How to Increase Sales in 5 Steps
Without knowing how to increase your sales or clientele base, you won’t be able to expand, make a profit, or increase your social reach. Instead, you will continue to stay stagnant and stressed.
You’re in the right place! I researched this proven, 5-step process to help you increase sales, and based on my research and experience over the past 6 years.
We’ll cover everything from marketing to client retention. I’ll also give you some things to look out for along the way, mistakes I made before I worked out this system, and ones I still see other fellow small business owners making.
Just follow the steps, and by the time you finish Step 5, you’ll feel like a pro and enjoy more sales, more clients and revenue coming in.
Ready? Let’s go!
Step #1: Decide What Your Goals Are
Before you can expand and make more profit, you’ll want to take your time with this critical first step.
So, the first thing you need to do is:
Set your goals and how you will achieve them (it’s okay to revise and change the plan). Start with something that is small and develop your plan from there. For example, if one of your goals is to retain 100% of clients, start with retaining at least 20% then 40%, 60% and so on. The key to that is consistency. Make sure you are engaging those clients and making their experience memorable (I am still learning this one myself). You have to make yourself stand out from the other small businesses that are in your industry. How can you be uniquely and genuinely you?
What to look out for:
Many people skip this foundational step and then wonder why they’re not growing.. Don’t let that be you!
This is a crucial foundational step that will set you up for success later on. And each step is a building block for the next, so don’t even try to jump ahead! :)
All done? Great job! Let’s move on to Step 2.
Step #2: Research Your Client Base
At this point, you’re probably thinking that this is too time consuming, stressful or downright annoying.
You may even be wondering, “When can I find the time to research on top of everything else that I have to do?”
If you hang in there, it will make sense, promise. What we’re doing is pulling this all together into a plan to get you where you want to be.
One thing that may help is to schedule the time you need to focus on a single task. Make it a part of your daily routine or at least a part of your weekly routine. Now it’s time to actually execute this step. There are small pockets in the day that we don’t realize we have (ususally it’s the time that we use to scroll social media). Instead, take 10 or 15 minutes and research your client base or audience. Find out what is trending, what their pain points are. This is the only way you will be able to set goals and actually achieve them. Give the people what they want!
The reason this step is important is that it will help you the growth that you want and make it easier to achieve new goals in the future.
Plus, you’ll have a routine for market or industry research that will increase your clientele base
Here are some tips to help you move through this step quickly:
- Take some time daily, whatever you can spare, and do the market research (whether it’s via social media, YouTube, Google, etc.), this is what is going to set you a part from other businesses.
- Find a way to use that research to connect with you current and future clients, this creates a relationship, and let’s your clients know that you are here for them and can help them with what it is they need.
- Be a top researcher or contributor in groups that are in your industry. For instance, join Facebook groups and offer your expertise and research (not giving away all the trade secrets), but let others know that you are knowledgeable and they need your services.
When I first started I tried to carve out hours of my schedule to complete the research I wanted to do, I don’t recommend that method. Take small bits of time 15 minutes here, 30 minutes there. You might be more productive.
I’ve also had the opportunity to peek under the hood at other people’s small businesses. And in the process, I’ve seen common mistakes people make that hold them back from achieving their goals
Many of them relate to this step:
- Not engaging their potential clients. Instead of being shy on social media, you should assert yourself (respectfully and appropriately, of course).
- Not being the expert in your industry. You’ll get better results if you do your research, know the latest updates and trends, and can offer solicited advice or a solution for your potential clients.
- Not recommending yourself for the job or task If you find it hard to promote yourself, try making a greater presence on social media. It doesn’t have to be anything gloaty or boastful, but you want sales! It is okay to promote and market yourself and the skillset you possess.
Just keep focusing on the goals, and you’ll be on the right track.
Step #3: Market your services
Are you starting to get excited? I hope so. We’re just about there.
You may be feeling a bit overwhelmed, and that’s perfectly normal. Any time you’re trying something new, it takes a minute to process it. Just be patient and stay with it.
Next, you will need to start marketing yourself, whether you want to or not.
While you’re doing this, make a note of what works and what doesn’t work for your business, and keep that in your marketing plan.
This is an important aspect of the general marketing plan, because it will keep you from making the same marketing mistakes over and over. If you aren’t getting any leads using Facebook ads, maybe you try a different method.
Make any adjustments you need to make before you move on.
What to look out for:
It may be hard to zero in on what you need to do to market yourself. You aren’t the only one to feel that way.
What you can do is start in increments, do a little bit of everything to market yourself, and determine what method works the best from there.
Step #4: Implement Your Marketing plan
We’re just about done. There are just two more steps.
Here’s what to do next:
If you are just starting out, this is going to take a bit of blood, sweat, and tears. Well, maybe not that much, but it will take some effort. You will have to try different things and determine what works best for you. Look at your data (from your website, social media, etc.). Where are you getting the most leads from? Are you paying for ads, relying on word of mouth, maybe sending follow up emails? All of these things must work in conjunction to give you the best results.
What to look out for:
No matter what you do, don’t get frustrated. Trial and error is key, and mistakes are the key to learning and developing so do not be afraid to make them.
If you do get frustrated and give up, you’ll only risk slowing your business down. So just take the time to market as much as you can.. As the saying goes, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again”.
Keep going! You’re nearly there.
Step #5: Become Your Own Marketing Billboard
This is the last step. Get ready to celebrate!
Your brand should be an extension of yourself. Small business owners are always ready to talk about what they have to offer and how they can help their clients in their time of need.
Here’s how to get the best results with this:
- Make sure that your logo or brand is visible at all times. It is okay to brand yourself and market your business, there are so many ways that you can do this, and we will delve more into that in future blogs.
- Always carry business cards or business flyers with you. Believe me, you never know when someone is going to ask. It will be at the most random times!
- Wear your brand! Yes, wear your brand and your logo.
What to look out for:
The first time I did this to increase my sales, I felt it was awkward to market my business, but how else was I going to promote my business offerings.
And you know what? It actually worked out.
I was able to increase my yearly sales and purchase more printing and embroidery equipment to accommodate that growth. The biggest lesson for me in all that was to be confident in what I was offering.
It just shows you there’s more than one way to your goals. So more than anything else, do what works for you.
Bonus!
And finally, here’s a Bonus Tip just for you!
This is something I started doing after 6 years of trial and error, and it taking the time to really set myself a part from other businesses, and focusing on my unique abilities, strengths and talents. I enjoy completing unique, custom tasks, and that often brings me more clients who have those types of needs.
Key Takeaways
Congratulations! You just learned how to increase your sales in 5 easy steps. Follow the steps above to engage new clients and retain the ones that you already service, instead of just winging it from month to month.
I’ve given you all my best tips, tools, and techniques to help ensure your success. Just knowing them isn’t enough, though. It’s time to act and get the results you’ve been dreaming about!
Contact us today to find out how we can help you promote your small business! Click here!