So You've Created a Product/Good or Service
Why Aren't You Selling It?
You’ve Finally Built It…
That product that you’ve dreamed of forever. It’s finally done but one of the most challenging aspects of building an online business is working through all of the experimentation. You’re constantly testing out ideas, concepts, products and services to sell. This process can feel really overwhelming, a little intimidating and scary. It also can feel really exciting.
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Today’s Paid Subscriber Training
Build Your List-I’ve share a pre-recorded training designed to help you get started building your list. This past week Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and LinkedIn all went down. If you have been actively building a list-your business would have (hopefully) experienced minimal disruption. In this week’s training I’m sharing how to lead your list building with your content strategy.
Resource Shout Out-Flodesk
If you’re looking for an email service provider that is cute, that you make sales with and is easy to use-Flodesk may be the tool for you. I love the simplicity of this tool, the look of the emails (they’re pretty) and I like the analytics provided by the platform. You can even sell products using Flodesk.
Ok-You’ve (Finally) Created Something Cool
And then what?
You have to actually sell it. And, real talk, it can be scary to do. I’m not just talking about things that people pay for. Even sharing a free idea can feel a little scary. I would like to share my story of selling free stuff. It’s relevant because a huge part of an online entrepreneur’s business strategy is to create and share free content. That content could include (but isn’t limited to) resources, podcast episodes, video trainings and more.
Selling Free
It feels counterintuitive that you would have to “sell” free. But this type of selling happens in the following instances:
Building an email list
Sharing a helpful resource
Getting people to watch your video
Encouraging people to attend a free workshop.
All of these “free” areas of focus require that you make “an ask.” But, for right now I want to focus on the most important foundational piece.
Growing Your list
You have to pitch over and over again to people who may or may not be familiar with you and your brand. Your email list is literally the most important foundational piece of building a healthy and sustainable business. Every Fortune 500 business has a list. Your local ice cream store, cell phone company and favorite yoga studio all have lists. Why don’t you? The excuses people give are varied:
It’s hard to do and feels uncomfortable.
You’re not sure what the purpose is to building a list.
You don’t want to bother the people who are on your list.
That Time I Was a Brand Ambassador
I learned how to persuade people to say “Yes” to free items when I was a brand ambassador. I have to admit that being a brand ambassador was one of my favorite side-hustles. All I had to do was to give out free products and share talking points about the products that I was handing out.
It was harder than you would think it would be.
When I worked for a yogurt brand, the objections that people would give included the following:
I’m lactose intolerant
How much sugar does it have (per container?)
How much does it cost? Why is it so expensive?
In the beginning of the marketing program it was so hard to give the yogurt away. By the end of the program, it was so easy. We had answers and approaches for what to do when we encountered an objection.
Objection: I’m lactose intolerant.
Our counterpoint: Maybe one of your friends or family members would love to try this yogurt out.
Objection: How much sugar does it have (per container?)
Our counterpoint: It has 23g grams of sugar (share the truth) which is a little high. How about enjoying it as a treat?
Objection: Why is the yogurt so expensive?
Our counterpoint/solution: Here’s a coupon so that you can save on your first purchase. It also goes on sale from time to time so keep an eye out for when that happens.
Have You Worked Through The Objections
If you’re uncomfortable doing the free work that creates a sustainable brand. How will you be able to do the work that you have to focus on to make sales on products or services that cost.
Watch the Training
Every month I share a workshop or training with paying subscribers. This month I’m breaking down how to grow your list and some actions you build into your systems.