Social Media is a valuable component of your content marketing plan. When done in a fashion that is consistent with your other efforts, it works. The primary mission of your social media component is to build and interact with your community. That’s pretty simple.

As the image shows businesses do close deals from Social Media. The slide originated in an inbound marketing slideshow on Marketo’s Facebook Page. If you don’t “like” them yet, you should.

Simple rule: Social Media works when you do it right.

Today, it’s more important than ever. Due to the technological revolution of the last 15 years or so, competition is deeper and wider than ever before. A locally run business can easily be challenged by an enterprise that primarily exists in the ether.

When competition for customers becomes fierce, the strong will survive. The strong competitor is defined as the one that provides the best value for the client. Value and service are everything. There is one caveat to that statement:

If your customers can find your competitors easier than they can find you – value becomes secondary.

For those of you who are, like me, stuck on the idea of having a program that will meet GTD standards, this might not be best.  I think, it would show diminishing returns when the number of tasks reaches a certain point – my guess would be around 50 but I’m not sure.

If you are not tied to the concept of every Next-Action becoming a separate task or if you are new to the idea of using a digital todo list, then this is worth looking at.   The visual interface is very easy to follow and adding or moving tasks is completely drag and drop.

I did a short video walk-through of what I’ve learned.   Check it out.

As the Account Executive, primary responsibilities will include outbound calling and selling, structuring, negotiating, and implementing contracts with eCommerce companies, Internet companies, and other relationships by performing the following duties:

• Generate new leads and sources for leads to expand and grow specific partner programs
• Seek out, research and qualify prospects
• Close sales to attain and exceed quota goals
• Collaborate with marketing department to develop strategies for establishing partnerships and business relationships
• Customize solutions to fit client needs
• Manage relationships and contracts with various prospects, clients, and partners in the eCommerce environment
• Provide input to the management team on new product or service features, quality issues, and customer needs and demands

While I certainly have my own views on most issues, my addiction is primarily based on the fact that I find politics more entertaining than The Avengers.  I know this is sad.

Putting aside my personal demons, I heard something about 10 minutes ago on Morning Joe that really struck me.  Not so much from a political point of view but how it relates to sales.

The discussion had to do with why some political candidates come across as dumb, shy, disengaged and stiff on the soap box when they are actually intelligent and likable “in real life”  They gave several examples from  both parties over the years.

One of the commentators speculated that the candidates who don’t come across well are probably speaking from the position that they are “afraid” of losing their election.   This fear makes them sound too “careful” in choosing their words.  This can cause the candidate to come across as less than natural and sincere.  It impacts their speech as well as their body language.

I got to thinking that this same syndrome is also true in sales.    If while speaking with a client
you choose your words and actions based on a fear of not closing the deal, it will come across and thus lower his perception of you.  Remember – people buy from people that make them feel comfortable.  It you are uncomfortable, the client will feel the same.

Believe in your solution.  Be confident that what you are selling is right for the client.  If you do those things, you will come across as someone who is sincere and likable.

The words seemed to evolve out of nowhere.   One day,we were showing approval to something or someone by saying it was “Neat.”  Then without warning we switched to “Groovy,” and then to “Boss,”  ”Tough,” “Far-out” and on and on. Nobody really thought about who started it or why we all followed.

Think about it – do you have any idea who was the first person to wear a backwards baseball cap (other than actual baseball catchers – who have a legitimate reason.) 

SALES PRO CENTRAL LAUNCH