You’re in business to sell something. Join the club. Either you sell your own products or someone else’s. If you sell someone else’s products or services, chances are good that you sell goods or services from more than one vendor or supplier.
If you’re selling your own product to a retailer, reseller or distributor, you can easily get lost in the crowd – resellers and retailers sell many products every day, and usually, will sell what is easiest to move. That, my friends, is human nature and your biggest risk. Companies or stores that have a stable of brands or OEM products on their shelves are unable to focus on your product alone.
You have to sell your product. Obviously you can’t be in every outlet or at every sales meeting, but selling your product is your responsibility. Here’s how:
- Have a superlative online presence. This means your website and all associated social media platforms. Make it easy for potential customers to find product information. Make it even easier for customers to contact you. Be approachable.
- Enlighten and educate your target customers. Create and share helpful content and demonstrate the value your products offer to your customers. Videos, blogs, recipes, webinars, white papers – you get it. Be where your customers are and make it easy for them to find you.
- Make it easy for your customers to access your product. Sell online as well as instore. Partner with the best resellers and retailers. Use the broadest sales channel possible.
- Extend your credibility. Get industry experts to talk about your product online, in public and in the media. Enlist brand ambassadors and industry thought-leaders.
- Develop champions within your customer base and also within your sales channel. Customers don’t buy from stores or companies, they buy from people. People that they like, respect and trust.
- And probably most importantly – make sure what you’re selling is in the best interests of those who buy it. Sell what your customers need. Make sure your product or service will make the lives of your customers better.
If you care about your product, sell it. Don’t leave it up to someone else.
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