Direct Marketing Technique: Door-To-Door Selling

What is door-to-door selling?

Door-to-door selling is an important direct marketing tool in which a salesperson walks from the door of one house to the door of another in an attempt to sell, on the spot, a product or service to the general public. The target group is willing to switch to that product or service after research. It is used in the comfort of the potential consumer’s environment where he or she is in control.

Why is it used?

In recent times, this form of direct selling has become more and more important because it is personalized, and this aids in breaking through the clutter of competing brands. A salesperson in the flesh is more likely to be able to build a relationship with the customer than someone over the phone. 

 

Who is the target group of door-to-door selling?

This largely depends on the product or service. For example, if this technique is being used to sell a home security system, then people who are home owners and are very security conscious should be focused on. Similarly, for beauty products, individuals who are self-conscious and want to appear better looking among their social circle should be segmented as the target group.

How is it used?

After making a list of which area to go and how many houses to visit, the sales representative, with the actual products with him/her knocks on doors, and attempts to sell the merchandise. In case of intangible services, the sales force team would encourage the filling of membership forms.

It is often used by companies who have a much selected consumer base. Research has proven that if is effective in selling brands that are not mass marketed, since they need loyal, long time consumers to survive and contribute to the life time equity.

Tips for effective door-to-door selling:

• Companies enforcing this method of marketing should make sure that their sales force team is competent, and is able to answer all the questions that the consumer is asking. They should also be convincing enough for the customer to make an actual purchase.
• The sales force team should always hand out brochures and leaflets at the end of their visit, so that the potential customers can refer to this material, should they wish to make a purchase in the future. Such material also helps in brand recall.
• Door-to-door selling can be an expensive marketing tool, since it not only utilized human resources, effort and time, but also costs such as that of reaching the customer. Therefore, it should be made sure prior to contacting the customer, that he or she is not distracted by any other activities and has the sale rep’s full attention.

Direct Marketing Tool: Brochures

Brochures are one of the very important tools used in direct marketing and direct selling. A brochure can be defined as a written hard material that is used to pass information about something. It is an advertising piece which is largely used to introduce a company or organization and inform about products and/or services to a target audience. The alternate names for brochures are pamphlets and leaflets. They may be considered as grey literature, meaning informally published material that is difficult to trace through channels like journals since it is not published commercially or widely accessible.

People often confuse brochures with flyers, although there are some fundamental differences between the two. While a brochure is folded, a flyer is just a sheet of paper that is used as an insert in newspapers and magazines. Brochures also often use more color on high quality or glossy paper.

Brochures are one of the tools that has been used since a long time, and have maintained their popularity even with the advancement of technology rising trend of online marketing and electronic means of advertising. There are a number of reasons for this.  For example, brochures are highly space efficient. Since they are folded into panels, they seem compact, but they can be opened up to reveal large amounts of information. Also, you can control your target market very well with brochures, since they are being delivered to people individually, whereas in other marketing tools such as billboards and television commercials, the marketer can't really control each individual watching them. Brochures are also used as a complement to direct selling, and are used in techniques such as door to door selling. These methods engage potential customers and encourage them to respond, thereby, increasing the chances of a potential customer being tuned into an actual customer.

Common Types of Brochures:
Bi-Fold: A single sheet printed on both sides and folded into halves, which results in four panels (two panels on each side).

Tri-Fold: A single sheet printed on both sides and folded into thirds, resulting in six panels (three panels on each side).

Tips For Making A Better Brochure

• Design a brochure using out of the box creativity, such that it should immediately catch a person's attention. You can also alter the shape, instead of going for the mundane A4 sized rectangular shapes. For example, you can design brochures so that they can be used as coasters or origami toys. This will encourage people to retain the brochures for future references instead of immediately throwing them away in the trash. 
• Provide contact details so that you can get back to people asking for any queries.
• Write an appropriate introduction, with subheadings.
• Use maps for directions, if you want people to know where exactly you are located.

Color Psychology on Sales : Red

If you want to catch your target audience's attention, using a spot of red just in the right place is the smartest way to go, especially when using with a neutral color such as white and black.
Red is also associated with celebrations about love and giving, such as Christmas and Valentine's day.

Color Psychology on Sales : Green

Green means health, environment and goodwill. It is the color of money, so it creates thoughts of wealth. It's a calming color, very pleasing to the senses. It is also the color associated with envy, good luck, generosity and fertility.

Color Psychology on Sales : White

 

In color psychology white is the color of new beginnings, clean slate, so to speak. It is the blank canvas waiting to be written upon. It isn't stimulating to the senses, but it opens the creation of anything the mind can conceive.

In sales, it can be associated with new products, new formulas, better formulas of existing products, especially within the beauty scope.

Color Psychology on Sales : Blue

From a color psychology perspective, blue is reliable and responsible. This color exhibits an inner security and confidence. This is a color that seeks peace and tranquility above everything else, promoting both physical and mental relaxation. It reduces stress, creating a sense of calmness, relaxation and order - we certainly feel a sense of calm if we lie on our backs and look into a bright blue cloudless sky. It's also a fresh and clean color, which associated with the "trust" meaning, makes it perfect to promote cosmetic products, especially when conveying the message about them.

Color Psychology on Sales : Yellow

Yellow helps with decision making as it relates to clarity of thought and ideas, although it can often be impulsive. Yellow helps us focus, study and recall information, useful when it comes to memorize some product description.

Color Psychology on Sales : Orange

Orange brings spontaneity and a positive outlook on life and is a great color to use during tough economic times, keeping us motivated and helping us to look on the bright side of life.
Orange is a color also associated with promos and special offers, when it comes to sales.

Use Color Psychology To Get More Sales

Ever wondered how advertisers and marketeers use colors to spread their message and get more sales? Every color is associated with different feelings, emotions and sensations and the trick is to explore these feelings, emotions and sensations in order to make a sale.
This week we're going to explore each color, stay tuned!

Closing The Sale

When you're selling something your customers will probably ask for something, whether it is information about the product, lower price, a product demonstration or customer referrals. A good rule to remember is to ask for something in return: for example, if the customer asks for a demonstration, ask them for a commitment to move forward with the purchase, if the demonstration proves that your product or service fulfill their needs and wishes.

Don't give in to temptation in promising something that you can't deliver. If a product needs time to be shipped, don't tell your client that you can get the product right away. Be honest and realistic.

How To Sell Anything

Today we're sharing an infograpghy by Anna Vital on how to sell anything to survive as an entrepreneur, starting with trust: having a clientele that trusts you is vital for any sale, and it's something that should be built since the beginning, even if your client doesn't buy the product when you first approach him. 

Stand optimistic, yet transparent about your products, and be reasonable on where/when to approach your clients. Also make sure that you follow the sale (or prospective sale), whether you already made the sale, or not: always make sure the client is happy with the product, and be patient: you'll probably hear a lot of "nos" before hearing a YES.

Sales Techniques - That Actually work

 

Today we're showing an infography by the Professional Academy with some Sales Techniques. 

Sales can be competitive and demanding, but if you believe in yourself, if you're professional and trustworthy, and a great listener to your clients, your sales will definitely grow and most important: your clientele.

The Importance of Hashtags

In the world of Social Media, hashtags are everywhere! Once you hashtag a word on Twitter, Instagram, Google + and even Faceboo everyone can see it, all account users. The word goes directly into the hashtag world and this allows users who aren't following you to see it, and to see the message and/or content you post related to this word.
However, don't give in to temptation in creating a hashtag in every single word you use: Use them wisely, by subject, relevance and importance. The recommended ratio is 1-3 hashtag words per tweet/publication, or else you might be just missing the point and creating clutter in your social media profiles.

4 Social Media Tips

1. Be Yourself: I know, this might sound as a big cliche, but the thing is, if you share your own values and interest on your social media your audience will be authentic and will definitely grow faster, rather than if you play it safe.
2. Interact with your audience: liking pictures and commenting back isn't interacting. Asking people to buy your product isn't interacting either, but asking your audience to participate in giveaways or contests will definitely catch their attention.
3. Don't make direct advertising: people hate it on social media. Instead entertain them, give them a reason to visit your page.
4. Make your effort constant: Maintenance is key when managing your social media pages. If you don't care about your page, people will just assume you don't care about your business and products.
   

Quote of the day: Business Without Advertising...

Today's inspirational quote comes from Steuart Henderson Britt, and is right on the spot: business without advertising doesn't exist, people don't know where you are or what you do. Nobody notices!
So go out, advertise! Mouth to mouth is the cheapest way, social media don't cost a thing as well, blogs, comments, forums, all of them for free.
Make sure that girl sees the wink (metaphorically, of course)!

How to Deal With Criticism

• Change your perspective;
• Know the difference between constructive and destructive criticism (and envy as well);
• Accept that you, as everyone else, have flaws, and don't take things too personally;
• Understand what you're being told;
• Analyze it, see if there is any truth in it;
• Address the issue carefully;
• Thank whoever makes the constructive criticism;
• Remember that constructive criticism can improve you as a person as a direct seller as well;
• Stay confident and show it;
• Always be polite, whether people make you constructive or destructive criticism. Kill them with kindness, as it's usually said.

Quote of the day: Profit !

Profit isn't random, and should never be seen as random, as something that comes at the end. When we think about profit, it should be planned for in the beginning, to be taken as a goal, something to work for.

Tips on How to Fight Stress

Being a successful direct seller or presenter is a demanding job, as well as working towards success. But without work, success doesn't come overnight. There are worries and problems and dealing with them can be very stressful.

So here are some tips on how to deal with stress:

• Learn to breathe!

• Identify the stress - you will only deal with the stress as soon as you identify the sources of the stress. Take some time to think about it and hello good mood ! :)

• Exercise daily - exercise increases the levels of endorphines, therefor you will feel much better after, more relaxed, calm, and promotes a good night of sleep.

• Having a healthy diet - After all , the quality of what we eat influences the state of our physical and mental health . 

Extra tip: Drink more water!

Marketing Tips on Social Media : Twitter

Still following the line of the previous post regarding Social Media, today we're sharing some tips on how to use the big giant Twitter:

 

Marketing Tips on Social Media : Facebook

Social Media has become more and more important to direct sales business, as it connects with everyone, with several other social media platforms and it's a cheap way of reaching everyone online. So here's a quick guide on how to work with Facebook, in order to boost your sales: