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Forum: Idea Exchange
Topic: Where do I start?
Topic Posted by: veronica (roni@powerweb.net )Organization: Chrysler
Date Posted: Sat Dec 11 8:36:45 2004
Topic Description: I am 19 years old and I just started a carreer in sales. I am having a very hard time with prospecting. I understand that I need to get my name out, but I just don't know where to start.
Original Message:
Posted by: Trent Loveless
(asktrent@hotmail.com
)
Date posted: Tue Dec 14 9:23:18 2004
Subject: Prospecting 101
Message:
I ran into the same problem when I started. I began by always carrying my business card with me. I left them at restaurant tables, in the card slots at ATM's and if I was in a gas station and happened to see someone purchase an auto trader I would approach them and introduce myself and hand them my card. I also got ahold of the logs from several months back and began to call customers that had been worked by previous sales people who were no longer at the dealership. I generated several deals out of these and managed to get a few referals as well. Whatever you do, the thing to remember is don't try it just once and forget about it. Keep doing it. You only have to be successful with it once for it to succeed. I also found out when the local car shows were and arranged with my manager to bring our latest vehicle down to the show for people to see it. The logic being, you can work a full shift and only make contact with three customers on a slow day but if I do the car show, I am putting my name in front of at least fifty or more plus they see first hand what my product is.
Reply:
Subject: prospecting
Reply Posted by: Paul Savage
Date Posted: Fri Dec 17 9:59:16 2004
Message:
Those are good ideas from Loveless. Here are some more:
1) make a flyer and distribute it throughout a four block area of your home using the neighbor approach.
2) make sure all your family and friends know what you do now.
3) join a local business networking group. You'll get a short pitch to influencial people in your area plus get to meet people with other prospecting ideas that you sould put to use.
4) work your store's service dept. That's a good place for orphan customers too.
5) Place a small ad in your local town paper or better yet, offer to write a weekly/monthly article from "your local car gal". Then include tips on how to shop, pick the right vehicle, winterize your car, prepare for a road trip, etc.
6) market to your exisiting client base or anyone that you've developed a rapport with, whether or not they ended up buying from you.
These are a few off the top of my head that either I or someone I know have tried. I hope this helps.
Good luck!
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