Successful Women Show How It's Done: 8 Rules for Maximizing Sales

ATLANTA, GA, December 08, 2012 (Press-News.org) Whether you're a new entrepreneur or a seasoned CEO, one thing is for certain: without sales, your business will ultimately fail.

"The bottom line is we all need to make money," says Dr. R. Kay Green, CEO of RKG Marketing Solutions and author of the new book "I've Been Called the B* Word... Now What Do I Do?" "We need to support ourselves and grow our business at the same time. While these might seem like opposing goals, they can be achieved simultaneously. All it takes is focus, dedication, and hard work."

In "I've Been Called the B* Word," Dr. Green interviews award-winning entrepreneur and women's success coach Erica Diamond, who shared her secret for increasing sales: "Remember that Alec Baldwin line from Glengarry Glen Ross--'ABC: Always Be Closing'? Mine is 'ABT: Always Be Talking.'" In other words, always look for opportunities to strike up conversations, connect with people, and create brand awareness.

Another interviewee, Rachel Hollis, founder of the Chic Events planning company and one of Inc. Magazine's Top 30 Entrepreneurs Under 30, has another view: "Whatever the competition is doing, I'm not paying attention to it. To me, if your brand is different and unique and special enough then there is no competition because nobody is going to do it like you do."

Other ways to increase sales include:
* Use social networking. More than 50 percent of online shoppers will share personal data with retailers via Facebook (Marketingtechblog.com).

* Go mobile. In 2011, 17.8 million people shopped on mobile devices on Cyber Monday (Marketingtechblog.com)--14.2 million more than in 2009.

* Increase marketing. Paying for an ad or marketing campaign that will reach your target customers is wise spending.

* Upsell. Always suggest other products or services that tie in to your customer's purchase. Even a $20 increase in daily sales will bring you an extra $7,300 in one year.

* Reward loyalty. The average US household is enrolled in 18 loyalty programs (Marketingtechblog.com)--and is likely to spend more at retailers that offer rewards.

* Create a sales strategy. Define your competitive advantage and how you will use it to maximize profitability.

* Define your brand. Have a clear-cut message about who you and your business are, and use that to set yourself above the competition.

No matter which tactic you use, however, it all comes down to your approach--and how you present it. "The first step is communication," advises Dr. Green. "There is no better way to grow your business than simple word of mouth. Talk about your brand and your products or services, and get people talking to each other about them too. Whether you do this through Twitter, a local newspaper, or TV interviews is up to you. Just get the message out there in whatever way best reaches your target market."

About the author:
Dr. R. Kay Green is the CEO and president of RKG Marketing Solutions, Inc. and an online professor and course developer for West Virginia University, Embry-Riddle University, University of California--Irvine, Arcadia University, and the Florida Institute of Technology. She holds an associate's degree in marketing management, a bachelor's in administration in marketing, an MBA in marketing and management, and a doctorate of business administration in marketing, and has been featured on Great Women Speakers, Black Experts, and Guru.com.

("I've Been Called the B* Word... Now What Do I Do?" by Dr. R. Kay Green; ISBN: 978-0-9858901-0-0; $19.95; 208 pages; 5.5" x 8.5"; hardcover)

Website: http://www.rkgmarketingsolutions.com