Monday, September 28, 2009

Learning to Think Like a Customer: Selling Tips for Success

<p>One of the most common mistakes marketers make is advertising and marketing based on personal opinions and perceptions. Unsuccessful ones tend to think this way, not only about the product being sold, but also regarding how potential customers will act and react to our advertising approach. This then begs the obvious question (which isn’t so obvious)â€"why do customers buy in the first place. What is their motivation, purpose in buying? What do they need the product/service for? What needs are they satisfying in buying the products in the first place? Seems like simple and basic questions, right? Not really, when you dig deeper under the surface. The better we understand and appropriately respond to these questions, the more sales, revenue and success we will have. <p> Fact number one: potential customers buy for personal reasons (theirs), not ours. They could care less about our company, glitzy website, or how long the list of product features so skillfully displayed. They only care about the oldest motivation in the book â€" WII-FM (what’s in it for ME!). They want the benefit, the impact, the improvement, the comfort, or the security it will deliver, period. <p> Most small (and large for that matter) business marketing fails to address these crucial customer needs directly. All too often the focus is mistakenly on the greatness of the product or service, and not on what is important (to the customer that is). Marketers are often their own worst enemy. Frequently, they are not communicating on the buyer's level of motivation. They are too busy figuring out how to "sell" the product than finding out the reasons the customer "buys" in the first place. <p> The problem comes down to the marketing strategy that is employed. Are you pushing the product or are you pulling the customer through the marketing process? <p> The distinction becomes very important and critical to success. Since buyers only care about their needs and take action for their personal reasons, why should they pay attention to why you think your product is so great? <p> When you push products, you are essentially telling the customer that they should buy from you because of your reasons. With this egocentric approach you often run into a stone wall of objections and delays. Pushing the product forces them out of their comfort zone and places unnecessary pressure on their decision making process. A relentless assault of closing techniques pushes them away from a purchase decision on “their terms”. <p> Pulling a potential customer through the purchase process is much more effective. When you pull you are leading them to the purchase like leading a horse to water. You gently guide them through your features and benefits and come to a decision on their terms. If they resist you have not educated them enough with information to motivate them or you haven't addressed their objections sufficiently. <p> The potential customer will only make a decision when they are comfortably satisfied your offer has met all of their purchase criteria. As a seller, you must pull them through the process and always let them stay within the limits of their comfort zone. It's by staying within these boundaries that trust is established and a long term relationship is built with the customer. <p> Also remember that the purchasing process is completely rooted in the perceptions of the buyer. They have ultimate control over the process, not you. Your job as a marketer is to develop all your communications to make them comfortable and lead them to the best outcome...purchasing your product or service. <p> Always be aware of which method you are using - push or pull - and adopt it to the potential customer’s personal reasons for purchasing and you will enjoy continuous success. <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p></p>

The Little Things For Interior Decorating

When it comes to getting interior design ideas, there is just so much that goes into creating that special feeling in the home. Cynthia Aiken Interiors has mastered the art of decorating a home, and she has made her specialization French Country design. It's a rustic feel that lets homeowners and visitors alike get the feeling that they are in the French countryside. The décor is welcoming and warm, not to mention beautiful. While the large pieces of furniture help to set the base for the atmosphere, it's actually the little things around the home that bring a theme together.
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<br>Whether you are redecorating just one room, or you are doing the whole house, the accessories you choose will either enhance or ruin your vision. Fortunately, thanks to an amazing interior design catalog, you don't have to worry about picking something that will clash with your French country style. You'll find everything you need from bedding to lamps, accessories to mirrors. Sprucing up your home with a touch of Atlanta's best interior designer's style has never been easier.
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<br>You might want to start with your bedding. Cynthia Aiken has chosen one of the best companies to work with for her bedding supplier, and you'll love the way all of the patterns work with your North Georgia décor. Once you have chosen the pattern you want for your bedroom, you can purchase a complete set for your bed from bed skirts to shams and even get decorative pillows to match. If you really like the pattern you chose, you can also use the fabric for other places in the home such as footstools or curtain panels.
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<br>Even though you are creating a look in your home that matches one theme, you'll find that you can make each room completely different without taking away from the French Country design. Lamps are a great way to make each room different while still having originality in your choices and setting that rustic atmosphere. Many of the lamps that Cynthia Aiken has added to her collection come in sets, so that you can have matching floor lamps and table lamps in one room. You can also mix and match because the color assortment works well together and it will help to spruce up your rooms with color.
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<br>Carefully placed mirrors can really light up a room, and not just metaphorically. Mirrors have been used not only as decorations for hundreds of years but also as a way to reflect light to dark places. You'll find that you can create your own interior design for casual living with help from one of Cynthia Aiken's many mirrors that she has in her collection. All of them have unique designs that will keep your decorating ideas original and your rooms beautiful.
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<br>The accessories you choose from Cynthia Aiken's interior design catalog will be the finishing touches for your French Country decorating. From clocks to bowls and boxes to candles, you'll be able to find the perfect pieces to set on top of your tables and dressers, bringing together the whole collection.
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<br>About the Author: Shelly Field is an award-winning <a href="http://www.cynthiaaikeninteriors.com" rel="nofollow">interior designer</a> and writer. She is best known for her extensive knowledge of <a href="http://cynthiaaikeninteriors.com/HomeDecor.shtml" rel="nofollow">French Country Interior Designs</a>.
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