The Only 2 Things You Absolutely, Positively Must Be Doing To Successfully Close More Sales

Call it what you will: following up, checking in, touching base - you're trying to turn invested time into profitable time.  If you are selling a product or a service you cannot assume that your first contact with someone will close a sale. Actually, just don't. I recently came across this statistic (from the Sales & Marketing Management Institute) that said: 

• 87% of all leads are never pursued 
• 48% of all sales leads that are pursued are dropped after the first call/meeting 
• AND YET... 80% of all sales close after the fifth contact/meeting

The only two things you absolutely, positively must be doing to successfully close more sales: Planning and Persisting

1) PLAN for how and when you are going to follow up with your qualified prospective customers. Are they on social media sites like pintrest, twitter, or facebook? Find out! It's a fantastic way to develop a more personal relationship with with current customers but also prospective ones. Get a system. There are fabulous systems out there for need and budget. But don't be fooled, the system will only get you so far... you still have to... 
 2) PERSIST.  The systems are only as good as people who have the courage and persistence to use them and follow through on their prompts.  While it's easy to get overwhelmed with tools and technology,  ultimately the responsibility always comes back to us and we know this.  Persistence can often lead to being rejected. And that can mean having our confidence and belief in ourselves that we are good, smart, and competent people shattered because someone says "no." Give up having to "look good." Give up on the facade and put yourself on the line. And when you do this - you'll become one of those statistics... the good ones!

I'll be discussing this TODAY on Breakthrough Business Strategies Radio with host, Michele Price. Join us!

The Top 5 Movies for Entrepreneurs

In order, the five top movies that all entrepreneurs should see at least once. These movies will inspire you, might frustrate you, but remind you why you do what you do and not to give up on a dream.

5) Working Girl
"You can bend the rules plenty once you get to the top, but not while you're trying to get there. And if you're someone like me, you can't get there without bending the rules."
Okay, a movie about the corporate world to start the list, but it's a great movie about not giving up on your dream. And at the very end when we see that Tess, the main character, has "made it" because she's in an office with a window, the camera pulls back to show her little window within a huge office building in a sea of more office buildings. You'll be relived to remember that as an entrepreneur, you aren't trapped and actually work on your terms.

4) The Pursuit of Happyness
"You got a dream... You gotta protect it. People can't do somethin' themselves, they wanna tell you you can't do it. If you want somethin', go get it. Period."
It's the ultimate overcoming all odds movie. When you see what Chris Gardner goes through, it gives some perspective.

3) The Social Network
"You don't even know what the thing is yet. How big it can get, how far it can go. This is no time to take your chips down. A million dollars isn't cool, you know what's cool?"
It's great to see a guy with such confidence. When you see Mark do what he does so well - it's inspiring to see the intensity and drive.

2) Up in the Air
"How much did they pay you to give up on your dreams?"
Why is a movie about a guy with a job that has him traveling the country non-stop firing people on this list? It's a great reminder that when you're self-employed nobody gets to fire you. And if you've just been fired or are afraid of getting fired, maybe it's just what you need anyway.

1) Jerry Maguire
"Twenty-four hours ago, man, I was hot! Now... I'm a cautionary tale. You see this jacket I'm wearing, you like it? Because I don't really need it. Because I'm cloaked in failure!"
The quintessential movie for all entrepreneurs. It's about failure, success, principles, and love. One of the best movies ever made.

BONUS... And if you're still not completely motivated - get a copy of Yes is Destination, No is How You Get There.
"I think a lot of times people give up too soon thinking they failed because they got a lot of NOs, instead of realizing, "hey, I'm still on track to do this. It's just taking longer than my ego mind thought it would." - Jack Canfield
If you are an entrepreneur, you'll want to make sure that the word 'no' and fear of failure and rejection is in your toolbox of assets rather than obstacles!