Succeed As Your Own Boss

ENDING SMALL BUSINESS FAILURE

  • Home
  • About
  • Book Melinda
  • Consulting
  • SBL Store
  • SmallBizLady University
  • Free Tools
  • Podcast
  • #Smallbizchat
    • Be a #SmallBizChat Guest
  • Blog
  • Contact
    • We’re Hiring!
You are here: Home / 31 Ways to Boost Your Small Business / How to Generate More Sales For Your Small Business in 2013

How to Generate More Sales For Your Small Business in 2013

December 19, 2012 By Melinda Emerson 2 Comments

Feel free to share...Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on google
Google
Share on linkedin
Linkedin
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on reddit
Reddit
Share on email
Email
Share on print
Print

Jill KonrathWant next year to be your best year ever? If so, here are 5 strategies that can double or even triple your revenue in the next twelve months.

1. Sell more to existing customers. Hands down, the easiest place to get more business is with your existing customers. If you’ve “done good” by them, they’ll likely be open to expanding their relationship with you. But don’t sit back and wait for them to get in touch. You need to take the initiative.

Put on your thinking cap first. Ask yourself these questions: How can my products/services help them eliminate bottlenecks, reduce costs, increase efficiency or drive more revenue? What business challenges can I help them address?  The key to getting more business with them is to focus on their needs, issues and concerns. You’ll always sell more when you do that.

2. Focus, focus, focus. With no steady paycheck coming in, it’s easy to get scared about making money or meeting payroll. Because of this, you likely want to keep all your options open. When people ask you what you do, you run through a laundry list of your products and services. You’re probably also willing to work for virtually any company who’s willing to hire you.

But, that’s the worst thing you can do. Today’s crazy-busy buyers want to deal with experts who already understand their business, marketplace, issues and challenges. By narrowing your focus, you significantly increase your credibility and ultimately, your sales.

3. Target bigger companies.  Seriously. As a small business, just the thought of calling on larger firms may intimidate you. But the truth is, they have more money and they’re far less price sensitive than the small companies you’re working with today. Landing just one decent-sized client can transform your business and financial situation overnight.

If you currently sell to microbusinesses, start targeting companies with $1-15 million in revenue. Once you’ve achieved some success there, move to firms with up to $100 million in revenue. Then go after smaller business units of even bigger organizations.

Just keep moving up. You’ll soon discover that it’s a whole lot easier to make a few bigger sales than hundreds of smaller ones.

4. Become a recognized expert.  Having personally gone from a nobody to a somebody, I can assure you that it’s a whole lot easier to get sales when you’re a known commodity. Every single entrepreneur should have a social media presence where they can share their expertise.

You need to be writing short articles (like this one) on a regular basis. If it’s easier for you to do 1-2 minute audios or videos, do that instead. Participate in groups on LinkedIn – especially ones that your targeted buyers are likely to belong to. You might also find industry forums you can contribute to as well.

5. Create a strategic network. Referrals are the best door openers. But, as you’ve probably discovered from attending local networking events, they don’t happen often enough. Rather than complain about it, take charge and form your own strategic network.

One woman I know pulled together eight other entrepreneurs who sold into the construction markets. They met regularly to talk about different companies, brainstorm ideas, and share leads.

You could also form a strategic network with others who sell to the same decision makers (e.g. office managers, HR directors). The key to success is to make sure that the group members have complementary businesses, not competitive ones.

In Summary: With a dedicated focus on these five strategies, you can easily take your business to the next level.

Jill KonrathJill Konrath is the author of two bestselling books, SNAP Selling and Selling to Big Companies. For more ideas on increasing sales, download her free Prospecting Tool Kit.

Day 19:  31 Ways to Boost Your Small Business in 2013

This article is from the SmallBizLady special blog series: 31 Ways to Boost Your Small Business in 2013. #Boost2013

 

[button link=”https://succeedasyourownboss.com/31ways-week1/” size=”med” bg_color=”#850726″]Week One Posts of 31 Ways to BOOST Your Small Business in 2013[/button]

[button link=”https://succeedasyourownboss.com/recap-of-week-two-31-ways-to-boost-your-small-business-in-2013/” size=”med” bg_color=”#078566″]Week Two Posts of 31 Ways to BOOST Your Small Business in 2013[/button]

Feel free to share...Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on google
Google
Share on linkedin
Linkedin
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on reddit
Reddit
Share on email
Email
Share on print
Print

Filed Under: 31 Ways to Boost Your Small Business, Grow Your Business, Guest Articles Tagged With: @jillkonrath, #Boost2013, increase sales, Jill Konrath, small business tips

Fix Your Business Now!

Order SmallBizLady's new book Fix Your Business, 90-Day plan to Get Back Your Life and Reduce Chaos in Your Business. It includes the 12 Ps of Running a Successful Business and readers will finish the book with a new strategic plan to take their business to the next level.

About Melinda Emerson

Melinda F. Emerson, “SmallBizLady” is America’s #1 Small Business Expert. She is an internationally renowned keynote speaker on small business development, social selling, and online marketing strategy. As CEO of Quintessence Group, her Philadelphia-based marketing consulting firm serves Fortune 500 brands that target the small business market. Clients include Amazon, Adobe, Verizon, VISA, Google, FedEx, Chase, American Express, The Hartford, and Pitney Bowes. She also has an online school, www.smallbizladyuniversity.com, that teaches people online marketing and how to start and grow a successful small business and publishes a blog SucceedAsYourOwnBoss.com. Her advice is widely read, reaching more than 3 million entrepreneurs each week online. She hosts The Smallbizchat Podcast and is the bestselling author of Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, Revised and Expanded, and Fix Your Business, a 90 Day Plan to Get Back Your Life and Reduce Chaos in Your Business.

Comments

  1. GLENDA CAINES says

    December 21, 2012 at 9:07 pm

    good tips thanks

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Connect

  • facebook
  • instagram
  • tiktok
  • pinterest
  • linkedin
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • feedburner

Sign up for the SmallBizLady BUZZ Newsletter and be the first to receive updates and details about upcoming events:

We’re proud to be part of the Mediaplanet Empowering Small Business campaign! The COVID-19 pandemic brought hardship and ruin on the nation’s small businesses, but there’s now reason for hope. Learn about the resources, support, and tools available to help your small business bounce back and grow stronger than ever by picking up a copy of the campaign in USA Today and reading it online here.

Get a FREE Chapter of SmallBizLady’s Book,
"Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, Revised and Expanded"!

Become Your Own Boss

Most Popular Posts

>Seven Ways to be More Profitable in Your Small Business
> 7 Ways to Attract Customers to Your Small Business
> 6 Tips for Managing Small Business Finances
> How to Run a Successful Multilevel Marketing Business
> 10 Ways to Grow Your Small Business With Instagram
> How to Sell on Facebook
> How to Get Over the Fear of Starting a New Business

Featured Videos

Bloomberg News Interview
How to Support Small Businesses During the Holidays

National Speakers Association
Winter Conference

Fox 29 Philadelphia
'Small Biz Lady' gives best advice for starting a new business in the New Year

Fox Business
Starting a Business

MSNBC
The importance of job mentoring for women

#SmallBizChat Live
National Small Business Week: Q&A

Good Day Philadelphia
Expert Shares Tips on How to Become Your Own Boss

Testimonials

Become Your Own Boss is a must read if you’re thinking of launching a business of your own.
Jean Chatzky, Bestselling Author of Money 911 and Financial Editor of NBC’s Today Show
Great step-by-step advice for anyone looking to start their own business.
Andrew C. Taylor, Chairman, Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Melinda Emerson has written a remarkable book. It is essential reading for anyone seeking to make the transition from working girl to successfully working it, as an entrepreneur.
Cynthia McClain-Hill, Past President, National Association of Women Business Owners
The perfect companion for those planning to go out on their own. Melinda delivers firsthand practical advice on how to be the successful entrepreneur. Read it if you want to get it right the first time.
Kenneth L. Shropshire, Professor at the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania
If you are looking for a versatile speaker who can talk about how to grow small businesses or get started with social media, look no further.
Heather Van Sickle Executive Director, National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE)
Her wit and depth of subject knowledge were entertaining and empowering. Melinda is definitely on our short list of seasoned entrepreneurs and business leaders we look to invite back in the near future.
Tennille M. Robinson Senior content & Event producer for Inc. magazine
Melinda Emerson, “SmallBizLady,” is an engaging and witty speaker and a great addition to any conference. Her terrific presentation and compelling delivery give people the information they need and want to become their own bosses and grow success… Read more
Laurie Dalton White Conference Director, Pennsylvania Conference for Women
Melinda Emerson has been a fantastic small business and social media resource for the Pitney Bowes team. Not only is she personable and easy to work with, but she also has an innate understanding of the small business audience. My marketing programs … Read more
Justin Amendola, Former VP, Global SMB Digital Strategy, Pitney Bowes

Latest #SmallBizChat

50 Best Free Apps for Small Business Owners

Running a small business requires wearing multiple hats—operations, marketing, finance, customer service, and more. Fortunately, there’s a wide range of free tools that can help you streamline your processes, increase productivity, and save money. Whether you’re a solopreneur or managing a growing team, these 50 best free apps for small business owners are powerful, practical, […]

Fix Your Business Q&A Video

Recent Posts

  • 50 Best Free Apps for Small Business Owners
  • The SmallBizChat Podcast: How to Reinvent a Legacy Business with Rich Trotter
  • May 2025 #SmallBizChat: How to Position Your Brand with Multicultural Markets
  • How to Tighten Your Sales Infrastructure (Before Your Bank Account Screams for Help)
  • The SmallBizChat Podcast: How Giving a TEDx Talk Can Benefit Your Business with Dr. Dan Young

#SmallBizChat

  • SmallBizChat Archive
  • @SmallBizLady

Business Advice

  • How to Start

SmallBizLady Store

Products

Free Chapter

Get In Touch

  • FAQ
  • Be a #SmallBizChat Guest
  • Contact Us
Copyright © 2025
Quintessence Entertainment, Inc
PO Box 280
Drexel Hill, PA 19026
(610) 352-0680
Privacy Policy · Refund Policy

Let’s Connect

  • facebook
  • instagram
  • tiktok
  • pinterest
  • linkedin
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • feedburner