It’s finally 2021, and after a year like 2020, I think we’ve all learned a few lessons when it comes to operating our businesses. As we gear-up for a new year, here are a few sales tactics to keep in mind.
Go Social
If your business didn’t have a social media presence at the beginning of 2020, there’s a strong likelihood it does now. As most brick and mortar businesses were forced to shut their doors at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, social media has been a lifesaver for businesses to continue communication and sales with their customers.
Don’t shy away from it—social media will be with us for the long-run. Moving forward, social media will be a main outlet for customer engagement and revenue. It’ll be worth your while to create a strong communication and marketing plan for your social media accounts. Likewise, you’ll want to enhance your online shopping accessibility so customers can seamlessly purchase your products.
Get Your Emails In-Check
In-person sales are the minority these days. You’ll need to be able to tap-into your customer base by providing well written and enticing emails. Avoid sending numerous emails throughout the month. Instead, send an email or two each week that highlights your product and provides easy-to-access purchasing channels for your customers. Now more than ever, people are glued to their phones and computers. Send them meaningful emails that will entice them to interact with your brand.
Ask Meaningful Questions
We’ve all struggled this year. And no matter your hardships, we could all use some more empathy and understanding—especially when running a business. Ask your customers how they are doing and how you can best support them. Showing compassion goes a long way and is likely to generate more interaction from customers. Ultimately, you want to drive sales for your business. So, ask your customers what they need and want—it’ll give you an upper-edge from your competitors and create strong, lasting relationships.
As we transition to a new year, spend some time analyzing your current sales tactics and figuring out ways to diversify yourself. Fine-tune your social media accounts, build a strong communication plan, and ask your customers meaningful questions. You’ll be setting yourself up for success during, a sure-to-be, challenging economy.
What sales tactics do you think will be most important in 2021? Tweet @StarterNoise.
Derek Rundell, is a successful business leader, operator, and serial entrepreneur. Derek has founded, managed and sold businesses in the technology, media and finance industries. He sits on several boards and serves as an advisor/investor to numerous established businesses and startups. Startups are Derek’s real passion, and in addition to building his own portfolio of technology, media and financial ventures, he invests in and mentors startups and entrepreneurs. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and helping other businesses succeed.