Sales 2.0 - The New Contact Sport - How to Use & Leverage Social Media Marketing For Sales Success!

Sales management training methods can benetworks, literally millions of people can be
centered on the introduction of effective Sales 2.0reached, especially on the internet. In an article run
methods. In the wake of emerging websites suchby the New York Times (online on 7.10.2007),
as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, andDavid Appelbaum, vice president for marketing at
other social networking platforms and sites, theseBigFix explains a marketing initiative run by the
effective methods are changing the landscape forcompany: "'Forty-five percent of the Web traffic
motivational sales training. Thus, as companiesto our main corporate site was originating from
begin to realize the benefits of these free andthe viral campaign' last fall, he adds, and it is 'still
wide-reaching tools, sales team training can bedriving traffic.'" In the article Mr. Appelbaum
improved for better results.reported that the campaign generated 400,000
Traditional Marketing Methodscustomers. Like the BigFix company had
Older methods of sales prospecting have seen aexperienced in the New York Times article, results
decline in effectiveness and use of budget. Snailcan be obtained with effective Sales 2.0 tools and
mail, in-person prospecting, and phone calls aremarketing initiatives.
becoming an insufficient use of a company'sAudience
money. Either by direct costs or the time it takesFor Chicago sales training groups and for sales
for the staff to perform these duties, thetraining members in all locations, it is important to
cost-efficiency of such endeavors are undermined.realize the staggering audience that may be
And even for these methods to be successful,reached with Sales 2.0 tools. Social networks are
they must incorporate high standards, which isan excellent example: according to statistics found
costly. However, as reported in a USA Todayon the social networking website Facebook, it has
article (online on 6.22.2005) on viral advertising,over 350 million active users. Other networking
Russ Klein, Burger King's chief marketing officersites such as MySpace and Twitter reach millions
states that "People have grown increasinglyof users across the globe and have become
skeptical of packaged, canned, Madisonparamount for advertising means.
Avenue-speak." Truly these ineffective ads thatIn national and local markets, such as for relevant
take budgeting money away cannot be the focusa Chicago sales training consultant looking to get
of sales training tactics.its business exposure, social networking and
Motivational sales training methods are improvinginternet communities can play a pivotal role.
on these traditional marketing methods, inAdditionally to social networking websites is the
response to the dual weaknesses elicited. Therole of online communities. These websites and
weaknesses of traditional marketing can be seencommunities within a given industry are found
in two focal areas, with the inefficiency of thethroughout the Internet. For instance, a Chicago
marketing method itself and the compoundingsales trainer looking to get the company's
nature of lost manpower. Sales training speakerschildren's toy on the market could find a number
have identified, such as in the aforementionedof communities within this industry. Enthusiasts
quote, that people have grown weary of suchwith reviews, advice, and forums can be found
ads. Thus, the ineffectiveness of such methodsdedicated to a virtually unlimited amount of
does not bode well for increased business, as wellindustries and products.
as the virtually lost budget money. Additionally,Activity and Exposure
the issue is compounded. In many of theseSales skill training methods should ensure that
traditional marketing methods, such as phone callsmarketers remain active within social communities
and in-person prospecting, if these methods proveand opportunities. For instance, in the
ineffective in themselves, the business wastingaforementioned example of online forums, it is
valuable resources. This becomes an additional andimportant to establish a level of rapport within the
devastating loss in today's market.community. Members cannot be blanketed with
Benefits of Sales 2.0 Toolsadvertising attempts. However, motivational sales
As businesses are introduced to newer Sales 2.0training can demonstrate how to offer advice, get
tools, the general inefficiency of traditionalto know members, and tastefully introduce others
marketing methods are much improved upon. Theto one's product or business.
first thing Sales 2.0 tools improve upon is inOther slightly different online services can be
regards to direct advertising costs. Sales andeffective for a Chicago sales trainer or sales
marketing training groups are discovering thetraining consultant in any location. LinkedIn, Digg,
power of these tools, and for a much lower costPropeller, and StumbleUpon represent unique
than traditional means. These newer methods canopportunities in Sales 2.0 tools. These websites
be obtained for no cost. And if money is to beallow a great deal of exposure based on the
spent somewhere, these networks and toolspopularity of a website. For no cost, pages on a
represent smart options for the money. In thewebsite could be placed on websites such as this.
second instance of the improvement of Sales 2.0If users find it useful or entertaining, it could
tools, manpower is saved. Time wasted by thegenerate a great deal of traffic and exposure.
staff in regards to traditional methods is remedied.Sales 2.0 Opportunities
Sales team training can focus on utilizing theseSales 2.0 represents a unique opportunity that can
networks and tools, thus saving the team's timetransform business sales training. While these tools
with ineffective traditional methods.and communities offer excellent paid advertising
Before getting into examples of starting points inprospects, they can be effectively utilized for
Sales 2.0 tools, it is important that salesfree. When sales team training members consider
management training groups and other businessesthis with the audience, exposure, and
recognize the effectiveness of such tools. Witheffectiveness that can take place, there truly is
the scope of certain websites, tools, and onlineunlimited potential in marketing at this level.