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rhondap
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Joined: 13 Jun 2007
Posts: 265
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2007 11:03
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Hey guys,
I am looking for examples of a retail intro letter to send to potential retail customers such as Realtors, Insurance Agts, Salesmen, Business Owners etc etc...
I know quite a few people in those fields, some not local, and was thinking of sending them a short letter with a complimentary vacation voucher included to either use personally or try it with their business as a promotional item.....WHEN they use it and see that it works they will then want more and I can sell them the actual package.
I know I can go to my Director but thought there may be some here in this forum that would benefit from this question and the answers given.
I am just so thrilled with our PRODUCT that I just want to share it. 
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jnapier
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2007 11:16
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Hi Rhonda,
You can goto http://www.iprintcenter.com/coastal and find a nice flyer that will do the same work, without having to put together the letter.
Letters can be cold and most of them tossed.
Jay NaPier
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rhondap
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2007 11:52
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Ooh thanks Jay I never thought of it that way.
See what I mean guys there is a wealth of knowledge on this forum.
Rhonda
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rhondap
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2007 19:08
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O.k. I just went to iprintcenter, the Biz Incentive flyer is awesome BUT the quanity of 250 is a bit too many at this time. Has anyone ordered from them and if so can we order smaller batches?
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ibizniz
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Posts: 241
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2007 21:45
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Hello Rhonda
I have ordered many things from IPRINTCENTER
and the quantities are as stated, but the quality of their printing is really good and worth the money.
You might want to get some ideas from the site and then design your own.
Vistaprint is an excellent source, for all kinds of printing, incl cards, brochures etc they also have many templates to choose from.
Their current specials can be found on
vistaprint dot com/sizzle
Hope this helps
Maria
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jnapier
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Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 647
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# Posted: 1 Sep 2007 00:51
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Quoting: rhondap O.k. I just went to iprintcenter, the Biz Incentive flyer is awesome BUT the quanity of 250 is a bit too many at this time. Has anyone ordered from them and if so can we order smaller batches?
Hey Rhonda,
Just an FYI. 250 is not really alot when you consider that one shopping center can have as many as 25 businesses in the shopping center.
You might also goto the local chamber of commerce and ask how many members they have - some will even give you a list of members. You could fax over info to each member who'll allow you to do it.
Jay NaPier
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rhondap
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Posts: 265
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# Posted: 1 Sep 2007 09:30
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Quoting: jnapier Hey Rhonda, Just an FYI. 250 is not really alot when you consider that one shopping center can have as many as 25 businesses in the shopping center. You might also goto the local chamber of commerce and ask how many members they have - some will even give you a list of members. You could fax over info to each member who'll allow you to do it. Jay NaPier
Now that you say that 250 really isn't a lot. I was just thinking of my personal list and not about the other potential customers.
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ateamfuntimer
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# Posted: 1 Sep 2007 12:51
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Hey Rhonda,
Give me a call..ive left you a few messages and emails and have a few ideas for you. Lets talk soon.
Adam
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CarolinaConsign
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Joined: 25 Dec 2006
Posts: 73
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# Posted: 1 Sep 2007 13:41
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I was just wondering when the last time anyone had ordered the tri-fold incentive flyer from iprintcenter.
Regardless of how great they look, from what I've seen they are outdated! Look at the back of the tri-fold incentive flyer. This might be just me, but I prefer to advertise up to date information.
Create something yourself that is personable to your business!
"Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic." author unkown to me
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rhondap
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# Posted: 4 Sep 2007 11:09
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Hey Maria,
Thanks for the heads up about Vista Print I had completely forgotten about them.
I took them up on their specials this weekend and today and designed 3 postcards and have ordered them along with biz cards specifically to promote business incentives.
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ateamfuntimer
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# Posted: 4 Sep 2007 16:12
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Ive been reading this thread and have been thinking about retail letter and have some mixed thoughts about it. A true letter letter might not be the best option I think maybe a email might be better or a website or capture page might have more weight.
A website could contain more info that will show the business owner the benefit of Coastal Vacations to them. A capture page could do the same and then give you some info about them. In this fast paced day and time I think using the most innovative technology stands out. I know that id rather have less paper than more. Plus paper is expensive. You get it printed up all nice and shiny and pay a nice premium for it and they might still throw it away. Id rather make a nice flyer once and email it.
Rhonda as you have been trying to figure out how to market to these businesses a bit id love to talk to you as I have an idea that might work for us both. You could get the material you need and I could get a testimony on it. Give me a call and lets talk.
Adam Frederick
302 476 2753
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jnapier
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# Posted: 4 Sep 2007 18:00
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In a nutshell...If your going to go business to business. You want SOMETHING that will get peoples attention. The BOD does weekly B2B training and you'll be able to hear how a business to business call works.
Those coming to Nashville for the Sept. 8th event will also SEE a B2B presentation.
Email marketing is DEAD...if you want to get business owners attention you'll call them and WHEN THEY HAVE AN INTEREST....they'll respond back to you.
As for a Lead Capture page...there's no reason for it when working B2B - You'll get their attention when you talk with them.
Jay NaPier
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ateamfuntimer
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# Posted: 4 Sep 2007 19:23
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I have to totally disagree Jay. I appreciate your input as I know you were a business owner but my expertise is in B2B sales. Having a innovative capture page is something that business people understand. They do the same. You just have to make the site something that they feel is worth their while. So they understand you are giving them something of value to them and you need their info to get back to them with what you have to offer. And the point on email marketing being dead is off base in my opinion as well. How much better is it to let them know you will send them an email series going over the details that they can read at their convenience. Have you seen all the Blackberry devices out there. The day of the business road warrior is here. Everyone communicates by email. You just have to create emails that are different than those you send to regular prospects.
The way you do B2B is so different than what you have learned in phone dialing. You have to up your game. I for one cant wait to see what the BOD brings out for B2B. I have yet to see an organization that has truly shown its people how to really market B2B. I cant wait to see what is going on.
Adam Frederick
302 476 2753
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jnapier
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# Posted: 4 Sep 2007 20:02
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Hey Adam,
I too have been a B2B sales rep, in fact I was an account executive in the telecommunications industry. I know what it means to pull a few door handles...in fact, my nut was 30 a day.
When it comes to B2B, it's really simple...business owners want to know how to better market their business. They don't wan't to play games. That's why a simply flyer does the job in most cases.
When you are given the opportunity to do a presentation, that's when you can show the benefits of the memberships.
Jay NaPier
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luvtravel
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# Posted: 4 Sep 2007 20:17
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Adam, good post, seems we always hear the same thing over and over BEFORE the seminar the BOD has.
"Those coming to Nashville for the Sept. 8th event will also SEE a B2B presentation."
The rest of us who can't make these seminars lose all the time. Even tho there are those of us who would pay to get that info.
What about having Webinar seminars we would gladly pay for that but this making a Director attend these functions and saying to the rest of us who cant make it to bad so sad is not fair.
Terri
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luvtravel
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# Posted: 4 Sep 2007 20:27
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I had an opportunity to participate in a local business owners marketing coop.
Unfortunately I was called today by the director of the coop and told the packages would not be acceptable. I asked her to explain she said that because it wasn't a total package that included airfare it was not acceptable. So I said there were ways to get discounted airfare thru the booklets and by using the cards.
She also felt that the complimentary cruises and vacations paying taxes, port fees etc was a bit misleading of what they are getting.
The entire marketing was based on offering products and services but having to offer a 25% discount.
Terri
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ateamfuntimer
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# Posted: 4 Sep 2007 20:53
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B2B sales are a whole different animal than phone calls to prospects. If any of you think you can go into a major city to the downtown area and just walk into an establishment and get the owner to sit down with you as you have a flyer you are mistaken. Try it and if you get great results please call me and teach me. It takes learning your clients and getting through all the gatekeepers. This is what makes email a good fit for B2B marketing. Also when you have a capture page and get the clients info you then are able to update them from time to time of new specials and deals you have to offer them. Now again this cannot be an every other day campaign like we do to business seekers. Remember their time is valuable and they have many people approaching them. Now if you live in a small town and you know the business owners throw all of these tips out of the window and use your personality to make a dent.
I think we have to redefine email advertising as well. First off email advertising is not dead. You know that Jay, you are selling Contacttalk like hot cakes. You just offered me a deal as you had an order of ten going out. Oh btw I appreciate the offer but I see if you buy bulk licenses you get an even bigger discount than what you were offering it for to me. I guess that can be another stream of income as well for all of you with big teams. Email marketing just might not be as effective as it was a few years ago with all the spam out there. But the fact of the matter is text messaging, and email devices are selling like wildfire. People love being able to be connected to the office but being mobile. Look at the Blackberry's and all the PDA's out there. At the Coastal event coming up look at how many people have them and are checking their emails thru them. These are the mobile business people so you must always have email follow-ups. We must learn the skill of good emails that are eye-catching. Business owners appreciate that. Plus again everyone wants to get rid of paper. If you are going to leave something behind I say a flash movie presentation or PowerPoint would have a much bigger effect.
I can wait to get word of what the new tools the BOD is showcasing and I know as Jay is on the advisory board he will be more than willing to share the info of whatever he can to us here in the forum. So Terri its okay you can't make it.
I will say you do learn a bunch at the events as you get to rub shoulders with the leaders in the industry but there is so much info on the net if you know how to search you can get alot of it through your due diligence. I plan on being at some events in the near future but with my retirement from the CSG ive taken a bit of a holiday from the big crowds of events. Rather spend the time at home with my lovely wife and talk to you all here in my PJ's over my laptop. But be rest assured when I do come out if will be recharged with a wealth of info to share as freely as I can with you all.
Adam Frederick
302 476 2753
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jnapier
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# Posted: 4 Sep 2007 22:15
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Hey Terri
It's really upto you. If you can't go...you can't go. You'll get official Coastal information broadcast from the Board Of Directors as long as you are connected to the official system. It's not too bad, so sad.
You'll get the information, but you'll get it after the fact.
I've been to so, so many training events and I ALWAYS meet some great people and I always take something home. The Official Seminars are great as there are new cards and vacations added to the membership. If you've been connected to the official system you've heard about the new tool that'll be launched in Nashville...it's awsome and will allow for more coastal sales.
We can argue the best way to do B2B all day long, but in the end.....the official system has a great page to inform and IF a lead capture page was needed I'd create one.
Each of us is our own business owner and it's upto you to decide how you want to market your business. Adam is right...it does take a different approach to b2b....but experience is the best education you can get...join us on the official b2b training call and you'll see how it's done.
All the top leaders of Coastal come to the official Coastal Events. I've met all the top producers with Coastal by attending these events.
See you in Nashville
Jay NaPier
Platinum Director
Coastal Vacations
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luvtravel
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# Posted: 5 Sep 2007 09:41
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Jay, I am with the official system and I would love to get the info even after the fact.
In fact we already know there will be yet more new cards and vacations again.
The fact is that there are other things that we do miss out on that we all would gladly purchase after the fact that we aren't privvy to unless we go to the seminars.
I was offering better alternatives, you seemed defensive in your reply.
We are all here to voice opinions etc and I was voicing better solutions and options.
Terri
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wapahm
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# Posted: 5 Sep 2007 15:38
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Quoting: jnapier If you've been connected to the official system you've heard about the new tool that'll be launched in Nashville...it's awsome and will allow for more coastal sales.
What is the new tool?
Quoting: luvtravel Jay, I am with the official system and I would love to get the info even after the fact.
Terri,
Do you know what new tool Jay speaks of?
I had planned on being in Nashville this weekend, but unforeseen events are keeping me home.
I, like Terri, would love the for the seminar to be broadcast live. This would open up another option for Directors all over the World to share the Coastal opportunity to new prospects.
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jnapier
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# Posted: 6 Sep 2007 09:35
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Quoting: luvtravel you seemed defensive in your reply.
HI Terri,
No, Not defensive. If you can't go - you can't go. I have several team members who want to go, but can't due to family obligations and work obligations. There will be an update on Monday on the Official Call.
Coastal always makes the updates available, but when you goto the training events - you learn things that just can't be learned online or in a webinar. Plus, you meet the 6 and 7 figure income earners with Coastal.
Jay NaPier
Platinum Director
Coastal Vacations
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ateamfuntimer
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# Posted: 6 Sep 2007 12:22
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As we have been talking about B2B I have a question for everyone. What industry do you think is the best and the hardest to prospect to? Id love to get a conversation going and hear everyones thoughts. Ill start with the hardest and ill qualify it. I think the most difficult is the Auto Industry. For years they ave burned with timeshare certs and vouchers. Anyone have any success with them? If so please elaborate.
Adam Frederick
302 476 2753
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wapahm
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# Posted: 6 Sep 2007 14:45
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okay here's is my opinion on B2B sales or at least one part of it.
I don't think it depends so much on the type of business we approach, but how much competition each business has within their market.
some cities or towns (markets) have a good ole boy mentality and it all about who you know.
on the other hand no matter where the business is located if we can give them an edge on their competition, then we are in business and they're glad to know us.
I believe it very important to show each prospect (for them as an individual business owner) how having a Coastal package can be beneficial.
make up an ad campaign for them before you talk to them, outlining how the package can be used.
better yet use their own ads and elaborate it using Coastal as a tool.
just some thoughts
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wapahm
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# Posted: 6 Sep 2007 15:10
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Quoting: jnapier There will be an update on Monday on the Official Call.
Jay,
is this my answer to what the new tool will be?
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CarolinaConsign
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# Posted: 6 Sep 2007 16:23
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Quoting: ateamfuntimer As we have been talking about B2B I have a question for everyone. What industry do you think is the best and the hardest to prospect to? Id love to get a conversation going and hear everyones thoughts. Ill start with the hardest and ill qualify it. I think the most difficult is the Auto Industry. For years they ave burned with timeshare certs and vouchers. Anyone have any success with them? If so please elaborate.
I have all types of personal opinions about B2B.
It will pay you large sums of money if you believe you have the best product available to fulfill their needs.
I think Auto dealers are the easiest to present to! Just me maybe, but most of them are in business to sell cars, so go to the GM and tell him you are there to help him sell cars! You will be surprised at the response you will get. He may ask for your resume! Have a short handout with a Comp. vac slick on the front. The slick I use I made up! Keep this simple; don't show the whole coastal package. Present it as just the way to get more people to fill out a credit app, or to sign up for an extended warranty, complete the sale, etc. If you make this into a complex sale, you will be done before you start.
Calling dealerships on the phone is just as easy! That's what I have been doing for the last hour. Call and ask for the top banana. You most likely are talking with the receptionist. Make that person your ally! What I said and did today has produced 4 presentations appointments. The best news, I told one of the receptionists she had a great phone voice. I asked her if she ever thought about working for herself-----her answer everyday!
If you can't get motivated by having fun helping people, check your pulse you are most likely dead! 
I wasn't going to add this, but I'm still bouncing off the roof with excitement. I cold called a large biz this morning. I went in with the simple add on travel incentive plan. I sat for 45 minutes with the GM. He talked and I listened.....which is the right thing to do. He was thinking simple also, a package worth $15000 included in each sale. I'm glad the sun was in his eyes, because if not he would have been blinded by my perma-grin! It's not a done deal, but you can bet I am looking at B2B in a whole new way!!!! 
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rhondap
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# Posted: 6 Sep 2007 16:31
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Thanks for sharing.
What do you say when you get these people on the phone?
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CarolinaConsign
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# Posted: 6 Sep 2007 16:37
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Quoting: rhondap Thanks for sharing. What do you say when you get these people on the phone?
Hi Rhonda, I left you a vm. give me a call.
Brian
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ateamfuntimer
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# Posted: 6 Sep 2007 16:51
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You read my mind. Id love to hear what you said. It would help everyone in the forum.
Adam
302 476 2753
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CarolinaConsign
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# Posted: 6 Sep 2007 17:58
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I thought I did say!
I want to help you sell cars!
Then I tell them I want to show them how they can add value to there sales. Every one of them asked what it was! I tell them, if I tried to explain it over the phone, it would be like them trying to sell me a car that way. I am only trying to get appointments on the phone.
With the receptionist, I try to buy my way in, if required. I told one today as she was doing her job just a little too good. That I knew she wasn't supposed to give out names, but if she did I would give her a complimentary vacation. We dilly dallied back and forth for a little. You know dilly dally.....no way? For real! Really? I promise! By the end of my time on the phone with her, she was telling me what to say to blah blah. Lol......it was great, fun, and I know I have a new friend, even if I don't get a sale. She did get me the appointment though!!!
You can use this with everyone! Just believe you got the best thing going and don't get hung up on what everyone says on how to build your business! Have fun, make some cash, and don't be afraid to give something away. I will spend 6.95 to 20.00 all day long for a sale.
Hey, when you do something, like get an appointment, or leap a building, let someone else know. I called my wife today after that cool 45 min cold call. I was so pumped up; I needed to get it out! She told me to hit some more places (good boss isn't she?)
I then called my director, because she's the bomb and we share ideas and motivating stuff!
Just have fun! When you are having fun, people can see it, even over the phone. If you come off like the droopy deputy dog cartoon character people will react the same way. So be excited!
You know why this works so well? Because the so called competition is still in the office, paying telemarketers to call, sending snail mail, trying to make fancy web pages......all good. But go and get it instead of waiting for it to be handed to you.
For all you folks that say I don't sell, I understand, just go and present instead!  
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jnapier
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# Posted: 6 Sep 2007 18:06
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I couldn't have said it better Carolina. It's said all the time "Treat your Coastal Business like a business." and this is EXACTLY what we're talkiing about.
I've done it in the past, but with the temps being over 100 in Nashville, I've taken a bit of a break on this.
You know, it's fun. I sold alot of candle this way years ago. I'd goto a business owner, and just say "Hi, my name is Jay and I'm just going around to the local businesses to introduce myself and my company. My best day was $220 in a two and a half hours selling candles.
Jay NaPier
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