How To Promote Your Business Without Resorting To The Hard Sell

A poster on a forum I frequent asked how she could promote her business without feeling like she was pressuring her prospective customers.

She is not alone. Many WAHMs struggle with selling their products and promoting their businesses. Perhaps it’s because we’ve been taught to not “brag” or insist that others view things as we do.

Whatever the case may be, I think we can promote our businesses and sell our products without hard selling. Here are some ideas:

1. Make sure our prospect is already interested in our product. If you’re selling cloth diapers, and the person you talk to is interested in cloth diapers, chances are, she’ll be thrilled to hear what you have to say. You can do this by involving yourself in groups online and offline where people interested in your products congregate.
2. If appropriate, use your product publicly. If you’re selling baby slings, wear your baby in your sling. There is a good change people who are interested will approach you for more information. When they do, answer their questions and let them know you sell the slings. Make sure you give them a business card with your website address on it.
3. Include your website in the top social bookmarking sites. This will enable people who are interested in your product to find you.
4. Create a blog to educate your prospects about your product and industry. Offer to teach classes in person. This will put you at the top of your prospects minds when it comes time for them to buy.

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