Article Contributed by Tami Stodghill
If you think about it, there are “ideal prospects” out there everywhere. And they are ideal, for one, because they are used to commission-based sales and have learned to live and budget based on that. They are people who are open, usually, to alternative sources of income as they probably have had to be. Those ideal prospects I’m talking about are realtors and people who work at car dealerships and small business owners.
The economy has changed the game for these people. High-priced items such as homes and vehicles have fallen prey to the financial situation that so many people are affected by. Which means that with slower sales, their commissions suffer. And that means that your opportunity could offer them a great backup tool for generating income.
These potential prospects are located in every neighborhood, every city, and all around the globe. And if presented right, your opportunity could not only solve the issues they are facing, but grow your business in the process. We have found that by contacting these professions, they are generally open to new sources of revenue and are not as hesitant to try a business that could allow them to replace or supplement their income. They understand direct sales and commission structures and therefore, the need to explain exactly how those things work is unnecessary.
If your opportunity is thriving in this recession, then you can greatly benefit from targeting this type of customer. What will be most important in your approach, is that you present your opportunity with accurate and complete information as to what will be necessary for them to be successful. By presenting your product or service in a way which demonstrates how it is still a necessity or benefit in this economy, you will automatically show them that it is a viable source for them to run with. In our case, we learned everything we could about the real estate market and its current condition, researched specific areas and then targeted realtors and car dealer reps in those areas. We also know our product line inside and out, which assists us in better presenting all the benefits that the products offer, even in this economy. If you can spin your product as useful and with potential, it will help you sell your opportunity to these professions.
We also have talked more with small store owners. Our local printer/copy shop owner asked all about our business when we had some additional business cards printed. With small business owners suffering the effects of the economy (especially in storefronts) , many are looking for additional ways to generate income themselves. They still have their overheads such as lease, utilities, materials, etc, and with business down, they are wanting to find a way to “ride out” the slow business period by bringing in outside income. These businesses can be restaurants, salons, any type of small store/retail, auto body and detail shops, convenience stores owned by private owners, coffee shops, etc. All of them are being affected right now and have seen decreases in sales, so if you can present your opportunity in a way that will allow them to research the potential and reap all the information they can, you will find they will definitely consider your option.
We make it a point to stay friendly with every business we frequent. In maintaining a positive, outgoing and congenial attitude when you shop or visit a business, you will portray the benefits that your opportunity has afforded you. People will sense that the freedom and financial security that your business provides you is a viable option. And I can’t tell you how many times our simple, pleasant demeanors have started a conversation that has led to others wanting to know about what we do.
Take some time to familiarize yourself with your local businesses personally, or even those types of businesses via the internet. Your ideal prospect exists in many areas and you can actually utilize the economic situation to your advantage.
About the Author
Tami Stodghill was the Press-Relations manager, for a world-wide extensible-technology distributor based in London and the US for 20 years. She was also a freelance writer for several industry publications and is now a home-based business owner with WMI. She makes her home in Page-Lake Powell, Arizona, in the summers and Palm Harbor, Florida in the winters where she enjoys boating and reading, camping, hiking and meeting new people. She runs a blog site exclusively to offer tips for success for any small or home-based business.