4. Condense further to intensify attention. Be able to reduce that benefit to its essence in one vivid phrase, motto, slogan, or sentence. Get more ideas by reading “Speak English Like it Tastes Good” http://www.sayitbetter.com/articles/sib_speak_english_tst.html 5. Make your phrase sufficiently interesting and brief so they feel they're in charge. They'll be more likely to stay and ask you enough questions so you can recognize their main interests, level of knowledge, hot buttons, and decision-making process. 6. Offer "real life" situational examples. Cite relevant and diverse customers' experiences. Tell them what your customers actually said and did with your product or service that helped them, how. 7. Give no more than three supportive benefits. 8. Express each supportive benefit like a headline, a "billboard message" of no more than five to eight words. 9. Use everyday, non-jargon, and non-industry-specific language, even if the attendees might know the jargon. Could and would the disinterested spouse of the attendee or conference hall maintenance staff understand it? 10. The most credible proof of your benefits are third-party endorsements of three diverse customers who have little else in common other than their adoration of your product and their similarity with your prospect. 11. Display a satisfied client's quotes under each benefit on the booth and in promotional material -- preferably each in a different color and type face. When endorsements relate to a specific situation, change, vivid contrast, or improvement, their words are most credible and will be most memorable. 12. Yes! Remove all graphics and words and materials in the booth that do not relate to either the main benefit and (not more than three) supportive benefits, so attendees will be able to take in the information within 12-15 seconds, their average pause-to-scan time in such conditions. Really! Try it and you’ll become a believer in brevity for more selling power. 13. Display your main point and supportive points on the booth above the heads of the booth staff and attendees, so attendees' views are not blocked. 14. Booth visuals and words should guide attendees' eyes down a "path" from one message to the next. 15. Again, this is controversial except to those who’ve given up these unhelpful habits. Avoid opening references to weather, "Having fun?", freebies, drawings, or other non-benefit-related topics that distract and dilute your relationship with your prospect. 16. Verbally and visually make a "Conference Offer": more information; a time- limited or bundled product order price; consultation; or other vivid benefit to move them closer to a sale. 17. An attendee's attention span is shortened if you wear patterned or very detailed clothing or accessories (pin, necklace, tie, earrings) or other busy "body signage," especially on the upper half of your body. 18. For those who know your product (and you know that they are familiar with it): a. Hand the person a gift (preferably one that does not prominently display your company or product name), while asking them: "May I give you this small gift for taking the time to answer two questions for me?" b. Then ask, "What do you like best about our product or (service)?" Whatever is said aloud is then believed more deeply by the speaker. c. Be a complete and supportive listener as they explain. Give uninterrupted eye contact, nod, or offer other responsive gestures that are natural for you. d. When they have finished, ask, "Tell me more about that." As they elaborate, they move the topic closer to the top of their minds and they also become more: - articu Marketing a Private Practice: Tips for Marketing Using Speeches intensify attention. Be able to reduce that benefit to its
essence in one vivid phrase, motto, slogan, or sentence. Get more ideas by reading
“Speak English Like it Tastes Good”
http://www.sayitbetter.com/articles/sib_speak_english_tst.htmlAs any self-employed professional in private practice will tell you about marketing, it can be a challenge to get a steady flow of referrals started. Even with great referral sources, it sometimes isn't enough to keep your cash flow at the levels you desire for your private practice.If you want to work with special niches that aren't on the general referral circuit (say, self-referrals such as women in transition, etc.) then you have to be especially diligent about getting in front of both unique potential referral sources as well as potential clients. How to do that on a budget?One strategy that is not being put to its full use is that of speaking engagements.Now I know for many, your first response is to shudder, but consider the following…With careful planning, your speaking engagements can be a bonanza of new opportunities. As a speaker, you are, in effect, endorsed by the sponsoring organization or business.But don't think you'll have to devote huge amounts of time to travel and arrangements. Instead, take advantage of local Lunch and Learn Programs that are sponsored in-house by the companies that employee those who are in your target market.Lunch and Learn Programs are usually fairly short in duration, yet while you are speaking, you have everyone's full attention. You are free to present information of your own choosing that shows you in your best light.It's the perfect opportunity to establish your credibility while allowing potential client's to get to know you in ways they otherwise would not.While many may hesitate to pick up the phone and telephone your office for an exploratory call, with the right topic, you can attract even those who were NOT thinking about accessing your services.Can you see the possibilities? 5. Make your phrase sufficiently interesting and brief so they feel they're in charge. They'll be more likely to stay and ask you enough questions so you can recognize their main interests, level of knowledge, hot buttons, and decision-making process. 6. Offer "real life" situational examples. Cite relevant and diverse customers' experiences. Tell them what your customers actually said and did with your product or service that helped them, how. 7. Give no more than three supportive benefits. 8. Express each supportive benefit like a headline, a "billboard message" of no more than five to eight words. 9. Use everyday, non-jargon, and non-industry-specific language, even if the attendees might know the jargon. Could and would the disinterested spouse of the attendee or conference hall maintenance staff understand it? 10. The most credible proof of your benefits are third-party endorsements of three diverse customers who have little else in common other than their adoration of your product and their similarity with your prospect. 11. Display a satisfied client's quotes under each benefit on the booth and in promotional material -- preferably each in a different color and type face. When endorsements relate to a specific situation, change, vivid contrast, or improvement, their words are most credible and will be most memorable. 12. Yes! Remove all graphics and words and materials in the booth that do not relate to either the main benefit and (not more than three) supportive benefits, so attendees will be able to take in the information within 12-15 seconds, their average pause-to-scan time in such conditions. Really! Try it and you’ll become a believer in brevity for more selling power. 13. Display your main point and supportive points on the booth above the heads of the booth staff and attendees, so attendees' views are not blocked. 14. Booth visuals and words should guide attendees' eyes down a "path" from one message to the next. 15. Again, this is controversial except to those who’ve given up these unhelpful habits. Avoid opening references to weather, "Having fun?", freebies, drawings, or other non-benefit-related topics that distract and dilute your relationship with your prospect. 16. Verbally and visually make a "Conference Offer": more information; a time- limited or bundled product order price; consultation; or other vivid benefit to move them closer to a sale. 17. An attendee's attention span is shortened if you wear patterned or very detailed clothing or accessories (pin, necklace, tie, earrings) or other busy "body signage," especially on the upper half of your body. 18. For those who know your product (and you know that they are familiar with it): a. Hand the person a gift (preferably one that does not prominently display your company or product name), while asking them: "May I give you this small gift for taking the time to answer two questions for me?" b. Then ask, "What do you like best about our product or (service)?" Whatever is said aloud is then believed more deeply by the speaker. c. Be a complete and supportive listener as they explain. Give uninterrupted eye contact, nod, or offer other responsive gestures that are natural for you. d. When they have finished, ask, "Tell me more about that." As they elaborate, they move the topic closer to the top of their minds and they also become more: - articu 6 Career Killers And How To Avoid Them ds, their
average pause-to-scan time in such conditions. Really! Try it and you’ll become a
believer in brevity for more selling power.One wrong move can seriously damage your career beyond repair. A flawed plan based upon misinformation, a sudden outburst and petty office politics can all sabotage your career. All the years of hard work and your education and successful planning can be rendered insignificant by any one of the career killers. Young workers especially need to pay particular attention to their behavior, punctuality, attitude and even appearance; although, these less obvious blunders are not left unnoticed. The same word of caution holds true for older workers, but with some additions. Developing a good reputation is as important as keeping it intact.To help you keep your career on track, identifying career killers and avoiding them is essential.The Career Killers1. Setting Small Goals: Your journey is only as far as your destination is. Setting small goals incapacitate you and leave you with regrets much later in life. Setting big goals and having a plan to achieve them gets you noticed, and noticed by the right people.2. Playing Office Politics: This is another wrong path to tread. Strangely, some people have an unnatural affinity to gossiping and playing politics. While you engage in this, the wrong people in the office notice you. And this works against you, rather quickly.3. Procrastination: Procrastination is in some people’s blood. Don’t let it be in yours. More often than not, it adds to your inefficiency and highlights your performance as poor. In the bigger scheme of things, your procrastinating could hamper the entire operation and put your career at risk.4. Craving For Instant Gratification: This is a new tendency in recent years. Developing a sense of entitlement or need for instant gratification irrespective of whether the time and experiences are ripe or not brands you as both inexperienced, junior and unprofessional.5. Fa 13. Display your main point and supportive points on the booth above the heads of the booth staff and attendees, so attendees' views are not blocked. 14. Booth visuals and words should guide attendees' eyes down a "path" from one message to the next. 15. Again, this is controversial except to those who’ve given up these unhelpful habits. Avoid opening references to weather, "Having fun?", freebies, drawings, or other non-benefit-related topics that distract and dilute your relationship with your prospect. 16. Verbally and visually make a "Conference Offer": more information; a time- limited or bundled product order price; consultation; or other vivid benefit to move them closer to a sale. 17. An attendee's attention span is shortened if you wear patterned or very detailed clothing or accessories (pin, necklace, tie, earrings) or other busy "body signage," especially on the upper half of your body. 18. For those who know your product (and you know that they are familiar with it): a. Hand the person a gift (preferably one that does not prominently display your company or product name), while asking them: "May I give you this small gift for taking the time to answer two questions for me?" b. Then ask, "What do you like best about our product or (service)?" Whatever is said aloud is then believed more deeply by the speaker. c. Be a complete and supportive listener as they explain. Give uninterrupted eye contact, nod, or offer other responsive gestures that are natural for you. d. When they have finished, ask, "Tell me more about that." As they elaborate, they move the topic closer to the top of their minds and they also become more: - articulate and vivid - deeply convinced about the reasons they've stated for liking your product. The result? You've moved them closer to being fervent and articulate fans. They are more likely to talk themselves closer to a sale and voluntarily tell others why they like your product. 19. When you first meet a prospect, find the quality in them you can most like and admire and keep it uppermost in your mind as you talk with them. You are more likely to bring out that aspect of their personality when they are around you and less likely to react to their behaviors that irritate or otherwise bother you. 20. When you stand opposite someone, you are more likely to literally oppose them. Instead, "sidle" whenever possible. Men instinctively "sidle" when together, shaking hands and then standing more or less side by side. Women instinctively continue to face each other or a man. When standing side-by-side, people feel more comfortable with each other, themselves, and their surroundings. They listen sooner and longer and are more inclined to agree with each other. 21. Do people sometimes stop listening before you stop talking? Here’s help. Get people to remember what you say, even if they are not trying to. Here are two successful ways to "lodge" your message in their minds, even if they were NOT actively listening: A. People remember more and feel more intensely -- for good and for bad -- when they are in motion. Say your main points while you're turning, shaking hands, demonstrating a product, or pointing to something, when a part of the booth is in motion, and/or while the visitor is reaching for something. Here are two guides to the kinds of motion that are most memorable: a) Things are most memorable when you're both in motion, next most memorable when the other person is in motion even if you aren't, third most memorable when you are in motion, and fourth most memorable when you are both watching something or someone in motion. b) The more dimensions of motion involved (up, down, left, right, forward, and back), the more memorable the experience. Ways to involve motion to reinforce memory include exhibit demonstrations, staff gestures and walking, video vignettes, and parts of the exhibit. B. Relate your benefits to THEIR three "core life experiences": • family (theirs, yours, or a metaphorical family of services or products) Here’s the steps: a) First refer to one of their currently pressing interests (not your product). b) Then refer to how you two share a common interest in the topic. c) And then to how it relates to you and your product's main benefit. This method is called the "You-Us-Me" approach. Here's an example: 1. "I gather you are the expert in... "YOU" 2. and that by discussing this with you... "US" 3. I'll get more ideas about if and how our products can best serve people in your situation.... "ME" 22. To maintain rapport, use specific, emotion-laden language when stating the positive, and report the negative neutrally -- "just the facts." Your instincts are to do the reverse, by the way. 23. Begin your comments with a direct response to the prospect's last comment until they feel heard instead of working up to your response with other background information they might not want to hear. Characterize your benefits in direct response to: a. A specific, negative "hot button" or problem they've expressed, which you can make better or solve, or b. Some strong positive preference the prospect has just expressed. 24. Offer the tradeshow-related map they’ll want to keep and share Beginning in the Summer of 2005, google began offering the technology tools for you to “mash-up” or overlay one of their maps with the key points of interest for people, including your kind of customers. For example, you could overlay a map with the customers’ sites that use your services or key locations that matter for that meeting’s members. What’s hot about this new option is that you can mention this free service in your promotional material, attracting prospective and current customers to your web site, to which you’ve linked the customized map. Learn more at http://www.google.com/apis/maps 25. Make your customers the stars of the tradeshow who can attract others to your Web site While we’re talking tech, you might ask your customers, as they visit yoru booth if you can interview them regarding what they most like about your product, and offer those highlights as a downloadable podcast from your web site and as part of your story on your blog about how you enjoyed seeing customers at the conference and what they had to say. And, since people love to see and share photos of themselves and their friends, why not take digital photos of customers, store them for free in Flikr http://www.google.com/apis/maps and link to each one as you describe each customer in your blog, then send them each featured person an email with “See your photo at (name of tradeshow).” 26. Closing Tip: Familiarity Breeds Acceptance Continuously nurture your best prospects, seeding in their minds your main and vividly stated differentiating benefit and providing ideas and help at "non-sales" times. Make every aspect of your behavior, booth, and promotional material repeat, reflect, and reinforce that benefit before, during, right after the conference, and later, again to your hottest prospects.
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