Previously seen in Green Sheet

Best-selling business strategies – Part 2: Online selling

The days of solely relying on face-to-face interactions are largely behind us. In today's digital world, your online presence is your storefront, your reputation, and your primary lead-generation tool. While Square, Stripe, and PayPal capitalized on simplicity, you can win over business owners by offering something they can't: a real, accessible human connection.

Here's how to make sure you're not just found online, but that you stand out as the trusted expert.

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Building Your Digital Foundation

Think of these as the essential building blocks for your online identity:

• Create a Professional Online Presence: At a minimum, you need a basic one-page website that projects a professional image. Complement this with an electronic business card, a well-maintained LinkedIn profile (with an up-to-date photo!), and active Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.

  • Pro-Tip: Link your email address to your website (e.g., yourname@yourwebsite.com). Ditch the generic Gmail address to immediately boost your credibility.

  • Stay Active: Post interesting content at least once or twice a week and engage with others' posts. Consistency is key!

• Develop Robust Online Assets: Your website is more than just a placeholder; it's a showcase of your expertise. Make sure it includes:

  • Your business name and tagline.

  • Your location, address, phone number, and email address.

  • A contact form to make it easy for prospects and partners to reach you.

  • An "About Us" section that clearly outlines your products and services. This reassures visitors that you're a qualified payments consultant.

Expanding Your Reach and Expertise

Once your foundation is solid, it's time to grow your influence and showcase your knowledge.

• Grow Your Professional Network: Leverage social media to connect with business owners. If you're unsure how to use these platforms effectively, explore free online classes or utilize inexpensive tools like Canva for creating engaging posts. Many social media platforms also allow you to schedule posts in advance, helping you maintain a consistent presence.

• Embrace Digital Business Cards: The way we exchange contact information has evolved. While paper cards still exist, a sleek electronic business card that can be sent via text or email is a must-have for professionals in the electronic transactions business. This extends your reach beyond in-person meetings.

  • Bonus: Have a PDF about your business ready to email to clients, partners, and prospects.

• Join Online Communities: Become an active participant in professional industry associations and social media groups. These virtual spaces are excellent for networking. Just remember to vet groups carefully before joining.

  • Consider Starting Your Own: Why not create a local online group to promote your business community? Invite others to join, and drive engagement by allowing members to post and comment on trending issues and local events.

• Share Your Expertise Through Content:

  • Write Professional Articles and Blogs: This is your new "Yellow Pages." People use Google to find solutions, and writing articles helps you get discovered as an expert.

    • Sponsored content (paid promotion) can boost your business directly.

    • Educational articles in trade publications (unpaid) inform readers about industry trends without a hard sell, building your authority.

  • Create a Podcast: Like educational articles, podcasts are fantastic for informing, not directly selling. If you want to be a guest speaker, prepare a profile with potential topics such as:

    • The importance of POS systems.

    • Protecting your e-commerce business from fraud.

    • Strategies for dealing with chargebacks.

    • Be ready to share valuable knowledge about your company without being overly promotional.

Building a Sustainable Virtual Pipeline

Online selling, like traditional sales, requires effort and discipline.

• Discipline is Key: Don't expect results from calling on only a few people. To build a robust pipeline, you need to be consistently reaching out to 50 to 100 prospects a day. The reasons for failure in online selling are often the same as in traditional sales:

  • Not enough outreach.

  • Allowing warm leads to go cold.

  • Insufficient follow-up and networking.

• Set and Achieve Your Goals: Have the discipline to set clear goals and work towards them.

• Consider Paid Advertising: If your budget allows, investing in social media advertising and Google Ads can significantly boost your visibility and drive traffic to your online assets.

Previously seen in Green Sheet

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions