I'd like to put a little "twist" on several common topics, I'm sure you've probably heard or read about these topics online, possibly sometime recently. Why?... Because I'd REALLY like to try and thrust you into a brainstorming "frenzy". I want you to really think (and hopefully understand) why certain selling methods and techniques are so vital to your business... ...And how easily you can implement many of them into your everyday sales efforts....

Are you ready to bring out the SUPER SALESPERSON lurking inside you? Here we go..... Create A Mailing List - This is absolutely - without a doubt - the most vital and necessary tool for your business!

This is the ULTIMATE tool for your success. You've probably heard the phrase... "The Money Is In The List". You need to have a mailing list and keep in touch with your website visitors to bring in new business.

Here's where many fail: You CANNOT simply put a small text link or graphic on your site that reads "sign up for our mailing list". That won't cut it ! NOT EVEN CLOSE! Who cares?... REMEMBER - You need to be a SUPER SALESPERSON online!

Be creative and find ways, whatever it takes, to get customers to sign up to your list. Once a customer is on your mailing list, they're a prospect (and hopefully a new customer) for life! Repeat sales are the lifeblood for any business. Offer a freebie... ANYTHING... something of value ... something to persuade a visitor to sign up to your list. It's that important!

Here's a few ideas:-

1. Offer a discount coupon or special promo to those who sign up...

2. Offer a free email course; I.E. Crafting, Decorating Ideas, eg How to build a coffee table under $50, etc...

3. Promote a contest or drawing that every new subscriber will be entered into...

4. Offer a special "Members Only" section for subscribers...

And promote your mailing list EVERYWHERE possible! In your email, on your website, your auctions...EVERYWHERE! Find clever and unique ways to get your list information out there! Use your own creativity and come up with some "never before seen" ways to attract new subscribers! Browse the net and see what other retailers are doing.

If you don't have a mailing list... start one today! Write Your Own Newsletter - Again, this is the ultimate tool for keeping in touch with your website visitors and offering them something of value - FREE. Think about it. For example, if you own an online gift store, the topics you can consider could be:

- Creative Gift Ideas For Children And Adults - All Under $10

- Creative And Unique Gift Wrapping Ideas On A Budget - Holiday Or Seasonal

- A mailing on each of the holidays offering clever ideas on cooking and decorating

- Children's Themes - Mom's love to learn more about creative ways to amuse their kids

You Understand? Your opportunities to keep in touch are once again "endless". And please don't get scared and run away from the idea because you think you can't write! Anybody can write an interesting article...just keep it geared toward something you're passionate about and you'll surely excel!

Then, put your newsletter to the test! You'll be astonished with the results! Build Your Own Website - "If you build it they will come!" However, in order to get visitors, your website should NOT be geared toward direct sales, but more importantly toward simply attracting visitors and (YEP.... you guessed it) ... ... getting them to sign up to your list! It's that IMPORTANT!

If you don't have a website, you're missing out on a wealth of opportunity. You can sell products later.... after you've established a relationship and built trust! I guarantee you will sell So Many products "later" if you build your list!) - And learn to use it!

Your site doesn't have to be fancy, and to be perfectly honest, there are many services out there that provide a great service for folks who aren't too familiar with web design.

Understand that creating your own website not only allows you MUCH more opportunity to obtain sales, but it will also get you much more involved (and excited) about your online store. The search engines look for content when listing sites... and that's very important for traffic

You'll have the ability to create some genuine content that will be picked up by those search engines and start to generate a flood of traffic. Once you start writing articles for your newsletter (and you will start a newsletter...right?), simply load them onto your website to add instant content that your visitors will enjoy reading and look forward to... and the search engines will gobble up like an "ant eater on steroids".

As mentioned previously, you want to earn your customers trust and actually make them fall in love with you. That's the goal of your website! Once you accomplish this, the sales will follow. That is extremely important! Don't try to immediately sell a visitor that lands on your website, but instead offer them something of value.... FREE... ..a newsletter subscription or a free gift to download,outlining some great ways to save on their holiday shopping, etc.

(REMEMBER ) - be a SUPER Salesperson !