Increase Online Sales: 3 Proven Approaches

Posted by Laura Bergells

April 8, 2005

I was on a first date (quite) a few years ago, and the guy told me he knew that he was going to marry me. He could “just tell”.

I went out of my way to make sure that I never saw him again.

But how many times have you seen the same approach in internet marketing? There’s this alarming and ineffective tendency to ask for a sale. . . before letting prospects get to know more about you, your product,or how you do business. This approach doesn’t work. It scares customers away in droves.

Here are three proven approaches that work VERY well:

Provide well-written, interesting content. Let your visitors get to know your style…as well as your substance.
Document your sales process. I don’t buy from sites that don’t let me know what to expect when I hit the “buy now” button or pick up the phone to place an order. Who would?
Present an offer. Instead of going for the hard sales close immediately, give your audience a chance to get to know you better. Free downloads, demos, and other useful information can help establish an ongoing relationship.

As Jon Lovitz used to say in an old Saturday Night Live skit, “Get to Know Me!”

And let your audience get to know YOU!

Duration: 2:22 (Two minutes, 22 seconds)